Golden Triangle is a food cart located at The Heist in Portland (4727 SE Woodstock Blvd). They just celebrated their 10 year anniversary and are on at least their 3rd location in town. I’m pretty sure I was a day one here because I used to go to their cart when they were on a random corner at Halsey & 60th, which is where the Barley pod sits now. The Barley pod was built in 2018, so it sounds about right that they were operating there around 2016/2017. Bona fides aside, the cart has grown into a favorite in town serving Laos and Cambodian fusion food. Think larb, nam khao, fish sauce wings, softshell crab, papaya salad. They have a very extensive menu and offer up regular specials like golden rolls and crab that are definitely worth checking out besides all the great items on the regular menu. The food is on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it for the quality, quantity and care put into the dishes.

From my visit on Friday. I got the heavenly beef jerky (header photo) as well as the chipotle pineapple wings pictured above. The jerky is served with jeow som dipping sauce which is absolutely the star of the show. Fresh chili dip with lime and fish sauce amongst other ingredients, it makes everything better! Wish the jerky was just a bit softer, but of course they are calling it jerky for a reason! The wings were great. Standard sized (aka not small), the sauce was super yummy and it was nice to have the rice to soak up all that sauce. They are in the running for messiest wings ever lol. I was trying to not look like a barbarian eating them in public.

Golden Rolls from a visit last August. Coconut & turmeric crepes wrapped with seasoned ground pork, crisp lettuce, cucumber, and bean sprouts, served with a house-made fish sauce. Kind of their take on a Banh Xao but with a vermicelli style wrapper. This is a special that they run regularly that are very sought after. This is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life. No hyperbole. It’s the perfect bite: delicious warm pork seasoned expertly; fresh, crisp, cool veggies; interesting flavors from the crepes; fish sauce to tie it all together. If you take away anything from this post, it should be to seek these out. They usually only give you a days notice that they are serving them, so follow their IG and change your lunch plans when they drop.

Steak with Prahok dipping sauce served with veggies and rice. This was from spring 2024 when they were still over by I-205. This is one of my favorite Cambodian dishes. The steak was cooked perfectly, and I love that prahok sauce so much. A Cambodian staple, there are typically tons of ingredients but the idea is fermented fish paste, lime, chili and fresh herbs. It is funky, citrus forward, spicy, a bit sour. Basically a flavor bomb as well as an umami bomb. The rice and veggies are nice to round out the meal, but the star of the show is the steak and sauce here.

Blazing Shrimp and Papaya Salad from fall 2024 after they moved to their current location at the Heist. The Heist really is the premier food destination in town. Some of the best food in town and my favorite carts including Golden Triangle, Bark City, Frybaby, Kim Jong Grillin’, Tacos Fita, Cookie McCakeface. It’s an embarassment of riches honestly. I only wish it was a closer drive for me, I’d be there all the time! Blazing shrimp (they also do squid) is a fave of theirs. The sauce and the shrimp is killer. It runs a bit dry though, so best if you add in some soy or teriyaki sauce for the rice. Shrimp are delicious though, and some good heat, though not crazy spicy. This papaya salad is incredible! Definitely got some heat as well. It’s a huge portion! Best shared between a few people or in a group. I wasn’t mad at having leftovers though, it was just as delicious later in the day.

Coconut Cream Linguine with Lemongrass Chicken. This one seemed like a bit of a head scratcher. Talk about fusion! The linguine was tasty and well done, as was the lemongrass chicken. Ultimately for me though the two flavors didn’t work particularly well. The sauce on the pasta ran a bit sweet for my taste. I know a lot of people love this dish though! And I get it, it just wasn’t quite for me. Still a unique and satisfying lunch, it was a lot of food! Get yourself on down to Golden Triangle for some delicious Asian Fusion food! Happy eating.