Beaverton just scored a serious sushi flex. Sazanami, a petite omakase counter from acclaimed chef Hajime Sato, is now open, bringing his sustainability-first style back to the West Coast after headline-making runs in Seattle and Michigan.
A Fixed Menu Built For The Counter
According to Eater Portland, Sazanami serves a nine-course chef's choice menu with two pescatarian tracks, Minato for $170 and Chiso for $200, plus a vegan option for $140. Sato told the outlet diners should not expect an endless procession of nigiri. Instead, he is aiming for a more kappo-style counter vibe, with the chef walking guests through a mix of sushi, sashimi and cooked dishes.
The restaurant's own site lists Sazanami at Sazanami website at 10053 SW Nimbus Ave. in Beaverton and notes that reservations are required. It also states the space is adults only and does not admit guests under 21.
A West Coast Return After Michigan
Sato's Oregon chapter follows the closure of Sozai in Clawson, Michigan. As heading to the Pacific Northwest was reported last year, he wrapped up his award-winning Michigan project while continuing to push a sustainability message.
The James Beard Foundation lists Sato as the 2024 Best Chef: Great Lakes winner, and Eater Portland notes that he opened Mashiko in West Seattle in 1994, years before he became widely known for championing sustainable sushi.
That sustainability focus is still front and center in Beaverton, where Eater Portland reports Sato is leaning into Oregon seafood, including petrale sole, rockfish, albacore, black cod, Dungeness crab, spot prawns, oysters, clams and Oregon-grown wasabi. The name Sazanami means “ripples” in Japanese, and for Sato the bet seems clear. Even a tiny room can send waves through the local sushi scene.
