SUSHI ICHIBAN

This is a fun place to visit for sushi that comes to you on a train! You can also order ala-carte as well from a menu. Their food is good quality and has good prices. Don’t be shy to ask what something is, or ask for advice! They’re super friendly!

We visited while on vacation from PA based on Reddit recommendations and this place definitely lived up to the hype!!! Excellent service and the sushi was fresh and delicious. The "train" is well-stocked and comes by very frequently, so there's no waiting. We also ordered a few rolls and those were fantastic as well. Everything was very reasonably priced too. Highly recommend this spot!

The area is a bit sketchy, but we came by when the area was enveloped in the starlight parade. Was immediately greeted by a staff member who was highly motivated, but he was the only one. The remaining staff seemed as if they did want to be there. The food, however, was very good and we struggled through sticky counters and spotty service to enjoy decent sushi. Hard to say if we'll return, but if you're in the area, might be a good stop when you're craving sushi.

The best conveyor belt sushi spot you’ll ever go to! Down to earth funky vibe and the food is always fresh.

Unsure if it was the owner or manager (the man with the red hat) who greeted us, but their hospitality was exceptional. The food was incredibly fresh and delicious. Despite it being after hours, he kindly offered to take additional orders before we left if we wanted. Coming from out of state, we've never experienced such quality like this.

Little hole in the wall joint with incredibly sweet people running the place. It's a really nostalgic restaurant for me- been coming here for years and it feels stuck in time, but in a good way. I feel like it just hasn't changed. Good food, good atmosphere. It's a reliable old favorite place I'll always visit when in the area. All these years and the little train still makes me smile.

I’m pretty picky about the quality of my sushi. The freshness of our food for the price has made this our go to spot when we are in town. Owner is super cool and attentive, plus the train makes this a fun experience

The sushi is fresh and tasty *AND* it’s budget-friendly. My husband and I have been going nearly every week since we found out about it. Finally, the service is always great!

Sweet, apparently I can review this place twice! Yesterday, they were closed for some unknown reason, respect that, but it meant we had sushi on the pallet and we had to go somewhere else. Bluefin was OK, decent quality but the prices... The prices. I cannot say enough about sushi Ichiban and how they have some of the best quality fish I have ever tasted at jaw dropping prices. If you want any place to go for sushi in Portland, this place is it.

First off.. this place is a dive. Do not come here expecting to have a fancy dining experience. Nothing beats a four to five star dive. Just sayin'!! The only reason this guy is not getting five stars from me is because of the location. Unfortunately, it is in the absolute worst part of Portland. Dangerous, filthy, you name it. But if you like that dive vibe, I highly highly recommend. They have a sign right on the door that says they're not bougie, and they are not lying. But it's part of the charm of this little place. As soon as we sat down at the bar, I noticed the actual train that's pulling their tasty treats around the seating area, which I loved because I love trains. Staff were friendly, sushi is perfect temperature and easy to eat, and absolutely delicious. I hope I come back someday, but I will never intentionally be in that area again. If I am though, this is first on my list.

Came here with a friend for an early dinner around 5pm, to eat some food before we had to catch a flight home. We just looked up "sushi" on yelp and found this place and were curious about trying out a conveyor belt restaurant in the area (we're used to Kura and other similar places). I had low expectations since I don't really expect fantastic Asian food in Portland, but I was actually very pleasantly surprised! Pros: - pretty transparent plate prices posted on the walls - and it was actually very reasonable compared to some other sushi places. All were about $2.50 to $5 range. - you can order from a menu too, you just might have to ask for it (we originally didn't know that and thought we could only grab from the conveyor) - My favorites were the salmon belly, seared salmon, and ikura. Actually great quality! - not bad prices for nigiri - all the chefs and staff were very nice (although at some moments it almost felt like they were overstaffed, but maybe they were preparing for the dinner rush) Cons: - weirdly the toilet seat of the bathroom was VERY STICKY... - definitely a lot of little flies flying around inside the restaurant - if you're from out of town and not used to the area, it can feel sketchy (lots of homeless people outside who tried to talk to us) - I was not used to having asparagus in my Alaska roll Overall, wouldn't mind coming back for the prices, but I would definitely only order the nigiri and handrolls and skip everything else.

Quality has gone down since the last time I visited (around 2022), perhaps another casualty of inflation. Had the fishiest mackerel nigiri of my life, tasted like canned tuna fish. Tonkatsu was challenging to eat, and a lot of the sushi rolls included some combination of avocado, cucumber and imitation crab to save on costs. Perhaps the saddest thing was that the train was struggling to run and had to be assisted a few times to get it going again.

Located in Chinatown, the outside of Sushi Ichiban can be a bit unassuming, but the inside is much larger than it appears! They have a huge bar area for you to sit around the conveyor belt and a pretty good selection of sushi. Service here is pretty quick. I came here after seeing the cute train acting as the conveyor belt on TikTok and had to go. They have a pretty nice selection of sushi--including uni. My boyfriend and I tried a bunch of nigiri out--both from the conveyor belt and from putting in direct orders. Overall, the spot is pretty decent. The sushi won't be the best you'll find in Portland, however, for its price, I haven't found many better spots. I would definitely come back if I was craving conveyor belt sushi.

The area is a bit sketchy, but we came by when the area was enveloped in the starlight parade. Was immediately greeted by a staff member who was highly motivated, but he was the only one. The remaining staff seemed as if they did want to be there. The food, however, was very good and we struggled through sticky counters and spotty service to enjoy decent sushi. Hard to say if we'll return, but if you're in the area, might be a good stop when you're craving sushi.

My boyfriend and I stumbled across this spot about a month into living in Portland, and we're so glad we did! Very kitschy interior with a fun twist on a sushi conveyor belt: a model choo-choo train! If you're not into what's coming down the tracks, you can order something bespoke from the menu. Soft drinks are not free on the refills, but a manager or server tends to the crowd and will bring hot entrees or beverages to you. This is the exact sort of Portland esotericism that had us falling in love with the city.

Having a quick dinner out as we're about to hit a show at a nearby theater. Stopped in to try them out. It's a great little place. A cute train rolls by about once every two minutes, with about 25 plates trailing. Occasionally there was something good on it but we found it best to just order fresh from the little paper scribble menus. Quality of fish was very good for the conveyor style. Fresh, tasty, and the prices aren't too bad for modern times. The two of us ate until we were stuffed and the total came to under $50 which wasn't bad at all. Great little place. We'll hit it again next time we're down this way.

From the outside this place looks closed or at least highly suspicious. But the interior is nice and friendly, and the sushi is good and extremely reasonably priced. It's one of those "revolving sushi" setups, so some items just keep coming around because no one wants them, and you may have to wait a little for something interesting to appear, but ultimately we were very satisfied.

Not impressed by the food or service. Poor Choice tonight unfortunately for my daughter's birthday. There are much better carousel slush places in town.

Call me a sucker but I'm very amused by this place, but I think you need to come here with a somewhat not high expectation. And I don't mean to say that because the food isn't bad, it is good and the service was decent. However, the restaurant is not exactly located in a good area a terrible area actually and the inner decor is well kind of very bare and somewhat outdated. But for me, I really enjoyed the kind of homely ambience of the restaurant, and I absolutely love the little train that goes around the bar portion of the restaurant. It gives me really hole in the wall type feels. So if you're looking for a sushi train experience in Portland, that's got a little extra uniqueness to it then I would definitely recommend coming here.

This place is surprisingly very good for conveyor belt sushi. The fish is fresh, service is good and there's a wait on Saturday. Glad I found this place. I ordered salmon, yellowtail nigiri, oyster hand roll , yellowtail hand roll, creamy scallop, all were very yummy. I loved how they give you very little rice and the fish just drapes nicely over it. Will come here again for sure!

The food is good, fresh (we just order) and we get the fresh wasabi. Busy on a Saturday night but food and service is and the prices are reasonable. Been coming here for eighteen or nineteen years. Part of what we like is the mix of people that have at least one thing in common...a fondness for good, reasonable priced Japanese food.

Fresh, friendly, and clean! Food was amazing, going back as soon as I get time! Very good prices as well, got full for $12.50.

Recently, on a trip to Portland, Oregon, we chanced upon a uniquely charming sushi restaurant, Sushi Ichiban. We were directed towards this local gem by a friendly bookstore clerk, and we're glad we took the advice. In this culinary carousel, you experience not just the taste of expertly prepared sushi, but the sheer joy of having it served on a model train! The concept of a conveyor-belt sushi place isn't new, but Sushi Ichiban takes it a step further with its delightful model train delivery system. This was my first foray into such an innovative dining experience and it left me thoroughly entertained. It's truly an interactive spectacle, watching your sushi chug along on mini rail cars, adding a dash of amusement to the meal. Service at Sushi Ichiban was somewhat mixed. While our server seemed to be elusive at times and not particularly engaged, the sushi chef working alongside us more than compensated for it. He exuded friendliness and demonstrated a keen interest in our dining experience, contributing to a more personalized and gratifying experience. In terms of food quality, Sushi Ichiban hits the mark. The sushi is commendably fresh, the fish retaining its innate sweetness and delicate texture. Their approach to nigiri was intriguing, as they brought in some refreshing new interpretations that tickled our taste buds. Moreover, the visibility of the dishes before choosing adds to the dining experience, allowing you to feast with your eyes before the actual indulgence. The model train circles around every few minutes, and it was noticeable that the dishes kept changing. The efficient rotation ensured that no plates overstayed their welcome on the train, guaranteeing the freshness and appeal of the sushi. In conclusion, Sushi Ichiban offers a delightful fusion of novelty and authentic sushi flavors. While there is some room for improvement in server engagement, the overall experience is enjoyable. If you find yourself in Portland and in the mood for sushi, do give this spot a visit for a unique blend of entertainment and gastronomy. It's not every day you get to catch your sushi from a passing train!

Pretty mediocre, nothing horrible but also nothing to write home about. I'd pick Sensei Sushi a couple of blocks away over this spot any days. Their quality was average and so was their variety. Portion was also small. Although, they have a nice relaxing ambience and the staffs were really nice.

I ordered $35.00 worth of sushi to go opened my order when I got home my cold items were in with hot items so everything was warm. Nothing tasted good especially my calamari was soggy and so tough. This used to be my favorite place to eat but not now.

The interior is cute and service people are nice but that's kind of where things stop. The rice. I couldn't get over the rice. It was gummy from excess starch that wasn't rinsed off (or is it just poor quality rice?) and the seasoning is way too sour (and I'm a fan of vinegar!). It threw the sweet to sour ratio way off. The fish was also not fresh. One roll with spicy tuna was extremely fishy. Wish we had sent that one back instead of eating it. The Salmon was pretty good -- but it's hard to mess salmon up. The rolls were kinda sad too. The rainbow roll was the saddest rainbow roll I've ever had, with tiny slivers of fish on top. There was also no classic California roll, and what is called a California roll had a sliver (like 1/5-1/6) of the imitation crab meat stick in it. The train is cute but because all the plates come around at the same time in fast succession, the entire experience is a bit stressful (gotta pick what you want now or you'll have to wait -- kinda mentality). I also noticed the rolls that they make for you (picking off the menu) we're actually better than the ones going around on the train -- maybe no one really picks things off the train? Hence those rolls are old and not as tasty? The restaurant also has that weird smell of really old buildings/things. :( Anyway, unfortunately an underwhelming experience. :( Hopefully this comes across as constructive feedback...

Sushi Ichiban never disappoints! Although it's been hard to recover from the pandemic, let's not let this gem sushi place go anywhere. They seriously have a salmon skin hand roll to die for (add avocado!), the fried oysters are light/fresh/crispy and the best coast-to-coast, the shrimp boat is one of a kind, and when in season, the sweet shrimp is unbeatable! All this, and an incredibly hard working owner who treats the staff well. We are committed fans!

Food is fantastic. Go there during their specials on Wednesday or Saturday for the best bang for your buck (dine in only). I really love that all of their hand rolls are completely filled to the brim with fish. They don't skimp out on the portions. Be careful around the area. Though I haven't had any problems yet, it's not the best neighborhood.

Not the best sushi I have ever had, but it was a good experience. The Spider roll was pretty good, along with the shrimp tempura roll. The selection was pretty good and one of the best conveyor belt style sushi restaurants I have been to in the United States! I thought only server working did a fantastic job and was a super server. The sushi chefs were rlly nice! I liked the ambiance as well!

Delicious and affordable sushi in a fun environment. They have some creative roles and sushi that you must try

Sooo good. I paid little money for great value food. I was able to order so much salmon nigiri for a low price!!!

The reason why this spot gets a four star, there's nothing fancy. In a town of FUSION Food and that lack authenticity, this place has been around since the 90's. Still staying true. Many love the ambiance and swanky vibe in Portland. The Hipsters Town! If so, this spot is not for you. If you want some quick and decent sushi, this is it. I went to an expensive sushi spot and this place is much better -- as far as food. The location looks sketchy since homelessness has risen and Portland approved of drug use. I like that the rolls here are not drowning it Sauces! The fish is decent quality, that's why it doesn't need to drown in sauces. The folks who work here are down to earth. No hipsters with fake vibes. It's inexpensive and you get your money worth. It's a staple in the area. I ate more nigiri than rolls. Which means the fish is not bad at all! Nothing fancy about this place. You will not find Toro. It's legit. Reminds me of Japan vibes actually. You come, eat and drink with friends while sitting around the train that brings the sushi to you. The service was excellent. Cool folks behind making the sushi and lady serving drinks. I would definitely come back here again. So far, this is the spot that provided the best service. Portland has a fake vibe. It's like the "I'm an undercover republican but I'll portray myself as a democrat vibe." At this spot, it's as real as it gets.

Kind of rude, slow, condescending, small portions, cute interior, a little expensive, took 45 min for take out when he'd said 5-20 min :(

this has become a new staple spot for my partner and i! super consistently tasty!! i love all the anime figures and the fact that the sushi literally comes on a little train. it's super cozy and warm inside too! get the salmon skin handroll! they also have specials on wednesdays & saturdays:-)) will be back this week!

Hello , I came in the other day after I dropped my granddaughter off at Powell's, she seems to think that lugging around a 6 pound book written by a guy that used to publish articles in a rock and roll magazine ( "infinity jester" or something like that, ugh!) must make her look smart ! I think it sounds like a comics book! I came in and at first Todd-Paul was like , "I don't want no fish scraps" but by the end his little belly was "FOF"! Full of fish! Hahah ! The train enamored us and emboldened our hearts. I had to keep Todd-Paul under a jacket so no one could see . The nice person in glasses helped us and I got some coconut sake that made a grey day feel sunny! She was very nice and I wish that i could pull off eyeglasses as nicely as she does! I hitched a ride on the baby train and ate a few different things, some featuring colors i didn't recognize. I particularly loved the "caboose" - not the caboose of a train, but a sushi featuring basil! The young people making the sushis we're all so kind and polite, I felt like a special lady! Todd-Paul liked everything but the wasabi, he kind of just smelled it and made an icky face. He loved crunching on the ginger though! Good for him! My granddaughter texted my phone and told me someone was following her around the book store, so i ate all of my wasabi in one bite and saw lights! Then i had to go . Thank you

Fresh food, kind service, cute ambiance ... but lacking variety. We arrived shortly after opening on a Saturday. The place is clean, the gentleman serving promptly brought us water and was very welcoming. We loved the train that brings the plates - a cute version of conveyor belt sushi places. There is a nice variety of sides and desserts that go around. The one thing we were disappointed by was the sushi variety. There was nigiri, but only a few basic roles. It's possible that because they just opened, they weren't making any specialty roles yet but it would have been nice to see a green plate or two come around. We would have stayed to eat more, but after the first 3 rounds of the train or so, we felt like we had tried everything. Not a major problem, but an important point for those who like variety.

Probably the worst sushi I ever had. In fact, it was. I only had 2 plates it was gross. Spicy tuna was drenched in spicy Mayo that had no spice to it. The fish did not seem fresh. The Philadelphia roll was covered in flying roe which doesn't say that on description and the salmon in it was smoked. Walked to bathroom and noticed the kitchen was incredibly dirty AF. First and last time I ever step foot into this place. Don't waste your money.

We popped in before a jazz show and were glad we did. Nothing was remarkable- no crazy rolls, no fabulous decor but that's ok with me! There is a little - literal- train with some offerings that rolls around the bar; you can also order from a complete, albeit modest menu. Our servers & the sushi chefs were all friendly, accommodating and warm and service was quick. We had a large Sapporo, the sashimi plate, miso soup and cucumber salad, also grabbing a few rolls (usually 2-3 pieces) from the train. It didn't rock my world, but I also have zero complaints. This is a great, affordable little sushi spot that's perfect when you're short on time and need your sushi craving sated. I originally gave 4 stars but decided: does fanciness alone merit 5 stars? No. This spot is simple and does its job... and that should be applauded.

This was my first time visiting Portland from PA and one of the things that was top of my list was conveyor belt sushi- so we had to go here! It was amazing and SO fun. The staff was very helpful and attentive, and the whole experience was made better by how cute the sushi train is. We tried their red bean, taro, and bbq pork buns as well (also amazing). It was some of the best and most affordable sushi we've ever had :)

I thought it was excellent. Definitely hole in the wall vibe but part of its charm. Fish was great quality and staff was kind. Would go back again

This sushi shop is located in the "not so nice" area near the "China town". I passed it many many times and never thought of visiting until I read the yelp reviews. Since I'm still on the search of finding reasonable priced sushi establishments, I figured I should at least give it a try! The shop definitely had it's casual/inviting vibe. Things were clean and the staff+chefs were friendly and attentive. I hadn't seen a sushi train since my childhood, so it was fun and mesmerizing to watch it went by again and again. We ordered a bunch of rolls while my bf grabbed a few plates from the train. Everything tasted good and fresh. My bf ordered a plate of vegetable tempura and it's served hot and fresh! My personal favorites were seared salmon, spider roll, shrimp boat and the tempura plate. They were nothing fancy, but they surly hit the spot! If you are on the fence of trying this little shop, I will definitely recommend it.

We are visiting from FL and although we were iffy about the location, it was totally inviting and comfortable once inside! Our waiter was awesome and super attentive! The sushi was fresh and I loved the sushi train that came around with fresh options. Get the teriyaki tofu! It was the best!

Our family has loved this restaurant for well over a decade. Sushi Ichiban combines quality food with great prices, plus personable and friendly service. The various dishes are color coded by price and revolve around the center bar via a model train. This place will fill you up, provide a fun ambience and not break the bank.

Sushi Ichiban, I have debated leaving this review, because I don't want you to change, EVER, no matter how popular you become. You are, bar none, the best sushi joint in the city for the price. And that is not to say that you are "bargain sushi": the quality of your fish is always top notch, quantities are amazing for the price, and you are simply unbeatable. The only thing you could improve on is... being open every day of the week, so I can come by and pick up my fix when I - invariably - am craving sushi on a Monday. Wouldn't be mad at some good delivery options either. Apart from that, don't change a thing. And don't get expensive, pretty please! PS: Yeah, it's in a SH*TTY area. But get over it, you'll thank me later.

Best sushi place in town. Get the salmon, the hamachi, and the freshly-ground Oregon-grown wasabi. Highly recommend.

love the environment and food and he clear soup is my absolute favorite. The hibachi is always so much fun to watch and interact with

Sushi Ichiban was the first restaurant I decided to try during my stay in Portland (the first and best decision that I could have made!) I wouldn't have known that it was a restaurant from the outside, but inside was an extremely pleasant, inviting, and warm atmosphere that gave me high hopes for dining. I was wowed by the selection of sushi that they had to offer. Anytime that I can go to a Japanese restaurant and order traditional rolls like natto maki or oshinko, I know I've found the needle in the hay stack! If you want a conveyer belt sushi place that constantly has sushi ready for you, I wouldn't say this is the place for you. The workers take care in making the rolls and letting the customer choose rolls that they want made for themselves. I loved watching this process! It gave me time to think and let my food digest before I requested any more rolls. This restaurant knows exactly what they're doing when it comes to customer care and dedication to keeping traditional Japanese sushi alive. I cannot wait to come here again before I leave.

If you're looking for very simple, good quality sushi, for a party of 1-2 people, you should try this place. The conveyor belt is fun and I like that you get to see the pieces before deciding to take them. The price is very reasonable - my husband and I were full and satisfied and it cost us $33. It would have been less if I didn't get a plate of pickled cucumbers on impulse. The selection of sushi is standard - nigiris and simple rolls - nothing crazy fancy, but it seems like you can also order from a menu rather than just selecting from the conveyor belt. I will say that they appear understaffed at the moment as there was only one server, who did their best serving, cleaning, handling the cashier, and it took us a while getting a table even though there were plenty of seats available. I hope they are able to hire more staff and work at full capacity!

Not sure if it's actually possible to be ruder to a customer even after realizing you were wrong and the take away order was right in front of you. Honestly shocking how little they cared about talking to a customer.

Upon first walking in I thought the service was going to be terrible but it was a little slow because there was just one server. The food also came out a little slow. I would say the appetizers are better than the sushi. The calamari were probably the best I've had in quite some time. The nigiri was good except the fish was cut too big. I know I know why complain about getting too much fish? Well a large piece of raw fish like that can be hard to chew in one bite and I like to eat my sushi traditionally. I would overall say it's well worth coming back as the staff is very friendly and it's very much worth the value.

Excellent service and sushi! And the beer was ice cold too. We ordered to get eventing fresh. Highly recommended.

Came in for lunch and was definitely not disappointed. Everything was delicious. Best salmon skin hand roll I've ever had! Everything that came around on the train looked amazing. It's fun to look at all the traditional decor and pop culture collectibles while you eat. I highly recommend this experience.

Sushi in Portland...fresh sushi and good local beer?! Yes please! We came here right around opening which is 5p and was ready to eat! This was not an AYCE like we're used to back in Vegas but it was conveyor belt sushi train pay as you order or grab type thing. I've done sushi boats in California and was always weary about how long the sushi has been sitting out and didn't care for the fact that the dishes were open and exposed. The sushi dishes here on the train were individually covered so I felt much better about that. Also, the sushi chefs were working behind the bar so you can order from them as well. I'm a fan of super white and albacore so whenever I had the chance I would grab while I could, the quality of the fish was so fresh it melted in my mouth, writing this review is bringing back sushi daydreams...the service is good, food is good and definitely if you're eating sushi you want some of the freshest ingredients. I didn't order anything from the regular menu and I was completely happy with what came around and the sushi train. I would definitely come back if I ever come back to visit again.

Fast and friendly service, but not that many dishes to choose from though. You will be charged based on which plates you pick, and the sushi is yummy.

Sushi ichaban is still going strong! Still don't think you can beat this place for the quality and price! It's been great to be able to still get food to go during the pandemic and quality has not suffered which is great! Lastly, if you haven't had the shrimp boat, it's a must!

Visiting with my son in Portland AND this is his all time favorite place! Delicious and yummy its fun to watch the different types of Sushi go round on the conveyor belt BUT much better to fill out the form and order it all freshly made right there in front of you by the Sushi Chefs. My son knew just what to order and I do love the California rolls + he ordered up a good variety to sample as well. So good on a cool crisp weather day drinking warm saki and great convo....the place is clean, bathroom clean and tidy. Service is fast and friendly. I highly recommend this Sushi place on your next visit to my favorite place of Portland!

This is an amazing gem. The exterior and location may be a little rough but the inside is so charming. There are about 30 seats at the bar, surrounding the sushi chefs and then a few tables in the back for larger parties. Rather than a regular conveyor belt, the little plates of sushi are transported via a mini train that passes by in front of each diner. It really is that cute. The chefs add onto the train at one station and the train comes around fairly often. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. There was a special going on that night, all plates on the "Front" side of the white paper menu was only $1.75. What a deal! The sushi was good. I enjoyed the salmon, thick slices and tasted fresh enough. I didn't grab too many things off the train because the labels weren't all there. I ordered off the sheets instead. Everything was reasonably priced and the quality pretty much matched. I ordered the Uni (sea urchin) and while it was good, the freshness and texture was not the best. On a good note, I ordered the sweet shrimp which I received as my last dish. It was great! Two giant pieces of sweet shrimp with the fried heads. For $3.50/plate that was a delicious deal. I would definitely consider coming back here.