07/22/09

Best Value

by happypalate

Ichidai is a lot of fun. My GF and I go here when we want to kick back and relax while we eat sushi. We stuff our faces with decent sushi for a good price. We never worry about how much we are ordering here, we eat a lot, and we've never spent more than $60... and that includes beer and sake. I think it's the best value for your money among PDX sushi houses.

The service can come off as rude and inattentive, but they're quite responsive if you ask for something and they always have enough people working to accommodate.

-Nathaniel Carey

• Pros: fun and relaxing, sushi is decent
• Cons: none

04/19/09

What a find!!

by dolceardor

My husband lived in Misawa, Japan for about 8 years, and when we visited Ichidai based on reviews, he almost cried when he tasted the food. I am a Japanese food amateur, but we both loved everything. They have a full sushi menu, but we stuck to the entrees. My husband ordered kara-age ramen (best ramen we've found in the portland metro area!) and I ordered beef sukiyaki. It was to die for!! We also had green tea, and Sapporo beer. Everything was so authentic. You know it's a good sign when the wait staff, decorations, and customers are Japanese. We were the only caucasians in the whole place! =) Fairly inexpensive, we were stuffed, and took home leftovers. We plan to be regulars, and try the mochi and adzuki ice cream next time. It is a little hard to find, because it's located in an office building (my husband informs me that is pretty authentic as well, haha) on SE Powell. It could be tricky finding parking, but we arrived early, and had no problem. A totally worthwhile experience!

• Pros: authentic and sincere food and service
• Cons: a little hard to find

02/04/09

City food

by BadHorsie

A perfect example of "city" food. You can try Takahashi for the 'country' style of Japanese cuisine. The food is a bit more risque with the different salads they present. I may not eat everything on the plate, in this case. But the main courses that I do order, such as the bread pork 'tonkatsu" is perfect. Crispy, and delicious. Served with raw cabbage and a plum sauce, which compliments it perfectly.

I have never tried the sushi, but will next time. I've been here many, many times, and would go more, if they had a more liberal operating schedule.

• Pros: Always quality food.
• Cons: Not as relaxed as a country style restaurant. Not open many hours, so difficult to get to. Small restaurant.

11/28/08

Hidden sushi gem

by Vevodki

Our favorite sushi place in Portland. Lately they went through small redecoration and it is very cozy now. Exceptional sushi (fresh!!!) and the best tempura at reasonable prices. When the restaurant is full, the service tends to be on the slower side, but even then everyone is super friendly. For such a small place it is very versatile: we have had there both romantic dinners as well as gets together with friends (and their kids). Highly recommended!

• Pros: Delicous sushi, kids friendly, good parking

09/08/08

Closed for Lunch

by ichidai

Hours on listing is wrong. The restaurant is not open for lunch anymore.

Open Tue- Thu 5pm-9:30pm Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm Sun 5pm-9pm Closed on Monday.

• Pros: Good food
• Cons: No luch

04/28/08

Excellent sushi!

by kvevoda

The sushi is superb, generously portioned, and reasonably priced. Their miso, edamame, and tempura are awesome. The waitresses are friendly and attentive, and the food always arrives quickly. Parking can sometimes be funky, but I don't usually have to walk that far from my car. Also, I don't particularly care for the chirping bird music playing -- it's a little weird, but if you're with friends it's not that noticeable.

04/04/08

Great Sushi...spotty service.

by chiisaimanko

Just tried Ichidai for the first time last night. First the food. I only sampled a small amount from their large menu. The spicy seaweed salad was absolutely delicious. It was served at the perfect temp. and had a wonderful texture. The miso soup was one of the best I've had (top 3). I had 1 roll, the Philly roll. It was scrumptrelescent...it almost melted in your mouth. I had two pieces of the hokkigai (surf clam). They were extremely fresh with a crisp, almost sweet taste. Lastly, I had two pieces of maguro. The best I've had at any other sushi house. I found that even the wasabi is better here...fresh, flavorful, spicy. Now let's talk service...we (2) were seated with our menus for what seemed like an eternity (20mins. 1 other party in restaurant). I hopped in my DeLorean and travelled back in time to fetch our server. The food was served in a timely fashion, without my tea I had ordered. After we had eaten our meal and read War and Peace cover-to-cover, our server finally arrived back at our table. I had forgotten that I was still hungry so I ordered nothing more. PLEASE PLEASE ICHIDAI>>>>>>>>better your service so I can call you my favorite restaurant in Portland. Oh and P.S. ditch the music with the nayying goats in the background. It's...well...weird (not in a good way).

• Pros: best sushi, large menu, freshy fresh!
• Cons: slow and forgetful service, petting zoo soundtrack played in dining area

03/22/08

Great Sushi

by uochet

We have been going to Ichidai's for many years and have always had great service. We have tried several other Japanese Restaurants and have always gone back. There is a friendly atmosphere and the people are fantastic. Our son has grown up going to Ichidai's.

• Pros: Very good Sushi
• Cons: Needs more Parking

09/25/07

Never Open

by tofuton

I have heard great things about this place, but they are never open. I always call first, and they are always closed. They are not open at all on Mondays, and close in the middle of the day every day. Twice in my attempts over the past few months, they have shut down for an entire week altogether.

• Pros: I'll never know
• Cons: Never open

08/03/07

Excellent

by the_nameless

This is a great place to eat. I HIGHLY recommend it, and will be going back often. The service and food were both excellent.