Welcome to SHO | Japanese Restaurant
At SHO | Japanese Restaurant, located in the heart of Portland, we take pride in delivering an authentic Japanese dining experience steeped in tradition and quality. Our commitment to culinary excellence is evident in every dish, from our handcrafted dashi made with konbu and bonito fish flakes to our selection of premium meats, including Snake River Farms Wagyu and Berkshire pork. We prioritize locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, enhancing flavors in unique creations like our famous potato salad and exceptional tempura. Whether you're indulging in fresh sushi or savoring our izakaya comfort food, SHO offers a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels like home, where every meal is a celebration of genuine Japanese cuisine.
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10100 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97219 Hotline: (503) 977-3100
Welcome to **SHO | Japanese Restaurant**, a hidden gem located at **10100 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97219**. As a passionate food reviewer for Restaurant World, I'm excited to unveil what makes SHO a standout dining destination for lovers of authentic Japanese cuisine.
At SHO, the commitment to authenticity is evident from the moment you step inside. They pride themselves on crafting their dishes with the utmost care, focusing on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. This dedication shines brightly in their preparation of dashi—a fundamental soup stock in Japanese cuisine. Unlike many establishments that resort to pre-mixed or powdered dashi, SHO creates theirs the traditional way, employing water, konbu (dried kelp), and bonito fish flakes. This commitment to authenticity extends to all sauces and dressings, each made from scratch to ensure maximum flavor and freshness.
- Highlighting Fresh Seafood: Indulge in premium offerings, including the exquisite Columbia River King Salmon and the brightly colored Sockeye Salmon. Both varieties boast rich textures and are sourced from the pristine waters of Oregon and Washington.
- Exceptional Meats: SHO partners with Snake River Farms for top-tier beef and pork, adhering to traditional Japanese farming practices. Their Kurobuta pork and Wagyu beef are must-tries, creating an unparalleled dining experience.
- Vegetarian Options: The menu is equally considerate of vegetarians, sourcing vegetables locally and seasonally. Look out for their special monthly offerings based on what’s fresh and in season, making each visit feel unique.
One cannot talk about SHO without mentioning their highly praised tempura. Customers rave about the crispness and flavor of their vegetable and shrimp tempura, a dish that's been known to ignite delightful conversations among diners. The unique twist of including spicy peppers alongside the tempura is an innovative touch, enriching the dining experience and fostering a shared culinary adventure.
Customer experiences echo the restaurant's excellence. As one patron noted, the Japanese potato salad served here is "great beyond words," and the yuzu sesame dressing elevates the simplest of salads to extraordinary heights. Moreover, the inviting ambiance, accentuated by a light wood aesthetic, creates a warm, welcoming environment where both first-time visitors and regulars feel at home.
From the exquisite presentation of sushi rolls to the depth of flavor found in their ramen and udon soups, every dish at SHO reflects a sophisticated understanding of Japanese cuisine. Whether you’re drawn in by their extensive sake offerings or the anticipation of trying seasonal specials, a visit to SHO promises a memorable culinary journey, one that feels genuinely connected to the rich traditions that shape Japanese food culture.
For those seeking an authentic taste of Japan right in the heart of Portland, **SHO | Japanese Restaurant** stands ready to impress. Make sure to call ahead at **(503) 977-3100** to secure your place at this delightful restaurant, where every detail—from the freshest ingredients to the beautifully crafted dishes—exudes a passion for food that is truly infectious.
This remains one of my favorite restaurants. I always get the best food and service. There are several items I will draw your attention to which you might pass over and they are both salads. Their Japanese potato salad is great beyond words. It is unique and freaking delicious - you will thank me! The other is a regular salad because their yuzu sesame dressing is pretty incredible but they also serve cared for ingredients in it. This is not the iceberg bs with a touch of carrot you get at places. I've never regretted ordering anything here. I am not into epic spice but my friend who ordered the habanero roll was delighted, and crying about it! HAHAHA! They also have some of the best tempura you will get around. Interestingly enough they even served up a lightly spicy pepper with ours which was the first time I have seen that. My friend loved it though we both agreed that our vegetable tempura we've had everywhere else sometimes includes a piece of sweet pepper but not a spicy one. She enjoyed it and its why I love to split my tempura with a friend since there are those pieces you prefer versus your friend. I ate all the shrimp since I am that person! I feel like the restaurant is nicer and nicer every time I go here which is saying something. I appreciate restaurants that show they invest into themselves continuously versus showing being run down. They look fancy without fancy prices. They also have some happy hour deals mostly targeting those of you who are into the spicy action so go get yourself some mouth heat!
Authentic Japanese food. Very good food and excellent service! The staff makes you feel very welcome!
decent japanese restaurant and not busy on saturday night! included are pictures of menu and food
Ordered takeout from SHO and got a couple of sushi rolls, nigiri, cucumber salad, and udon soup. Overall, good food quality and taste. Sushi tasted and looked beautiful and fresh. Textures were nice and meal was filling (shared between two). Service at pickup was friendly and welcoming. We've dined inside here years ago as well and remember a pretty good experience.
What an amazing night for the sushi and sake pairing! The menu was phenomenal, and each dish paired perfectly with sake tasting. I highly recommend the fresh sushi, sashimi, and additional Japanese cuisine offered. Service was spectacular! The restaurant is super clean and aesthetically pleasing. We sat at the family style long tables for this special meal. Quiet setting here too, which was much appreciated.
It was our first time here and we were quite impressed. Having spent 8 years living in Japan we developed a bit of a 'snobbish' standard and Sho did not disappoint. My wife had the butter fish ( black cod) and it came out with the perfect amount of miso to have a great Umami-Sweet balance. I ordered the Tempura Udon and it was perfect. I liked that they put the Tempura on the side so it didn't get soggy. I am unfortunately in the middle of my 'dryuary' so I didn't get to try some sake from their really extensive menu. But next Saturday ( Jan is almost over), I may try to talk my way into their Sake tasting night.
Wow! Excellent sushi and love the interior vibe which is light woods and recently remodeled. Do not be fooled by the exterior. Worth the drive as it's in SW Portland. We started with miso and then shared the sashimi and two rolls. My favorite was the Hanabi roll and my daughter loved the King Dragon roll which was surprisingly a bit spicy. Look forward to returning.
After being closed for the beginning of 2024 due to storm damage that led to a renovation, Sho is open again and while the restaurant looks refreshed and somewhat brighter, the food remains consistent and in a very good way! We enjoyed karaage, tan tan ramen, and the chef's choice of sushi. The sushi was so fresh and because they were full, we sat at the sushi bar. So happy we did! We conversed with the younger sushi chef who hailed from Hawaii like we did. He was very friendly and very skilled. All in all, the dinner was both entertaining and delicious! Oh, try the fruit parfait. It's new and surprisingly very good! Not too sweet and full of surprises! (Of note, the food and conversation was so good, I forgot to take photos)
I'm so glad that Sho is open again. After a five month storm damage repair, it's newly rebuilt in a beautiful minimalist style. Katsu is as welcoming as ever. It's like going to a friend's house more than a restaurant,...if your friend is an awesome cook! The menu still contains great sushi options, but also has more of an izakaya flavor. It's great! Lots of Japanese comfort food, in addition to a complete bar, and real deal sushi chefs. I love sitting at the sushi bar and watching them work. This is a legitimate Japanese restaurant, which would fit in on Honshu as well as it does in our neighborhood.