Bamboo Sushi
Sushi restaurant · Downtown
404 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Highlights
Sustainably sourced sushi & sakes in a stylish space
Sustainably sourced sushi & sakes in a stylish space
"If you genuinely enjoy hearing about which farm the spinach in your salad is from and how humanely your octopus was caught, you’ll love this sustainable sushi restaurant. Bamboo obsessively sources Marine Stewardship Council-certified fish in an effort to minimize their environmental impact and, you know, keep the earth spinning a little while longer. The Portland-based mini-chain opened on a popular LoHi stretch in 2017, and the creative sashimi and rolls (plus a killer wagyu burger) have been a hit ever since. Give the Green Machine roll with tempura green beans and avocado a chance, and know it tastes great if you add salmon to it." - Allyson Reedy
"Acquired by Sortis in 2020 as part of a pandemic-era effort to revitalize struggling businesses, Bamboo Sushi has a drama-filled recent history—having been caught in a 2020 legal battle between its founder and private equity firm Bain Capital—and is often cited in local conversation (and memes) as an example of a small Portland brand drawn into larger corporate ownership." - Alice Wolfe
"Bamboo Sushi has four locations across Portland's quadrants: SW, NW, NE, and SE. Each location varies slightly; they all have a casual vibe and really good sushi (in addition to hot Japanese dishes). You can make table reservations, but seats at the sushi bar (always fun) are first-come first-serve. What makes Bamboo stand apart is their commitment to the sustainable way: they don't serve fish from endangered populations; their seafood is caught by fishermen who operate under environmentally ethical principles; and their grass-fed, hormone-free, and free-range meat comes from ranches in Oregon/Idaho. True to their word, Bamboo Sushi uses renewable energy sources, reusable teak wood chopsticks, biodegradable to-go containers, and so on."
"Famous for its sushi, this sustainable-minded chain is also well-versed in izakaya offerings. Even though the stellar happy hour is on pause, it’s possible to recreate the experience at home with an order of fried cauliflower, served with a spicy black bean sauce and toasted cashews, and a signature Green Machine roll, complete with tempura green beans and cilantro sweet chili aioli — complete the experience with a sake bomb gift box that comes with chopsticks. There are three other Bamboos a little further afield, too. Delivery and takeout are available."
"Mikasa comes from Fransis Odaya, a Portland Japanese restaurant vet — the chef spent time at Bamboo Sushi as a chef de cuisine." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
