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Year For—Uni Risotto + Coffee Powder & No Tip? Pure Magic! 🍣

I’ve lived in Portland for almost a year, eating everything from Sichuan food to South American tapas and Texas BBQ—but I always felt like I was missing that “memorable sushi meal.” That is, until I walked into Nodoguro. This isn’t just “good sushi”—it’s a masterclass in omakase: the chef hides creativity in every bite, ingredients are fresh enough to taste the ocean, even the wine pairing hits perfectly… and best of all, no tip required! After living in the US for years, this is the first Japanese restaurant that’s “thoughtful, not greedy”—I couldn’t stop looking back as I walked out. 🌟 Omakase That Wows: Every Dish Is a Chef’s Masterpiece Nodoguro’s omakase has the perfect flow—from appetizers to dessert, flavors and dishes never repeat. No “food fatigue” here; instead, you get more excited with each course: Appetizer Course: Not just pickles or salad—think fresh seasonal seafood, like chilled scallops with citrus gel. The scallop melts on your tongue, and the citrus tang brightens the sweetness. Even the plating feels like a tiny work of art, on dark ceramic plates too pretty to touch 🦞; Main Course Highlight: The Uni Risotto ✨! Creamy risotto soaks up seafood stock, every grain coated in subtle butteriness. It’s topped with a heaping scoop of fresh uni—sweet and briny, enough to make you sigh. But the chef adds a sprinkle of ground coffee ☕—I was worried it’d be weird, but the light bitterness cuts the uni’s richness, making the whole dish extra smooth. I even licked the spoon clean; this creativity is one-of-a-kind; Sushi Course: The rice is seasoned perfectly—never overpowers the fish, but lifts its flavor. Otoro (fatty tuna) melts in your mouth, its oiliness spreading slowly. Anago (sea eel) is slightly charred, with a homemade sauce that’s sweet but not cloying. Even the basic salmon sushi tastes like it was cut that day—firm and juicy; Dessert Course: No boring matcha ice cream—instead, a Japanese-style dessert with seasonal fruit, like yuzu mousse with fresh strawberries. The mousse is light as a cloud, yuzu’s tang balancing the sweetness. It leaves a fresh aftertaste, perfect for clearing the palate. 🥢 Small Restaurant, Big Heart: Intimate U-Shaped Bar & Tip-Free Service (Yes, Really!) Nodoguro is tiny—only one U-shaped counter, and it serves only 10+ guests a day. The vibe is intimate, like you’re getting a “private chef experience.” The staff blew me away too: every time a dish arrives, they kneel down to explain, “This is Washington-state scallop, paired with our homemade citrus sauce” or “The uni is from Alaska, and the coffee is locally roasted light roast.” They even watch your eating pace—if someone’s taking their time, the next dish waits. No “hurry up” pressure at all. The biggest surprise? No tip required 🤯! In the US, especially at high-end sushi spots, 15%-20% mandatory tips are common—some places even jack up prices to make more from tips. But Nodoguro not only has fair prices; when we checked out, they said, “No tip needed—we’re just happy you enjoyed it.” Near the end, the chef came out of the kitchen to chat with every table: “Did you like the uni?” “Was the coffee powder too strong?” He was friendly like an old friend, no “chef ego” at all. This “focus on food, not profit” attitude? It really touched me. 💡 Why It’s Worth Fighting for a Reservation: Value + Reputation Nodoguro is hard to book (only 10+ guests a day!), but it’s 100% worth it. For omakase, the price is way more reasonable than Portland’s “internet-famous sushi spots”—and it’s always top-ranked on lists like Portland Food Guide and Yelp’s “Best of the Year.” All real reviews from locals and sushi lovers. If you’ve been waiting for “not-just-good sushi” in Portland, set a reminder to book Nodoguro. No regrets—every bite, every detail, makes the wait worth it. 📍 Nodoguro (Note: Book via their website or OpenTable—address is shared once you reserve. It’s a low-key spot, so follow navigation closely!) #Portland #PortlandSushi #Omakase #JapaneseFood #PortlandFoodie #HiddenGemSushi

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Aurora Rossi
Aurora Rossi
5 months ago
Aurora Rossi
Aurora Rossi
5 months ago
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Year For—Uni Risotto + Coffee Powder & No Tip? Pure Magic! 🍣

I’ve lived in Portland for almost a year, eating everything from Sichuan food to South American tapas and Texas BBQ—but I always felt like I was missing that “memorable sushi meal.” That is, until I walked into Nodoguro. This isn’t just “good sushi”—it’s a masterclass in omakase: the chef hides creativity in every bite, ingredients are fresh enough to taste the ocean, even the wine pairing hits perfectly… and best of all, no tip required! After living in the US for years, this is the first Japanese restaurant that’s “thoughtful, not greedy”—I couldn’t stop looking back as I walked out. 🌟 Omakase That Wows: Every Dish Is a Chef’s Masterpiece Nodoguro’s omakase has the perfect flow—from appetizers to dessert, flavors and dishes never repeat. No “food fatigue” here; instead, you get more excited with each course: Appetizer Course: Not just pickles or salad—think fresh seasonal seafood, like chilled scallops with citrus gel. The scallop melts on your tongue, and the citrus tang brightens the sweetness. Even the plating feels like a tiny work of art, on dark ceramic plates too pretty to touch 🦞; Main Course Highlight: The Uni Risotto ✨! Creamy risotto soaks up seafood stock, every grain coated in subtle butteriness. It’s topped with a heaping scoop of fresh uni—sweet and briny, enough to make you sigh. But the chef adds a sprinkle of ground coffee ☕—I was worried it’d be weird, but the light bitterness cuts the uni’s richness, making the whole dish extra smooth. I even licked the spoon clean; this creativity is one-of-a-kind; Sushi Course: The rice is seasoned perfectly—never overpowers the fish, but lifts its flavor. Otoro (fatty tuna) melts in your mouth, its oiliness spreading slowly. Anago (sea eel) is slightly charred, with a homemade sauce that’s sweet but not cloying. Even the basic salmon sushi tastes like it was cut that day—firm and juicy; Dessert Course: No boring matcha ice cream—instead, a Japanese-style dessert with seasonal fruit, like yuzu mousse with fresh strawberries. The mousse is light as a cloud, yuzu’s tang balancing the sweetness. It leaves a fresh aftertaste, perfect for clearing the palate. 🥢 Small Restaurant, Big Heart: Intimate U-Shaped Bar & Tip-Free Service (Yes, Really!) Nodoguro is tiny—only one U-shaped counter, and it serves only 10+ guests a day. The vibe is intimate, like you’re getting a “private chef experience.” The staff blew me away too: every time a dish arrives, they kneel down to explain, “This is Washington-state scallop, paired with our homemade citrus sauce” or “The uni is from Alaska, and the coffee is locally roasted light roast.” They even watch your eating pace—if someone’s taking their time, the next dish waits. No “hurry up” pressure at all. The biggest surprise? No tip required 🤯! In the US, especially at high-end sushi spots, 15%-20% mandatory tips are common—some places even jack up prices to make more from tips. But Nodoguro not only has fair prices; when we checked out, they said, “No tip needed—we’re just happy you enjoyed it.” Near the end, the chef came out of the kitchen to chat with every table: “Did you like the uni?” “Was the coffee powder too strong?” He was friendly like an old friend, no “chef ego” at all. This “focus on food, not profit” attitude? It really touched me. 💡 Why It’s Worth Fighting for a Reservation: Value + Reputation Nodoguro is hard to book (only 10+ guests a day!), but it’s 100% worth it. For omakase, the price is way more reasonable than Portland’s “internet-famous sushi spots”—and it’s always top-ranked on lists like Portland Food Guide and Yelp’s “Best of the Year.” All real reviews from locals and sushi lovers. If you’ve been waiting for “not-just-good sushi” in Portland, set a reminder to book Nodoguro. No regrets—every bite, every detail, makes the wait worth it. 📍 Nodoguro (Note: Book via their website or OpenTable—address is shared once you reserve. It’s a low-key spot, so follow navigation closely!) #Portland #PortlandSushi #Omakase #JapaneseFood #PortlandFoodie #HiddenGemSushi

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