I've eaten here for years. The sushi is some of Portland's best (it's here or Restaurant Murata). My favorites include spicy-squid tempura roll (amazing textures), the spanish mackarel and the fresh oysters. Aki gets the best salmon Toro in town, too. Beyond the fish, it's the small things that set this sushi apart, the rice is firm and tart, not too sweet. The nori is crisp and nutty. Even the wasabi seems extra fresh and radishy. The tempura and the noodle dishes are delicious. I've never had any cooked fish here, never could find a reason to.
The service is courteous, pleasant and unobtrusive. It's not always fast; good food takes time. The only negative about Ichidai is that it is brightly lit with flourescent lights. I wish Aki had more time to think about ambience, but as long as he's behind the bar preparing sushi, I'm happy.
Pros: fresh, delicious, expansive menu
Cons: flourescent lights
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