Jing Yan Tavern

Jing Yan Tavern is a Portland spot that cooks Asian fusion across a menu that spans miso salmon, ramen, poke bowls, and wings brined in everything from gochujang to Thai ginger. The crowd skews date-night and celebration-ready, though it reads as a neighborhood place where staff know what they're doing. The drinks are the first thing people mention, often the second and third thing too.

• Cocktails hit hard; Lost in Thailand is a standout.
• Wings come in three distinct flavors, all worth trying.
• Each ingredient shines, even in complex dishes like ramen.
• Staff attentive and genuinely knowledgeable about the menu.

Start with wings in multiple flavors, especially the Thai ginger and Korean gochujang versions. The Szechuan chicken shareable has good heat balance and works for groups. Miso salmon and poke bowl are reliably excellent mains. If you're here for ramen, order the fried chicken version. The smashed cucumber appetizer drew mixed feedback, so skip it.

Cozy and chic without being pretentious. The room stays conversational, not loud.

The kitchen balances sophisticated technique with straightforward flavor. A miso salmon might share a table with Szechuan chicken that manages spice without overwhelm, or ramen where you can taste each ingredient separately. Portions are shareable, so you're meant to order a few things and move through the menu.

Most guests rave about both food and cocktails equally, though the drinks consistently steal the show. One recent visitor said they'd never written a food review before but felt compelled to recommend the place. A handful of diners noted inconsistency in appetizers, but the mains and wings earn universal praise.