Portland is considered one of the most original cities in the U.S. for its food culture.

With a strong Farm to Table philosophy, this city offers creative dishes made with Oregon ingredients that are easily found everywhere. Here are some icons of Portland's food culture and must-try local specialties.

If you had to name the most famous food spot in Portland, it would undoubtedly be Voodoo Doughnut.

This doughnut shop, which opened in Old Town Portland in 2003, gained national fame for its quirky and unique doughnuts. Menu items like the Bacon Maple Bar, which features sweet dough topped with salty bacon, and colorful doughnuts decorated with cereal or candy symbolize this shop.

There is always a long line, making it a must-visit when in Portland. Thanks to its 24-hour operation, you can enjoy fresh doughnuts even late at night. While there are several locations in Portland and expansions to major cities across the country, the atmosphere of the original Old Town shop is said to be unmatched.

In coffee culture, Portland has also been a leader in the U.S. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, founded in 1999 in Portland, is one of the pioneers of the Third Wave Coffee movement.

They source and roast high-quality single-origin beans, offering coffee extracted in various ways, from espresso to cold brew. The Portland flagship store is located in the ACE Hotel building, and enjoying a cup of coffee here has become a classic experience of visiting Portland. Additionally, there are dozens of independent coffee shops operating in Portland, and it is recognized as one of the best coffee cities in the U.S. alongside Seattle among coffee enthusiasts.

When talking about seafood, Portland and the Oregon coast are famous for Dungeness Crab.

Dungeness Crab, caught along the Pacific coast, is known for its sweet and rich meat, and it can be enjoyed in various ways at Portland restaurants.

Winter is the main season, with crab season running from November to June of the following year, during which you can buy live, fresh Dungeness Crab at Portland's fish markets and restaurants or enjoy it as a meal. Particularly in coastal towns in Oregon, crab festivals are held, and many locals enjoy day trips to the coast, about 1.5 hours from Portland, for crab tours.

Portland's food cart culture is also noteworthy. Portland is one of the cities in the U.S. where food truck culture is most developed, with food cart pods forming throughout downtown. You can enjoy affordable food from various nationalities, including Mexican, Thai, Ethiopian, and Korean, and during rush hours, it gets crowded with office workers. The food cart pod around SW 5th and Alder is the most famous, and when visiting downtown, it is recommended to line up like a local and enjoy food truck fare. Korean food trucks in Portland are also quite popular among these pods.

Portland is also known as a beer city. Microbreweries and brewpubs are more densely packed here than in any other city in the U.S., and Portland is often referred to as the "Beer Mecca." You can taste various local beers from places like BridgePort Brewery, Lombard Street Brewing, and Deschutes Brewery, as well as Portland Public House. The local beer culture is deeply rooted, with Portland beer tours offered as tourist attractions.

Wine cannot be overlooked either. The Willamette Valley, located southwest of Portland, is known as one of the best regions for Pinot Noir wine in the U.S. Oregon wines are made from grapes grown in a cool, moist climate, characterized by elegant and delicate flavors. There are many bars and wine shops in downtown Portland that specialize in Oregon wines, and a winery tour in the Willamette Valley, just a 30-40 minute drive away, is a great day trip option when visiting Portland.

In the chocolate realm, Portland has developed a bean-to-bar chocolate artisan culture. Small chocolate workshops process cocoa beans into final bars, selling chocolates that highlight the unique flavors of cocoa from each production area. There are several chocolate shops in downtown Portland and Northeast Portland, making them great for souvenirs. Overall, Portland's food culture pursues values of 'independence, creativity, and sustainability,' strongly supporting local small businesses over large chains. In a nutshell, Portland's food can be described as a 'Portland-style lifestyle' that creatively interprets fresh local ingredients.