5 to Try: The Izakaya Scene
Updated: February 23, 2009
Portland's small plates scene is changing, moving on from Spanish-style tapas to embrace izakaya, a sort of Japanese drinking establishment where free-flowing sake is accompanied by savory foods. Bites range from hand-cut ramen served in steaming broth to salty smoked anchovies and prawn meatballs. You can find this new trend taking place everywhere from a rehabbed old library building to a slick lounge, and best of all, it's cheap.
Portland's Izakaya Eateries
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Syun Japanese Restaurant
Read Reviews209 NE Lincoln St, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (map)
Make the 15-minute drive from downtown to visit this suburban izakaya, which sits in an old library near Hillsboro's old Main Street. Bring a crowd and start with a bottle of sake from the long list before moving on to snacks of sashimi, cold soba noodles, and pork gyoza--all meant to be shared family-style.
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Yuzu
Read Reviews4130 SW 117th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005 (map)
This late-night Japanese joint proves that strip mall eateries exist beyond mass-market pizza parlors and sandwich shops. Inside their tiny dining room, guests enjoy a selection of sake and shochu that pairs well with garlick-y fried chicken and grilled rice balls.
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Yakuza
Read Reviews5411 NE 30th Ave, portland, OR 97211 (map)
This North Killingsworth neighborhood hangout is one of the gems in local restaurateur Micah Camden's growing empire. And, like all his kitchens, this one serves up mighty good cuisine. Visit the swanky dining room for plates of kobe beef tartar and grilled pork and prawn meatballs. Or order a bottle of sake then splurge on the eight-course, $45 chef's tasting menu.
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Biwa
Read Reviews215 SE 9th Ave, #102, Portland, OR 97214 (map)
In the building Simpatica Dining Hall made famous, Biwa's creating a buzz with shareable plates of Korean griddle cakes crowned with kimchi and bowls of thick, hand-cut udon noodles. Don't leave without sampling the shochu (a distilled Japanese spirit)--the restaurant boasts the best selection downtown.
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