Thai Bloom! Supports NW Dance Project

On May 12, 2018, NW Dance Project celebrates its fourteenth season of dance creation, education, and outreach by holding special Golden Gala at their beautiful Creative Center at 211 NE 10th Ave. The exclusive fundraising evening features bubbly at the door, award-winning dancers in a special performance, a silent auction with unique items and packages. Thai Bloom! proudly joins this effort by making a donation at the behest of the NW Dance Project. This organization attracts our attention as our Beaverton location’s floor manager, Nam, is actively involved in the Salsa community in Portland.

About NW Dance Project


Founded in Portland in 2004 and dedicated to the creation of new contemporary dance works as well as making dance accessible to all, NW Dance Project has created and premiered over 250 works in Portland to date — more than any other company in the U.S., and has become internationally-renowned leader in the field of contemporary dance. Dance International Magazine proclaimed we are “changing the way dance is created,” while the Calgary Herald said we have “some of the best dancers you will ever see.” In addition to our award-winning company, we also offer dance training and classes for dancers of all ages and levels, and we have a wonderful youth outreach and arts equity program that provides ongoing arts engagement and participation to community youth-in-need at no cost to participants.

NW Dance Project celebrates, supports, and represents excellence in dance. NW Dance Project is dedicated to creating and performing inspired, original contemporary dance works from the field’s most talented choreographers from around the world and to providing the finest dance training available for all. The organization performs, educates, creates, cultivates, and champions diversity while engaging and deepening public appreciation and support of dance.

Portland Authentic Thai Cuisine Favorite Opens Food Cart Featuring Rarely Served “Special Menu” Dishes

The newly opened Thai Bloom! cart in Beaverton features rarely seen Thai recipes previously only served as in-restaurant specials and seasonal offerings

(Beaverton, OR – April, 2018) – Thai Bloom!, one of Portland’s most popular authentic Thai food restaurants, has opened a new food cart featuring rarely available dishes previously only offered as limited seasonal specials at their sit-down locations. The cart also features a selection of their signature traditional Thai dishes, soups, and salads, but at ‘cart-level’ pricing. Also (unlike regular restaurant entrees), every signature dish item will include a personal-sized portion of one of their hugely popular appetizers or salad. This gives customers the opportunity to taste even more delicious Thai recipes than ever before, quickly and inexpensively.

“Many of these rarely served dishes require much more prep time before we open, and feature special ingredients compared to more well-known favorites such as Pad Thai, which is partly why we don’t feature them as standard menu items in our restaurant,” said Faye Chaiyabutr, Thai Bloom catering manager. “We feel these rare, traditional Thai dishes, plus the chance to try so many of our most popular menu items and appetizers at take-away pricing, makes this a unique new addition to the local food cart scene.”

Special dishes include scrumptious authentic Thai recipes such as crispy Thai Katsu Chicken, grilled Salmon Green Curry, Crispy Pork, and Hainanese Chicken Rice. Side dish choices (free with every signature menu item) are Veggie Spring Roll, Chicken Potsticker, Fried Tofu, Chicken Satay, or Green Salad. The full cart menu including even more ‘special dish’ descriptions (and photos!) can be found at the links below.

Thai Bloom Food Cart Menu Descriptions & Pricing (b/w)

Thai Bloom Food Cart Menu w/ Photos (1) Thai Bloom Food Cart Menu w/ Photos (2)

We remain Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-free friendly, as our food is made fresh to order. Sayan Promwongsa, a native of rural Thailand, is the award-winning Executive Head Chef and Co-Founder of Thai Bloom who developed the special menu and is overseeing the food cart chefs.

The Thai Bloom cart is located in the brand new BG Food Cartel – located at 4250 SW Rose Biggi Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005. This superb cart venue features a speakeasy bar with indoor/outdoor seating and rotating taps, entertainment, and a 150-person event venue – a wonderful spot for the entire family to visit year-round. Our current hours of operation are: Mon-Fri 11-6 p.m., Sat & Sun 12 – 6 p.m.

A few of the 7 special dishes featured at the new Thai Bloom Food Cart:

Hainanese Chicken Rice
Steamed chicken sliced and served atop steamed rice cooked in chicken broth, garlic and ginger. Paired with tofu and veggie soup and soy bean paste, garnished beautifully with cucumber, cilantro, and green onion.

Salmon Green Curry
Perfectly grilled Salmon topped with our classic green curry with young coconut meat, eggplant, bell pepper, bamboo shoot, and basil. Served with Jasmine white rice.

Thai Katsu Chicken
Crispy and crunchy breaded chicken cutlet served with sweet and sour sauce over white Jasmine rice with a side of green salad.

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Thai Bloom! brings the exquisite aromas, uniquely flavorful cuisine, and warm hospitality from the “Land of Smiles” right here to the Portland metro area (Beaverton, NW Portland). They proudly offer authentic Thai food and special dishes prepared by native Thai chefs. Boasting a creative, innovative menu and excellent service, Thai Bloom welcomes private parties, and also provides catering, take-out, and delivery services. Vegan and gluten-free options available. No MSG added. For more information visit www.ThaiBloom.com

Thai Bloom Joins the Harvest Soiree

On Saturday, October 21st, Thai Bloom will join a group of charitable donors to The Harvest Soiree, an annual fundraiser for the Junior League of Portland. Hosted at the Castaway Portland (1900 NW 18th Avenue), this evening of fun, food, dancing, and fundraising benefits the organization’s general fund which supports membership trainings and programs, including:  End Domestic Violence, Stop Human Trafficking, Community Connections, and Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids. These programs impact the lives of many women and children in Oregon and Southwest Washington by supporting survivors and increasing awareness of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Founded in 1910, the Junior League of Portland has a rich history of training women to become civic leaders and promoting voluntarism. The organization is also volunteer-driven. One hundred percent of its leadership roles, day-to-day operations, and programs are carried out by unpaid women who are dedicated to improving the Portland Metropolitan Area.

With a membership roster that tops 600 women, today’s Junior League of Portland is stronger than ever. Its mission is to end the cycle of violence against women and children. To that end, the organization’s achievements during its recent fiscal year include:

  • Providing 2,100 undergarments for survivors of human trafficking
  • Collecting over 9,000 books for children who live in low-income areas
  • Conducting 5 mentorship forums and 10 training sessions for members
  • Hosting the first BEST (Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking) award luncheon
  • Awarding $25,000 in grants to local organizations that work with children and survivors of domestic violence or sex trafficking
  • Volunteering over 1,800 hours working directly in the community at 100+ community service events

We are delighted to lend our support to this worthy cause.

Thai Bloom Announces Special New Dishes for Beaverton Restaurant Week

Thai Bloom is debuting several new entrees created especially for Beaverton Restaurant Week (BRW), and only available Sept. 28th through Oct. 8th.  In additional to the two special dishes featured below, Thai Bloom is also debuting two delicious new appetizer items for the Fall.

Special Dishes for Beaverton Restaurant Week:

Steamed Sea bass with Garlic Lemon Sauce

Thai Bloom’s unique featured dish for BRW features a succulent 10-ounce filet of Sea Bass, drizzled with a deliciously spicy Thai chili-garlic-lemon sauce and served atop a bed of fresh asparagus and zesty lemon wheels. This healthful dish, inspired by the ages-old Thai cuisine centered on fresh seafood, is complemented with a colorful and tasty garnish of crispy onion, cilantro and sweet red bell peppers.

Yum Khao Tod

This traditional dish is rarely found outside of Thailand itself, and has been given a special twist at Thai Bloom. Savory ground pork or chicken is blended with deep fried rice, peanuts, ginger, cilantro, onion, lime juice, sugar and fish sauce. This brilliant blend of flavors is a sumptuous traditional Thai food experience, and is served on a bed of crisp Romaine. Until now just a secret kitchen staff favorite, this unique dish will be featured on our Happy Hour menu following its special appearance for BRW.

Tasty New Appetizers at Thai Bloom!:

Thai Fusion Lettuce Wraps

A mildly spicy Thai-inspired take on lettuce wraps, our special recipe minces tender chicken with water chestnuts, white onion, garlic, cilantro roots, chili paste and green peppercorn. Cradled in crispy Iceburg lettuce cups, this dish is expected to be a popular appetizer item, but is substantial enough to be enjoyed as an entrée as well.

Beef Waterfall Salad

We slice a perfectly prepared medium-rare Flank Steak, divided into bite-size portions and skewered, then topped with a vibrant blend of fresh mint and basil, crispy red onion and mixed green salad. The skewers are complemented with a savory sauce featuring, tamarind, rice powder, sugar and fish sauce. Another rarely seen dish, it offers an enticing alternative to the more well-known and commonly served Thai Beef Salad.

“We’re excited to bring these special tastes from traditional Thai cuisine and introduce them to the foodie crowd and Thai food fans right here in the Portland metro area,” said Walter Bowers, Thai Bloom co-founder. “We’re always looking for new dishes that we think our guests will enjoy, and we think these deliciously unique new entrées and special new appetizers will be a huge hit.”

Thai Bloom Supports Shriners Hospital for Children

Every year, hundreds of regional Business, Union, and Labor Leaders come together to sponsor one of the Northwest’s premier charity events, the B.U.L.L. Session. This two-day fundraiser starts on Monday, September 11, 2017 with a dinner and auction gala at the Oregon Convention Center and ends with a golf tournament on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club. Thai Bloom proudly joins this effort by making a donation at the behest of the Shriners Hospital for Children Portland.

shrinres hospital for children portlandThe Shriners Hospital changes lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, research, and outstanding medical education. It focuses on a wide range of pediatric orthopedic conditions, from fractures to rare diseases and syndromes. It also provides expert cleft lip and palate care. All services are provided in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.

Inpatient and outpatient units are designed to reflect the unique character of the Pacific Northwest and put children and families at ease. Located on the campus of Oregon Health Sciences University, Shriners Portland has close affiliations with world-class doctors and researchers who are committed to advancing orthopedic treatment and cleft lip and palate care for children from all over the world.

Shriners Hospitals for Children Portland has been involved with the B.U.L.L. Session since its inception 26 years ago. All proceeds from this event will be distributed equally amongst six children’s charities throughout Oregon. Charity recipients include: Albertina Kerr Children’s Crisis Psychiatric Care Unit, Gales Creek Camp Foundation, March of Dimes, Shriners Hospital for Children Portland, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center, and Wheel to Walk Foundation.

Thai Bloom at the Cornhole Classic

Have you ever been to a Cornhole Classic? Do you even know what it is?

We’ll have a presence at the 2017 Cornhole Classic on Friday, September 8th. Held at the at the Castaway Portland (1900 NW 18th Ave), it’s the Portland YouthBuilder’s (PYB) annual fundraising event.

Drawing on the popularity of “cornhole,” or beanbag toss games, The Cornhole Classic combines the enthusiasm of a competitive cornhole tournament with elements of a traditional fundraising event (dinner, auction, etc.). The result is a high-energy and fun way to support PYB students and programs.

Founded in 1995, PYB supports young people who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and their community. Each year, PYB provides education, vocational training, and leadership development services for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24. Program participants have not completed high school and face significant barriers to success.

PYB students pursue an academically rigorous training program which requires excellent attendance, participation in community service, and a serious investment in their futures. They receive hands-on job training in construction or computer technology.

portland youthbuilder construction student portland youthbuilder technology student

Technology students refurbish computers, complete CompTIA certifications, and provide introductory technology and web service classes to under-served senior communities throughout the Portland Metro Area.

Construction students earn BOLI certificates for entry into apprenticeships and unions. They gain their full range of construction skills in the classroom and on worksite building single family households for low-income, first-time home buyers in the Portland Metro Area.

When students graduate from PYB, they have their high school diploma, an AmeriCorps community service award, and job skills in the technology or construction field to establish a pathway out of poverty. They are hopeful, brave, and determined individuals. Eighty-five percent of graduates are placed in apprenticeships, jobs, or college after they complete the PYB program.

Thai Bloom is pleased to lend its support to this impressive organization.

Top 10 Reasons to Use Thai Bloom On-Line Ordering

Here are the top 10 reasons why you don’t want to miss the opportunity to use the Thai Bloom on-line ordering system:

thai bloom on-line ordering10. Our on-line ordering system is really easy to use.

9. We provide photos and descriptions to help you decide what you’d like to eat.

8. You can customize selected dishes to reflect your meat choice, vegetable preferences, and spice level.

7. Our group ordering feature lets you input the entire order OR send out invitations to your guests so they can enter their meal preferences directly.

6. Whether you place orders in behalf of your group or let them enter their orders, we’ll help you keep track of who ordered what.

5. We’ll prepare your order at the location that’s closest to you.

4. You can choose to pick up your order or have it delivered.

3. You won’t pay extra to compensate a third party ordering service (e.g., Grub Hub, Uber, Amazon).

2. You can create an account to make it that much easier to order from us again.

And the number 1 reason why our on-line ordering system is irresistible:

1. You’ll get to enjoy our mouth-watering food again and again and again.

Place your order now »

Friendly House Fundraiser Features Thai Bloom

On Sunday, December 4th, Friendly House of Portland hosted the “Staver Steam Up,” an annual fundraising and community building event at Staver Locomotives on NW 29th Avenue. This family-friendly event featured model-sized steam engine trains decked out for the holidays, charging down custom-built tracks and over trestles, bridges, and switches. It also featured gift cards from Thai Bloom!

staver steam-up fundraiser

Friendly House is a neighborhood center and social service agency that has served the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area since 1930. Its mission is to create a thriving community by connecting people of all ages and backgrounds through quality educational, recreational, and life-sustaining services.

Friendly House programs are broad-reaching. They help older adults to stay in their own homes, living self-determined lives. They provide young children with wonderful educational opportunities. And they bring neighbors together to create bonds that build healthy communities. Friendly House programs are offered free or on a sliding-fee basis to support participation for all interested members of the community.

Net proceeds from the “Staver Steam Up” event support Friendly House programming.

Meet Chantra “Wor” Somanand

worWor has spent many years fanning the flame of Portland’s passion for Thai cuisine. We’re delighted that she leverages her enthusiasm and expertise as the Manager of our NW Portland restaurant.

Chantra “Wor” Somanand was born and raised in Bangkok, so she is no stronger to Thai food! Her mother gave her the nickname “Wor” (a letter in the Thai alphabet), and it has stayed with her on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. While in Thailand, she worked in member services at a golf club as well as a real estate broker. When neither position proved especially rewarding, she decided to move to America and see what that adventure might bring.

Wor began studying English as a Second Language (ESL) at the University of Portland in 1991 while working as a Server at a local Thai restaurant. She also took coursework in computer systems at Portland Community College. When a good friend made an introduction to the prospective owners of a new Thai restaurant, Wor decided to get in on the ground floor of their business. She became the first employee at Typhoon’s NW 23rd Avenue restaurant.

In addition to a career move, coming to America brought other changes to Wor’s life. She met and married her wonderful husband, and then gave birth to her son. She continued to work at Typhoon and shared child care responsibilities with her husband until their son turned 3 years old. With a superb babysitter on hand, both could work full time and then enjoy their off hours together as a family.

While working at Typhoon, Wor developed strong personal and professional relationships with many of the colleagues with whom she works at Thai Bloom. In fact, she thinks of all of them as her American family. This sense of connection doesn’t just exist among those who’ve worked together for many years. As she says: “When you work here, you aren’t just an employee. You become part of us. You’re our family.”

When asked how she feels Thai Bloom compares with other restaurants in the area, Wor’s comments all center on QUALITY. Every dish that the chefs prepare takes advantage of the best ingredients available. The food tastes amazing, and it’s really good for you. This commitment to quality makes Wor proud to represent the kitchen as a Server or a Manager. In like manner, the Front of the House does everything possible to offer the best service. The staff wants every guest to have a truly memorable dining experience.

As a connoisseur of Thai food, this story would not be complete without finding out which dishes Wor likes the best. Her favorites? Crying Tiger appetizer, Pumpkin Curry (a Fall-Winter special), Spicy Chicken with Basil, and Thai Yen Ta Fo.

Visit our NW Portland and get to know Wor in person!

It’s National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

If you follow our blog, you’ve noticed that community engagement is very important to us. We’re pleased to be able to support so many worthy organizations through our direct participation in events and via gift cards. We’re extending our efforts this week through a special fundraiser at both of our restaurants.

HomePlate Youth ServicesThe week before Thanksgiving is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. It’s a time for providing a compassionate response to those who do not have a place to call “home” and may not know when or where they will receive their next meal. Thai Bloom will join this national movement by raising awareness and funds. Between November 12-20, we will donate 50¢ for every order of Pumpkin Curry to one of two exceptional organizations.

Orders placed through the Beaverton restaurant will benefit HomePlate Youth Services. HomePlate is Washington County’s only non-profit provider of drop-in centers and street outreach for young people experiencing homelessness. There are 2,148 homeless students in Washington County school systems. This alarming statistic does not account for youth who didn’t enroll in school, dropped out of school, or graduated. HomePlate supports the positive development of these vulnerable young people through community building, education, access to services and resources, and youth empowerment.

The Oregon Food BankOrders placed through the NW Portand restaurant will benefit The Oregon Food Bank. The Oregon Food Bank Network includes 21 regional food banks and ~970 partner agencies in Oregon and Clark County. This network distributes over 96.2 million pound of food annually to the 1 in 5 Oregon families who require assistance. The network also salvages millions of pounds of food from local grocers before it winds up in landfill.

For those who prefer to enjoy other delicious dishes on our menu, our Servers can add a $1 charitable donation to their orders upon request.

Thank you for supporting us with your continued patronage and enabling us to do such good work in our community.