Hapa Barkada

Came for First Thursday/4th of July. Got the chicken nugs and Mac and cheese lumpia- yes you read that correctly, MAC AND CHEESE LUMPIA!!!! Delicious, very good, excellent, 10 stars no notes. I don't know how else to say it - go there and eat this awesome Filipino Hawaiian fusion. Use a QR code to order and a handsome young man will deliver it right to you. We sat on the "rooftop" and enjoyed a perfect summer day. Get a drink from Below by Botanist and enjoy!!

Hapa Barkada is located inside Below by Botanist. After descending a flight of stairs into a dark subterranean establishment illuminated with the occasional colorful light, you find yourself in front of the bartenders. The decor is unique and interesting. This establishment is most definitely not ADA accessible. At first it was difficult for me to determine where the seating was in the dark and with the layout of the restaurant being what it was. There is bartop seating, a large booth, and many smaller tables that surround what could easily serve as a dance floor in an adjacent room which has several TVs and what looked like a DJ booth. Hapa Barkada utilizes a QR code based system that allows you to order and pay for your specific table all on your phone. Unfortunately, while this seems like a great idea there are several problems with this system. The first issue is that the QR codes get worn off the labels on the tables, and no longer scan. It's pointless to scan a different QR code, because they are specific to the table numbers; so you simply have to move to another table. The second issue is that, being underground, the cell phone reception is pretty awful. Ordering and paying require internet access. I believe they attempted to fix this issue by providing wifi, but the password isn't readily available unless you ask staff. The third issue is that the wifi doesn't actually work, or at least it didn't for me. This makes what would otherwise be a streamlined method of reducing staff and increasing the speed of service (and service WAS fast) overly inconvenient and frustrating for the customer. I had mixed opinions on the food. My friend got lumpia, island bbq bao, and a spam musubi. I got the poke bombs. The poke bombs were good. I would put them on par with what I would expect at a decent sushi restaurant. I also tried some of my friends bao, and was disappointed. The pork was delicious and tender, but the bao bun had been fried and in the process had soaked up oil like a sponge to the point where it dripped when I bit into it, and felt nauseated after eating it. The feedback I would offer Hapa Barkada is this; -Address the issues with the wi-fi, and consider putting information about the network name and password on the QR code tags on the table. -Also consider laminting the QR code labels so that they are protected from wear and tear. -The star of your island BBQ bao is most definitely the pork. There is no need to fry the bun, it takes away from the enjoyment of the dish. Overall, if they addressed these things I would go back and try some of the other items on their menu.

Located inside Below by Botanist, this was my first stop for food after arriving in Portland. I had been watching their delicious offerings on their insta feed for months and could not wait. I dragged along a couple of friends and I think we ordered a good portion of the menu!Love that you just scan a QR code at your table and pay that way too and then magical food appears! We had the Mac-n-Cheese lumpia (top tier), tofu bites (yummy), tofu rice, chicken rice (my friend could not stop raving), and masubi (spam, fried chicken and tofu). Again my friends raved about their meaty versions. Wait! How could I forget the poke bites? Inari (tofu skin) filled with rice and topped with poke? Yes please. My only regret is that this spot is not actually in my city for me to eat at weekly. Location is down stairs and in a bar (so no kiddos). Parking is on the street.

Walking in this places aesthetic is beautiful!! You choose your seat and order drinks at the bar! Bartenders were super friendly and make an amazing drink! But know if you want to keep a tab open there is an authorization fee? So i closed the tab and went to the table to scan the QR code and order! I placed my order and they were out of spam musubi which is my favorite thing ever! A guy came by (manager im assuming) and let us know he could refund or make something else and these sweet people made us spam fries which isnt even on the menu!! I definitely recommend this place!!

I have been here three times since they first opened and absolutely have loved every experience! They offer Filipino and Hawaiian dishes (some fusion some more "traditional"), but they are all delicious! Ordering is simple, although a phone is needed as it is through a QR code. Service is speedy and the food got to our table very quickly. There are two main seating areas - at the bar and in a larger seating area and because we went earlier, seating was fairly easy to find.Food wise, all of the food is super delicious. Our group particularly enjoyed the Pork Belly bites and the Poke Bombz. The Pork Belly is perfectly fried and juicy inside. Paired with the vinegar, it is the perfect combination of fat and acid. The Poke Bombz were also delicious. The tofu skin is slightly sweet, and stuffing the savory poke inside is an ingenious pairing! While there, make sure to order a drink at Below. There are some super beautiful creations and it's the perfect way to start or end the night!!

Decided to venture to their soft opening. They were still working on some kinks when we came, but were quick to acknowledge them. Hapa Barkada is a fusion of Filipino, and Hawaiian flavors. The restaurant doesn't have physical menus. You'll have to use your phone to scan a QR code to see it. You also order from your phone, and pay prior. Drinks and liquor are from Below by Botanist. They give you a drink menu when you sit. You then order and pay for your drinks at the counter.Chef Melvin's take on favorites such as lumpia, twice cooked pork belly adobo, etc. is a wonderful rendition of Filipino cooking. You'll have to try (his mom's recipe) the lumpia. We didn't have any Hawaiian food at this visit. They were out of salmon for the poke nachos. The food is brought out to your table when it's cooked. They don't wait for all your food to be ready to bring it out. Which is a plus. Hapa Howie's used to be in the Tigard area before they relocated. Chef Kiaha's cooking is something I look forward to having more often with their coming together as Hapa Barkada. The restaurant is located in the Pearl district on SW Lovejoy. They are inside Below by Botanist. You'll have to go down some stairs to get in. I didn't notice if they had an elevator for wheelchair accessibility. There is also street parking available in the area. Looking forward to coming back to try other items on their menu.

5 stars for food, service, and ambiance! I can't be effusive enough in my enthusiasm for the food here. Hearty, warm, and a perfect pairing with the drinks offered by Botanist. I love how they're continuously iterating their menu - developing and testing new menu items/options. Everything I've tried here has been delicious. From their mochiko chicken to spring rolls to adobo mac-chicken sandwich. The meat is prepped to perfection and delectably seasoned. This is the perfect place to spend a weekend evening with friends. There's seating at the bar and plenty of space in their dining room in the back if you're looking for a quieter environment to chat and hang out. As other reviews have stated, ordering happens via QR code, so do be prepared for paperless ordering/cardless payment. That being said, I'd still say the service, in regards to the people delivering the food to the table has always been warm and hospitable. Definitely check out Hapa Barkada and get a drink from Botanist to complete the experience while you're at it!

Their chicken Katsu sandwich was so on point. The vibe was relaxing and friendly. And our bartender was all smiles as she served up our drinks. definitely coming back for more.

Our cafe at HP was featuring Hawaiian for lunch by "Hapa Barkada" today. They were serving a choice of Kalua Pork, Shoyu Chicken or Pork Adobo. I wanted to try their pork adobo pictured below. I wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised how moist and flavorful it was. I felt like I was back in the islands, eating a delicious plate lunch. I love the combination of rice, Mac salad and thin sliced cabbage with dressing. I just have one word to describe my experience, "onolicious!" I'm coming back next week for their Poke plate.

You have to order with your phone.It was a bit annoying as both my friend and I had low battery on our phones. Do they offer chargers if your phone battery dies?Small portions for an $18 plate of food.Great service. Owners husband gave my friend good recommendations. Wonton chips were yummy on volcano poke nachos.Tofu had a good texture and flavor on the fries.Cute environment. No street light comes in this basement like setting.I like that it is open late. Street Parking was plentiful on a Sunday night.I'm not rich enough to actually get full here. But if you are, it's a cool spot.