Koken Coffee Roasters - Coffee shop in Portland - 6732 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, USA

Yesterday afternoon, we accidentally walked into this Ethiopian coffee shop. We’re glad we did cuz people who works there are friendly and love their strong coffee flavor. We will be back to have the coffee and breakfast together.

The coffee reminds me very strongly of Nespresso pod coffee. Thin and bitter. It reminds me of hotels in Europe which is fun but it's far less enjoyable and interesting than most Portland craft coffee. It was also more expensive than average and served in a paper cup. The service is very mixed. Some days it's very friendly and they are excited to show off all the different beans. I've bought two bags on days like those to see if I can make them shine at home. Finishing the bag has always ended up feeling like a chore though. Other days it's like they want people out as soon as possible even going so far as making calls on speakerphone behind the counter. Atmosphere... The roasters and various equipment are out but not in a cool way like other shops. Random cardboard boxes stacked to the ceiling. The furniture seems like it was salvaged from random second hand spots. I'm glad the people who love it love it but after coming here a half dozen times I am giving up on this spot for awhile.

This place is an absolute hidden gem. Delicious Eritrean/ Ethiopian/sudanese breakfast fare with house roasted coffee. A nice break from the normal Portland cafe.

Great place to get house roasted Ethiopian coffee. Very friendly staff! Coffee was good. A bit of a random hole in the wall place, but it was good and the coffee was strong. Good flavor and house roasted beans.

Yes. Yes and more yes. This cafe slash coffee roaster is fantastic. The inside is spartan and to the point. It hides the fact that they quite simply have the freshest, most perfectly roasted coffee beans around. The smell alone here is enough. I have 2 favorite kinds. I recommend people buy a brew and try the types. The are distinct and glorious in their own regards.

I never write reviews. I think this is my first, but I love this spot so much that I just have to. I came upon Koken by accident because I needed a bathroom before driving back to Seattle and it just happened to be where I could stop. So glad I did. I love coffee, I’ve worked in coffee, I go to fine coffee spots all the time, sometimes as a destination in and of itself, but the drip coffee I had from here was I think the best I’ve ever had. Now anytime I come to Portland I have to make a special stop here to get a cup and buy some beans. It’s a little out of the way, but so worth it. Oh, and they’re also the nicest, which is just icing on the coffee cake. Five stars, two thumbs up, they pour delicious black gold. Can’t wait for my next stop.

I stopped by for some beans, and they are great! They had 3 different medium roasts. I got the Sidamo. It is tasty! And 12oz for $10!! Best price in town for sure. Will definitely be going back!

Maybe this just isn’t for non-coffee drinkers. I came for a chai latte and it ended up burnt. Took 20mins of cooling down for it to be remotely sippable, only to taste burnt and almost sour. No pleasant staff attitude or cozy atmosphere to salvage the rating either. Pretty bummed that I walked two miles here for nothing.