We've been here many times and really love the amazing food, atmosphere and impressive service. Always a great date night or special occasion. read more

Overly salty, oily food. The protestors outside diminished our experience as well. Hopefully it was just a bad day for them, as I'd heard good things about this restaurant. read more

Janken is our go-to for a good date night or celebratory dinner. We love the elevated vibe -- the service is always impeccable and the food is always ALWAYS on point. Every time we go, we always have to order the Hamachi crispy rice, Kanpachi crudo, Wagyu gyoza, Grilled ribeye, and Yangnyum chicken. read more

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I love this spot! You feel like you are in a fairy forest. It has a huge white tree in the middle with seating around it. We stumbled upon it one day walking around the area. They happened to have a couple of seats at the bar - otherwise- I've gone since with reservations. It's a high end Japanese restaurant. All of their food is flavorful and well thought out. It is a higher price point, but you get great service and yummy food. It is a great option for a date, but also a nice place to gather of group to have a drink and a sushi roll or app and enjoy the vibes. read more

We had reservations for Valentine's Day. The food was phenomenal. Service was amazing. The ambience here is very trendy and romantic. Highly recommend the lobster roll. It was super flavorful and savory. For dessert, I highly recommend the ube crème brûlée it is an absolute game changer. read more

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Food and service was great. A bit on the pricey side compared to other sushi restaurants. Sashimi 2pc was $14. read more

Janken - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We went here for my birthday celebration and you definitely should do a reservation as it is quite small and extremely popular. If you get a reservation once it's ready you're seated quick. They offer coat service which is nice. The staff will help you to order items if it is your first time and you are unsure what to order. The price is a bit hefty with the nigiri prices being for only 2 or $75 for 8 pieces. We opted for mostly sushi rolls but these are also quite expensive even for the quality. The tuna was fatty and smooth and delicious and the tuna was extremely soft. The rolls had good flavor between all of them but some ingredients stand out more than others such as bell peppers in the tuna with crème fraiche roll. The lobster rolls had delicious milk bread buns but the stuffing was lacking a bit of flavor. The micro greens were delicious. The hamachi crispy rice was probably the best thing we ordered and the rice was perfectly crispy, no hard pieces or anything it was consistent. Then the hamachi on top was wonderfully fresh and flavorful and perfect amount of cubes. The ribeye steak was medium rare but it was closer to rare but it was amazing with the salt and also the chimicurri sauce. The cucumber was a great addition too. The bingsu was deliciously refreshing and not very filling. read more

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I'm going to start with the food so I don't come across as biased--though this experience made it difficult not to be. We ordered the bone marrow, the truffle tuna roll, and the yakisoba noodles. The bone marrow was overly salty and dry. It lacked the rich, juicy decadence we've come to expect from other restaurants. For $40, it was nowhere near worth the price--it felt like a poorly executed imitation of what should have been a highlight dish. The truffle tuna roll is best described as being carried entirely by the truffle. Imagine putting truffle on a Hot Pocket--does that make it good, or is the truffle just masking mediocrity? That's exactly how this roll came across: without the truffle, it would've been a completely forgettable, subpar roll. The yakisoba noodles were so cloyingly sweet that we had to send them back. Even the staff admitted, "Yeah, this is sweeter than we're used to." That alone tells you it wasn't just us being picky--it was genuinely off. Now, all of this might be forgivable on a rough night. But this wasn't just any dinner--it was my wife and I's anniversary, and the experience was so disappointing that I genuinely felt guilty for even suggesting this place. And it wasn't just the food. The service was dismal. After placing our order, we waited nearly an hour for our food--only getting any movement after we complained. Our server checked on us once, then disappeared for 25 minutes. We had to speak to the hostess four separate times just to get basic attention. That is inexcusable. When we finally voiced our frustration, the server told us she "wasn't supposed to be working tonight." That may be true, but absolutely never project that onto your guests. It's not the customer's job to empathize with mismanagement--we're here for service, not internal staffing updates. And to top it all off, a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill. When we questioned it--after an objectively poor experience--we were told it could only be removed with "owner approval." That's absurd. Your staff should be empowered to recognize and address bad service when it happens. This wasn't just bad--it was unacceptable. Overall, this was one of the worst culinary experiences we've ever had, and on one of the most meaningful nights of our lives. Not only would we never return, we'd actively warn others to avoid this place. You don't just owe us a refund--you owe us an apology. read more

Small portions for an exuberant cost. Front of house staff should learn how to be more respectful to customers. The bar was so dark, no lighting, looked like it was closing when were sitting there . Hostess told my friend that has a back issue that he had to sit down. We'll never go back. read more

Everything was quite good. Sushi was incredible, definitely best toro tuna we've ever had. Uni was amazing. Got oysters, miso soup, wagyu on hot stone, and others, all very tasty. Reasonable wait. Busy on valentines and some things were forgot but corrected well. We had a great night. Worth the price if you want a fancy night dining out. Ambience very nice, music basically electronica and great just slightly on the loud side. read more

In summary, upper class vibes with 9/10 quality of food and service. This is the perfect place to take someone on an anniversary, fancy dinner, or a business meal. If you're coming here for business, I recommend coming here during the non-busy hours due to the potential for a noisy environment, of which that could actually be helpful depending on what business you're discussing. read more

We had a nice meal here. The Hamachi crispy rice was really excellent. Really, next level. We also had a sushi roll (good), Korean fried chicken (skip it),mushroom bao (very good), and Cod (good). Cocktails were good, but no beer on tap (boo). The restaurant is right in the heart of the Pearl, has nice lighting, and the instagramable artificial tree in the center is a nice touch. Service was good, but honestly I thought they took themselves a bit too seriously. The food quality was fine, but just didn't justify the seriousness and prices. read more

Incredible. The restaurant is gorgeous and the service was amazing. Never had to ask for anything, was never wondering where my server was, any time I needed something they were there before I could search. Food was amazing as well, a shame I couldn't try everything on the menu read more

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Janken offers an elevated dining experience that delights the senses. The ambiance is amazing and the cherry blossom tree is beautiful! The dishes at Janken are crafted with precision and care, using only the freshest ingredients available. Each bite bursts with flavor and the presentation is amazing as well! We ordered the rib-eyed steak, bingsu, and salmon tacos. Our highlight was the rib-eyed steak with the other items supporting the star of the plate! But it's not just about the food--it's about the experience. The ambiance at Janken is warm and inviting, with elegant decor that sets the perfect mood for a memorable meal. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, always on hand to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have. The dishes were on the pricey side $$$$ and I believe that gratituity was auto-calculated in the bill, but I thought the experience was worth it! Make sure to place a reservation and note any special occasions you're celebrating! They gave us delicious cream puffs on the house for our 5 year anniversary :) read more

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Valentine's Day dinner for me and my Japanese wife :-) I like to pick a place that I know she would like Overall, pretty mid. Beautiful atmosphere and nice music. I accidentally booked for March but they got us a table at the sushi bar. Very friendly hosts. The staff was attentive and friendly Gyoza isn't Gyoza. It's a crispy shumai and should've been hotter. But the flavor was good. The tempura roll flavor was also good, but the tempura was cold inside. I noticed behind the sushi bar They had three bowls of tempura just sitting on the counter for the entire time we were there. Tempura should be hot. The Korean spicy chicken was pretty good, but too heavy on the sauce. I also had a lot of little hard breading meatless pieces. Spicy yellowtail roll was pretty good And then the $150 "10 ounce" wagyu My wife and I usually share a 12 ounce steak when we go to other steakhouses like ringside, Nobu, Golden steer, Michael Jordan or any other quality steakhouse. I could've easily eaten this all by myself, and there was way too much fat on it, not in it, but on it. With gratuity, it was $300. And that was with only one nine dollar beer The food flavor was good but it was not $300 good. Again, nothing was exceptionally disappointing, but nothing really blew us away for that kind of money. Not sure why this place is as popular as it is. Would I go back? Yes if it was half the price. But at this price point, I can have four dinners somewhere else that are as good or better read more

Janken - Cold tempura that sat there for over an hour - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This spot was an accident. We were driving home from a meeting we had over near the Pearl and we decided to stop for sushi. I quickly pulled up my yelp app and searched for Sushi and this was the nearest one NW Everett which we were driving on. We pulled over, I checked out the photos and menu and said let's do it. Walking in, you notice the huge white cherry tree in the middle and big beautiful ambient lights. The room is dim and cozy and there is music playing in the background and tables of beautiful, happy, young people. What looked like some couples on dates, friends at a dinner party, casual after work business meetings, University friends getting together for drinks and tapas. It was definitely a vibe. Food: Japanese Korean fusion tapas style meant to be ordered and shared amongst friends, family, collegues. Whomever you decide to chill with here. The food was delicious and flavorful and I personally wish I would've order more of the side veggies options. The brussel sprouts are a MUST. I also had a dragon roll with shrimp tempura and eel. Hubs had a yummy tuna roll and Lil Miss had the fried rice with tofu. All had flavors that are not your average Sushi taste. I loved the "fusion" of it. Service: Was lovely, every time they brought and item they described it to you and the waitress that kept bring me water was on it. Ambience: was spot on. This place looked and felt like a really chill but fun and happening place. Everyone was dressed really nice but in a casual chill way. It was busy and chatty but not overcrowded. Surprising for a Thursday!! If you are looking for a fun spot to meet up with friends for tapas and drinks...you must try this place. read more

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First impressions the inside was super cute. Very well decorated and loved the tree in the middle! For drinks, I got a peach cocktail i believe but I don't think I see it on the menu anymore? Either way it was delicious. The food was ok. Got a sushi roll, gyoza (a little underwhelming) and couple apps. I see they have a happy hour which would be fun to try. Overall, i think it's an ok spot for the vibes (and drinks). read more

Food and service were really good here! The seafood was very fresh, the combination of flavors were unique and the presentation was great! This spot is definitely on the pricier side and leaning more Japanese fusion food with a hint of Korean influences/flavors. Did want to mention that one of their drinks is called the "Rye of the Rising Sun." Mentioning the flag that was used by Imperial Japan when you're labeling yourself also as a Korean restaurant is a bit ignorant and uncomfortable for Koreans (& possibly other East/South Asians), especially since that flag doesn't relate to anything positive between the two countries. Just wanted to make that known! read more

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Too . Fish is fresh and the drinks are nice. Affordable and delicious. Ambiance is phenomenal, and the service is top notch.

The food is delicious the atmosphere was gorgeous. The Service was great. The fried rice is delicious as well. I really liked their sushi rolls. It is a more fancier place and great for special events as well. Our tab was a little bit more but there was like 5 of us and it is a nicer restaurant. read more

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Came in with minimal time and the staff was very accommodating. Everything was fantastic! read more

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I really hate these pretentious fusion places in the Pearl, but that's typical Pearl. This one fits that stereotype. Limited menu, ridiculous prices, and 20% service charge required. Every time I go to a place that has mandatory tip, it usually means they have poor service. Slow and mediocre food....and they still get the tip. Lucky them! $40 nigiri is ridiculous, and $40 sushi rolls with dry unseasoned rice and sloppy presentation. Food was good, but not great. The problem with fusion usually means they don't do either one great and becomes a hot mess when executed. Menu is confusing, limited, choices, and barely legible. Restaurant was poorly lit where you can barely read the menu. The highlight was the ribeye. They know how to cook a steak, but don't know how to make sushi. Lobster was mushy. Sushi roll was dry and bland. Matcha tiramisu was pretty good It's an overhyped place that ends up being $100-$150 pp. read more

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First off our server was great! She was nice, patient & explained everything well & never rushed us. Food we ordered was... Bone marrow w/toasted sourdough A5 Wagyu on a stone Octopus Dubai chocolate heart shaped Drinks we ordered were mocktail pineapple and purple drink I don't remember the name but both drinks were good! All the food that we ordered was delicious and flavorful! I loved it all! I feel the Dubai chocolate for $16 that we ordered wasn't bad but it wasn't that great like OMG it's so good either! It was just good & sweet but that's just it. Wasn't bomb or fire if you know what I mean. I know people have been hyping these Dubai chocolate & this is just what I think. I can say I will definitely come back! I want to try more food that I didn't get to order because we were getting full! It's a bit spendy but I am satisfied with the food but I wish their A5 Wagyu stone was more than 5 pieces because they are small bite size for $95! When I go eat hot pot and order A5 Wagyu I get way more than 5 pieces and it's not $95! This is too overly priced for 5 piece of square size meat. They were not thick cuts nor were they thin. Just very small but delicious. The portion I would say it could be a little more. After eating at Kaan where everyone hype about the restaurant I can say Janken hands down is better if your spending a lot of money on expensive food. I know they are both different types of food and culture but restaurants alone is always over hyped and overly expensive with mediocre food. If I'm overly spending money on food I want my food to be great quality, delicious, & flavorful! Our bill for 2 people was $250 I just want to say Janken is delicious & can't wait to go back with my friends! Service was great! Food delicious! Atmosphere nice! Food expensive! Food portion was a bit small portion for me (just a tad bit)! I will be coming back! read more

Janken - Octopus delicious and flavorful with pickled veggies yum! - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Wonderful food, ambience, and service! Designed to try multiple dishes we liked everything we ordered. Clearly a popular place that cares about the overall experience read more

I'm giving a 5 star because it's good food and excellent service. The restaurant is quite loud though. I wish they could have turned the music down a little bit so I could hear across the table. I love loud music but I think it was too high when we went. I went a week ago and had a great experience and I want to go back. I didn't regret ordering the Pineapple Express Margarita not only for the smoke but the flavor. Duck was great. Broccolini was delish. All sushi melted in our mouths. The ribeye was perfect. Scallops perfect - also who knew celery root can be starchy. The hibachi crispy rice was so good as well that we got several orders. Even the miso soup - can't go wrong. read more

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I'm not sure why people think this place has any great reviews. The food is subpar for the prices they are charging. I don't mind spending money on a delicious meal, but this place is not it. Save your money and go somewhere else. read more

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If you are looking for a fancy evening out, this is your place. It has a beautiful ambiance and decor. The service and showmanship shine at this spot, but your experience can be different depending on your server. We ordered quite a few items to share. The hamachi crispy rice was a standout. The nigiri are well made and topped with a little caviar. They melt in your mouth. I could have eaten so many more. They have some items like the wagyu that could definitely run up your bill. Overall, high quality food and presentation. read more

Janken - Nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

So I went into this expecting to pay a lot thinking the dishes were going to be small but expensive. So what we did was order family style which I would recommend. I won't sugar coat it, the bill was not light on the wallet, but what I found out was the dishes were much bigger than they looked in photos and it ended up being probably way more food than we needed. So if you're on a budget you can probably order 1 or 2 items and be more than good to go. (I have a big appetite). Otherwise I felt the food was really good and the staff was very attentive and friendly. I would definitely come back again. My favorite thing I think was the special - mushroom dumplings which were served in a light broth. I also had the Peking duck which was delicious. read more

This place is expensive, we paid $585 for a group of 4, but so worth it! It's a place I would go to on birthdays and anniversaries only. Please not that servings are small, so one dish is not enough for us, it was just like a tasting menu. TIP: check their instagram account to have an idea of the food they serve. We didn't check until after we ordered. read more

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Walked in on a Friday night around 7p and were able to score a spot at the bar. Had the tuna tartar, spicy yellowtail, gyoza, and salmon sashimi. All were very fresh. The ambiance was great, felt like we were in New York City. The pinnacle express drink was fantastic. read more

Beautiful place. Amazing tree in the center, bar area aesthetically pleasing. Kind and attentive staff. Clean restrooms. Drinks were on point. Our table tried a plethora of cocktails and beer. Can't go wrong. Food...yum and yum. We ordered about 8 items and shared. Also had to try a couple of desserts. The Royal caviar was simply the best. So tasty. So perfect. Nigiri was super fresh. We had a wygu fried rice. Omg. Mmmm We are ready to go back, ASAP. read more

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Be warned that you will be paying a good amount for a meal here but it is worth the splurge in my opinion! The environment is a little loud for any romantic type date night. The lighting is soft but the tables are pretty close together and you have to talk loudly for your partner or friends to hear you. The food comes out in smaller shareable portions which is good if you like to taste a bit of everything. We ordered Kimchi fried rice w/ egg, pork belly, wagyu gyoza, chefs choice sashimi, and creme brûlée, + 2 cocktails and the total was $250. The chefs choice sashimi was delicious and every single piece was 10/10 which usually isn't the case since I'm a very picky eater. All sushi tasted fresh and melted in your mouth. The pork belly was also one of my favorites as it just melted in your mouth. Creme brûlée was AMAZING. I could eat the entire thing if need be. It is a little less traditional with a hard caramelized sugar on top and beneath is more of a creamy filling but I loved it. I'd eat here again but probably only every once and a while due to the price. I typically range between the 80-$150 max limit for meals (maybe I'm cheap?) read more

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Such pretty interior design with high end decorations! Very good first impression with all the beautiful interior design and friendly staff. There are so many staff members, it was quite interesting to see them work together. We went a little early around 5:30 and the restaurant was like half filled but it was jam packed by the time we left. Highly recommend making reservations. We tried: - steak tartare: strong truffle flavors. Very tasty. - brussel sprouts with kimchi vinaigrette: also very tasty but extremely salty. - pecking duck: good stuff with tangy homemade sauce. They only gave us 4 wraps so we had to order more for extra $5. - crispy tofu salad: pretty good, kinda spicy. - crab fried rice: do not really recommend. $42 for a pretty flavorless dish. Wish we got kimchi fried rice instead, since all the tables around us got it haha Overall, the food was really salty. We were chugging water for the rest of the night. But it was a fun experience. Interesting to see their take on pan-asian fusion. (If you want authentic asian food, do not go here! The owner/main chef are not asian. I believe they have one korean chef) read more

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Enjoyed a wonderful experience here while visiting Portland. Our server Mira was so kind & professional. She made sure to assure me that my specific food needs could be easily met. I highly recommend the Ube Crème Brûlée! read more

Janken - Ube Crème Brûlée - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food was amazing albeit expensive, service was top notch and the ambience was fun as well. The truffle sushi, yungnyam chicken and corn kiriage were personal favorites read more

Wow, if I could give Janken 100 stars, I would. My friends have been here numerous times and I finally decided to venture up to Portland to try it. We made the reservations well in advance. Our reservation was for 5:30 and we assumed we could have happy hour, which ended at 6. But it was the first day of their new menu & changed happy hour to end at 5. We unfortunately had a whole list of food to try and we couldn't get it. However, we had plenty of other options to try and the quality of the food was astounding. We started off with fresh oysters, various nigiris, steak tartare & brussel sprouts. The oysters and fish selection were of the highest quality. The fish melted in my mouth and I loved the different toppings. The oysters were salty and meaty, no sand in sight! My favorite nigiri was the smoked wagyu & maguro foie gras. I think those two set the standard for asian fine dining. For our mains, we had the wagyu hot stone, black miso cod & Peking duck. The Peking duck is definitely a highlight. The crispy skin and juicy duck really helped satisfy the rest of my meal. The wagyu hot stone was tender and flavorful. I might opt to try something other than the miso cod next time. Janken was a very aesthetically pleasing restaurant. I thought that the food was on par with their reviews & price points. Our server and hosts were very attentive and made our experience enjoyable when we asked to move tables. I would definitely venture back again. read more

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Very trendy, probably too trendy for me. Can be a bit loud if you are wanting something intimate. Small dishes at high prices. But the dishes are top quality and very tasty. The miso black cod is one of the best I have ever had and when it's on a menu I have it. Might be good to ask more questions. The king crab came with a spicy topping, luckily I didn't order it so my husband did enjoy but was surprised by the spiciness. I didn't like using my phone for a menu as I did feel I missed some of the details. I saw shrimp tempura and got excited but didn't realize it would be in a sushi style roll with Aioli on top. The waiter was very nice. I asked for a knife to scrape off the Aioli and said I can't eat mayonnaise. He said oh it's Aioli. Had to explain they are the same. Got the knife and was okay but more excited about traditional shrimp tempura. Highly recommend for the foodies out there but save up your pennies first. And save room for dessert. The molten lava cake was wonderful. read more

Janken - Molten lava cake - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

No notes! The ambiance is lovely, the service is absolutely top notch and the food is fantastic. I would get everything we ordered again, and there were several things I want to try next time. Spicy wok edamame Kanpachi crudo Hamachi crispy rice Miso black cod read more

This is a super cute and hip restaurant. Cherry blossom tree in the middle is a staple. The service at the beginning of your restaurant enpcounter is amazing, almost too much. That diminishes quickly at the end where it took us over 45 minutes to get our bill situated. There is a 20% tip already included so watch out for that. The drinks -- expensive but delicious. Honestly our favorite part of our meal. The food -- favorite was the corn, lobster roll, and pork belly. We also got some fish and sushi. Honestly it was overpriced for what you got -- the food was average. Highlights was ambiance and overly priced cocktails. I would likely just come back with gal friends for the drinks :) read more

Janken - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Too much Frosting and not enough Cake ! I deliberated giving them another star but in my books a 4 star is a restaurant that I will return to however I don't feel any inclination to come back to Janken unless its with friends who want to visit . Despite having reservations and arriving on time , we were told to first sit at the bar and order and were eventually seated. The vibe is upscale but I wasn't the biggest fan of the seats - Not very comfortable . The staff who was attending us was sweet and did their best to explain the menu and dishes. The staff at the bar seemed aloof and cold on the other hand . The fish was fresh and the Chefs choice Nigiri was indeed stellar. Rest of the items that we ordered were just average and didn't leave an impression. The drinks were alright as well. The Wasabi that they made fresh on the spot was unique but definitely not enough to share even with the added cost. The number one con is the Pricing and pretentiousness of this place . I am all for a spendy dinner and happily shell out if the experience is worth it -but Janken didn't provide me with one .The whole experience was underwhelming at best from start to finish .The food was good but it wont blow your mind , the atmosphere is good and yes the pretty tree makes for good pictures but that's about it . When you expect people to pay a premium price for mediocre food and add a mandatory 20% gratuity ,please make the experience worth their while. I know since Portland is a foodie`s paradise there are many more places that I will prefer over them for a special occasion but if you are into 'vibes and Instagram worthy spots ' this can be the place for you . read more

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