International feastFinding foodie treasures in the southwest Portland suburbs

IN SOME CITIES, the word "suburbs" evokes images of Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel and The Olive Garden. Then there are the suburbs of Portland. The city increasingly known for being so foodie-friendly has plenty of neighbors making names for themselves, as well. You can travel the world in the southwest suburbs of Portland. Hit up Thailand, Korea and El Salvador in Beaverton. Visit Japan, Mexico and Vietnam in Hillsboro. From Aloha to Tigard to Forest Grove, there's no shortage of delicious international restaurants waiting---so we made a weekend of it.

One of the best things about Beaverton is that you can drive right past what looks like a nondescript shopping plaza for years before stopping in and discovering the treasures that await.

This happened to me with The Best Baguette, a haven of freshly baked bread and banh mis like you've never tasted in the United States.

Right next door was Pho King Good, a delicious and equally unassuming pho restaurant that has one of those huge numbered menus. You just can't go wrong with a steaming bowl of spicy pho here.

There is some excellent Central American food in the area as well. Sabor Salvadoreño, in Beaverton, is a low-key rice and beans spot with some spectacular pupusas. Or try Gloria's Secret Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall joint in downtown Beaverton with Salvadoran food like pupusas and other Latin American fare such as paella, tacos and mole.

In the heart of Beaverton are two Asian grocery stores that are the kind you can just wander through for hours. First, Uwajimaya, the giant Asian grocer from Seattle, has had an outpost on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway since 1998.

Finally, Ramen Ryoma, also tucked inside the massive grocery store, is one of the best ramen spots anywhere in Oregon. Start with a base---miso (fermented bean paste), shio (salt) or shiyu (soy sauce)---and go from there.

You can keep hitting up epic Asian restaurants in Beaverton for days---Din Tai Fung recently opened its first Oregon location in the Washington Square Mall. The restaurant, which started in Taiwan, has a cultlike following and for its steamed buns and noodles.

There also are two excellent Indian restaurants in the near southwest suburbs, both with excellent and low price buffets. Chennai Masala, in Hillsboro, gets the most attention for its lunch buffet. In Beaverton, Abhiruchi South & North Indian Cuisine's lunch buffet is a couple bucks more expensive but equally hearty.

In Hillsboro, Syun Izakaya, is tucked in the basement of an old library, has beautiful rolls, a large sake menu and tempura ice cream.

The taco truck experience in the southwest suburbs is easy to achieve on most major streets in Beaverton, Aloha, Tigard or Hillsboro. But a standout is Ochoa's Lupitas Tacos, with the smothered enchiladas and overflowing tortas of your dreams.