Bamboo Sushi: Portland's Sustainable Sushi Restaurant

By: Julie Blakley | June 24 2010
Posted in Portland - Find It - Portland

I probably walked by Bamboo Sushi in Portland three dozen times and thought, “I really need to try that place” before I finally ate dinner there just recently. And after that wild salmon asparagus roll, I’m certainly sorry I waited so long.

Photo: Bamboo Sushi

Located just next door to another favorite restaurant of mine (Ken’s Artisan Pizza, on SE 28^th) Bamboo touts that it is “proud to be the first certified, sustainable sushi restaurant in the world.”

Sustainably harvested fish? Bamboo has more than a handful of menu items that are marked as coming from a fishery certified by the Marine Stewardship Council as well managed and sustainable (in addition to noting affiliations to a bunch of other green, sustainability-focused organizations). The menu leans on local, seasonal and super-fresh selections as well.

However, after enjoying one of the best cocktails I’ve had in a LONG time (the $8 Paprika Cup, see more below), I was a little afraid the meal might pale in comparison. I was wrong. That sustainable sushi was damn delicious.

What to Eat at Bamboo

I must admit, I was a little suspicious that the “first certified sustainable sushi restaurant” might be code for “the meal you're about to enjoy will cost more than your first two cars combined,” which is probably what kept me from walking in the door weeks earlier. However, after glancing at the menu, I was absolutely delighted to find that the choices not only looked fresh, local and delicious, but everything was also totally affordable.

While I stuck to the sushi, Bamboo’s cooked entrees, like the $10 Alaskan black cod with smoked soy and roasted garlic glaze, and $11 tonkotsu ramen with Hakata style pork bone broth with braised pork shoulder and a soft boiled seasoned egg, also sounded interesting (and under $15. Sweet).

Currently, Bamboo's menu mentions seven dishes that are half off during happy hour (5 to 6:30, Monday through Friday), so between that and the cocktails, it's a pretty good place to land after work.

The Sushi

But while many of the entrees and appetizers were tempting, I had come to Bamboo for one thing: Sushi. And I was not disappointed.

The $6 wild salmon asparagus roll was fresh and delicious (and affordable). The $9 spider roll with soft shell crab was beautiful, with each piece so stuffed with fresh soft shelled crab I could barely get it in my mouth.

The $7 spicy tuna roll was simple and classic, but definitely spicy enough (I hate when spicy rolls aren’t really spicy) and so fresh it was practicallly still flopping.

The $7 philly roll with smoked wild salmon, cream cheese and cucumbers was also equally satisfying.

The Bar

As I mentioned above, the cocktail I sipped as we waited for our sushi is one of my new all-time favorite drinks (the Paprika Cup: vodka, whiskey, Pimm's, passion fruit puree, muddled ginger, topped with ginger ale and a paprika sugared half rim with cucumber garnish).

If you’re not in the mood for a cocktail, the bar also features an extensive list of sakes, as well as many local wines that pair excellently with the fresh fish (pinot noirs are a great choice for all the local salmon on the menu).