(503) 223-6535
1022 NW Johnson St
Portland,
OR
97209
45.5286
-122.6804
Neighborhoods: Neighbors West - Northwest, Pearl
What People Are Saying About Sinju Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – Two waterfalls, a sea of orchids and wood carvings accessorize the open dining room. The private tatami rooms, with secrecy screens and low-set tables, draw groups of chic Pearl scenesters and weekend casuals. The menu covers traditional Japanese fare: airy tempura arranged in a gravity-defying pyramid, bento boxes with mackerel, tonkatsu and teriyaki and steaming bowls of authentic udon noodles. Other traditional offerings include toro (tuna belly), sweet and crunchy abalone and salty tarako (pollack roe).
05/19/09
PRETENTIOUS!!!! Is there a ZERO STAR choice???
by foodlover1966
My husband and daughters wanted to take me out last night for a belated Mom's Day celebration. When asked what I'd like to have for dinner, of course I chose sushi. We went by our regular place but they were closed, so we decided to go to Sinju. I'd eaten there years ago and remember the sushi being great, but the service was horrible. Since it was so long ago I thought we should give it another try. We went in at about 8:30 in the evening and there were only about 5 occupied tables in the whole place and all the tatami rooms were empty. I asked for a tatami room for our family and was told that we could not have one because we were not a party of 6 or more. I asked "so we can't have a room?" to which this rude woman named Angie replied "we can let you have one but you have to spend at least $120 and tip 18%. REALLY??????? I am appalled that in these economic times this place is turning away diners on a slow Monday night when they have no one else to fill those tables. And the truth is, we'd have most likely spent $120 or more because we are a family of sushi fanatics, but to be told that we HAVE to spend x amount or tip x amount is beyond me. Plus Angie had a total attitude and as soon as she saw that we had kids, her tone got less friendly. Our kids are very well behaved and avid sushi eaters....they know how to dine out! I understand policy, and on a Friday night this would be a prudent policy to keep to, but on a slow Monday? I wouldn't be surprised if these unkind practices caused them to go out of business.
- Cons: rude rude rude
03/06/09
Sinju is great for groups
by jimcolburn
Sinju is definitely one of the better sushi places in town, but Yoko's is the best as far as I'm concerned. If you're wanting to go out with a group of people then you'd want to go to Sinju and sit in a tatami room. I too have been to many of the "best" sushi places in the world, and I agree that there are much better places in other cities and countries, but I also think that sushi is a matter of preference. I've eaten at just about every sushi restaurant in the area, and I'll always vote for Yoko's, you just need to find the place you like the best.
- Pros: Large area, nicely decorated, central location
- Cons: Parking in the pearl, service is mediocre at best.
01/29/09
Scored 70 on health inspection January 2009
by jimmy4
Last time I visited Sinju, I got sick. Everyone in my party got sick from eating sushi and teriyaki chicken. I just saw on KPTV that sinju barely passed with a score of 70.
The Details on Sinju Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
The private tatami rooms require a minimum of five diners and must be reserved with a credit card.
What to Drink:
Forego standard drinks and go for the cocktail menu featuring new favorites like the Sake Cosmopolitan.
Parking:
If you dread Pearl parking, ride the Streetcar, which has a stop just a couple of blocks away.
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