WAY BACK BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT, WE WERE WANDERING AROUND NORTHEAST PORTLAND AND FELL INTO A GREAT LITTLE SUSHI PLACE. IT WAS AFTER A THEATER EVENT AT THE ARMORY. WE HAD A GREAT MEAL AND VOWED TO RETURN AS SOON AS WE COULD FIND ANOTHER REASON TO BE IN NORTHEAST PORTLAND. THEN EVERYTHING CAME TO A HALT — FOR TWO YEARS. IT HAD BEEN A DARK NIGHT, WITH A SIDE OF DRIZZLE, AND WE FORGOT THE NAME OF THE PLACE, AND EVEN WHERE EXACTLY IT WAS.
It finally came to us, Samurai Blue Sushi! We went back, and to our relief, we found it just as great the second time. And we’ve discovered a new reason to be in northeast Portland, to eat at Samurai Blue Sushi!
They have a spacious dining room, kind of an “open concept” where you can see your meal being prepared, and there is an outdoor seating nook. One of those “across the sidewalk” arrangements. We sat outside. The servers are all great, friendly, knowledgeable, and fast.
The Meal
We started with salads, hers was the House Salad which was a step above the standard Japanese restaurant salad of iceberg and carrot shreds. This was mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes, and ginger dressing, very nice. I had the Kale Salad – kale, avocado, dried seaweed, carrots, red cabbage, and miso dressing. The Kale Salad is exquisite. We’ve tried to duplicate it at home. We’ve come close, but I think one more trip to Samurai Blue is in order to hone our skills.
The Main Event
We shared two sushi rolls, the “Sexy Cowboy” and the “Red Dragon.” They were as delicious and interesting as their names suggest.
A couple of salads and two sushi rolls is just the slightest sampling of what Samurai Blue offers. They have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items, a great selection of appetizers (in-house chicken potstickers anyone?), noodle and ramen selections and more. They also offer an extensive beverage menu.
Samurai Blue is truly an unpretentious hidden gem in Northeast Portland. Our recommendation: go!
Samurai Blue Sushi
3807 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227
503-284-1020
Be the first to comment