Izakaya Restaurants near Beaverton, OR

“some may call this place a “hidden gem” (literally in a small, unassuming place in a strip mall) & I would certainly agree! this is one of my fav places in this area to get quality & delicious japanese food! being from hawaii, I feel like I’m pretty picky about where I go & this place has my japanese mother’s approval as well. if any of this means anything to you, I’d say it’s pretty well vetted lmao.

I always recommend this place to people that want good quality asian food in (and around) portland, so make sure to go check them out!!

— FOOD —
their menu is EXTENSIVE & I love it!! so many options to choose from. they have a whole sushi menu, bentos, ramen, & a whole bunch of appetizers and entrees that are hard to find elsewhere! also make sure to look at their specials posted near the sushi bar!

here’s what is featured in the reel:
- chirashi bowl : super fresh with so much variety & the rice was perfectly seasoned!
- miso salmon special : salmon was cooked to perfection
- agedashi tofu : my family’s fav appetizer treat – fried, savory goodness!

— MORE INFO —
PARKING : strip mall has a big parking lot, lots of spaces.
SEATING : not a ton of seats, but haven’t had trouble getting a table on a weekday. may need to make a reservation on the weekend.
SERVICE : super sweet staff!
AMBIANCE : the restaurant reminds me of small japanese restaurants in hawaii. super nostalgic & cozy!“

“As a frequent visitor to Japan, I long for the authentic intersection between food, atmosphere and service. But mostly food.

Yuzu brings a good majority of this to the table. I found myself flashing back to an izakaya in Morioka (minus the tabaco filled air). Atmosphere is a check.

I started with the karrage, which came out perfect. Using the Japanese double-fry method, it's more of a steam than a fry. This leaves you with a thin but crispy outside and very juicy, not dry chicken, with very little grease. The aoili sauce really added to the overall flavor.
The sashito peppers weren't overly seasoned nor overly spicy, but rather had a good umami flavor.
The kimchi cheese spring rolls were the only non-Japanese item I ordered. They were unique and very flakey, but the flavors and textures did not mix too well.
I also ordered the cold soba. This is one of the rare time I enjoyed a cold soba. The flavor wasn't overpowering and the texture had a somewhat firm but melt apart texture.

Finally, they have a rotating donburi and this visit I scored as they had my favorite Japanese dish - the Katsudon. This was one of the best Katsudonburi I have had in the US. The seasoning had the perfect umami balance with sweetness. The Katsu was crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle, and most importantly the egg was just set and a little runny (I prefer more runny but in the US this is a good compromise to the usual scrambled egg you get on top)

Overall fantastic food and atmosphere. The staff were friendly, quick, and attentive.

Finally, we arrived 30 mins before they opened on a Saturday night, and it was practically empty when we entered and still had tables available when we were leaving.

Highly recommend!“

“The Tempura is out of this world! Delicious.“

“The husband and I were on a ramen rampage, and the weather was our perfect excuse. Then, out of nowhere, we stumbled upon this restaurant. The service was spot-on, the food arrived in record time, and that ramen? Sheer perfection. The broth was a flavor bomb, the chashu was tender and divine, and those noodles? Freshly made and sublime. We left feeling like we just discovered ramen nirvana.“

“I was visiting my gf all the way from CT, and we were blown away at the vibe of the downtown Portland location and how delectable and tasty the food was. The atmosphere was warm, and the food was to die for! Every bite was savory, and it was all practically Food Wars foodgasm top tier levels of delicious! This is gonna be our spot from here on out when we want some delicious ramen that even Naruto the Hokage himself would go bonkers for! Much love and keep rockin! 💖🤘“

“We had an excellent dining experience at Akizawa, with outstanding food, drinks, and service. Despite some previous reviews mentioning a one-hour time limit for two people, the staff was flexible and didn’t rush us—possibly because the restaurant wasn’t full.
Here’s a breakdown of what we ordered:
• Grilled Duck (Appetizer): Tender, juicy, and full with umami flavor.
• Pork Tonkatsu (Appetizer): A lean cut of meat that was very tender and not dry at all. The crust was light and perfectly crispy.
• Nigiri and Sushi Rolls: The fish was incredibly fresh, and the rice was well-prepared with just the right balance. As a fan of Edomae-style (more vinegary) rice, I found their rice slightly different but still excellent. We only wished they offered chutoro, which wasn’t available, and a wider variety of fish.
• Caramel Pudding (Dessert): Tasty but not particularly memorable.
• Sake: The staff provided thoughtful recommendations based on our preferences and even let us sample a few options before we chose a bottle we loved.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the experience. We’ll definitely return and recommend Akizawa to anyone looking for a great dining experience!“

“🌟 A Return Worth Celebrating! 🌟

This was my second visit—and honestly, it was just as unforgettable as the first. I originally came here to celebrate my birthday, and the food blew me away so much that I had to come back for more.

Every dish I ordered was a masterpiece. The house tonkatsu ramen was rich and comforting, with a broth that could warm your soul. The dynamite salmon roll, hello kitty roll, and kazien roll each brought their own unique flavor profiles and textures—playful, bold, and beautifully balanced.

But the real showstopper? The chef’s choice sashimi. Each slice of fish was paired with toppings that elevated the flavor to a whole new level. It was clear that every detail was thoughtfully curated, and the result was nothing short of spectacular.

If you're looking for a place that delivers not just amazing food but a memorable experience, this is it. I’ll definitely be back again.“

“This place never disappoints. We've been both in the restaurant and gotten delivery before. Atmosphere can be a little loud, but it’s always clean and inviting, tables have nice separation and you don't feel like you're on top of your neighbor. Portions are generous and prices are a little high, but worth it.“

“super friendly staff and awesome manager who didn't blink an eye and replaced my mom and aunts order to accommodate their health conditions. bomb food and and super fast serve time. will be back again Special shout out to Damont for being an awesome manager!“