Sungari Pearl

Name: Sungari Pearl
Location: 1105 NW Lovejoy Street
Portland, OR 97209
Contact Information: 971.222.7327
Web Address: None Available
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: Most entrees range between $12-$18
Reservations Recommended: Toss Up
Good For: Chinese without the grease
Insider Tip: The high industrial ceilings and air con on full-blast make dining a chilly experience

Review: When you pay an extra buck for a small bowl of rice, you know you’re not at your standard Chinese restaurant. Sungari Pearl – located, predictably, in the Pearl District – boasts an extensive menu with an impressive listing of seafood options, in addition to the standard beef, chicken and vegetarian offerings.

Try the cold noodles ($5.95) or scallion pancakes ($4.95) – they’re perfect appetizers for two people. Unless you order lo mein (or previously mentioned bowl of rice), they’re also the only carbs you’ll see. Dishes rely almost exclusively on their featured protein ingredient and sauce. The servings are generous, so choose carefully – chances are you’ll tire of your meal before you finish. A group of four people could easily order an appetizer and three entrees to share.

Although the menu posted at the entrance boasts the Scallops in Tangy Sauce ($17.95) as the most popularly ordered entree, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. A few vegetables are included in the dish but they are paltry and bland. The tangy lemon sauce on the fried chicken is excellent, although the meat is standard fare.

Peking duck is supposedly a specialty and must be ordered two days in advance. Sungari Pearl also does takeout, although a few of their items are not recommended for to-go orders.