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Ate-Oh-Ate

By Jay Horton

2454 E Burnside St., 445-6101, ate-oh-ate.com. Lunch and dinner daily.

While the utilitarian storefront slathered with islands-themed kitsch may awaken memories of a third-grade luau, Ate-Oh-Ate has loftier ambitions—wringing sophistication from a cuisine best known for embracing Spam. Native Hawaiian and Simpatica Dining Hall and Laurelhurst Market co-owner Ben Dyer has invested the food of his homeland with a seriousness of purpose, albeit one indulging the surfer lounge whimsy of a beliquored shave ice or tidal-strength mai tai. The dizzying flavors sparked by the saimin's pleasantly complicated pork-chicken-shrimp broth nudges the noodle dish ($10.95) closer to pho than ramen. Slow-roasted kalua pig ($9.95) mutes its sweetness to showcase rapport with fresh cabbage while the katsu ($10.95) graciously acknowledges crunch as the noblest virtue of panko-crusted chicken.

Check out Willamette Week's 2016 Cheap Eats guide here.

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Jay Horton

Jay Horton

Jay Horton is a longtime correspondent and jack-of-all-arts-coverage: music, film, theater, food, television, books, dance and college football special teams, to taste. Follow him on Twitter @Hortland.