Portland Japanese Gem 🥢 Akizawa

Wandering downtown Portland till my legs ached, I turned into the alley at 507 SW Broadway, never expecting to be hooked by this Japanese spot—just 5 minutes from Muji, perfect for refueling after shopping. One bite of the katsu rice, and I wanted to slam the table: “This is better than what I had in Japan!” 🍛 Tonkatsu Rice: Crust Crumbles Like Glass, Meat Juicy Enough to Drip—Rice Alone Is Worth It Served like a “golden shield,” the tonkatsu has a paper-thin crust that “cracks” at the lightest chopstick tap. Inside, the pork is tender with pink edges, juices dribbling down your chin, mixed with crispy panko—so good you’ll want to swallow your tongue. The rice is a star too: Japanese Koshihikari, fluffy and separate, tossed with the katsu’s savory-sweet sauce. I used to think “Japanese tonkatsu is unbeatable,” but this proved me wrong. Even the shredded cabbage is crisp, with a splash of vinegar to cut richness—perfection! 🐟 Black Cod: Tender as “Sea Pudding,” Sauce So Good You’ll Lick the Plate The black cod in P2 arrives steaming, skin charred in spots. A chopstick prod, and the flesh fluffs like cotton, melting almost unchewed, with a hint of miso (probably marinated in it)—sweet, no fishiness. Roasted veggies underneath (asparagus, cherry tomatoes) soak up the fish juices, making even tomatoes tangy and juicy. Finishing the fish, I wanted to soak up every drop of sauce with a bowl of rice～ 🍮 Crème Caramel: Pudding Lovers, Rejoice! Silky as “Milky Clouds” As a self-proclaimed “pudding connoisseur” (tasted at least 80), this caramel pudding cracks my “Top 3 of All Time”! Served with a amber caramel layer, cracking “crunch” with a spoon. Scoop the pudding, and it slides off the spoon—smoother than silk, rich with milkiness, not cloying. Caramel’s slight bitterness balances the cream, leaving me scraping every last bit, even licking my lips🫶 🍣 Omakase: Japanese Obaasans Approve—Uni and Roe Look Insanely Fresh Skipped omakase this time, but two Japanese grandmothers at the next table were loving it—watching the chef craft sushi, uni piled high, glistening orange; roe pearls plump on nigiri. The obaasans smiled, saying “ありがとう” (thank you), popping each bite happily. Next time, I’m booking omakase—just watching made my mouth water! 📍 Location: Shop + Eat in One—Downtown’s “Cozy Japanese Nook” Right in downtown, a quick turn from Muji—ideal for post-shopping rests. Small but warm, with a polished wooden bar. The chef greets you in Japanese; even if you don’t understand, it feels like dining in a “Tokyo izakaya”—cozy and welcoming. Leaving, stomach full, still dreaming of that caramel pudding. No wonder it’s a hit despite hiding in an alley—great Japanese food doesn’t need “Instagram vibes.” The katsu’s crunch, cod’s tenderness, pudding’s silkiness—each bite screams “worth the trip.” Next Muji run? This is my new “post-shopping canteen.” Who’s with me? I’m already craving that tonkatsu😭 📍 Akizawa Japanese Bistro（507 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205） #PortlandJapanese #TonkatsuLove #FoodieFind #OmakaseGoals