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    Nimblefish

    4.0 (223 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Nimblefish Photos

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    NIMBLEFISH ATMOSPHERE

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    Trendy
    Intimate
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    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Nimblefish

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    Andy V.

    First time having Omakase and though the idea of it seems interesting, I don't think it was worth it. The chef was doing his best to be interactive but having been a Thursday dinner with only two groups, it felt a bit awkward. The food was very ok to me, the fish were definitely all fresh but nothing really grabbed my attention and made me like the price was worth it. The servers other than the main chef were constantly hovering and made sure we moved on through each dish which was nice. Overall I personally wouldn't go again, but I'm sure someone else could definitely enjoy the experience more than me!

    Jerry P.

    Nimblefish, in the heart of Portland, Oregon, is a place where the sea speaks clearly and kindly through rice, vinegar, and immaculate knife work. I have eaten sushi in a few fine establishments, in cities that glitter and in alleyways that hum, and while this may not be the single greatest omakase of my life, it sits among the saints. There were seven of us, and we occupied nearly the whole of the sushi bar. It felt conspiratorial, reverent. We were pilgrims and the altar was hip-high and lacquered. From the first starter to the final spoonful of sorbet, the experience unfolded with the precision of a pocket watch and the warmth of a handwritten letter. The chef, a man who treats fish with the seriousness most reserve for funerals or first love, spoke to us not just of what we were eating but why. This fish came from Hokkaido. That one from the California coast. The trout, rainbow and shimmering, was a particular surprise, new to me, and now unforgettable. Another chef talked about his rice like a poet would talk about meter. The host, too, guided us gently through the meal with enthusiasm and knowledge, like a teacher who remembers what it's like to be young and curious. The structure of the meal was intelligent and satisfying. Thirteen bites of sushi, each different, each deliberate. Soup that quieted the mind. Egg custard that felt like an apology from the universe for all the things that have gone wrong. The sorbet was a gentle goodbye, a kiss on the forehead. The whiskey and sake list is the kind of thing that could cause trouble in the best possible way. We tasted a few and they were each better than the last, the way good short stories are. If you find yourself there, let yourself be led. Trust them. It took two hours and not a second of it dragged. We laughed and whispered and stared up at our planks like children watching snow fall. The bill, at around $165 per person, felt less like a transaction and more like a tithe. If you're interested, and you should be, book ahead. There are few seats and many seekers. Nimblefish is not just a restaurant. It is a gentle argument for precision, quality and beauty in a world that too often forgets to offer any.

    Lindsey H.

    Nimblefish is my favorite place for omakase in town! It's perfect for date night or any special occasion. The setting is super intimate, but I love being able to sit at the bar and see the pros at work. The sushi chefs were also super friendly and chatty! I love Nimblefish for the quality of everything. Everything is paired so nicely whether it be with a sauce, seared, topped with someone, etc. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I actually enjoyed the fish that I wouldn't usually gravitate to, the best. Once years and years ago, I had a sardine nigiri that blew my mind, it was delicious. For the quality of everything, taste, and ambiance, it's definitely worth the tasting menu price!

    Omakase
    Andrew A.

    You ever go to a restaurant, and it just is consistently better every time you go? That's the experience I always have when going to Nimblefish. It was my girlfriends first time here and of course I had to let her know we got to do omakase style and our chef absolutely KILLED IT!!!! Every single bite just melted in your mouth and the flavors of each fish was just so perfect that you just wish you can stay the whole day there and keep eating. The service is always friendly and top notch. Waters are always filled, and they check in with you the right amount of times during your meal to make sure everything is good. I love the vibes, I love the food, I love the service. You absolutely get your moneys worth at this place.

    Japanese Eggplant appetizer
    Nicole S.

    The experience was honestly so fun, educational, and delicious! I made reservations for my partner and I's anniversary at the A La Carte Counter and the experience was treated with such care. Each piece of fish that was from the Chef's Choice was more flavorful with each bite. The chef made everything so gorgeous and with such precision. The sun of the afternoon seeping into the evening made our clean and quaint seating arrangement at the bar comfortable and cozy. We couldn't have asked for a more lovely anniversary experience!

    Hanson K.

    Amazing experience. Edomae-style sushi is hard to find in general, and trying it at a place that specializes in it was a treat. The omakase is on the affordable side, and each course was fantastic. Every bite was simple but elegant, and the cured fish, particularly the mackerel, was divine. I have to say the tamago was the sleeper hit. I wasn't expecting much from it, but I knew I had to order it when I saw it in an Eater video on Nimblefish--best bite of the night! The sake pairing was alright, probably wouldn't do it again. Ordered a few things a la carte, like the A5, but the omakase was definitely the highlight and was sufficient food portion-wise. Nice, clean interior with expectedly good service!

    average and sense-less
    Jin C.

    Average in every way, we're sorry to say. Came in from Philly, excited to have our first dinner in Portland here, but the quality of foods and service were not up to standard. Service is rote as the vibe. Standout is the chef, and how personable and welcoming he was. Overall, does not warrant the price point. Disappointing and in no way fine dining.

    Dungeness crab
    Taylor B.

    It is an amazing experience when you have dinner at Nimblefish. We were one of four couples who sat at the bar to enjoy Omakase, so it was a very intimate evening. Each dish was served one by one and each party is told what we are eating as it's served to us. The attention to detail is what makes this place special. They have a special process of washing their rice and brush a homemade soy/sake mix onto most pieces of fish. Not to mention we tried fish we've never had before because of their fresh global shipments. It's very pricey to eat here but worth every dollar.

    Ben C.

    Especially expensive tasting menu $$$$ Especially tasty tasting menu ~ generally it is expected that higher priced sushi bars have fresh fish. The fish at Nimble not only are fresh, but unique catches not readily seen anywhere else. Very limited chef's bar top seating ~ watch them prepare each serving and personally share the origin and preparation. Intimate decor & setting, almost too quiet. No lounge or bar area. Strictly for sushi lovers. A special treat for a special occasion.

    Gloria T.

    We did a la carte because the next omakase seating was about 2.5 hours later and we didn't want to wait. I left thinking maybe the omakase would have been much better. ??? I wouldn't know until I try. The various blue fin tuna sashimi and nigiri I had was good. One of my hand rolls was good but not memorable. The rest was underwhelming. It was disappointing for all the hype I've heard about this place. Their menu is strictly sushi, nigiri, hand rolls, and bowls. There is not any appetizers like salads or hot food items. We were not offered any dessert selections.

    Stopped by after our flight coming into Portland. Great sushi that set the bar high for the rest of the trip!! The chef is truly a master of his art. It was a very intimate dinner and very informative on each piece. The sushi does have some time in between each piece but worth the wait. I truly enjoyed every bite and the sake was incredible as well.

    Interior
    Natasha K.

    What an incredibly intimate dining experience this was. No matter your thoughts on the food and price, you have to admit that you feel pretty exclusive to be eating among the 12 other people in the restaurant. You also pretty much have your own private sushi chef who is knowledgeable, attentive, and an absolute artist. I came with a group of 4, the seating was a little bit awkward with a group all sitting together but they planned it so we had to corner of the bar so we could see each other at least. We ordered the 13 plate omikase and it was the perfect amount of food. All of the different types of fish, with incredible flavor combinations and fresh ingredients made it into an absolute culinary experience. The only reason for the 1 star deduction was simply because of the price. I know with inflation that prices went up but it does feel like a very pricey night out at the end of your meal and I wouldn't have thought it was worth it if we had gone with the non-premium omikase. Would I come back? Probably not. Would I refer it to my friends, absolutely!

    Omakase selection
    Ridley N.

    4.75 stars. An edomae-style omakase that resonates similarly to the intimate Okamase Yume in Chicago, IL, Nimblefish intermingles local seafood with excellent selections across the globe. This experience included seafood endemic to Oregon such as two dishes featuring shrimp from Coos Bay as well as an assortment of global experiences. For example, your journey may involve smoked mackerel from the waters of Norway or perhaps striped jack outside a tiny province in Japan. You'll definitely enjoy some of the best sushi rice I've ever eaten in a Stateside sushi restaurant. The rice here is sourced from a northeastern province in Japan, and it's stunningly clear that sourcing and preparation are taken very seriously at Nimblefish. I've seen a few reviews that have complained about price which is odd to me. This was one of the more reasonably priced omakase experiences I have had in the States and doubled as one that was certainly well above standard. I thought that was another reason Nimblefish is excellent. I will note, however, that drink pairings outside of sake tend to be expensive. Everyone who worked here was fantastic. Our sushi chef certainly added value to our experience as he thoroughly explained each of the dishes and even spent some time speaking about why they use different Japanese knives, how they clean certain seafood, and other interesting items that increased our relative knowledge base during our dinner. Obviously, there are plenty of wonderful options for sushi within Portland for omakase but I would note that this experience is worth your time.

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    Good quality of the food. Not very cozy, and terrible expensive: tiny amount quantity.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Nimblefish

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    Hachi - sashimi with kimedai

    Hachi

    4.4(105 reviews)
    2.0 miDowntown, Southwest Portland
    $$

    How I went this long without trying Hachi has me baffled. Cause WDYM late night sushi/japanese,…read morereasonable prices, and it's delicious?! I went a few months ago with my siblings on a late Saturday and have been back a few times since for late night Friday grub with my friend. Not only are their prices reasonable, but the staff (I've had the same server every time) is so nice, attentive, and helpful. To top it off, the food is great. I love carpaccio everything and I love their entire carpaccio offering (minus the tuna cause I haven't tried it yet). But the yellowtail, salmon, and beef? EVERY TIME. Their chu-toro is also really fresh and buttery. I love medium fatty tuna more than I like the extra fatty one. But if you prefer the latter, try the otoro. Also, there scallops skewers?! A MUST. A favorite late night cap spot for sure.

    I went to Hachi twice in one week because it was so good!…read more First off, Hachi is an Izakaya which is basically a Japanese bar. The ambiance is very much a bar/street food stall kind of place. Loved the hustle and bustle and style of these kinds of places. Don't expect a quiet night out! It gets decently loud, especially when business is booming. Weekends are open late until 2am! Make a reservation if you can!!! We even called on a Friday night an hour before coming and we were still able to land a reservation! It gets very busy on the weekends! Service on the Friday night was a 10/10, our server was actually being trained but he came to check on us frequently! Service on the Thursday was a little less enthused, our server only came to check on us maybe once towards the end. Now for the food and drinks! Drinks -Yuzu nade: yuzu lemonade w/ red wine. 10/10, I love anything yuzu, and it was so pretty! -Whiskey high ball. Comes in two sizes, 16 & 32oz, my friend got the double double and it was so strong! Will likely give you a nice buzz if you get the 32oz, haha! -Peach/Mango/Lemon Freezing Chu-Hais (can be non-alcoholic if you want!). Basically shochu (which is an alcohol similar to vodka or sake) with flavored carbonated water and lots of fresh fruit pieces. -(not pictured): house sake - not too strong, super simple taste Foods -Jalapeno Yellowtail Carpaccio. 10/10 with the yuzu ponzu sauce, definitely my top item! -Yakitori. We got multiple! Shishito peppers, grilled scallops, chicken thigh, pork belly, wagyu. The wagyu just meltsssss in your mouth! Worth it being $8.50 for the wagyu itself. All of the yakitori had great flavor! All differently priced, but worth trying them all! -Bluefin tuna roll. 8pcs for ~$8.50 is an absolute steal! Just melts in your mouth! -Bluefin Chutoro Sashimi (5pcs). Again, it melts in your mouth! Must try! They were out of the Otoro the day we got this but the Chutoro was still so yummy! -Ikayaki (grilled squid). Comes with a small side of spicy mago and pureed/minced ginger. Only thing is that the spicy mayo amount on the plate is so tiny so we had to get an extra side of it for $0.50. It was grilled and cooked to perfection, not too chewy or tough. -Takoyaki. Good ol fried octopus balls, can't go wrong with this guy. -Karaage (Japanese fried chicken). Comes in 2, 5, or 8 pcs. So juicy! -Citrus YTJ roll. Basically if the yellowtail carpaccio was a roll, without the yuzu sauce. This roll only has the ponzu sauce. Still so good!! My favorite roll, I highly recommend. -March 2026 special, Southwest Rainbow. Your classic rainbow roll except with spicy tuna, cucumber and cilantro in the middle. Topped with multiple sashimi fish types and cilantro. I've never had a sushi roll with cilantro but it was good! Had a little kick from the spicy tuna, I loved it! -Honey toast. Probably my least favorite thing because the inside was soft and dryyyyyy, also not a big honey fan. We had to get a side of honey for my friend so he could moisten up the middle a bit and eat it all. They're very generous with the ice cream scoops! Overall, 9/10 place for food and drinks! I'm recommending this place to all my friends and coworkers!!!!

    Photos
    Hachi - 5/25/2025 - Dropping in for a very early and very delicious dinner before a show on a gorgeous Sunday.

    5/25/2025 - Dropping in for a very early and very delicious dinner before a show on a gorgeous Sunday.

    Hachi - Chicken thighs

    Chicken thighs

    Hachi - Good cocktail selection

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    Good cocktail selection

    Momoyama - Keeper Roll - special for the day

    Momoyama

    4.4(231 reviews)
    2.1 miPearl District
    $$$

    TL;DR Delicious, Umami filled sushi with special respect to the craft…read more Where to begin with this sushi restaurant? With a combined 115 years of experience this restaurant shines with what feels like authentic sushi. We were there with a group of four and were seated promptly for our reservation at 5:45 PM. Our server Ben was an absolute delight and brought vibrancy and genuineness to his service. So shoutout to Ben. I was a bit disappointed that they were unable to accommodate my Tokyo Tea request for a cocktail (I'm always about efficiency when drinking ) but the cocktails that we did receive were elegant and refreshing. But now to the meat of the review or should I say fish? We were taken on a journey through the Toyosu fish market or so I'm and had several delicious rolls such as the Yama roll, Salmon and Scallop, Jamison and the simple California roll. We also had two of the nigiri the salmon belly and the unagi which were both fall apart tender deliciousness in your mouth. Needless to say I am looking forward to our next visit and would love to experience their version of an omakase since the quality was there.

    "FREE" Birthday dessert! Yes, I know, there's no such thing, at least not at Momoyama. I did…read moreeventually see the fine print on the birthday email I received from them tha a $20 purchase was required for the "free dessert." Service was adequate, mostly, although some were looking like a deer on headlights. Food was decent but not amazing. When I asked to see the dessert menu so I would know what I had to save room for, they brought it. Then when we were done eating I asked if we could get the dessert to go as I was stuffed. The gal was confused. I showed her the email and she said, we usually serve a scoop of ice cream. I think another person said, "anything with chocolate" is included (there is nothing chocolate on the dessert menu, lol), and eventually the manager came out. He was pretty rude, dismissive, and I was fairly rude back (I just am sooooo tired in this new world of someone trying to rip me off every single day! So then he basically told us to leave. I said I had to wait for our check, and he said, "No, just go." Seeing as I live in the neighborhood, told them so, told them I had been looking forward to coming here again even though I felt the fine print was a bit sneaky, I think it might have been a better plan to "upgrade" my desert from a $7 ice cream to a $12 cheesecake slice rather than cover our $85+ bill, but then I'm no restaurant manager.

    Photos
    Momoyama - Clean and comfortable interior.

    Clean and comfortable interior.

    Momoyama - Unagi nigiri

    Unagi nigiri

    Momoyama - Takoyaki

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    Takoyaki

    Nimblefish - sushi - Updated May 2026

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