Chop Chop Food Pod opened last November and has space for 20 total food carts. 

A new business venture in East Multnomah County is all about celebrating the vibrancy of cuisine and culture that can be discovered next door.

Chop Chop Food Pod

17150 S.E. Powell Boulevard

Open daily

Website: Chopchopfoodpod.com

Facebook: Chop Chop Food Pod

Instagram: chopchopfoodpod

Chop Chop Food Pod, which opened last fall, is a tucked away destination for any foodie — featuring a unique mix of food cart offerings despite still being in its infancy. The pod debuted in November at 17150 S.E. Powell Boulevard, within the Centennial/Powell Neighborhoods, and many of the vendors are first-time cart operates who live within walking distance of the pod.

“We want this to be a family-friendly type of place,” said Tina Huynh, part of the Chop Chop ownership team. “Chop Chop is a place you can go to work, hang out, eat, and be with family.”

Chop Chop was first mulled five years ago after the closure of popular food pods in Downtown Portland. The ownership team wanted to create a space for those small business owners to thrive. But delays hit — the pandemic and permitting issues.

Now the food pod is thriving in its early months.

“Our reviews have all been 5-stars, the food speaks for itself,” Huynh said. “People have been excited to have this place so there are more options for dining.”

Chop Chop Food Pod is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday/Saturday, though each food cart is allowed to keep their own hours. There is ample parking nearby, and the space is enclosed for security and to allow parents to not worry about kids wandering off.

“We want every food cart owner to be their own CEO, and we try to help them do well,” Huynh said. “The buzz word is non-compete, we want it to be fair, with big variety, so all the carts can be successful.”

Right now there are eight food carts (a ninth, Chinese Sizzling Wok, is just days away from opening). The pod has space for 20 in total, and they are in the final stages of bringing in more soon.

Meet the carts:

• Ah Huevo Que Si — Mexican cuisine with a robust brunch menu
• Sous — Surf and turf with claims of the best pepper salted squid in Portland
• YY Korean Kitchen — Korean food
• Kelly Thai and Lao Cuisine — Stir fry, curries, soups, traditional dishes like Nam Khoo
• Shawarma Grill — Grilled meat, tastily wrapped and rolled
• King of Philly — Multiple types of cheesesteaks, headlined by the city of Brotherly Love classic
• Ginzake Sushi — Fresh sushi and poke bowls
• Wen’s Kitchen — Southeast Asian flavors, like garlic noodles, crispy chicken wings, red curry bamboo

“Food translates so well across cultures,” Huynh said. “We are learning things as we go.”

There are plans for the future. They expect to expand hours once we are out of the winter months. The central covered seating area will soon have heaters; and the plan is to host more events — renting out the space for parties and gatherings, live music, movie nights, pop-up vendors/markets, and more.

“We are just starting out, so there will be a few mishaps here or there, but we are available and open to feedback,” Huynh said. “We want this to be a community space.”