Oregon Sushi Restaurant Review

Bush Garden of Oregon
8290 SW Nyberg Rd
Tualatin OR 97062
503-691-9744
Fax 503-692-8980

Wednesday, May 21, 2003
UPDATED: October 11, 2005

This restaurant was recommended by a client of the print shop where I work, and she happened to come by on a day with nice weather, so I was in the mood to take her advice and try it out.

I ordered the $17.50 Sushi Dinner, which included six pieces of tekka maki and eight pieces of nigiri (varies seasonally), along with rice, edamame, miso soup, and tako sunomono (cucumber salad with bits of octopus). The nigiri were large and uniformly fresh; the tekka maki, unagi, and miso soup were especially good. Service was prompt and friendly.

The menu is nicely printed in both English and Japanese, and there are way too many dishes to list here. While I didn't try it myself, the lady who recommended this place reported that when she orders amaebi, they deep-fry the heads and present them on the same plate, antennae and all. It can be an unsettling-looking dish for most Westerners, but I've had it elsewhere, and the taste is worth the looks on your friends' faces as the antennae slowly disappear into your mouth.

I like the view here: it's next to a large pond with a fountain, and the walls are largely glass, so it has a very open feel. From the sushi bar, you have to crane your neck to see it, but a table would give you an unobstructed view.

Overall, a very nice experience, and I recommend this place. The prices are reasonable, especially the $5.95 Special Lunch plates, which includes sushi (California roll, maguro, and ebi), miso soup, edamame, rice, and your choice of tempura, tonkatsu, or chicken, beef, or salmon teriyaki. Sadly, since I work in McMinnville, it's unlikely I'll be able to have lunch here. Please try it and let me know how it is.

Note: The website for this restaurant is out of date and no longer applicable. Bush Garden of Tualatin is now under separate ownership from the Bush Garden in downtown Portland, and the two restaurants have different menus and pricing.

UPDATE: October 11, 2005

Well, it turns out I was able to have lunch here after all, and it was very good. I don't recall exactly what I ordered (I'm writing this in February 2006), but it was $12.95, so it was obviously more than just the $5.95 Special Lunch. Knowing me, it was probably a combo containing sushi, tempura, teriyaki, miso soup, and a small salad.