Everything at Cha Lua Bakery & Deli is freshly made and bursting with flavor! The banh mì is one of the best in Portland, crispy bread, savory fillings, and super affordable. Fast service, no frills, just delicious, authentic Vietnamese food. A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Blair S
Edit: The business offered to replace the sandwich. I was just visiting town so I was not able to come by and try it. Regardless, I’m grateful the business tried to make amends after I had a disappointing experience! The spring rolls were very good.
7/31 Devastating experience ordering to go here. Ordered a pork bahn me and fresh spring rolls. The spring rolls were delicious so I’m sorry to muddy their good name in this review, but when I got home I opened my sandwich and there was no meat in it. I even had a conversation with the employee working and took her recommendation to have the pork sandwich (a few more dollars). No one else was in the store so I can’t imagine this was a clerical issue. I would have just gone back but I had gotten the food around 3:30 and it turns out they closed at 4. They could have just told me they were out of pork for the day, I would have ordered something different. Anyway, very tragic. Had gotten excited for the sandwich and now am relegated to McDonald’s nuggets up the street.
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jake Patoski
I only ever come for the banh mi but it's so affordable and tasty and there are tons of options. This is one of my favorite local spots! Make sure when you check out that you ask to leave a tip (or bring cash) as their card machine doesn't require a signature that would include a tip line.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lopezito Jr
Got a number 6 sandwich crispy pork I'd come again. Been to plenty of bahn mi places in portland.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Zin Min
The owners are really nice and friendly the food they have is a amazing so much options and for a great price when my Banking app was having a issue they didn't trip they were understanding but once it was working again they let me pay for my food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Em Beauprey
Best banh mi in SE Portland. Delicious every time. Their tofu is absolutely off the hook!
Em Beauprey-Serrano
Best banh mi in SE Portland. Delicious every time. Their tofu is absolutely off the hook!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marty Simpson
Super friendly service and one of the tastiest bahn mi sandwiches I've had in memory. Definitely on the smaller side of a bahn mi, but also very affordable! The bread was super fresh, too. Oh, and delicious Vietnamese iced coffee. Will be definitely returning!!
J Maxwell
A hall-in-the-wall hidden gem deli! It's located in a shabby neighborhood with a narrow, unwelcoming entrance, but we didn't feel unsafe in/around the store during the lunchtime on a Thursday.
Foods we got were all very tasty with some original flavor twists: Beef pho's ($12 for fairly decent size as of May '25) broth was peppery (with black peppers) in an awesome way. This may be one of the very best pho broth we've ever had (and we've tried pho at several dozen if not hundred locations across multiple states). Grilled pork banh mi sandwich ($5) was buttery in the rich, mouth-watering way. Fresh spring rolls ($5 for 2 good sized ones) were very refreshing with Thai basil, cilantro, cucumber, and lettuce (along with other usual ingredients). Lastly, pork pastry ($2 large palm size) had the filling reminiscent of the Japanese pork bun (Nikuman) that is not domineering yet quite flavorful - exactly the way we like.
Thank you so much for making & offering amazing foods and at such affordable prices. Great foods at great prices is the kind of place that is increasingly hard to find, yet exactly the place we so deeply crave for. Please keep up the fantastic work. We will absolutely return.
Lizzy
This is a hidden gem deli !! They were very nice and everything is fresh. The banh uot and sesame ball we got were very delicious, well-prepared, and a great portion for the price. We’ll definitely be back for the banh mi that looked crazy good too (and such a great price) !!
Authentic, order to go, banh mi and Vietnamese deli! I get the chicken banh mi with an added egg. It's everything I ever want in a sandwich. Seriously amazing flavors, support this small business!!
Alyssa
Delicious food and great service. Ran by a family. No sit down only take out.
PNW_Reviews
My first impression of this place was very low until I was greeted by an elderly woman walking towards the counter with an extremely contagious smile. Cha Lua is a very small mom and pop Vietnamese deli serving the best pork congee I've ever had (besides my mom's). Their Viet coffee is a must try and will probably put hair on your chest, too. I highly recommend this cafe to anyone looking for friendly customer service and for flavorful Vietnamese cuisine.
S Nguyen
Friendly service, great sandwiches, and good prices. I highly recommend the pork belly sandwich.
Everything at Cha Lua Bakery & Deli is freshly made and bursting with flavor! The banh mì is one of the best in Portland, crispy bread, savory fillings, and super affordable. Fast service, no frills, just delicious, authentic Vietnamese food. A must try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edit: The business offered to replace the sandwich. I was just visiting town so I was not able to come by and try it. Regardless, I’m grateful the business tried to make amends after I had a disappointing experience! The spring rolls were very good.
7/31 Devastating experience ordering to go here. Ordered a pork bahn me and fresh spring rolls. The spring rolls were delicious so I’m sorry to muddy their good name in this review, but when I got home I opened my sandwich and there was no meat in it. I even had a conversation with the employee working and took her recommendation to have the pork sandwich (a few more dollars). No one else was in the store so I can’t imagine this was a clerical issue. I would have just gone back but I had gotten the food around 3:30 and it turns out they closed at 4. They could have just told me they were out of pork for the day, I would have ordered something different. Anyway, very tragic. Had gotten excited for the sandwich and now am relegated to McDonald’s nuggets up the street.
Food: 3
Service: 4
I only ever come for the banh mi but it's so affordable and tasty and there are tons of options. This is one of my favorite local spots!
Make sure when you check out that you ask to leave a tip (or bring cash) as their card machine doesn't require a signature that would include a tip line.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got a number 6 sandwich crispy pork
I'd come again. Been to plenty of bahn mi places in portland.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
The owners are really nice and friendly the food they have is a amazing so much options and for a great price when my Banking app was having a issue they didn't trip they were understanding but once it was working again they let me pay for my food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best banh mi in SE Portland. Delicious every time. Their tofu is absolutely off the hook!
Best banh mi in SE Portland. Delicious every time. Their tofu is absolutely off the hook!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super friendly service and one of the tastiest bahn mi sandwiches I've had in memory. Definitely on the smaller side of a bahn mi, but also very affordable! The bread was super fresh, too. Oh, and delicious Vietnamese iced coffee. Will be definitely returning!!
A hall-in-the-wall hidden gem deli! It's located in a shabby neighborhood with a narrow, unwelcoming entrance, but we didn't feel unsafe in/around the store during the lunchtime on a Thursday.
Foods we got were all very tasty with some original flavor twists: Beef pho's ($12 for fairly decent size as of May '25) broth was peppery (with black peppers) in an awesome way. This may be one of the very best pho broth we've ever had (and we've tried pho at several dozen if not hundred locations across multiple states). Grilled pork banh mi sandwich ($5) was buttery in the rich, mouth-watering way. Fresh spring rolls ($5 for 2 good sized ones) were very refreshing with Thai basil, cilantro, cucumber, and lettuce (along with other usual ingredients). Lastly, pork pastry ($2 large palm size) had the filling reminiscent of the Japanese pork bun (Nikuman) that is not domineering yet quite flavorful - exactly the way we like.
Thank you so much for making & offering amazing foods and at such affordable prices. Great foods at great prices is the kind of place that is increasingly hard to find, yet exactly the place we so deeply crave for. Please keep up the fantastic work. We will absolutely return.
This is a hidden gem deli !! They were very nice and everything is fresh. The banh uot and sesame ball we got were very delicious, well-prepared, and a great portion for the price. We’ll definitely be back for the banh mi that looked crazy good too (and such a great price) !!
Restaurantji Recommends
great deli selection!
Authentic, order to go, banh mi and Vietnamese deli! I get the chicken banh mi with an added egg. It's everything I ever want in a sandwich. Seriously amazing flavors, support this small business!!
Delicious food and great service. Ran by a family. No sit down only take out.
My first impression of this place was very low until I was greeted by an elderly woman walking towards the counter with an extremely contagious smile. Cha Lua is a very small mom and pop Vietnamese deli serving the best pork congee I've ever had (besides my mom's). Their Viet coffee is a must try and will probably put hair on your chest, too. I highly recommend this cafe to anyone looking for friendly customer service and for flavorful Vietnamese cuisine.
Friendly service, great sandwiches, and good prices. I highly recommend the pork belly sandwich.
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