Freshly prepared excellent Japanese food. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Doug Upton
Just a few blocks from the waterfront is a architectural and food oasis, the patio is a wonderful post and beam structure with a translucent roof beside a lovely small water feature and miniature trees, although the interior is lovely, the patio is splendid in season. Come early, it fills up. The Benton box and the Nigiri were remarkable to look at, let alone eat. Beautiful food, beautifully displayed and top quality served by a delight named Emma. Don't look directly at her because her smile will bedazzled you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul Gilbert
Fantastic food, great service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elşən Şirəliyev
Nice service and atmosphere! If you want to have a good time you can sit outside and enjoy the food in an open air!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Gale
The lunch specials are beautiful and affordable, and the staff is kind and helpful. I’m a big fan of this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nataly Blanco
Beautiful Japanese restaurant that was recommended to us by several locals. The staff could be a bit friendlier but the food is so good that it more than makes up for it. The fish in the sushi tasted so fresh and they have this beautiful patio. Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Leo Yang
Very disappointed. Food was mid—no better than a roadside sushi spot. The only plus was more sashimi options, but I even found a fish bone in the sashimi. At this price, that’s unacceptable. Service was the worst I’ve had in town: our server Guang Yuan is a racist. He was curt and dismissive, never refilled our water, and didn’t check on us once. The tone felt rude and made us uncomfortable. For a place charging ‘prime’ prices and touting high quality, it completely missed the mark. I won’t be back—save your money and go elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jesse Fenton
Always delicious 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣, great wine, nice ambiance, prompt service and I'll be back for more!
Did not disappoint! Nigiri, sashimi, handrolls and gyoza were all fresh and delicious. We sat at the sushi bar and it was wonderful to watch food being prepared. Some of the best sushi we have had if not in the top 2. Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ethan Paquet
The sushi is delicious and the atmosphere on the deck is fantastic. A wonderful zen oasis amidst the bustle of Portland.
Food to price ratio was good, but having a reservation for 7pm, ordering at 7:10, and getting food to the table about an entire hour later is a little insane.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Nick Nelsonwood
Excellent value for a lunch in Portland, recommend the bento box or multiple maki rolls. The fish is great quality, and everything else is good enough.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both good vibes. Service is generally fast and friendly, but there can be a wait at peak hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Lu Bai
One of the worst dining experiences we have ever had. After we ordered we waited for more than an hour and not a single dish came out, except for one bowl of noodles at the very beginning. The person who ordered the noodles finished eating quickly and then had to sit there waiting with us the entire time while nothing else was served. Nobody checked on us and even our tea cups stayed empty. To make things worse we were seated outside at night when it was very cold. We asked the server politely if they could turn on the heater and the answer was simply “no.” No explanation and no alternative offered. Our kids were shivering and after nearly freezing for so long I went back inside to ask again if we could at least move indoors. Only then the manager came and immediately agreed to turn on the heater, which means it could have been done all along. The owner seems nice, but the employees are terrible—careless, unhelpful, and with no sense of customer service. This completely ruined our experience. Terrible staff, zero care for customer comfort, and no respect for our time. Avoid at all costs.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Curtis Quintal
Great atmosphere outside. Great service. Food was fresh, just lacking in flavor. The sushi I could tell was quality fish but the rice was mediocre resulting in bland tastes. Also had chicken and vegetables dish such was also fresh and well cooked but no seasoning and bland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup
Meg E
My friend and I stopped in Portland, ME on our way to Boston and decided to try Yosaku because of the good reviews. Unfortunately, this place was a complete waste of money.
The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance, but that’s about where the positives end. We had reservations and still waited 5–10 minutes to be seated. Our server came to take our drink order and it was immediately clear she was sick, she had a stuffy nose and a phlegmy cough. She kept going into this hallway that leads into the kitchen to cough…..I sympathize that she probably couldn’t afford to miss a shift, but in 2025 servers should not be working while that ill. It’s not sanitary and it made the experience uncomfortable from the start.
When I asked if the sauce in the Ohitashi (“Chilled steamed spinach with light sauce”) was spicy, she flatly said “oh I don’t know” and nothing else. She didn’t even offer to check. When we asked for sushi roll recommendations, she said she didn’t have any!!!!! I think she could tell we were a little taken a back so she then followed up with “they’re all good,” then basically started reading the sushi menu to us. Very weird service overall.
The miso soup was the only thing I enjoyed, it was flavorful and well done. The sushi, however, was mediocre at best. The rolls were oversized making them difficult to eat in one bites and had no taste. We ordered three rolls and none of them stood out.
For the price and reputation, this was a major disappointment. I wouldn’t recommend Yosaku, there are plenty of better dining options in Portland where you won’t feel like your money (and meal) was wasted.
Freshly prepared excellent Japanese food. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just a few blocks from the waterfront is a architectural and food oasis, the patio is a wonderful post and beam structure with a translucent roof beside a lovely small water feature and miniature trees, although the interior is lovely, the patio is splendid in season. Come early, it fills up. The Benton box and the Nigiri were remarkable to look at, let alone eat. Beautiful food, beautifully displayed and top quality served by a delight named Emma. Don't look directly at her because her smile will bedazzled you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food, great service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice service and atmosphere! If you want to have a good time you can sit outside and enjoy the food in an open air!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The lunch specials are beautiful and affordable, and the staff is kind and helpful. I’m a big fan of this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful Japanese restaurant that was recommended to us by several locals. The staff could be a bit friendlier but the food is so good that it more than makes up for it. The fish in the sushi tasted so fresh and they have this beautiful patio. Highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Very disappointed. Food was mid—no better than a roadside sushi spot. The only plus was more sashimi options, but I even found a fish bone in the sashimi. At this price, that’s unacceptable. Service was the worst I’ve had in town: our server Guang Yuan is a racist. He was curt and dismissive, never refilled our water, and didn’t check on us once. The tone felt rude and made us uncomfortable. For a place charging ‘prime’ prices and touting high quality, it completely missed the mark. I won’t be back—save your money and go elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Always delicious 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣, great wine, nice ambiance, prompt service and I'll be back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup, Bento Box, Sushi Nigiri Dinner, California Roll, Tempura-A, Saba, Roll, Tempura, Nigiri, Spicy Scallop, Spicy Scallop Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Maki, Chirashi Sushi, Avocado, Sushi Boat, Yosaku Roll, Uni, Tempura Udon, Sushi Roll
Did not disappoint! Nigiri, sashimi, handrolls and gyoza were all fresh and delicious. We sat at the sushi bar and it was wonderful to watch food being prepared. Some of the best sushi we have had if not in the top 2. Thank you!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The sushi is delicious and the atmosphere on the deck is fantastic. A wonderful zen oasis amidst the bustle of Portland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Food to price ratio was good, but having a reservation for 7pm, ordering at 7:10, and getting food to the table about an entire hour later is a little insane.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Excellent value for a lunch in Portland, recommend the bento box or multiple maki rolls. The fish is great quality, and everything else is good enough.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both good vibes. Service is generally fast and friendly, but there can be a wait at peak hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
One of the worst dining experiences we have ever had. After we ordered we waited for more than an hour and not a single dish came out, except for one bowl of noodles at the very beginning. The person who ordered the noodles finished eating quickly and then had to sit there waiting with us the entire time while nothing else was served. Nobody checked on us and even our tea cups stayed empty. To make things worse we were seated outside at night when it was very cold. We asked the server politely if they could turn on the heater and the answer was simply “no.” No explanation and no alternative offered. Our kids were shivering and after nearly freezing for so long I went back inside to ask again if we could at least move indoors. Only then the manager came and immediately agreed to turn on the heater, which means it could have been done all along. The owner seems nice, but the employees are terrible—careless, unhelpful, and with no sense of customer service. This completely ruined our experience. Terrible staff, zero care for customer comfort, and no respect for our time. Avoid at all costs.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Great atmosphere outside. Great service. Food was fresh, just lacking in flavor. The sushi I could tell was quality fish but the rice was mediocre resulting in bland tastes. Also had chicken and vegetables dish such was also fresh and well cooked but no seasoning and bland.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miso Soup
My friend and I stopped in Portland, ME on our way to Boston and decided to try Yosaku because of the good reviews. Unfortunately, this place was a complete waste of money.
The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance, but that’s about where the positives end. We had reservations and still waited 5–10 minutes to be seated. Our server came to take our drink order and it was immediately clear she was sick, she had a stuffy nose and a phlegmy cough. She kept going into this hallway that leads into the kitchen to cough…..I sympathize that she probably couldn’t afford to miss a shift, but in 2025 servers should not be working while that ill. It’s not sanitary and it made the experience uncomfortable from the start.
When I asked if the sauce in the Ohitashi (“Chilled steamed spinach with light sauce”) was spicy, she flatly said “oh I don’t know” and nothing else. She didn’t even offer to check. When we asked for sushi roll recommendations, she said she didn’t have any!!!!! I think she could tell we were a little taken a back so she then followed up with “they’re all good,” then basically started reading the sushi menu to us. Very weird service overall.
The miso soup was the only thing I enjoyed, it was flavorful and well done. The sushi, however, was mediocre at best. The rolls were oversized making them difficult to eat in one bites and had no taste. We ordered three rolls and none of them stood out.
For the price and reputation, this was a major disappointment. I wouldn’t recommend Yosaku, there are plenty of better dining options in Portland where you won’t feel like your money (and meal) was wasted.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
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