The Chinese Cowboy, a Southeast Portland bar and kitchen that mashed smoky barbecue with nostalgic Asian American plates and regular live honky-tonk nights, is closing. The Buckman-area spot had turned heads with its brisket fried rice and crab Rangoon after the space was retooled from an earlier restaurant. For fans of Eastside small plates and live country-tinged shows, the loss trims a popular corner of the neighborhood’s late-night scene.
As reported April 10 by the Portland Business Journal, The Chinese Cowboy is closing its Central Eastside location. The Portland Business Journal account provided the initial public report of the shutdown.
From Warsugai To A Cowboy Bar
Chef Kyo Koo first opened Warsugai at 727 SE Washington in January 2024, according to Eater Portland. The space was later retooled into The Chinese Cowboy in April 2025, a shift noted in local coverage at the time on Bridgetown Bites.
Menu, Live Music And The Mashup
The Chinese Cowboy’s menu leaned on smoked meats reworked with Asian flavors, including brisket fried rice, a Warsugai gyro and crab Rangoon, and the venue promoted weekly live music and pop-up events, per the restaurant’s website. The site also lists the Buckman address and current ordering hours.
What This Signals For The Eastside Dining Scene
Chef Koo’s path, closing Danwei Canting, opening Warsugai and then rebranding the space, is one example of the pivots restaurateurs have made in recent years, a history detailed in Eater Portland. The Chinese Cowboy’s closure is the latest sign of turnover among independent restaurants on the Eastside…