50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Portland

“We had the 6 course chefs counter experience and literally everything we ate was the best I've ever had. Simply incredible, every ingredient in each dish stood on it's own from a perfectly cooked prawn to a single pea. Just wow! The flavors together meld into an almost indescribable flavor that is as creative as it is delicious. You can feel the love an passion in each dish. The people were also so kind, real and enthusiastic about this little restaurant and you can feel it. This was our second time here and was just as amazing if not more so. Thank you for an amazing meal and experience! We will be back!“

“Friendly staff fast service, best sushi I’ve ever had“

“Seriously my favorite bowl of ramen in the city. Super spicy and delicious. The broth is tasty, full bodied and very satisfying, perfectly complimenting the soft, doughy noodles. Five stars.“

“Good food!“

“Excellent! Fast, friendly service and absolutely delicious food. We had the tempura udon and curry plate. We also enjoyed the sake flight. Cannot wait to go back.“

“If you really want to eat Japanese curry, you can eat it here.I had the beef curry, and the meat was perfectly crumbly, making it taste like a curry you'd get at a Western restaurant.For someone like me who likes Fukujinzuke, it was nice to be able to add more Fukujinzuke Besides water, you can also drink barley tea for free, which is great.“

“Very quaint Japanese bistro with traditional menu offerings. Plus specials written on the wall.
We were lucky to fit in a "quick" bite. RSVP would be highly recommended for this newer restaurant.
The staff is friendly and attentive. The chef is beautifully focused but when he looks up to hand you your food, the smile on his face says everything. Enjoy!
We enjoyed Tako karaage-so perfectly cooked and tasty. Garlic shishito pepper-not spicy, light pepper with fish flakes, we liked it with the Tako dipping sauce. Albacore yuzu omoi-super light and tender, melts in your mouth. California roll-because it's made with REAL CRAB! And a special clam offered tonight, cooked perfect. Clams in a light buttery broth.... Just delightful.“

“I was looking for a place to pick up an onigiri in the morning from time to time, and this place opens at 9am which is great! Really cute shop, they have taiyaki, musubi, and a nice variety of onigiri, and it is affordable and exactly what you want. There is really nothing quite like this in the Portland area...its a little treasure. The staff are so friendly, i will be sure to recommend this place to all my passengers, friends, and family!“

“The serrano based tequila drink on the menu was amazing! We started with the fresh rolls. Delicious pork belly and sauces with those. The oysters were unique and tasty with a light spice and trout roe. We finished with the duck empanadas which were outstanding! Service was great and the space is nice. I'll definitely visit again some day.“

“Overall awesome in every way!!“

“Everything. This is not just going to dinner. This is a dining experience. It’s a small reserved venue. Yes it’s spendy, but worth every penny. You’ll try food you never thought you try. The mostly seafood menu it so well prepared. Plus you can watch the prepared each course. A fun night.“

“I had the Keep Portland Weird roll and Genki Ramen, and they were both super delicious. The atmosphere, while busy, is still relaxing. The service was great, they were attentive without being annoying. My waitress was also very helpful with providing me her recommendations. I will be back!“

“My friends and I all really like sushi and we LOVED this place. It's awesome that it's open so late. The fish tasted really fresh, and I've thought about the Hawaii roll multiple times a day since we went a week ago. We'll absolutely be back!

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free soy sauce upon request!“

“Great place for specialized japanese cuisine. I was seated at the bar, where I had a great attending by Lucas (and thanks for that, man!) Good food, good drinks, great enviroment and prices expected for a top notch place. Definitely would recommend and come back“

“Really delicious, and so happy to have a Japanese sandwich cart in Portland. I loved the Pork katsu!“

“Food Excellent!
To go’s…excellent, packaged well, with all you need. You may want to let them know you may not need “chop sticks “
Restaurant looks clean….not much in atmosphere. The food, costs and helpers, make the 5 Star review!“

“Great food, fast service and great atmosphere. Highly recommend.“

“Sho is our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. Katsu and his team are awesome.“

“This hands down is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland OR. It the same quality of other top spots in the US like Nobu , O-Ya , and Morimoto . The location is perfect located in the Pearl district. The chefs are high quality and the fish is extremely fresh. They have a great but simple flavor approach. The service is warm, helpful, and appreciative. I always ask for Joy as she is a true professional and loves providing an exceptional experience on every visit.“

“Fresh food at a reasonable price, loved my own pot of green tea:). I’ll be back!“

“Great food at a reasonable price. Our server was very sweet and the food came out quickly. There's not a lot of comfortable seating options,mainly chairs and benches outside. But you don't come here for an aesthetic experience, you come here for really good food and a quick and casual dining experience. I got the Walmart salad and Chirashi bowl and if I could have I would have eaten 2 bowls of everything. Would absolutely recommend and would come again (if I wasn't traveling from another state).

Parking: There's a free lot but there's limited parking. We didn't have a problem with getting a spot because it looked like several other diners walked to the restaurant.“

“Great Sushi.. must eat place.“

“The karaage chicken is extremely flavorful and tender, while also being crispy. Mix in some gyoza and you've got the perfect meal. Great portion size, especially for the price. The pickled cabbage could use a bit more pickling to really stand up to the richness of the chicken, but it felt very Japanese in that it was more delicately flavored.This cart pod has tons of seating, booze, and way too many vegan places.“

“Stellar! I'm not an easy five and this was a great experience. Originally went for sushi and before a show and the server asked if we were going to a show at the Snitz, and let us know that they only had one sushi chef. Kindly recommended we order alternate because good sushi takes time.
We ordered ramen and katsu curry. Really excellent food and attentive service. Even when they got busy soon after we ordered.
Can't wait to try their sushi“

“High quality jet fresh seafood from Tokyo“

“Good food, super nice staff. Was there for happy hour, good prices on drinks. Got the corn ramen which was underwhelming, so if we come again it'll definitely be for the sushi which was delicious. Brother had their curry and loved it. And the takoyaki was bursting with flavor.“

“My recent visit to the Portland Food Hall for a quick dinner amidst my busy conference schedule was a delightful experience. This gem of a spot boasts a diverse array of culinary options catering to various tastes, which truly impressed me. Despite my visit coinciding with the peak dinner rush, the vibrant atmosphere was matched by the efficient service that seemed to flow seamlessly throughout the venue.The standout for me was the ramen – each spoonful was a revelation, with a rich, flavorful broth and perfectly cooked noodles that provided a comforting and satisfying meal. It was an absolutely delicious and hearty dish that served as a highlight of my dining experience. The Portland Food Hall is a must-visit for anyone looking for a quality dining experience with the convenience of multiple cuisines under one roof. Whether you're pressed for time or looking to savor a leisurely meal, this place caters to all with its exceptional offerings.“

“Oh my gosh, I've had my eye on this place for awhile and I'm so glad I finally stopped in! It was divine.
I ordered two rolls and they were delicious. The fish was incredibly fresh, the avocado creamy, all of the textures were amazing, the presentation was beautiful, the staff were kind and accommodating, the decor is lovely and there is a small outdoor seating area with tall chairs if you'd like to enjoy the summer weather. There are also non sushi options such as bento boxes and ramen. The pricing is VERY reasonable for the quality and amount of food you get. It has been a long time since I have been so completely satisfied with a meal out.

I could truly go on but I'll just say 5/5 do yourself a favor and order anything.

Pictured are the king lion roll and the snow brothers (salmon) roll.“

“This is a sweet little Japanese cafe downtown, in an area that honestly is not as foodie rich as other neighborhoods. The intimate vibe is very calming and a perfect combo with a visit to the museum.

I had never had hijachi ice cream (or anything) before, so that was new. Made from green tea stems, it complimented the matcha ice cream.

I will return for savory food sometime.“

“My mother, sister and I ordered the zuni Kintoki and Strawberry Matcha shaved rice along with some Tsuna Mayo Avocado rolls, all of which were delicious!! I have a very sweet tooth and so I really enjoyed the Strawberry Matcha shaved ice but I also surprisingly enjoyed the Uji Kintoki as well. The atmosphere and people were very nice and kind and I would totally recommend this place to others “

“Amazing food,atmosphere and service!“

“My gf and I dined in for our anniversary, and had the omikase for two. It was a really nice and fun experience over all. The staff was very nice and attentive. And the food was amazing. It’s an 8 course experience. Which featured a lot of food and many different things to try. We also had a sake flight and tea. Some of my standouts were the bluefin tuna, the crab and tofu dish, crispy skin trout, and the 3 week dry aged king salmon. I would definitely recommend you try it out.“

“Yama is our favorite spot for sushi. Great sake menu too.“

“The sushi was amazing! So fresh and very Yummy! My son and I both got lunch specials, 2 whole classic rolls with miso and cucumber salad for just under $15 each. They have a lot of rolls to choose from. Small place but very clean and enjoyable atmosphere.“

“Came here for lunch (around noon) for the first time today, sushi tasted great and fresh. Ordered a miso soup, came out quickly and hot! Will definitely be back!

Total for 6 plates and 2 large sapporos came out to $33… extremely reasonable. not sure how someone is complaining about arriving early for happy hour and not getting HH prices ?“

“This food was the best airport food ever! I don't usually eat the entire thing because I don't wanna get sick before my flight. I ate the entire thing! I got my food 5 minutes after we ordered. My siblings are lucky eaters, and they enjoyed it! I've been to many airports and have tried lots of airport food. This is like a 1000/10. On top of that it was cheap!!! Like for airport food. I totally recommend this.“

“The chicken katsu sando and the katsu dip were both amazing!! Loved the fries with curry aioli too. The staff were super friendly and there was lots of space to sit with nice natural lighting. You have to get the ube latte or the strawberry matcha!“

“So yummy! And walking distance. :)“

“Salmon Nigiri is a great deal. The person who helped us was really engaging and helped us pick our order when he learned it was our first time. The 82nd roll has a delicious kick, but the sweet potato roll really blew me away. So flavorful and mouth feel pleasing!! Definitely will be back. Thank you ?“

“Tried this place during an ice storm and they were extremely happy to see us and were open for business. We came back again 4 days later and the food was even better.“

“BIG SUSHI!!! It’s a hole in the wall location, but once found you won’t forget it!“

“Cute little spot on the side of the road, run by a family of hard working type. Food is quality and fairly priced. Bought dinner many times here for the family and even got lunch got the next day. Well worth the wait.

3??’s outta 3??’s for the great food, and awesome sizes of dishes. And very kind people working there. Good atmosphere and awesome service.“

“The Food here is delicious and big portions. I’ve had the Katsu plate/burger, burger, teriyaki chicken, spicy shrimp, and orange chicken. Everything is good. The lady at the register is so nice and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this place.“

“The staff is always welcoming and friendly. The food is excellent every time. Their house salad has the most incredible sesame dressing that they make in house. The staff at the sushi bar are willing to take the time to educate patrons on the different seafood and make recommendations.“

“best salmon and squid salad ever!“

“Wa Kitchen Kuu in Portland, Oregon, offers an exceptional dining experience with its focus on handrolls, sushi, and sashimi. The handrolls are a highlight, featuring fresh and high-quality ingredients wrapped in perfectly seasoned rice and crisp seaweed. The sushi showcases a delicate balance of flavors and textures, while the sashimi impresses with its freshness and precision. The intimate and stylish ambiance of the restaurant, paired with attentive service, makes it a top choice for sushi enthusiasts and those seeking an authentic Japanese culinary experience in Portland.“

“This is my first time in Portland and the first restaurant that I’ve tried while here. I ordered the lunch special and it was great. The lady that took my order was really nice and pleasant to me and everyone else that I saw walking in. The food portion was a good size. The chicken was moist and the vegetables were cooked perfectly with a little crunch. Not overcooked like some places. The highlight of my meal was the side of Gyoza. They were so good that I ordered 6 more after my meal togo! I will definitely come back for the good food and try something different next time but the kind lady taking the orders was amazing as well.“

“Hana Japanese Bistro offers great quality sushi and a wonderful environment. When I went, the sever was quite busy but still managed to maintain great service, ensuring our drinks and food were good and that the climate was comfortable, even going to set up an air conditioner nearby. I had the salmon avocado roll and chicken karaage. Both were fresh and delicious, and clearly used high quality ingredients. Overall, Hana Japanese Bistro provided a quality time, with great food, great service, and a nice atmosphere.

In addition, Hana is open for takeout only on certain days where they are otherwise closed for in-person dining, including at least Wednesday.

Wheelchair accessibility: The first floor is fully wheelchair accessible.“

“would recommend this over all other teriyaki restaurants. amazing food!!“

“Always fresh and yum!“