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Dragonwell Bistro

735 SW First Ave, Portland, OR 97204 (Downtown)
(503) 224-0800
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Ranked #25 of 3,031 restaurants in Portland
Price range: ₹1,735 - ₹2,313
Cuisines: Chinese
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Restaurant details
Dining options: After-hours
Dining style: Casual Dining
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Cross street: SW Yamhill
Transit: Conveniently next to the SW Yamhill Max Station in Downtown Portland
Description: Growing up among the clatter of silverware and plates in his parents’ restaurants, owner Jack Chu went off to China to work as a Business Consultant after he earned his MBA. There, he tasted authentic Chinese food in various regions. When he moved back to Portland with his wife, they opened Dragonwell Bistro. In the restaurant, large, arched windows stretch from the floor to the exposed rafters, allowing natural light to bring to life the color of dishes arranged artfully on plates. Chef Chen draws upon decades of experience as he forges sweet and savory sauces, such as a combination of champagne and orange juice destined to glaze lightly battered chicken; or sautéed shrimps with fresh Dragonwell loose leaf green tea from Hangzhou, China. Traditional steamed dumplings, Xiao Long Bao are freshly made from stratch each morning. Daily happy hour offers local wine, sake, ginger-infused vodka, and green-tea liqueur add exotic twists to cocktails.
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37 reviews from our community

91% Recommend
    30
    4
    2
    0
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Junction City, Oregon, United States
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
8 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 June 2013 NEW

My wife and I were staying at the Mariott Waterfront in Portland and wanted to get out for dinner, but didn't want to get the car out of the valet garage. We checked the hotel-provided map, and noticed the listing for the Dragonwell Bistro. It sounded good, so we walked over (about 120 minutes) We were seated quickly and enjoyed... More

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See 5 more reviews by Jon B for Portland
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 June 2013 NEW

The waiter went above and beyond to see to it that we were satisfied with our food and drinks. All the workers were very friendly, and when they realized we were tourist took the time to make recommendations to nearby places we may like to see.

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jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
15 June 2013

Thank you for your recent visit to Dragonwell Bistro, in Downtown Portland. We just love visitors and show off our great and beautiful city, along with the best tasting Chinese Cuisine you can find here. We just want to make sure you have the best dinning experience there is. Safe travel! Jack More

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 June 2013

On our summer vacations we've always looked for good Chinese in Portland and this is the very best! Great food, service, atmosphere and host. One block from the river for a nice walk afterwards. Highly recommended. Mongolian Beef and Orange Chicken...very tasty!

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jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
15 June 2013

We really appreciate your visit here at Dragonwell Bistro, especially you came all the way across the country, it is always our goal to make sure you not only get the best tasting freshly made Chinese Food, but the whole experience should be a pleasant and memorable one. Thank you for your visit. Jack Chu, Owner More

Prospect, KY
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 June 2013

Recently visiting Portland, OR. The food tastes great, the prices reasonable, owner friendly, staff attentive. If you are in Portland be sure to check it out.

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jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
5 June 2013

Thank you Barbara for giving up a try, hope you have a good time at the cooking demo. It is always nice to be able to take care of our visitors to our Great city. Please remember us on your next visit! Have a wonderful week. Jack More

Portland, Oregon
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 June 2013

I eat here at there happy hour almost once a week. The food is fresh, tastes great and is presented very nicely.. I have gotten away from Chinese food due to a lot of over cooking and everything tasting like mush but the Dragonwell has made me into a Chinese fook lover again.. Prices are reasonable and I love the... More

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jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
4 June 2013

Thank you so much Sandi for your continue support, week after week. It is clients like yourself that help us grow. Also, with your business of booking special travels for folks to exotic places like Africa, South America, Europe, etc., you have many opportunities to taste the food all over the world so your comments to Dragonwell Bistro means a... More

San Francisco, California
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 May 2013

My husband and I, being from San Francisco, are very picky about our Chinese food, we happened upon this restaurant late Saturday night. There was a party happening on one end of the restaurant; the hostess quickly gave us a great table away from the noise of the party. She quickly recommended the house specialty – the pork dumplings, she... More

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jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
2 June 2013

Thank you so much for visiting us. And having lived in San Francisco before, having you two here feel like my friend is visiting from far away, which would make anyone's day. I am just glad that all of us at Dragonwell Bistro is able to take good care of you to your satisfaction, as that is our number one... More

1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013

Thanks Irene for introducing us to Champagne Chicken The spicy chicken is wonderful too Beautiful wraps Great cocktails - Oriental Passion for tequila lovers and Pendleton Blush for whiskey lovers! If you are in Portland - Do not miss this place!!!!!!!

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jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
2 June 2013

Thank you for your visit, we are so glad that we were able to take good care of you. You satisfaction is always our number goal here at Dragonwell Bistro. Hope to see you again soon! Jack More

Tennessee, USA
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

Post intro to XLB in Shanghai a few years ago, we have enjoyed searching across the US for similar delicacies. The Dragonwell has recently added XLB and they were flavorful and served nicely, but, as typical of prepared-ahead bao, the filling had shrunken and the wrapper was too thick. With the jia jia tang bao in Shanghai as ten, and... More

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Incline Village, Nevada
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
23 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

The service was excellent and the place was empty. Only four of us in this large restaurant. The potsticker appetizer was excellent, but the dinner went downhill from there. The kung pow shrimp had almost no flavor and was not very spicy...the shrimp had a very fishy flavor. The chef's chicken special was better, but still not great. Probably okay... More

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See 2 more reviews by tahoeed for Portland
Portland, Oregon
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 April 2013

Wow, I don't know why this place is rated so high. I had gone with coworkers before and then one day went in for a late lunch. The place wasn't busy at all but service was slow in not friendly. After what seemed like forever, I got my meal and I found hair on my food. Thick black hair just... More

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See 6 more reviews by mom084 for Portland
jcmchu, Owner at Dragonwell Bistro, responded to this review
14 April 2013

I am sorry for what happened at our restaurant. This sort if thing des happen, and sure puts a great meal into a bad one. I hope you let our server know, as it is always our policy to make things right for all of our value customers. We have our high rating because it is true that we strife... More

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