Nimblefish
Sushi restaurant · Hosford-Abernathy
1524 SE 20th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Highlights
Edomae-style sushi with fresh, cured fish & omakase menus
Edomae-style sushi with fresh, cured fish & omakase menus
"The omakase at this Hawthorne sushi counter is one of the city’s finest, from the first bite to the scoop of yuzu sorbet at the finish. Each piece of fish here gets so much love at every step of the process: Horse mackerel bathes in salt, sugar, and water, bringing out the natural sweetness of the fish. Salt-and-pepper-cured saba gets a cold smoke, with a clear arc in flavor. It’s worth it to spring for the add-ons toward the end of the meal, in particular the silky, beefy A5 wagyu. Reservations for the $125 omakase are available via Resy." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
"This 12-seat sushi counter has become nationally acclaimed for Edomae-style sushi: delicate, often cured slivers of fish, potent and pristine in flavor and texture. The chefs here introduce so many nuances of each fish that would often be lost at other restaurants. Lightly cold-smoked, salt and vinegar-cured saba is salty and sweet and smoky. Hotate from Northwestern Japan gets a spritz of yuzu, its perfume-y citrus complementing the creaminess of the scallop. Outside the world of seafood, A5 wagyu is hit with a hand torch so the fat renders silken, but doesn’t cook; the result is a delicate, decadent bite of beef that’s hard to forget. The restaurant’s main draw is the fixed-price omakase, but a la carte is offered Tuesday through Friday." - Katherine Chew Hamilton
"Since its opening in 2017, Nimblefish has remained all the rage for its immaculate sushi. Don’t expect to find California rolls at this high-end, intimate restaurant; instead, marvel at the nigiri-heavy omakase menu, sourced fresh from Oregon, Washington, or Japan itself. Furnished with old-growth cedar and natural stone, the restaurant has that inviting and earthy Pacific Northwestern feel. Book a seat at the counter on Resy." - Katherine Chew Hamilton
"One of Portland’s most famous Edomae-style sushi restaurants, Nimblefish serves stunning cured and fresh fish in its most traditional form of nigiri or sashimi in a tight-quarters cafe. The menu rotates seasonally and shows off a variety of curing techniques, as well as simple, fresh slices of fish — much of which is sourced from Japan. The omakase is definitely the move here, but there are also a la carte options for walk-ins or to add-on to the omakase experience." - Zoe Baillargeon
"Despite being located near multiple bodies of water, Portland hasn’t always been known for high-end sushi. That was before Nimblefish came on the scene in 2017 with Edomae-style nigiri presented one at a time like small jewels. This Hawthorne spot serves some truly excellent sushi, with plenty of local shellfish, imported ingredients like saba mackerel that’s cured in-house, and always perfectly cooked and seasoned rice. They have an omakase menu for $95, and it’s worth snagging one of the 12 seats at the counter for a special night when you want something a little more lively than a formal fine dining spot." - krista garcia
