On August 3, Eater’s Bang Bang dinner series stopped in Portland for a one-night-only dinner featuring menus from Kachka and Han Oak back to back, two restaurants known not only for their distinct culinary perspectives, but also for their role as acclaimed
cornerstones of the city’s dining scene.
The night kicked off with Kachka’s playful zakuski feast, featuring favorites like “herring under a fur coat,” Baltic sprat buterbrodi, salat Tifani, and vodka, of course. A collaborative dish between both restaurants — pelmeni dumplings and a fiery, fresh tiger salad — signaled a vibe shift that took us to Han Oak, who took it home with their signature beef and pork dumplings, “KFC” over a seafood pajeon waffle (aka chicken and waffles), corned beef sooyuk, and mentaiko spaghetti.
Long before the first course was served, both teams saw the bang Bang dinner as an opportunity to celebrate the similarities between their restaurants, cultures, and the community they’ve built around them. “Both Han Oak and Kachka were born out of a desire to welcome diners into our homes and much of our cooking and hospitality shares that ethos,” said Bonnie and Israel Morales of Kachka. “On top of that, there are so many interesting intersections culinarily speaking between post-Soviet and Korean flavors and dishes that I am excited to see unfold.”
Peter Cho and Sun Park of Han Oak echoed the sentiment: “Kachka has always been a huge inspiration to us. Bonnie and Israel’s food is deeply personal, just like what we try to build here at Han Oak. Bringing our family-style cooking alongside their incredible food under one roof is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
The celebration carried on well after the final course, with karaoke, soju shots, and a room full of diners and chefs singing together. It was a fitting ending to an evening that showcased not only Portland’s incredible food, but also the friendships and collaborative spirit that make its restaurant community so special.
Check out the highlights below and download the Eater app to stay up to date on future dinners like these.
