Boxer - Portland

Their vegetarian yellow coconut curry ramen used to be my all-time favorite dish, but when I visited last week, I noticed some disappointing changes. The noodles were thinner and quite different from the thick, delicious ones I used to enjoy, and the soup was completely altered. What was once a rich, flavorful, creamy, and spicy coconut curry broth has turned into a watery, greasy, and bland liquid. Even the corn tasted like low-quality canned corn now. I used to struggle to finish half a bowl, always having leftovers, but now a whole bowl leaves me still feeling hungry. I'm very disappointed—especially considering the $17 price tag. I expected much more. I’m not sure why they changed the recipe, as I’ve been coming here for years and loved it. I won’t be returning unless something changes.

This restaurant on 23rd Street has a lively atmosphere. We ordered ramen, potstickers, and chicken karaage. The potstickers were fried to a perfect crisp and came with a delicious sauce. The chicken karaage had a fantastic flavor and texture, although it was a bit too salty for my taste. Unfortunately, the ramen didn’t impress as much; the egg was slightly overcooked, and the pork belly was rather tough. Overall, I would rate the food a 3 out of 5.

Here’s what we loved: **Drinks:** The cherry limeade and lavender lemonade were both tart and refreshing. **Pot Stickers:** These were fried to a perfect crispness with just the right amount of filling. The sweet chili dipping sauce was ideal—perfectly balanced and not too spicy—and the pickled cabbage on the side added a delightful crunch. **Karaage Chicken:** This crispy fried chicken was incredibly moist and flavorful. It was excellent when dipped in the accompanying sweet mayo. **Pork Belly Bowl:** Small yet impressive! At just $8, this dish was full of flavor. The sweet and creamy mayo, the rich ramen egg, crispy fried pork belly bits, and green onions all came together beautifully. It was savory, satisfying, and delicious. **Okonomiyaki Tots:** The nori and bonito flakes danced with the steam and made for a perfect addition to this sweet and salty dish. Rich and decadent, I would happily order this again and again! **Vegetarian Options:** While the vegetarian options were limited, they did offer edamame that looked delicious, and the table across from us raved about it. There was also a veggie roll featuring seasonal vegetables. Overall, a fantastic experience!

Everything I have had at Boxer has been amazing! From the ramen to the vegetarian sushi I love it all. I have gone multiple times and tried something each time and always end up enjoying it. I find that the price is reasonable for the high quality and taste of the food. The service is also very amazing. The people there are very friendly and welcoming. The servers always come at the right time and are very knowable of their menu. The atmosphere is also very enjoyable. They offer a wide variety of food options with something for everyone.

I’m not a fan of ramen, at least that’s what I thought. I have been to a few ramen place and decided that I just didn’t like ramen. Boxer ramen has completely changed my mind. This place was amazing. It was amazing, I will definitely be coming back. The staff was really friendly and attentive and the place is very clean.