Nichinan — Restaurant in Portsmouth

I really wanted to love this restaurant and have given it a few chances, but it’s horrifically overpriced for the quality. It seems like the quality ebbs and flows with tourist months(?), because we tried this place in the winter and it was great. I have no idea how they’re in business in a place with so many options like Portsmouth, NH. We have no issues throwing down some serious cash for gourmet dining experiences, but a bag of plain rice is like $5 at the supermarket, and that’s what compromised most of the dishes we tried. There’s no nuance or flavor, other than too much salt and heat to cover up low quality ingredients.

[Coral Castles]: (Cocktail) Extremely weak on the rum, and too much spice in the falernum. It was like drinking a virgin Fireball for $17. **Small sidenote, but the table water they served is unfiltered tap water. I really expect a place serving $17 cocktails and a $50 cancellation fee to serve filtered water at the very least.

[Chicken Karaage]: This is the only dish I can recommend. Every time we’ve gotten it, it’s been great.

[Chirashi Bowl]: I’ve had a ton of these as they’re my favorite sushi dish, and this is by far the worst one I’ve ever had. It was a few hacked up pieces of tuna and cheap whitefish, with way too much slimy seaweed/cucumber salad, and some weird spicy salsa plopped on top that was didn’t go with anything. All on top of unseasoned plain white rice (not sushi rice). There was no wasabi, ginger, pickles, tamago, burdock root, or any other “typical” chirashi ingredients.

[Onigiri Trio]: $21 for a mess of rice. The dish came with a knife to split the onigiri but when we tried to cut them, they would immediately fall apart because they’re not made with seasoned sushi rice and, for some reason, were “glued” to the plate with a ton of wasabi (the wasabi that was missing from the chirashi, I suppose). The fillings were very salty and sour, so you couldn’t just pick it up a little bit of rice or it would be overwhelming. The “bluefin tuna” one tasted like canned tuna. The “citrus crab” one tasted like old scallops. We’ve had onigiri in Japan that cost $2 each, taste amazing, and don’t fall apart. I wonder if anyone at this restaurant has ever seen, eaten, or done any research on Japanese cuisine.

[Hayashi Braised Beef]: We were really confused about this one because the seasonings tasted like TexMex, and it wasn’t too dissimilar to what I’d make in an Instant Pot on a week night. There were no carrots like the menu stated, but very coarsely chopped red bell peppers thrown in, on top of, you guessed it, more unseasoned plain white rice. I think the menu descriptions give a vague idea, but they throw in whatever is on hand, which is why the server asked us to disclose any food allergies.

The service quality left much to be desired. At the end of our meal when we were ready for the check, our server ignored us for about 25 mins and we could see her chatting at the bar with another employee. Another guest had to get up from his table to ask her to come take his table’s order. It seems like no one there cares about doing a good job.

For positives, the space is really beautiful and it has nice lighting for photos. Sadly, we will not...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Nichinan Sushi in Portsmouth, NH, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations in more ways than one. Tucked away in a cozy spot, this little gem offers an unforgettable experience with its small, sharable plates, craft cocktails, and delightful sushi creations.

Let's start with the food. The attention to detail on the dishes presented were simply outstanding. The shrimp tempura was a true highlight of my meal, boasting a perfectly crisp exterior while maintaining a juicy and tender interior. Each bite was a burst of flavor, leaving me longing for more. The pork belly was another star on the menu, with its melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich, savory taste that left a lasting impression.

I have nothing but praise for the attentive staff at Nichinan. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The waitstaff was knowledgeable about the menu and graciously offered suggestions to enhance our dining experience. They were prompt in their service, ensuring that our glasses were never empty and our needs were met with a smile.

The atmosphere at Nichinan was simply delightful. The cozy ambiance, coupled with tastefully designed décor, created a soothing and inviting space. The soft lighting and comfortable seating arrangements added to the intimate setting, making it perfect for both a romantic date night or a relaxed gathering with friends. The pleasant background music further enhanced the overall atmosphere, allowing for easy conversation and enjoyment of the culinary journey.

One of the aspects that truly stood out for me was the attention to detail in presentation. Each dish was artfully arranged, showcasing the chef's skill and creativity. The sushi rolls were not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it a feast for both the taste buds and the eyes.

Overall, I highly recommend Nichinan to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience in Portsmouth, NH. The exceptional food, impeccable service, and inviting atmosphere make it a standout choice for sushi enthusiasts and those looking to explore a fusion of flavors. Don't miss the chance to indulge in their shrimp tempura and pork belly delights. Nichinan Sushi is undoubtedly a hidden culinary gem that deserves...

I have been eating sushi for about 50 years, all over the U.S., Europe and Asia, including many in Japan. When I saw Nichinan's website, I was impressed. And its prices for nigiri sushi at roughly $10 per piece are well above local market competition (i.e. Ikko II, Domo, etc) and suggested extraordinary offerings. The opening video on the website shows the delicate creating of sake (salmon) sashimi. The onsite menu says sake sashimi with burnt onion and microgreens, as on the video. The actual presentation is nothing like the video, and did not include burnt onion and microgreens.

The menu is quite limited, again suggesting the limited offerings were superior. There is no miso soup on the menu but we asked the waiter and he said it could be ordered. We did, got two fairly large bowls of pretty good miso soup. We ordered shrimp tempura as an appetizer, along with our sushi order. My wife's salmon sashimi (looking nothing like the video) arrived before the shrimp tempura. Just as well,I suppose, as the tempura was just awful. Nothing like the light, fluffy coating one expects, but a thin, crunchy, too spicy crust. At least the slaw in the bowl was good. By the way, those plastic chopsticks are so slick they are harder to maneuver than traditional wooden ones at other places, so get a fork.

My wife liked her sake sashimi as she likes thin slices of fish. I prefer thicker myself. They do not offer hamachi (yellowtail), my favorite and a favorite of many of my friends and family. The waiter offered kanpachi as an alternative, but it was nothing like hamachi, taste or texture-wise. We also tried the o-toro and sake nigiri, and it was OK but nothing to write home about, again, given the price of the sake, especially. O-toro is expensive everywhere.

The atmosphere is OK, they have a bar, but it is not a sushi bar, just an ordinary drink bar. Parking is a little tricky, too.

Our expectations were so high from their website but the whole experience was a big disappointment. Barring major changes, we do not plan to return. Ikko II is better and...