Akizawa Japanese Bistro — Restaurant in Portland

Without a reservation, I called and managed to secure two available seats, making us the first to enter the restaurant. Though small, it was filled with charming decorations and exuded a distinctly exotic atmosphere by American standards. With high expectations, I ordered a few simple dishes, which turned out to be excellent. I went on to order a sake sampler and the premium sushi set. The Chawanmushi had perfectly cooked eggs, the shrimp croquette was incredibly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the Agedashi Tofu had a beautifully even texture adhering lightly to the tofu—I’m not sure what starch they used, but it gave it an exceptional finish. While there are methods to fry it even crispier, that approach tends to lean towards Thai cuisine, and personally, I prefer the more authentic style like how it was prepared here. Frying the shrimp heads served before the sushi was a real highlight. This practice is quite common in Korea and Japan, and it’s something I often do at home. The way the shrimp heads were cooked here captured their rich, natural flavor beautifully. Moving on to the sushi—it was above average. The vinegar seasoning in the rice was slightly mild, and for the amount of rice served, the fish slices could have been thicker for better balance. Conversely, for the thickness of the fish slices, the rice could have been slightly increased in weight for greater harmony. The plating, however, fell short. The use of small circular plates with intricate patterns made the white-fleshed fish sushi look sparse and diminished. Wider circular plates with simple monochrome designs would have created a more abundant visual effect. While the table size may have influenced the choice of plates, the excessive, colorful patterns unintentionally made the sushi portions seem smaller than they actually were. I wanted to try more dishes, but since I was dining with my dog, I decided to be considerate of incoming guests and ended my meal earlier. I definitely plan to revisit this place and would recommend it to others. Knowing the name allows you to glimpse into the world the restaurant owner aspires to create. Aki is meaning Autumn and Jawa is pond or...

A very small Japanese restaurant, no advertising, no online reservation, no take out, but oh such a gem!! It has 5 - 2 person tables and 5 counter seats, that’s it. My friend works at adjacent bldg for 2 years even didn’t know it was there. Chef is Japanese, with one assistant chef, with only two of them with two waitresses, this size would be just enough to give customers good service. Their foods are authentic Japanese dishes, but I experienced something I’ve never experienced any other Japanese restaurants I’ve ever been. Their foods are not only tasty but visually beautiful. Each dish is not overly assertive, yet all the dishes create a wonderful harmony, like a philharmonic orchestra. You may feel that dishes that are not very assertive and somewhat lacking. But I was amazed and deeply moved by realizing how this chef is deeply knowledgeable about Japanese dishes. We ordered gyoza appetizer, tuna roll, Akizawa futomaki roll, chirashi sushi and pork katsu. I chuckled about Katsu that they use a good grade meat with no fat, it even killed its junky katsu taste that Japanese katsu should have, yet it was tender and flavorful. Akizawa roll and chirashi were my favorite. Their sushi rice too, I didn’t taste vinegar nor sugar, considering the amount of rice chef uses, sushi rice didn’t scream its existence at all but perfectly supported variety of fresh seafoods, the way it supposed to do. Wow! Totally hats off to the chef’s sense of art of both visual and taste beauty. He’s a true magician of Japanese cuisine! FYI, they said lunch time is very busy too as well as dinner time, they have chicken or pork katsu or katsudon (katsu bowl) lunch set all under $20. Reservation is a must regardless if it’s lunch or dinner. I’m glad I found this gem. You should visit to experience the chef’s beautiful magic of the art of authentic Japanese cuisine that only this restaurant has,...

Overview
Akizawa Japanese Bistro in downtown Portland is highly regarded for its authentic Japanese cuisine, intimate atmosphere, and attentive service. The restaurant specializes in both traditional and slightly innovative dishes, with a focus on freshness and quality.

Food Quality • The sushi and sashimi are consistently praised for their freshness and proper preparation, with options for omakase, a la carte nigiri, and unique rolls like the Heather Canyon Roll (lavender and orange peel). • The menu also features robust appetizers (like tako karaage, gyoza, agedashi tofu), teishoku sets, rice bowls, and cooked dishes such as pork katsu and black cod miso. • Even those who don’t eat raw fish will find solid options, including garlic edamame, shishito peppers, and tempura.

Service and Ambiance Service is warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, with staff offering helpful recommendations, especially for sake pairings.

The bistro has a cozy, homey feel with Japanese antiques and mismatched wooden chairs, making it comfortable for locals and visitors alike.

The space is small, so reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak hours.

Highlights and Recommendations Must-try items include the chawanmushi, pork belly, sashimi assortment, toro nigiri, and bluefin tuna flights.

The sake selection is curated and displayed with informative descriptions.

The location is central, near Pioneer Square, but seating is limited and only street parking is available.

Critiques Sometime you might have longer wait times for food during busy periods, so plan accordingly if you’re on a tight schedule.

Summary
Akizawa stands out as one of Portland’s most authentic and high-quality Japanese restaurants, offering a memorable dining experience whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or seeking comfort...