Yama Sushi & Izakaya Reviews

We tried this place for the first time. After awhile we realized this Restaurant had another location in downtown Portland and it was not very good. This one was better however it took a long time to get seated and the Staff weren't the most friendliest in town. The Kobe Negimaki was a huge disappointment! The Sushi was good and everything else was just okay.

We went on a Wed. The place is quite busy. Ordered a number of items - both on the regular menu and the specials for the day & black board. The yellow tail was fresh and presented nicely. Both the grilled and cold waygu beef choices are good. Crazy roll was fine - nothing special. Don't order the sriracha karaage... too soggy. The grilled octopus was done well (soft and not chewy) but nothing special... Uni was interesting as there were a number of choices . Expensive and small portion.

Delicious food, If you like sushi I recommend flaming jack and B.S.C I will go back again to try more

Not sure why this place is so high rated because every time I'm gone the phone seems to have potential but it's never executed very well. The biggest issue with the Clintons St location is the ineffective and rude wait staff. On my first visit, 05/25/21 I was greeted by the petite Japanese hostess when she walked out the front door looked me in the eye, and then allowed the door to slam in my face. I was blown away. I let myself in. She came around through the back door and informed me there was a one-hour wait. I had just called 15 minutes earlier and she said I could walk right in. When I explained this to her she looked at me with a blank face, Shrugged her shoulders and said "oh well". Needless to say, I left with a very bad impression of this restaurant. I decided give them another try (05/31/21) based on all their good reviews and I found myself to be a bit disappointed then as well. We were the first ones in the door and it still took 40 minutes so they took our order. I'm not sure why this was a problem as there were only five people on to tables in the whole restaurant. The girl was running around frantically with a priority of answering the phones instead of helping customers that were already in the restaurant. You know, Millennials and their phones...When she finally did take our order she picked up the menus and ran off with them before we had even finished our order. I was baffled. Service was hit and miss from there. Now we get to the food. Both the chashu and the Miso salmon we ordered were burnt and had to be sent back. The waitress looked at us in bewilderment like we were asking something very unreasonable but, took them anyway. Before the entrees were delivered again, the sushi showed up. The volcano roll was tasty although it a bit tepid. It was obvious if it sat up on the counter waiting to be delivered for an excessive period of time. The two selections of white fish nigiri were wet and soggy like they'd still been a little Frozen. The unagi was however, very good. The exceedingly salty soups were a real disappointment. The Miso soup, which usually arrives at the table hot enough to scald your tongue, was barely above room temperature, as was the potentially, very tasty tonkotsu ramen. At this point we had already been there for over an hour and we just didn't feel like sending more food back as we figured we needed eat sometime this week. This restaurant has potential to deserve the higher ratings it already has but, as far as I'm concerned, hasn't done that so far. Cold food and abismal service just don't make for a good combination. The management really needs to pick up their game and resolve these problems.

We ate here for lunch and sat outside. The food was good. We ordered vegetarian sushi, egg rolls, and gyoza. Service was good— we were here later so don’t know how crowded it gets at peak times. Several families with young children eating here.

And the three I'm talking about are food & drinks service and atmosphere. The food here is very good, big bowls of noodles with a little bite in them, rich milky broth, quality add - ins. The sashimi was very fresh and tasty. I had salmon, lightly marinated in soy, with a heap of stir friend vegetables and brown rice. The place is on a corner with big windows and high ceilings so is light and airy. There around 1, place more than half empty, and we got our sashimi before the set-ups, and I had to wait a bit to get more water. Folks were very pleasant though,

The food and service was awesome! Food came out in mere minutes. Excellent place. Parking is on the street but not difficult to find. Our wait was short and the place was full on a Saturday night.

The freshness and authenticity of dishes were unparalleled, among hundreds of Japanese restaurants we’ve been across the States. Enjoyed Sashimi Deluxe very much, Ramen and other dishes we ordered. Highly recommend it!!

Wonderful choices, full Shushi menu and a tasty and colorful chefs choice sampler. Waitress was excellent. It was a busy Friday night despite an incoming storm. Just shows how popular and delicious this restaurant is.. We had a good medium bodies Sake the server suggested with a nice surprise at the end for my birthday! Absolutely recommended..

I've been eating at this restaurant for over 10 years. While I admit some servers are much more friendly than others... The sushi and appetizers are consistent and very reasonably priced. I highly recommend the scallops and stuffed jalapeño appetizer. As for rolls I'd recommend: the crunchy spicy tuna, crazy boy, lobster roll, and spicy tuna on crispy rice.

Tried this place for the first time and am glad we did! Family enjoyed the different noodle dishes we ordered. Good-sized portions. Parking can be problematic as this is in a neighborhood and there is no dedicated parking lot. Will visit again for sure.

First off, we are not Pacific Rim or Fusion folks when it comes to Japanese food. But by looking at the menu and judging by our experience you should find what you are looking for. As far as we are concerned we will be back again on our next visit to Portland. We ate too much to name everything here. Suffice to say the fish and seafood was fresh and prepared well. Where a sauce or marinade was called for, it was not over seasoned and the flavor of the protein came through. The simple food we ordered was done well by any standard. Good selection of sake and enjoyed our bottle of "Otokoyama" along with a number of samples poured by our chef "Scott" who was friendly and helpful with his freshest suggestions. We were staying downtown and found this location to be close and worth the trip. Everything from the sashimi selection we tried to the Goma Wakami(Seaweed salad w/sesame seeds) was great. Prices are reasonable, service great, and good atmosphere.

I’m not an adventurous sushi eater, Julie just ordering the tuna roll and a spicy tuna roll. Both of those rolls were not quite as good as I would have had other places. However the people I were with that had the specialty rolls thought they were excellent.

Amazing personnel, friendly environment, and fresh sushi. I have been here for two times, and I was always satisfied with the fresh food and great drinks.

Party of eleven ate here on a Saturday night. We ordered a huge variety of foods and all of it was good. Service was very good for a very busy Saturday night. They have a full bar.

My husband and I had meant to try Yama Sushi downtown, but forgot to check the days and hours they were open and so found them closed but with a notice posted about their new southeast Yama Sushi, which is very close to where we live. We decided to try it (it is where an Indian restaurant we'd tried and by which we'd not been impressed used to be) . . . and we were more than happy. At least for now, they are not overcrowded, although several families (with well behaved children) were at other tables. The waitpeople were helpful but not obtrusive. Since my husband is Celiac, we sometimes feel we are bothering waiters or waitresses when we ask what's safe for him to eat. Here, they knew exactly what he could eat and even offered to adapt one of the dishes we ordered for him. The kobe beef skewers were tender, tasty, and perfectly cooked. The Sashimi Deluxe was also lovely (although the choice of fish was a bit conservative, it was very fresh and beautifully presented). And the fresh oysters with uni were the best thing we've tasted in a long time! The sake flight was also nice (though with a good sake available for surprising little during happy hour, it was difficult to choose). The whole meal was surprisingly inexpensive, in fact. We'll definitely return.

We'd been meaning to try this place for awhile, but an "izakaya" with white tablecloths? Didn't seem right. Izakayas are supposed to be casual and informal, and certainly Yama goes for an open and airy layout with open windows and high ceilings...but it's quite possibly the fanciest izakaya in Portland...and for sure in the Clinton 'hood. Just saying. Still and all, we checked out the happy hour and were quite pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. Not your usual fried fare (though of course there's a Chicken Karaage on the menu, not bad) but a more refined version of pub food, with a nicely prepped Sama (the whole fish) and plenty of sushi rolls to choose from. We had a wonderful spicy tuna hand roll, which was mostly fish, not filler -- the formula's usually the other way around! So that's a big plus. On the negative side, our edamame was woefully undercooked, making for a tough, hard appetizer. The drinks were well-priced though (Japanese draft beer, $4, nice, and house wine also $4). Service was also great, attentive but not hovering. We will likely be back, but we won't be calling it an izakaya.

Extensive selection of sushi rolls, tempura and draft beer. Atmosphere is modern. Parking available on the street. Four of us split several rolls as well as the yama yami tempura. With drinks, we came out at about $20 each.

Went to lunch with ladies who lived in and traveled to Japan. They loved the selections and great customer service. You will not be disappointed. Every dish was beautifully presented, had a wonderful flavor and so satisfying, Sushi, rolls, appetizers, and entrees all equally delicious. The atmosphere was light and artistic. Very welcoming. This review is for the restaurant on SE Clinton Street. Will also visit Yama in downtown Portland soon.

I went here, for the first time, with friends. It was a beautiful evening out so we sat outside. The restaurant was packed yet we didn't have trouble placing our order. We did have to wait a few for a table but we were seated shortly. The food, the staff and the company was all just perfect. A fun area with several new restaurants. Yama is a standout. I Will Go Back!!

Great food with lots of options for everyone. Try the razor clams if you go for sure but everything on the Sushi menu was fresh and had a great presentation.

My husband and I have traveled to Portland the past 2 years during Thanksgiving week. Last year we tried Yama, and it was so good we went again before leaving a few days later. This year, we once again ate there twice during our week long visit! We've tried many different dishes, and they are all excellent. There is a wide assortment of Saki options as well.

Off the beaten track, but with simple decor, good service and fine sushi and ramen. Reasonable prices. Broad selection of sakis, whiskeys and Oregon wines. A winner.

Booked this restaurant via opentable. When I arrived, table not ready, foods are good, but size is small. Service is slow.

I have been a Bamboo Sushi fan for years! However I would have to say that Yama has now become our favorite! Fresh, delicious and made to perfection! Excellent wait staff! Very Friendly and helpful. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm summer evening, tasting over the top sushi! Don't forget the sake!

Ate here on a Friday afternoon around 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Our server was delightful and patient with us. The food was excellent, and offered many options for me as a vegetarian. (Sometimes in Sushi restaurants there 's just two things I can eat on the menu.) Please note: I don't often go to Japanese restaurants, here or elsewhere, but the person I went with is a Sushi lover and she says this is her favorite Japanese restaurant in SE that is open for lunch. The restaurant has floor to ceiling windows that allow for dreamy reflection on this chilly, but sunny November day. Beautiful decor and setting. We tried one of the daily specials which was unique (it included fried mochi and eggplant) and for me the best part of the meal.

Stopped here today for lunch with husband. We shared the chicken teriyaki which was tasty but served in an open plate so it got cold fast. Also shared shrimp/veggie tempura appetizer. Loved their miso soup and endame beans. But the music was too loud and didn't go with the gentle vibe of the hostess or the restaurant's overall ambiance.

Yes this was one of the best meals I ever had. We were there for my daughter's birthday. Her favorite restaurant and we made reservations a week in advance and enjoyed the taster menu. It was not comparable to any other Japanese meal we ever had here or in Japan. 9 plus courses chosen for us by a chef that skillfully composed plated dishes artfully beyond compare. We could not have ordered this by ourselves. Scallops, crab, tuna, oysters, monkfish liver, gooey duck, egg custard, squid, octopus, salmon taster platter, razor clams and desserts. Serves was excellent. Marvelous way to celebrate a Birthday!

The service was excellent ; had the ability to answer our questions. We had someone with us who was very experienced in Japanese food and waitress was able to answer every in depth question. Had a wide selection of food and every item was excellent. The saki is also excellent wi the citrus being the table's favorite. It is a bit pricey but worth the extra amount.

Really a fantastic restaurant. Friendly staff, but more importantly, the food was outstanding! We didn't go for the traditional sushi, but had several of their more unusual items on the menu (flaming sushi???) EVERYTHING was great though! I will happily go back here when I go back to Portland!

The sign of a good sushi restaurant is its rice. Without well prepared rice the fish is lost and wasted. My son lives in the area but had never tried this place so it was an unknown. Worth a try. In this place the fish was wasted. The rice was over cooked so much so that it would only take 2 minutes to convert it to congee (rice gruel). I’ve eaten Japanese food world wide and this restaurant in my list of absolutely worst sushi restaurants I have tried never to be tried again. Unfortunately I can’t give zero star.