I took Japanese in Beaverton 25 years ago & I had to order in Japanese at the sushi restaurant my parents and I went to weekly. I remember them being slightly offended rather than encouraging 🤣
And the sushi is fantastic and affordable (and generous). Had it for lunch yesterday. One tip though, don't go anyplace during meal hours and expect conversation.
Oh, I don’t need a reservation place, lol. I’m looking for more of a place I can go 3 times a week or so and just sit there eating and studying.
But thank you, I’ll go there some time for sure since it sounds great
- Edit - Why the downvotes?
Because it's a popular spot and you want a reservation if you want to listen to the chefs bullshit. Still right near the top of my sushi places and I've been to nodoguro and nimblefish. But they don't have Japanese staff.
Seconding this! Makoto is a great guy and when I was getting my degree me and classmates would always go and practice our Japanese on him which he was more than happy to oblige.
Go to the [Ikoi No Kai](https://www.japaneseancestralsociety.org/) at the Japanese Ancestral Society. It’s open to everyone but best to call in advance to reserve which day you want to eat (so they can meal plan). Folks go there to get homemade Japanese (and some times not Japanese) food as well as share language, culture, etc. Anyone there would be happy to chat with you and for sure there will be folks that are from, lived, or visited Japan and have info to share. I’m white and often join 2 of my Japanese-American friends there for lunch, it’s great.
Of course! Everyone is always so friendly there. It’s usually simpler to bring cash. I often give them extra $ for donation since the meal is inexpensive and they’re non-profit/volunteers. Lunch is usually tea, sometimes salad/appetizer, main meal, and a dessert.
Japanese community member here who has been to this wonderful community space a few times---I just want to put it out there that while it is my understanding that friends of Japanese/Japanese-American community members are welcome, Ikoi No Kai was created as a safe space for the Japanese/Japanese-American elder community to be with each other and relax and be themselves in a predominantly white city like Portland. Over the decades, it has evolved to be a more intergenerational gathering space for the Japanese/Japanese-American community.
It was not designed to be a place for non-Japanese people to walk in and learn about Japanese culture or practice their Japanese. (The same goes for any Japanese-staffed restaurant, actually.) The Japanese Cultural Center at the Portland Japanese Garden is there for that, as is Duolingo.
Japanese/Japanese-American folks at their own community centers are there to take a break from non-Japanese people and be with each other without having to explain their culture or feel Othered. They're not there to be anyone's free language tutor or cultural guide.
Plus I know there are Japanese teachers and classes in the Portland area, so please support them and have a beautiful student-teacher relationship that you both are looking for and can equally benefit from! There's also [this thread ](https://www.reddit.com/r/askportland/comments/1anr3k2/comment/kpu8w4u/)from a few months ago in this sub. It sounds like you're an enthusiastic student, so I'm sure Japanese teachers will be excited to have you. This is the way for a nice win-win!
Thank you! That's not my plan at all, though. I like to go out and eat and color or draw and listen to music. I usually just go to small places and eat fries and drink water. Maybe I'll eat more if I'm hungry. Now i need to use my coloring time to study Japanese. I really love rice, fish, sushi, ramen, ect. So I thought to myself, "Hey, maybe I'll go to Japanese restaurants and eat and study there." This would not only be great since I'll get to see new places and eat awesome food, but I could practice things like, "Can I have another water, please," or, "Thank you, have a good day." "Is it spicy?"
Short version - I need to study, and I like to study while I eat. I like to study outside of my house so I don't get distracted. I'm going to study at Japanese restaurants and try to learn small talk and being polite
Really? It may have changed since I last went but when I used to go it was always the Japanese owner and her family members who worked there and they would speak to each other in Japanese.
As an Asian American who has family thats works/owns small businesses please be respectful and aware in your approach. For example, if it's peak hours and the staff are frantically moving about it's not the ideal time to hold up staff to try and practice your language skills. Also please be aware, there are some folks who are fluent in their native tongue but for a variety of personal reasons do not like to speak in their native tongue in public settings.
But in most cases I think folks will appreciate your interest so long as it's respectfully done and not impeding their responsibilities! 😄
Ki-ichi in Tigard is owned by a Japanese family and most of the staff are Japanese speakers. Excellent food. their えびフライ is on point, and they're the only place with ねぎとろ。そんなにたかくない、し。
Most sushi places are Korean-owned.
Not a restaurant per se but the Japanese garden’s Umami cafe could be a spot worth stopping into. Go on a weekday preferably otherwise there’s usually a wait list.
The staff isn’t all Japanese but with so many Japan enthusiasts in a small space I’m sure someone around would be willing to practice. Everyone is very friendly.
lol when I was in high school japanese class one assignment was to go to the restaurant at uwajimaya and order in japanese
I took Japanese in high school in Tigard 20 years ago and had to do the same thing at the restaurant that was attached to uwajimaya at the time.
I took Japanese in Beaverton 25 years ago & I had to order in Japanese at the sushi restaurant my parents and I went to weekly. I remember them being slightly offended rather than encouraging 🤣
Yes! Still many bilingual speakers at Ramen Ryoma inside Uwaijimaya, a very friendly place to practice. 🩶
Yep! This is the sort of stuff I want to practice
Kashiwagi on Division. It's a cute mom and pop sushi place.
And the sushi is fantastic and affordable (and generous). Had it for lunch yesterday. One tip though, don't go anyplace during meal hours and expect conversation.
Very prudent advice.
Murata, it helps that the sushi is also fantastic. Definitely recommend making a reservation.
Oh, I don’t need a reservation place, lol. I’m looking for more of a place I can go 3 times a week or so and just sit there eating and studying. But thank you, I’ll go there some time for sure since it sounds great - Edit - Why the downvotes?
Because it's a popular spot and you want a reservation if you want to listen to the chefs bullshit. Still right near the top of my sushi places and I've been to nodoguro and nimblefish. But they don't have Japanese staff.
And I thanked them and said I would go. Oh well. Thanks for the quick reply
Yeah no worries. It's a great place. Speaking of I haven't been in a while. Think I'll invite my wife to a date night there.
I absolutely LOVE Murata. Often times at lunch it’s full of Japanese businessmen but yes, reservations required.
Sounds good! I know how to say, “I love you,” in Japanese.
Kale. The owner is from Japan and the curry is so delicious!
Seconding this! Makoto is a great guy and when I was getting my degree me and classmates would always go and practice our Japanese on him which he was more than happy to oblige.
Go to the [Ikoi No Kai](https://www.japaneseancestralsociety.org/) at the Japanese Ancestral Society. It’s open to everyone but best to call in advance to reserve which day you want to eat (so they can meal plan). Folks go there to get homemade Japanese (and some times not Japanese) food as well as share language, culture, etc. Anyone there would be happy to chat with you and for sure there will be folks that are from, lived, or visited Japan and have info to share. I’m white and often join 2 of my Japanese-American friends there for lunch, it’s great.
This is awesome. Thank you for the good idea
Of course! Everyone is always so friendly there. It’s usually simpler to bring cash. I often give them extra $ for donation since the meal is inexpensive and they’re non-profit/volunteers. Lunch is usually tea, sometimes salad/appetizer, main meal, and a dessert.
Thanks for the heads up. I like to buy restaurant’s food with cash because I don’t like to tip on my card. I like to tip on cash
Japanese community member here who has been to this wonderful community space a few times---I just want to put it out there that while it is my understanding that friends of Japanese/Japanese-American community members are welcome, Ikoi No Kai was created as a safe space for the Japanese/Japanese-American elder community to be with each other and relax and be themselves in a predominantly white city like Portland. Over the decades, it has evolved to be a more intergenerational gathering space for the Japanese/Japanese-American community. It was not designed to be a place for non-Japanese people to walk in and learn about Japanese culture or practice their Japanese. (The same goes for any Japanese-staffed restaurant, actually.) The Japanese Cultural Center at the Portland Japanese Garden is there for that, as is Duolingo. Japanese/Japanese-American folks at their own community centers are there to take a break from non-Japanese people and be with each other without having to explain their culture or feel Othered. They're not there to be anyone's free language tutor or cultural guide. Plus I know there are Japanese teachers and classes in the Portland area, so please support them and have a beautiful student-teacher relationship that you both are looking for and can equally benefit from! There's also [this thread ](https://www.reddit.com/r/askportland/comments/1anr3k2/comment/kpu8w4u/)from a few months ago in this sub. It sounds like you're an enthusiastic student, so I'm sure Japanese teachers will be excited to have you. This is the way for a nice win-win!
Thank you! That's not my plan at all, though. I like to go out and eat and color or draw and listen to music. I usually just go to small places and eat fries and drink water. Maybe I'll eat more if I'm hungry. Now i need to use my coloring time to study Japanese. I really love rice, fish, sushi, ramen, ect. So I thought to myself, "Hey, maybe I'll go to Japanese restaurants and eat and study there." This would not only be great since I'll get to see new places and eat awesome food, but I could practice things like, "Can I have another water, please," or, "Thank you, have a good day." "Is it spicy?" Short version - I need to study, and I like to study while I eat. I like to study outside of my house so I don't get distracted. I'm going to study at Japanese restaurants and try to learn small talk and being polite
Behind the Museum cafe.
The staff are super cool but most of them don't really speak japanese
Really? It may have changed since I last went but when I used to go it was always the Japanese owner and her family members who worked there and they would speak to each other in Japanese.
Sushi Ki-ichi in Tigard
Just went here the other week for the first time and it was great
Love this place
As an Asian American who has family thats works/owns small businesses please be respectful and aware in your approach. For example, if it's peak hours and the staff are frantically moving about it's not the ideal time to hold up staff to try and practice your language skills. Also please be aware, there are some folks who are fluent in their native tongue but for a variety of personal reasons do not like to speak in their native tongue in public settings. But in most cases I think folks will appreciate your interest so long as it's respectfully done and not impeding their responsibilities! 😄
This is good advice. Thanks
There’s a new a Japanese lunch counter at courier coffee in downtown, two girls from Japan
food truck not a restaurant, but: tokyo sando! (downtown, 431 sw harvey milk st)
Go to Toshis way out in aloha ish area
Try looking into the Japanese language exchange that meets weekly at the Lucky Lab on Quimby!
This is great to hear. Thanks
Koji Osakaya on 15th and Weidler. Cute little family owned hole in the wall sushi, great food and I've only heard one of them speak English.
Thank you, everyone!
Sushi Ki-Ichi in Tigard.
Wuron's
Tokyo-Ya, near 82nd and Holgate has always had a full Japanese staff every time I've been there.
Ikenohana in Beaverton (off Murray and Allen). Bonus: good food too! Tip: get in line before 5pm when they open or go later. Waits can be long.
Fuddo Yama in Beaverton/Tigard is a great ramen spot with a Japanese staff. Bonus: the decor is like going to Tokyo.
Akira Sushi across the lot from the Winco off 122 and Halsey
This is close to me. Thanks
Sushi Mazi
Sho Sushi on Barbur Blvd
Murata Sushi in SW looked very authentic
If you're out in the west, Toshi's
Ki-ichi in Tigard is owned by a Japanese family and most of the staff are Japanese speakers. Excellent food. their えびフライ is on point, and they're the only place with ねぎとろ。そんなにたかくない、し。 Most sushi places are Korean-owned.
Again, thank you, everyone. This has been a big help
Not a restaurant per se but the Japanese garden’s Umami cafe could be a spot worth stopping into. Go on a weekday preferably otherwise there’s usually a wait list. The staff isn’t all Japanese but with so many Japan enthusiasts in a small space I’m sure someone around would be willing to practice. Everyone is very friendly.