Fresh , fatty fish , perfectly cooked rice , flavor combinations that are interesting yet classic and lovable , plus simple , clean branding that is thoughtful down
to the to-go packaging ; this place is everything a lunch-goer or sushi lover could ask for .
So , admittedly , I let the class get off-topic , as far as they want it to go . We have spent entire class meetings sharing unpopular food opinions and brainstorming restaurants around town that are the best match for my students . I recently had a class of students who were all from Japan . They were eager to learn new things about American culture , and to try new foods . They marveled at the selection in our supermarkets and asked a lot of questions . Why isn ’ t there more seafood ? What ’ s cheaper than Safeway ? Who is Trader Joe ? My students pressured me to tell them my favorite steakhouse in Portland , though I ’ m never sure about that and the answer is constantly changing . They all tried Killer Burger and found a place to get mac and cheese , but after a few days of exploring American cuisine , the class started to ask for a recommendation that I ’ m usually very eager to give . They wanted to know where the best sushi place in downtown Portland is . Their stomachs were homesick , and they found themselves unsatisfied with the seafood options available at the grocery store .
I used to be a graduate student at PSU before I started teaching here , so I ’ ve
thoroughly staked out the lunch scene around campus . I ’ m also a huge sushi fan — I grew up on California rolls with undercooked rice from the supermarket . It was enough to keep me happy , but my Japanese foodie students were far too wise on the subject . They wanted the real deal ; more importantly , they wanted something really delicious . Throughout the three weeks that I had this group of students , I sent them to many different sushi spots around town . They liked almost all of it , which is not surprising ; however , they had a clear favorite . I should have known , because that spot is my favorite , too . It opened this past year right on the PSU campus , and from the first time I went there I knew it was special . Fresh , fatty fish , perfectly cooked rice , flavor combinations that are interesting yet classic and lovable , plus simple , clean branding that is thoughtful down to the to-go packaging ; this place is everything a lunchgoer or sushi lover could ask for .
In February 2023 Fish-San opened its doors right next to the Rogue Brewery . It ’ s been a hit ever since . Their Instagram posts get hundreds of likes each , and it ’ s easy to see why . Brightly colored slabs of fresh fish , sometimes arranged
Fresh , fatty fish , perfectly cooked rice , flavor combinations that are interesting yet classic and lovable , plus simple , clean branding that is thoughtful down
to the to-go packaging ; this place is everything a lunch-goer or sushi lover could ask for .
26 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE