Matta @ Kolectivo
Day 1: 5-Course Retracing Vietnamese Roots Tasting Series
This exceptional eatery started life as a food cart serving the cuisine of the Việt kiều, a.k.a. foreign-born Vietnamese. Matta then appeared on Eater’s 2022 List of “38 Essential PDX Restaurants and Food Carts,” and StarChefs named its chef/owner Richard Le a 2023 "Rising Star." Now Chef Le is serving up dishes that have their roots in San Jose, California, where he was raised and where he learned to cook under the tutelage of his mother and aunt. Bringing together the complex flavors of home-style Vietnamese cooking with the American food he grew up on, Chef Le’s menu offers such fare as tôm trúng (mom’s omelet with prawns, coconut milk, basil, cherry tomatoes, fried garlic, and shallots), thit kho (braised pork belly with a 7-minute egg, chiles, and scallion), cha cá lã vong (turmeric catfish with dill, scallion, shrimp paste, peanuts, fish sauces and vermicelli patties), and let’s not forget the awesome coconut-glazed pandan doughnuts. We’re excited to visit them at the Kolectivo event space and to learn more from Chef Le about the Vietnamese culinary traditions that inspire him.
About the Host:
Richard Văn Lê
Chef/Owner
A San Jose transplant, Chef Richard Văn Lê trained in his mother and auntie's home kitchens and honed his craft at Pok Pok before creating the popular food cart (and now equally popular restaurant) Matta. In 2023, he was named a StarChefs Mag "Rising Star" Chef.
The Lineup
Separate table requests will not be accommodated at this event. Courses #1, #3 - #5 will be individually plated; course #2 will be served family-style. For the list of restrictions Chef is accommodating, scroll to the bottom of this page.
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Gởi Cá
turmeric marinated catfish, cabbage, pea shoot, mixed herbs, peanut, shallot, black sesame rice cracker, fish sauce
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Bánh Khốt
rice flour egg cup, mushroom, scallion, lettuce, mixed herbs, daikon, fish sauce
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Tôm Nướng
grilled shrimp, seksy sauce, mixed herbs, pickled daikon, compound butter
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Dad’s Curry
short rib, red curry broth, coconut milk mashed potato, roasted carrot
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Shorty So Fine
dairy-free shortcake, blackberry ginger jam, fresh strawberries, whipped coconut cream, mint
Matta @ Kolectivo
959 SE Division St #201
Portland, OR 97214
Event FAQs
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email support@tastingcollective.com with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- Due to the large-format nature of our events, restaurants are not able to accommodate all dietary restrictions/food allergies or make any menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). This restaurant will be offering substitutions exclusively for the following restrictions/allergies: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Dairy, Gluten, Shellfish, Nut. They are NOT accommodating restrictions related to the following ingredients: Alliums, Catfish, Fish Sauce. If you have any of these restrictions/allergies, please make sure to note this in your profile (in the “Event Preferences” section) either before or right after purchasing your tickets so Chef can prepare accordingly.
