"Over the past 10 years, this ultra-popular, super-creative omakase has hopscotched all over Portland, and, in early 2025, will have a new home in the downtown area. Nodoguro’s ephemeral tasting menus have taken inspiration from Japanese record bars, pop culture, Spanish culinary traditions, and seasonal Oregon vegetables, with additional one-off events like sake dinners and handroll nights. Any given visit may involve sake and seaweed-steamed abalone, katsuobushi-scented jellied broth over Dungeness, and miso butter cookies. The ticket price typically clocks in at $250, and reservations can be hard to nab; throw your name on the waiting list if you’re set on visiting on a particular date. For a more affordable price point, owners Ryan and Elena Roadhouse plan to keep the Kerns location open as Peter Cat, a Japanese listening-bar concept izakaya with 9-course menus for $150." - Zoe Baillargeon