Izakaya Restaurants in Portland, OR

“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!“

“Amazing sushi and good flavor“

“🌟 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.“

“Loved it! Had a really good night out on the town!“

“One of the best Japanese restaurants in town.

They have happy hour, when they serve ramen, chirashi don and other mains in smaller portion at about half of the price.

Very budget friendly for solo dining! Especially if you want to try out different foods.“

“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!“