Texas-style smoked brisket braised in a Thai white curry: coconut milk, lemongrass, kaffir lime, with the burnt brisket ends as the marquee.
Eem opened on N Williams in March 2019, a three-way collaboration between Thai chef Earl Ninsom, pitmaster Matt Vicedomini (Matt's BBQ next door at Prost Marketplace) and bartender Eric Nelson. The white curry with burnt brisket ends was the kitchen's marquee dish from the first menu and the one that travelled. Texas Monthly and Bon Appetit both put it on national lists. Ninsom calls it pad pet, Thai for spicy stir-fry, applied to slow-smoked beef. Eem's success spawned Yaowarat (2023) and OK Chicken & Khao Soi (2026). The brisket comes off Vicedomini's offset smoker, then is finished in the curry to order.
2 editor picks for Thai BBQ Brisket Curry in Portland, ranked by editorial score. All Portland signature dishes · Thai BBQ Brisket Curry across every city.
Eem ★ 4.7
mississippi-williams · 3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227
The Earl Ninsom, Eric Nelson and Matt Vicedomini collaboration on N Williams in Portland, where Thai marinade meets Texas-style smoked beef brisket.
Matt's BBQ ★ 4.7
mississippi-williams · 4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Matt Vicedomini's pit-smoker on N Mississippi at Prost Marketplace in Portland, central Texas-style brisket sold from a cart since 2015.