Michelle R.

I received kind and attentive service along with an absolutely delicious meal! The dining room is spacious and very well kept. This spot is perfect for a comforting meal in a relaxing environment. A must visit if you are looking for delectable and authentic Japanese cuisine!

Brittani C.

Still delicious as always!!!!! Good portions and quality food. The katsu was juicy, tender and crunchy! We always look forward to the miso icecream for dessert.

Lisa L.

The small restaurant is very good and authentic. Management has worked hard to give you a good Japanese food experience. The fish was very fresh and the other dishes we ordered were Great. I ended up going twice in a week when I was in the neighborhood and tried a different set of dishes each night.

Yusuke S.

I stopped by on the very day they reopened after the renovation, and it was absolutely worth it. We ordered the tonkatsu set and the ginger pork set, and both were outstanding. This place is nothing like the "Japanese-style" restaurants you often find in the U.S.--the flavors, presentation, and attention to detail all reflect genuine Japanese cooking. Honestly, it's surprising to find this level of authenticity at around $20. A truly great value and a spot I'm excited to come back to.

Tony K.

Overall: 5.0/5.0 ________________________________________ *Food: 1. Karaage Omu-Curry - Karaage was crispy, juicy, and seasoned very well. Pretty much what Karaage would taste like in Japan. Curry was very traditional, yet modern. Most vegetables that are incorporated into the curry are blended, this giving a smooth consistency. Japanese omelette has a silky and smooth texture, which makes the dish balanced. - 10/10 2. Katsu Don & Tonjiru - No explanation necessary. Most identical to Japan. If criticism is needed, dish is a little too sweet. - Tonjiru reminded me of my elementary school days in Japan. Good flavor, good amount of toppings. - 10/10 3. Tempura & Udon - By far the best tempura in Portland. When fried to perfection, the tempura "blossoms" and this restaurant did this to perfection. - Udon was simple, but broth was deep and flavorful. - 10/10 4.Salmon Hamachi Sushi Rice Bowl - 5-6 pieces of Salmon and Hamachi each. Fish is fresh and has an extraordinary texture. No fishy aftertaste. The rice was seasoned to perfection, presented with the right amount of vinegar for al dente textured rice. - 10/10 5.Aburi Saba (Seared Mackerel) - Searing on the mackerel was spot on, fishy aftertaste is nowhere to be found, shari was very well balanced. Probably the best Saba in Portland. - 10/10 6.Aburi Sake (Seared Salmon) - Seared to perfection. Balanced shari. Has a smoky flavor after torching the fish. Texture is also amazing since it just melts in your mouth. - 10/10 7.Hamachi (Amberjack/Yellowtail) - Alike tuna, hamchi could be very fishy. However, blood was completely drained. Color of the fish displays the freshness. - 10/10 ________________________________________ *Service: - No reservation necessary, ordering was simple and organized. When seated at table, there are 3 buttons: Order, call, pay. Food is brought to table in less than 15 minutes of ordering. ________________________________________ * Atmosphere: - Overall highly satisfied. For the price of the items, quality and quantity was assured and tasted great. Restaurant was clean and quiet despite the full seating. Again, friendly servers and excellent food quality as well as fast serving time. Portland does not have a proper Japanese restaurant. This changes with Sambi as they serve Tonjiru instead of the simple Miso soup, and their quality Japanese dishes. The restaurant, again reminded me of Japan. I will be recommending this place to anyone who is looking for actual Japanese food, not the usual Korean owned "Japanese" teriyaki chicken restaurants. No explanation further necessary. Best quality sushi and Japanese dishes.

Gianna Jules P.

I love this restaurant. The ambiance of this place is wonderful, very nicely and appropriately decorated and the music is relaxing and not too disturbing. The servers are very patient, friendly, and accommodating, as well as the sushi chef (who I'm assuming is the owner). The food is absolutely delicious and for the prices, the portion sizes are perfect. The fish is all so fresh and really gives the feeling of melting in your mouth, especially the salmon. Although if you are afraid of fish, the omu curries are also delicious and perfectly balanced for anyone to try. I hope this business continues to thrive and despite how far it is from my house, I will be coming back often. :)

Yan W.

I haven't been here in ages and I finally had the chance to! Environment: very Japanese style set up with flags and Japanese decorations. There were also lots of adorable figures. The restaurant is mostly wood and they had various big tables. Staff: I wanted to practice my Japanese. They were super nice, friendly, and even gave me water to drink while I waited for my take out. Food: 1. I ordered creamy scallop. There was a very light mayo sauce with it and to be honest, that part didn't taste like anything. The scallops were big and good. Not fishy. 2. I ordered the tonkatsudon. It was very thick and not dry. The flavors were nice and with the onions and eggs mixed into it, it was very nice. The portion was also very reasonable! The rice was cooked nicely too.

We were huge fans of the old Sambi restaurant and are so excited about Sambi's new re-opening! The decor is beautiful and the food continues to be outstanding. It combines the best of Machiko-san's cooking and Taichi's sushi skills. It is comfort food with a modern touch. We are third-generation Japanese-Americans from LA and ties to Hawaii, and we think Sambi is one of the best!

Rayce V.

Incredible! Quite possible my favorite restaurant in the Portland Metro, and by far my favorite restaurant for sushi. My girlfriend and I have probably been here at least once a week for the last few months, and I've tried a wide range of items from the menu. So far, I've tried the green salad, vegetable croquettes, various nigiri (eel, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, mackerel, tamago, squid, and octopus), hamachi donburi, curry, shrimp & vegetable tempura, bento boxes, and california roll. Everything was absolutely amazing and the raw fish is unlike any other Japanese restaurant I've been to. As a note, the bento boxes offer you the most bang-for-your-buck with a wide variety of small sides (pictured is the mackerel bento). The restaurant itself is tucked away in a strip mall beside a coin shop and nail salon with minimal signage. I wish I had photos of the inside, but it's very cute and cozy. There are flags covering the ceiling and cute, little knick-knacks scattered around. There is somewhat limited seating and I've had to wait outside for a table on a couple occasions. I think I've only had to wait upwards of 20 minutes though. It's really hard to put in to words just how exceptional this restaurant is and I highly recommend trying it for yourself. The staff are all incredibly kind as well and the waitress was quick to recognize us once we started coming in regularly. At this point, it feels just as comfortable as sitting in my own dining room and I look forward to my next visit (likely next week)!

Rossa P.

I went to Sambi twice within a month. It feels like eating at a Japanese home, and it's so nostalgic every time I go. It's really hard to find a good Japanese restaurant in Portland, and the prices tend to be high for the low quality of food. Sambi is the first place I've found that has both atmosphere and price. It's run by a Japanese family, and the cozy, rustic atmosphere makes you feel like you're in Japan, so it's a must-visit whenever you miss Asian food or want to travel to Japan. Every day, the chef recommends a menu based on the freshness of the ingredients and the types of dishes that are available, and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Kat S.

Authentic mom-pop style Japanese shop serving staple comfort foods. Pricey when compared to other Japanese restaurants, but this is the real deal. (I uploaded my receipt pic). Not fancy feeling, but very authentic feeling vibes inside - like good for a date night meal with someone you already like, not a first time date lol.

Andrew N.

Tiny little place, but amazing Japanese at very reasonable prices. This is budget enough to be a regular stop when I'm on the west side. There is not too much for vegetarians, but I really enjoyed the Croquette Don and the Veggie Tempura Rolls--the tempura was hot in the roll, just scrumptious. If you're conscious about fish-based dashi, ask before having any of the soups.

Winnie C.

Cute little place. Great dining environment. Super lovely, friendly and welcoming service. I ordered a Beef Soboro Donburi & it was super yummy! I highly recommend. There are several vegetarian and vegan options on the menu too. Plenty of parking spaces in the parking lot.