• TRAVEL
    • THREE PERFECT DAYS
    • WHERE TO STAY
    • WHAT TO DO
    • ADVENTURE
  • FOOD + DRINK
    • RESTAURANTS
    • BARS + COCKTAILS
    • WINE + BEER
  • CULTURE
    • THE HEMI Q+A
    • TV + FILM
    • MUSIC
    • THEATER
    • SPORTS
    • STYLE + DESIGN
  • Watch
Menu
  • TRAVEL
    • THREE PERFECT DAYS
    • WHERE TO STAY
    • WHAT TO DO
    • ADVENTURE
  • FOOD + DRINK
    • RESTAURANTS
    • BARS + COCKTAILS
    • WINE + BEER
  • CULTURE
    • THE HEMI Q+A
    • TV + FILM
    • MUSIC
    • THEATER
    • SPORTS
    • STYLE + DESIGN
  • Watch
Search
Close
Home > TRAVEL > Portland

The Hippest ’Hood in Portland, Oregon: Old Town Chinatown

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on pinterest
Share on email
  • by Nicholas DeRenzo
  • July 29, 2019

ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRANCESCO ZORZI

Apart from the gateway arch and Lan Su Chinese Garden, little remains of this Northwest Portland neighborhood’s Asian past. The area was once home to opium dens and is still a bit rough around the edges, but it’s now a hub for the Rose City’s streetwear and sneakerhead scenes. Here, six locals hip us to the indie businesses at the base of the Burnside Bridge.

Compound Gallery store manager Colby Cox recommends…

“One of our managers, Jordan, has brought new life to the Portland streetwear culture with the introduction of his retail store, Produce Organics. It has a welcoming atmosphere, whether you want to hang out in the lounge, stop by for a haircut, or shop the latest trends.”

Produce Organics co-owner Jordan Carter recommends… 

“Mi Mero Mole is a must. For a mere $10, you can enjoy a delicious burrito, tequila shot, and 10-ounce beer combo! Rain or shine, if you are looking to take a break from city life, this is the stop for you.”

Mi Mero Mole owner Nick Zukin recommends…

“Orox Leather Co. stands for ‘Oregon-Oaxaca.’ It’s a family from Oaxaca that makes all their leather goods in-house. You can watch them making everything by hand behind the counter. They previously owned a sushi-ya in Oaxaca, and they have the attention to detail of sushi masters.”

Orox Leather Co. co-owner Martin Martinez recommends… 

“Kiriko is an amazing Japanese shop full of beautiful indigo fabrics, home goods, and stationery. The sewing machines are in the back of the shop, lending a really creative, maker vibe. It feels like walking into an artist’s studio on a backstreet in Japan.”

Kiriko designer Elya Adre recommends…

“The Hoxton hotel has been such a great addition to the neighborhood. With two restaurants, a basement bar, a café, and a setting to lounge in with friends and colleagues, this is the place to be.”

The Hoxton, Portland brand manager Donovan Edwards recommends… 

“One of the heavies in Chinatown’s up-and-coming streetwear scene, Compound Gallery is the spot to grab the cleanest kicks and latest and vintage Supreme for your collection. During First Thursdays, they host a gallery of street art upstairs and usually have a DJ spinning below.”

Need a little extra wanderlust in your inbox?
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

You May Also Like

The Day Off: Durham, North Carolina

The Day Off: Boston

The Day Off: Sacramento

The Day Off: New Orleans

The Day Off: Washington D.C.

The Day Off: Nashville

  • Chinatown, Oregon, Portland, Shop, What To Do, Where To Eat
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on pinterest
Share on email

Recommended

TRAVEL

The Day Off: Durham, North Carolina

  • BY Lauren Vespoli
Travel

The Day Off: Boston

  • BY Ellen Carpenter
Travel

The Day Off: Sacramento

  • BY Justin Goldman
Travel

The Day Off: New Orleans

  • BY Lauren Vespoli
Hemispheres United Airlines

Hemispheres is the award-winning onboard magazine for United Airlines. The magazine is published by Ink and produced by a dedicated staff of media professionals out of an Ink satellite office in Brooklyn, New York.

Instagram Twitter Facebook-f Youtube

Content

  • Travel
  • Food + Drink
  • Culture
  • Watch

About

  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Advertising
  • Writers Guidelines

Legal

  • Terms + Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Anti-bribery & corruption policy
united_4p_h_w_r.png

© 2020 Ink for United Airlines. All rights reserved