9 Best Japanese Restaurants In Portland, Maine

1. Kushiya Benkay

Kushiya Benkay would remind you of those classic Japanese pubs that are located in the middle of downtown Tokyo. It is the perfect place to have a good drink with friends, accompanied by some fine Japanese delicacies, including their particularly famous grilled yakitori, kushikatsu, maki rolls, and more. The restaurant’s chef, Chef Seiji Ando, is a third generation sushi chef in Osaka, Japan, that takes great pride in creating the finest Japanese dishes, so you can expect to taste only quality dishes made to perfection here at Kushiya Benkay. Paired with their Japanese beers, we must say the combo is a match made in heaven. On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant is open ‘til late to fulfil all your midnight cravings.

Kushiya Benkay

Address: 653 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Kushiya Benkay

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 1pm - 9.30pm; Fri - Sat: 1pm - 2am; Sun: 1pm - 9.30pm

2. Pai Men Miyake

Noodle lovers are in for a treat here at Pai Men Miyake! The name of the restaurant itself translates to “one hundred noodles” in Japanese, and that’s exactly what the restaurant serves. Pai Men Miyake is your destination for all your ramen cravings. The restaurant focuses on cooking up delicious, authentic and innovative ramen noodles with savory rich broths, an ode to the name itself. These ramens are recommended to be paired with their famous beers, another staple offering at the restaurant you can’t miss out on. With such a wide variety of both local and international pours, everyone’s bound to be spoilt with unique choices. Aside from their famous ramens and beers, the restaurant also offers steamed buns, including their highly-raved pork buns that customers love getting as a side dish. Overall, Pai Men Miyake’s casual setting makes it a great place for a date or just eating out with friends.

Pai Men Miyake

Address: 188 State St, Portland, ME 04102, United States

Website: Pai Men Miyake

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11.30am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11.30am - 12am; Sun: 11.30am - 11pm

3. Izakaya Minato

Izakaya Minato is excited to bring the casual, but fun traditional Izakaya dining culture from bustling Japan all the way to the coastlines of Portland. In this Japanese version of a local pub, here you can expect a variety of classic Japanese bites and seasonal offerings, including fresh sashimi or grilled fish from the sea. Their alcohol menu is extensive, as well, from sakes to Japanese whiskies handmade by the owners themselves, to local-made beers and bottled beers flown all the way from Japan. Izakaya Minato is such a hip place to hangout, attracting massive crowds everyday. The Portland community raves about it, and so will you!

Izakaya Minato

Address: 54 Washington Ave, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Izakaya Minato

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 5pm - 11pm (closed on Sun)

4. Miyake

With its roots in the traditional Japanese ‘Washoku’ style, Miyake is everything you’d expect out of an authentic Japanese restaurant. Washoku essentially means a harmonious blend of vibrant ingredients, which makes it no wonder that Miyake’s perfectly-curated dishes look something out of a rainbow and highly insta-worthy, as well. It involves a parade of vibrant seasonal vegetables combined with fresh fish from the bay. Everything is sustainably sourced, just as the Japanese traditionally does it in the mainland. The restaurant also incorporates Maine culture into their dishes, making a delicious twist we never thought we needed. Try out their Miyake Lobster Roll and you’ll see exactly what we mean.

Miyake

Address: 468 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Miyake

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11.30am - 2pm, 5.30pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11.30 am - 2pm, 5.30pm - 10pm; Sun: 4.30pm - 8.30pm

5. King of the Roll

King of the Roll is your humble little sushi joint located just down the road from the famous Portland Museum of Art. The menu offers traditional sushi selections, but made of great quality and perfect portions. They earned their loyal customers from their exceptional service, including their super-attentive and friendly head chef John, who prepares the food as per your needs. Do check out their specials menu, such as the Spicy Tuna Tempura Roll which are to die for.

King of the Roll

Address: 675 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 4:30pm - 9:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 4:30pm - 10pm; Sat: 4.30pm - 10pm; Sun: 4.30pm - 9.30pm

6. Benkay Japanese Restaurant And Sushi Bar

With what’s probably the most extensive sushi and sashimi menu we’ve ever seen, Benkay Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar is bound to make sushi lovers go crazy with choices. The restaurant was voted as ‘The Best Sushi in Portland in 2019’, and it’s no questioning why - it’s freshness and succulent taste is arguably unmatched. If you’re not a huge fan of sushi, don’t be discouraged as they also serve up options like bento boxes, teriyaki chickens, udon noodles, and more. From date nights, to family gatherings, or just a casual hang out with friends, it is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh taste of the sea and Japan.

Benkay Japanese Restaurant And Sushi Bar

Address: 16 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Benkay Japanese Restaurant And Sushi Bar

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 11.30am - 9pm

7. Ginza Town

Ginza Town offers a fusion of Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine, so you can have the best of both worlds all under one roof. From sushi, to hot pot, pho noodles, you can have them all at once at Ginza Town. Their variety of sushi rolls are more than you could possibly imagine, so there’s always something for everyone. There’s even a range of meat-free options for the vegetarians. The restaurant’s hot pots are made in a D.I.Y concept, allowing their customers to choose their own broths, seafood and meat choice, noodles, vegetables, and dumplings to suit their taste buds.

Ginza Town

Address: 1053 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103, United States

Website: Ginza Town

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9.30pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 4pm - 9pm

8. Yosaku

Have a taste of the freshest produce of the sea here at Yosaku, an authentic and premium-quality Japanese sushi restaurant located in the heart of Portland’s waterfront district. Here you’ll truly have a chance to experience a traditional Japanese dining affair, from the way the dishes are prepared, to the decor, and the overall dining experience. You are given the option to try out dining on the tatami seating style, just as the Japanese traditionally do it. When the weather gets warmer outside, enjoy your dishes outdoors overlooking their infamous Japanese garden.

Yosaku

Address: 1 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Yosaku

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm

9. Mami

Mami started out as a food truck inspired by those in Osaka, Japan, serving up Izakaya style food. It has now become one of Portland’s not-to-miss dining spots, where you can have a taste of the best dishes Japan has to offer by optimizing Maine’s top quality produce. Being an Izakaya, or a Japanese pub, you’ve got a wide range of alcohol such as wines, beers, ciders, sakes, and more, to compliment your dishes.

Mami

Address: 339 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Mami

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm (closed on Sun and Mon)

10. Sapporo Restaurant

Located right on Portland’s historic waterfront district, Sapporo Restaurant is one of the city’s longest-standing Japanese restaurant and sushi bar. The restaurant offers healthy Japanese cuisine for a great price, with an incredible view that’s bound to make your dining experience an unforgettable one. Their daily sushi specials, made by the friendly house chef never fails to disappoint customers, both old and new.

Sapporo Restaurant

Address: 230 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, United States

Website: Sapporo Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri: 11.30am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 2.30pm, 5pm - 9pm

Enjoy Japanese fare in Portland

Portland may be located 6,000 miles (9656 km) away from Japan, but you’d be surprised to know that the waterfront city is home to the best Japanese restaurants around. What are you waiting for? Try out these restaurants and you’re bound to feel like you just transported to a local restaurant in Japan.