Benkay Japanese Restaurant And Sushi Bar

My family and I have been coming to Benkay for years. Their fish is of the highest quality compared to any other sushi place I've ever tried. The sushi chefs there are exceedingly talented in their art. Every single piece is crafted masterfully with beautiful ingredients. The wait staff deserves recognition too, as they are attentive, knowledgeable and very kind. This place will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sushi Deluxe Lunch Special, Omakase, Salmon Sashimi

My wife and I were vacationing in Portland from Cincinnati and found this delicious Japanese restaurant. We were there for our twentieth wedding anniversary, keeping the tradition of eating at a Japanese restaurant for our honeymoon, and this was the perfect place! The Benkay sushi roll literally changed my life haha! My wife said when first eating it that my face was like seeing a baby try ice cream for the first time. Every sushi roll I got was amazing! I have thought of this experience most days since, and that was a week and a half ago. I cannot recommend Benkay enough and wish it was close enough for me to return often!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing restaurant - food is always top notch, and the people that work there are the best! I was their neighbor for many years and used to go there so frequently they got me a Christmas gift! Great place!

Awesome place with good vibes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

2026: nice that Benkay was open on new years day. I had sushi. It was good, but somehow not as good as the first time we I had sushi three years ago.
2022:We had sushi take out and it was excellent. Fresh and nicely presented even in take out order. The restaurant looks modern and nice, and there were many people eating inside.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Jan 1 2026
Had the Tempura Udon. Very tasty, my only complaint is that there was just one shrimp.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

We sat at the sushi bar and had an enjoyable time always fun to watch your food being made 

Really enjoyed our sushi experience! Nice menu, lovely and quick service, and nice ambiance.
We particularly loved the gyoza and the tuna tartare special. The spicy crunchy tuna roll was also a fave.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We are visiting g from out of state and wanted a superb experience overall. This place hit ALL the marks. Food... incredible. Every. Single. Bite. Mickiko was our server and she gave us incredible recommendations on food and beverages. The lemon drop saki martini was incredible. If you are looking for great food, great ambience, wonderful service and great drinks...go! And ask for Michiko!

Let me begin by saying:
The smells alone changed me as a person.

🍣 First Whiff
My human brought home a warm bag from Benkay, and the moment it entered the car, I knew greatness had arrived.
The aroma hit me like a spiritual awakening:
- Fresh salmon
- Warm rice
- Tempura dreams
- Soy sauce destiny

I inhaled so deeply I nearly levitated.

🧳 The Bag
I tried to stick my entire head inside.
My human said “no.”
I pretended not to hear.
I tried again.
Still no.
Oppression.

🍱 The Takeout Spread (As Experienced Through Smell Only)
- Sushi: I could smell the ocean. I could taste the ocean. I was not allowed to eat the ocean.
- Tempura: Crunchy, golden, life‑changing. I know this because I heard the crunch and felt joy in my soul.
- Miso soup: Warm, comforting, and apparently “not for dogs,” which feels discriminatory.
- Ginger: I sniffed it. I sneezed. I regret nothing.

🧍‍♂️ My Human’s Behavior
They sat down with chopsticks like a civilized adult.
I sat down like a starving Victorian street dog.
I gave them my best “I haven’t eaten in 400 years” eyes.
They gave me… a single grain of rice.
A single. Grain.
I accepted it with dignity.

🐕 Emotional Arc
- Hope
- Anticipation
- Betrayal
- Acceptance
- Renewed hope when the bag rustled again
- Betrayal (it was just napkins)

🐾 Final Verdict
Benkay takeout: 10/10
My human’s sharing skills: 2/10
Would I eat an entire sushi boat if given the chance? Absolutely.
Would I do crimes for a piece of salmon nigiri? Without hesitation.

Highly recommend. Will beg again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I love the sweet potato tempura! Maine rolls are amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Had the lunch sushi special. The fish was solid but nothing sang, and the miso soup tasted like it was from a (quality) mix like Sushi Chef. Decent but not destination sushi.

It was tasty and efficient. One of the only places open on thanksgiving. Hence, maybe not so representative as busy and a bit throughout focused. They were friendly and food was good. It was my husband's birthday which I had marked in the reservation, unfortunately no specific attention to that.

Excellent sushi. Located in downtown Portland near hotels and with convenient access to major highways. I ordered mostly sushi and sashimi and not so many rolls. I had some fatty tuna, red snapper, salmon, eel and other offerings. Then I got a poke bowl to go with tuna. The slices of fish are very generous. I had one roll with salmon which also very good. The fish is fresh and the ambiance is nice. A genuine good experience.