Masu Sushi — Restaurant in Portland

Masu's Sushi, located in the heart of Oregon, is a culinary gem that offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant, which takes its name from the traditional wooden box used to serve sushi, combines a blend of Japanese tradition with a touch of modern innovation. My recent visit to Masu's Sushi left me with an array of impressions and flavors.

Situated in a bustling area of Oregon, the restaurant's exterior is unassuming, and you might almost miss it if not for the subtle yet elegant sign. However, stepping inside, you are transported into a cozy and inviting space. The interior is a harmonious fusion of contemporary design with nods to Japanese aesthetics. The lighting is warm, and the decor includes elements of traditional Japanese art and design, creating a sense of cultural depth and authenticity. While it's not a large venue, the intimate setting adds a personal touch, making it a perfect place for a special dining experience.

The star of the show at Masu's Sushi is undoubtedly the cuisine. The menu is a culinary journey that showcases a wide variety of sushi and sashimi options, as well as creative fusion dishes. The focus here is on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to craft memorable flavors. The sushi chefs at Masu's demonstrate an impressive level of expertise and a passion for their craft that shines through in every dish.

The sushi and sashimi offerings are a testament to the precision and artistry of Japanese culinary tradition. Each piece of sushi is a work of art, with the fish so fresh it practically melts in your mouth. The subtle interplay of flavors, from the sweetness of eel to the delicate umami of uni (sea urchin), showcases the chef's skill and attention to detail.

What truly sets Masu's Sushi apart is its unique fusion creations. The menu includes inventive rolls that combine traditional Japanese ingredients with unexpected twists. The Dragon Roll, for example, features succulent shrimp tempura, creamy avocado, and a drizzle of eel sauce for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The Green Tea Ice Cream for dessert is a must-try, offering a delightful blend of crispy and creamy.

While the atmosphere at Masu's Sushi is more intimate than the grandeur of Applebee's, it's a charming and memorable experience for any food enthusiast. The genuine appreciation for Japanese cuisine and the dedication to creating memorable dining moments make Masu's Sushi a standout dining destination in Oregon. Drove all the way from San Rafael just to eat...

Drop everything and go bask in the immaculate, warm vibes of this place. The lighting alone will make you want to stay forever. 🌅

Nestled in the heart of downtown Portland, this sushi restaurant is nothing short of a transcendent experience. The moment you step inside, and make your way upstairs... you find yourself greeted by such a warm, elegant ambiance that it immediately sets the stage for the gastronomic adventure ahead.🍶

The sushi here isn’t just sushi—it is abundantly clear it is love and care translated through art. Every single dish I tasted was a true testament to the chef's skill, knowledge, and reverence for tradition, paired with an affectionate kiss of creativity. The fish is impossibly fresh. You really don't even need the soy sauce. The rice was absolute perfection. It's hard to find a sushi experience quite like this.  🍣

Standouts include the melt in your mouth otoro and hotate nigiri, the mind-blowing special I can't stop thinking about... the salmon flight. The salmon belly was OUT of this world with a tiny bit of yuzu gel... all I can say is I wish I could put that on absolutely everything. Then there is the miso-butter sauce on the black cod that had me in a chokehold. I could have embarrassed myself by licking the plate but held restraint. 🍽

I can't forget about dessert, the Okinawa sweet potato butter cake will have you punching the air... the salty-sweet miso caramel, again... puts you in a position to want to lick a plate. The chocolate dome with the raspberry and yuzu in the middle of the mousse is enough to push people over for. 🍋

Service is impeccable. Our server, Lucy,  intuitively anticipated our needs, gave excellent and precise recommendations, enhancing the experience without ever being intrusive. Every detail, from the handcrafted ceramics to the thoughtfully curated sake menu, is a reminder that you are in the hands of extraordinary and passionate professionals who take pride in their craft. Truly, a haven for sushi aficionados and culinary explorers alike. 🥢

But WAIT, I can't forget their house-made chili crisp... I ate every tiny piece of garlic bit out of it and wish they sold jars of it. 🌶 Sorry, Lao Gan Ma...

I'm already itching to go back to try the kaarage, the udon, and whatever new brilliance has landed on their specials menu.

If you're still reading this review at this point, you might as well just make some...

Went to MASU for a girls dinner with my best friend and my daughters while visiting Portland. Our driver recommended it, so we said, "why not?" Upon arrival, the host seemed irritated that we did not have a reservation, and I immediately noticed that he chose not to speak to me, and instead directed all of his attention to my best friend. We were seated in a waiting lounge, and served our beers. The lounge was cozy, and comfy. When our table was ready, the host came over and carried my friends beer, while I was left to carry my own..... which I felt was incredibly rude, especially since his other hand was not full. It was clear that something about me, he did not like. Anyway, we ordered two of the cucumber crab appetizers, two Mt. St. Helens, one rip city, one pearl, four California rolls, two specialty oyster shooters, and two oysters on the half shell. The food was good. No real complaints there. I did notice that the maki fell apart very easily, which is pretty frustrating when eating sushi. Our waitress was attentive, but questioned what I ordered and tried to tell me what appetizer to order. I didn't like that at all, if I need a suggestion, I will ask for it. Personally, both the Pearl and the Rip City stood out. Both had a good amount of spiciness that either started out spicy and finished nicely, or started out savory and ended with a kick. Absolutely delicious. The Mt. St. Helens was interesting, I'm not sure that I loved it, but I certainly didn't dislike it. It had Bonito flakes in great quantity on the top, and is what I would call a very savory roll. For me, it seemed like it had intense flavors, but not a lot of depth or layering of flavors. Everything just blended together and tasted the same from start to finish. It was served with a flaming cucumber, which was a fun touch. The oyster shooters were delicious, and much larger than any I have been served in the past. On the cucumber crab appetizer, there was some delicious sea kelp, that really stood out to me. I would absolutely try this place again, and plan to do so soon, but I think I would make reservations beforehand. If I have the same feelings about the host, I won't return. He definitely made me feel unwelcome and even burdensome, which I did...