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Question: What makes Portland, OR a great place for sushi lovers?
Answer: Portland has an incredible selection of really good sushi places, with almost every neighborhood having its own favorite sushi spot. -
Question: What types of sushi establishments can be found in Portland?
Answer: Sushi establishments in Portland range from tiny take-out places to posh restaurants with spectacular décor and views. -
Question: What types of sushi are offered in Portland?
Answer: Sushi offerings range from traditional maki and rolls to innovative rolls with bizarre combinations, such as eels and bananas. -
Question: Is vegetarian sushi commonly available in Portland?
Answer: Yes, vegetarian sushi is now widely accepted as a standard and is offered almost everywhere. -
Question: What is conveyer-belt sushi, and why is it popular in Portland?
Answer: Conveyer-belt sushi offers a fast and efficient fresh meal, making sushi a healthy version of fast food.
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1. Bamboo Sushi
Savor sustainable rolls and enjoy an affordable, eco-friendly dining experience.
Bamboo Sushi is the small chain of certified sustainable sushi restaurants, the first of their kind in the world. While using sustainable sources for their fresh fish, produce, and meats, Bamboo Sushi treats their customers to imaginative and original sushi as well as other Japanese dishes. Their Portland location on 12th Avenue is simple and modern with characteristic Japanese aesthetics, a large mural on the wall, and lot of recycled wood, in keeping with their sustainability philosophy. Try some of their more interesting sushi, such as Highway 35, with red crab, spicy sesame aioli, cucumber, avocado, long bean, sake-poached pears, tempura crunchies, eel sauce, and tobiko. Bamboo Sushi is also known for the extensive selection of high quality sake.
404 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205, Phone: 503-444-7455
2. Departure Restaurant and Lounge, Portland, OR
Dine above the city and explore exciting flavors in a romantic rooftop setting.
At the top of the upscale Nines Hotel, Chef Gregory Gourdet weaves his magic wand and produces an Asian-fusion menu with mouthwatering dishes focused on seafood that are also a visual delight, such as crispy whole striped bass with green mango, cashews, and chili-lime. The setting at Departure Restaurant and Lounge is out of this world, with a vast white space overlooking the city through floor-to-ceiling windows and a large deck perfect for enjoying the sunset and one of the Departure’s interesting cocktails. The menu is fairly large, with a lot of interesting seafood combinations and a small assortment of sushi with ingredients such as osetra caviar. This is one of the rare spots for late-night sushi.
525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204, Phone: 503-802-5370
3. Samurai Blue Sushi & Sake
Sip sake flights and taste fresh sushi on a fun night out.
Samurai Blue is a popular modern Japanese restaurant on North Portland's Mississippi Avenue known for its Korean and Japanese small plates, a large selection of sushi, hibachi, and original sake cocktails. The simple décor is dominated by a large mural of Hokusai’s Great Wave. Sushi choices range from traditional and simple to original house-designed selections, such as Chance of Rain with salmon, avocado, cream cheese, sundried tomato, balsamic teriyaki sauce, and basil, all fried in tempura batter. If it rains, you get it half price. There is a large selection of interesting sake cocktails and draft beer as well as a small but good wine selection from all over the world.
3807 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227, Phone: 503-284-1020
4. Masu Sushi
Try creative rolls and enjoy a stylish atmosphere perfect for couples.
Located on the second floor of a brick building close to the edge of Pearl, Masu Sushi is a pleasant upscale place with updated mid-century décor and a well-stocked bar. Masu has been around since 2004, offering superb Japanese fare, including original sushi made with the freshest seafood possible. Portions are large - the sushi comes in eight pieces, perfect for sharing. Try Nemo; it is a whole meal in itself, consisting of shrimp tempura, Dungeness crabs, avocado, whitefish, salmon, ponzu, green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and smoked flakes of bonito. The bar offers a large selection of high quality sake and specialty cocktails.
406 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97205, Phone: 503-221-6278
5. Mio Sushi
Grab casual bites and savor a family-friendly spot with consistent quality.
Mio Sushi is a chain of 16 family-owned full-service Japanese restaurants in Oregon and Washington. The cozy ambiance is created by comfortable booths that invite families to come for a traditional fusion Japanese-West Coast meal. They are constantly searching for local suppliers with the freshest seafood for their delicious sushi. The large selection of sushi ranges from good old favorites such as maki rolls to more inventive ones such as the Samurai with spicy salmon, white fish, white onion, and crab rolled in panko. Besides sushi, Mio offers Japanese classics such as chicken teriyaki and tonkatsu. Their lunch special is a very good deal and it comes with miso soup, rice, and veggies.
2271 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR 97210, Phone: 503-221-1469
6. Sensei
Indulge in refined sushi and explore an unusual fusion experience on a weekend trip.
Sensei is new sushi bar in downtown Portland offering classic conveyor belt sushi plates that are made while customers are waiting. Small, clean, and streamlined, Sensei’s décor is dominated by a beautiful mural of Hokusai’s Great Wave. Fish and all other ingredients are super fresh and the choice is large and complete with everyone’s favorites. Don’t expect anything fancy, but the portions are large and the service is fast. Prices are very competitive, especially during happy hour. Besides sushi, there is a kitchen menu with bento boxes, soups, and sweets. Sensei also has a variety of Japanese and Oregon-brewed sake as well as Japanese and local beers.
710 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, Phone: 503-222-1208
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