Category icon

Biwa

(Now Closed)
Japanese Restaurant$$$$
Portland
Save
Share
Tips and Reviews icon82 Tips and reviews
User icon
Log in to leave a tip here.

Sort:
  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Chad A.heart icon on user image
    Chad ArmitsteadAugust 26, 2016
    The pork in the ramen melts between your teeth. I lived in Japan and the ramen rivals any I had there. The lamb tsukune is peppery, moreish. Unexpected pleasant surprise: oysters with pepper sauce.
  • Ria C.heart icon on user image
    Ria CarminOctober 11, 2015
    I've ordered three vegetarian dishes: agedashi tofu, grilled avocado and fried rice. All dishes are pretty small, appetizer size. Grilled avocado was fantastic! Flavorful and creamy.
  • Bin Y.heart icon on user image
    Bin YangNovember 20, 2015
    Start off with the special otsumami (3 small appetizers), get some kushiyaki (lamb heart is bomb), then finish with a hefty shoyu ramen bowl with lots of kombu, just the way I like it.
  • Eater
    EaterJanuary 11, 2011
    One part ramen den, one part izakaya, two parts modernista basement bunker, this chef hangout is run by the most improbable Japanese cook in town: a white guy from Michigan. [Eater 38 Member] Read more
  • Bella P.heart icon on user image
    Bella PorterJuly 1, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    Hands down amazing! You'll never leave unfulfilled. Ramen is delicious but just keep ordering a la carte & enjoy. Very large Saki selection (your service will help you select).
  • Joe W.heart icon on user image
    Joe WilkinsonApril 7, 2015
    Some of the best ramen I've ever had. Absolutely amazing. Deep fried kimchi is a bit strange, but overall all the food is excellent.
  • Andy M.
    Andy McMillanMarch 9, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Start with tsukemono & kimchi, then follow with the ramen, straight up. As you leave, you may notice you're radiating a warm glow, accompanied by a feeling of complete fulfilment, but that's normal.
  • Val P.heart icon on user image
    Val PucilowskiSeptember 11, 2016
    Everything was absolutely amazing. Go when you have some time to spare: the pacing of the meal was leisurely.
  • Rainbow L.heart icon on user image
    Rainbow LAMarch 9, 2014
    Best Japanese food i have ever had. Move away, nobu, sushi yusada, sushi secki, and masa omakase there is a new king in town and its not in ny!
  • Janice M.heart icon on user image
    Janice M.August 10, 2013
    Happy hour ramen deal just means you can order more deliciousness. Try a Chuhai cocktail--refreshing, bright flavors like lemon-basil-chia and black pepper-lemon.
  • Courtney P.
    Courtney P.K.September 18, 2013
    The black pepper soda may sound strange, but it's quite good... Not spicy, as you may think, just a nice pepper flavor with a balanced sweetness. May be good with gin (hint, hint).
  • CITY GRIT
    CITY GRITAugust 1, 2014
    The Omakase is a great way to go. If you’re ordering a la carte, don’t miss the agedashi tofu, chicken karaage, and the onigiri!
  • GNTLMN
    GNTLMNFebruary 19, 2014
    Straight up Japanese, a little sushi -- good traditional ramen and one of the best burgers in town (but only available from 10pm until close).
  • Kayvon T.
    Kayvon TehranianOctober 7, 2013
    No point in ordering when the Omakase will ensure you try everything that needs to be tasted on the menu. Don't just get the ramen! It's the least unique dish on the menu!
  • Gnat B.heart icon on user image
    Gnat BrainSeptember 2, 2017
    Fried kimchi has an awesome sour bite that goes well with the ramen. $5 ramen during late happy hour (9-10 p).
  • Daniel T.
    Daniel TayagFebruary 27, 2018
    New owner??, new menu...I remember the first time I went here, it was amazing. No more free popcorn and the soup portion size drastically downsized and the taste was mediocre at best. Expensive 4 size
  • Sherry R.heart icon on user image
    Sherry RenDecember 31, 2015
    Came for the famous ramen but it is very very salty. I know traditional ramen tends to be salty but it is way over. The egg and chashu are amazing though. Small portion and relative high price.
  • Brook S.heart icon on user image
    Brook ShelleyNovember 29, 2016
    Feels uninspired right now. I had maybe 5 different dishes + oysters, and nothing really clicked. Skewers are missed. So is excitement.
  • Diogenes B.heart icon on user image
    Diogenes BritoNovember 29, 2014
    Pork stew is great, and like nothing you've had before. Meat eaters: don't be afraid of the kimchi karaage, it's damn tasty.
  • Jeshka L.
    Jeshka LewisJune 26, 2013
    Plenty of good food. If you are looking for ramen that reminds you of that amazing bowl you had in Tokyo, this isn't the place though.
  • Geoff R.heart icon on user image
    Geoff ReinhardtAugust 22, 2014
    Giant bowls of ramen or udon for only $5 during Happy Hour (5-6, 9-10). Best ramen I've had in a while!
  • Caleb
    CalebAugust 19, 2010
    Fried kimchi is excellent, as is the lamb genghis kahn. The otomato salad is good, and the hangar steak as well. Onigiri is good but an acquired taste. Kimchi is bitey and pungent but overwhelmingly s
  • Anne Mai B.
    Anne Mai BertelsenAugust 19, 2010
    Everything was great - udon, fried kimchi, genghis khan, hangar steak, cucumber and watermelon salad. I would steer clear of beef ssam - thick, chewy unflavorful beef. Bulgogi would have been better
  • Avi F.
    Avi FlamholzOctober 5, 2013
    Ramen is excellent, but is the least excellent thing on the menu. Get all the other things!
  • Jonathan Z.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan ZemelOctober 14, 2013
    We changed the whole trip plan to come here for the beef tartare. It was better than advertised. Do the beef tartare.
  • Brook S.heart icon on user image
    Brook ShelleyNovember 30, 2017
    Format changed again, and now this is a counter-service spot. Tasty food though.
  • Amber C.heart icon on user image
    Amber C.November 4, 2015
    Everything is good here. You've been warned. Also: you're eating in a former Goth Club!
  • Peter Y.
    Peter YangNovember 13, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    One of the better options for ramen in Portland. Also, try the pork belly stew or crab fried rice.
  • Charm B. T.
    Charm B. TrippinJanuary 16, 2013
    If you love SALT or not quite fermented 'pickled' things, go here! Drinks & the free popcorn were the most palatable.
  • kevlyn m.
    kevlyn mathewsMarch 26, 2014
    The Tri Trip Steak was excellent & I loved the house made grapefruit soda.
  • Diana M.heart icon on user image
    Diana MaesSeptember 21, 2014
    This place is worth skipping. Ramen broth and egg were super salty. And the bibimbap was too salty to even finish eating. Can't offer towels to clean your hands for a high price tag on mediocre food.
  • Katyaheart icon on user image
    KatyaNovember 27, 2014
    Been here 100+ times
    The rotating seasonal menu and awesome specials keep things interesting.
  • Amanda T.
    Amanda TecsonOctober 18, 2011
    Go for the grilled items. The pork belly and the mushrooms were amazing. It was the WORST ramen I've ever had. The broth was so bland. No flavor. The cocktails were pretty tasty. I suggest drinking.
  • Dustin T.heart icon on user image
    Dustin TsengJuly 6, 2013
    The special today, fried chicken skin, was awesome. Fried kimchi is too salty for my taste.
  • Brook S.heart icon on user image
    Brook ShelleyNovember 29, 2016
    There is 0 ramen here now. But why wouldn't you just go to Noraneko? Parasol has soba and udon
  • Jeff S.
    Jeff SmithJuly 24, 2014
    Ask for some pork shoulder with your ramen. It's a religious experience!
  • Christopher C.heart icon on user image
    Christopher ConwayJuly 27, 2015
    Got the omakase with drink pairing. Expensive but worth it.
  • Robert S.heart icon on user image
    Robert SandlerJune 22, 2015
    The chef's tasting menu. Delicious. With the booze pairing, you will never be fuller or drunker.
  • Guille A.heart icon on user image
    Guille AlfonzoNovember 9, 2016
    Ambience and great fresh food!
  • Tamela C.
    Tamela CantorOctober 22, 2017
    So many good things here you cannot go wrong!
  • Caitlin
    CaitlinDecember 12, 2011
    Awesome all around. Fried kimchi is good, but I much preferred the traditional kimchi.
  • Xanthe T.heart icon on user image
    Xanthe TravlosNovember 29, 2014
    Ramen was delicious and the shiitake mushrooms were incredible.
  • Falcon Darkstarheart icon on user image
    Falcon DarkstarOctober 15, 2016
    Awesome Japanese barbecue gastropub. Go here.
  • Kristin L.heart icon on user image
    Kristin LasitaJanuary 24, 2016
    I did a 1-2 punch of sashimi and ramen. Would eat again. Nice atmosphere.
  • Olivia B.heart icon on user image
    Olivia BlackNovember 25, 2015
    Little spendy, little loud, but on point and delish.
  • Poppyheart icon on user image
    PoppyJanuary 27, 2016
    Disappointing salty Ramen and Kara age. But tax to cover health care of employees is a wonderful idea.
  • Chet M.heart icon on user image
    Chet ManciniApril 24, 2015
    Ramen happy hour before 6 and after 9. $5 for a tasty bowl.
  • Karen H.heart icon on user image
    Karen HMarch 26, 2016
    All sorts of Asian bites excellently prepared
  • Jason G.
    Jason GoldbergFebruary 1, 2010
    mmm... Japanese fried chicken... Kara-age. Forget your old favorites, let your server recommend some great Sake's to try.
  • H. C.heart icon on user image
    H. Colbert (@hrsch)March 20, 2016
    Pretty good gyoza. Sorry there's no pic, I ate them too fast.
Photos231 Photos