13 Incredible Japanese Eateries & Cafés in Portland

Ippai is a once-a-month pop-up restaurant serving up Japanese home cooking with an abundance of seasonal vegetables. Tickets go on sale online for a dinner with a different theme every month, but the restaurant is quite popular and tickets often sell out just hours after going on sale.

Bamboo Sushi is the first place Portland locals think of when they think sushi, even regularly winning the restaurant prize in a local magazine. The restaurant has four locations in Portland and has expanded into Denver as well.

Mizuba Tea Co. is a store specializing in matcha, offering matcha from the Uji region of Kyoto as well as the related utensils. Mizuba has served customers around the United States, with a particularly strong base in Portland and all along the west coast. Their products can be purchased from their online store, at their studio in Portland (appointment required), and at high-end urban supermarkets.

Umami Café is a non-profit café located inside Portland Japanese Garden. Experience true omotenashi (gracious hospitality) and the traditional Japanese art of tea at this café that caters exclusively to visitors of the garden. The natural harmony and beauty of the Japanese garden will relax the soul.

Miho Izakaya is a Japanese pub located in North Portland. Opened in a renovated 100-year-old house, the pub aims to be a place not only to meet up with friends but also where guests who come alone can join in the fun and enjoy delicious spirits and dishes.

Zilla Sake is a Japanese sake bar and sushi restaurant located on NE Alberta St. among a large variety of shops, galleries, bars, and other establishments. The shop’s bar and restaurant areas are adjacent to each other and have mostly the same food (omakasemenu available in the restaurant area only) and drink menus.

Behind the Museum Café is a café introducing Japanese culture literally located behind the Portland Art Museum. The bright café space lit by direct sunlight is attached to a gallery that displays and sells crafts, antiques, kimonos and artwork. It also hosts a small flower arrangement (ikebana) class once a month.

Shigezo Izakaya is a Japanese-style gastropub that has been open since 2010. Located in the heart of downtown, this spacious establishment seats 137, with outdoor seating available in the summer. In addition to the seats at the sushi counter and the teppan- and kushiyakicounter, Shigezo also offers multiple relaxed, spacious private rooms and booths.

Biwa is a popular izakaya run by husband and wife team Gabe & Kina. Opened in 2007, it is one of Portland's early izakaya pioneers. The inspiration for Biwa came from the izakaya in the student districts Gabe frequented when he lived in Sapporo as a student, and he is meticulous not only with the food but also about creating a space in which everyone who sets foot inside has a special and relaxing time.

Nodoguro is an establishment serving Japanese cuisine in original courses to guests by reservation only. After opening at its current location in 2016, the restaurant has become quite popular and is almost always fully booked.

The restaurant’s menu, supervised by the Japanese executive chef who wished to provide a taste of Japan’s izakaya culture in which customers can try a little bit of everything as they please, includes staples such as sushi, ramen and edamame, as well as other well-known Japanese menu items such as salads, grilled skewers, gyoza dumplings, karaage, agedashitofu and saikyo-yaki (Kyoto-style grilled fish).

Yataimura Maru is a Japanese-style izakaya located in the area said to be the center of Portland’s food scene, SE Division St. The restaurant’s kitchen is split into a sushi, ramen and grill area and, just as its name implies, the interior is reminiscent of a Japanese alleyway in which yatai food carts are lined up side by side.

SHO Authentic Japanese Cuisine is a Japanese family restaurant in the southwest section of Portland. The Japanese owner and his wife, along with a Japanese sushi chef and a chef of Japanese descent, offer the authentic flavors of Japan, made with high quality, local ingredients.