I've been locked into a sick, twisted universe of carb reduction lately, and as much as I want to stab myself at mealtime I have discovered a deep love for things previously unexplored. Item #1 - Potato Vodka. Item #2 - Sashimi. Today I found myself on Congress Street at lunchtime, and figured it was an ideal opportunity to try King of the Roll. This was some of the best sashimi I have had to date - delicate, flavorful, no chew. The sashimi platter came with mackerel, tuna, white tuna and salmon (I may be forgetting one). The mackerel and white tuna were especially memorable. Some very smooth wasabi with just enough burn. I added a two-piece of Uni sushi (urchin) just because I love it too much too pass up. It was just as tasty. I started off with a small seafood salad with surf clam, octopus and squid, all mixed into a light salad with scallion and a just-spicy-enough sauce. They threw in a mini-cucumber salad on the side with a similar dressing. Seated outside on the small but comfortable side deck, I ate alone like a loser and watched the interesting blend of people walking up and down Congress. A good experience, and looking forward to going back when I'm off this ridiculous diet.
(5)
Lisa H.
The sushi here is consistently the best i have had outside San Francisco and better than a lot of places there too. Cuts are always on the big side, generous helpings.. And service is FAST and consistent. I love the special rolls they offer although i am more of a sashimi girl. If only sushi was cheaper.. But ive always gotta get the sashimi, wakame salad, salmon handroll, miso soup, and Hot Sake and Sapporo Beer.. Oh and something for him too of course lol.
(5)
Adam F.
Gross. Only good in a pinch when starving to death or when mercury deficient. Just avoid it. Instead, sushi in this order: Miyake Fuji Yosaku
(2)
Michelle L.
This is a classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover," or in this case, a restaurant by its name. I initially resisted going here because I thought it would be cheesy with lots of weird americanized rolls on the menu and little in the way of actual quality sushi. Well, shame on me, because when I did give in to their claims of the best sushi in town I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a fairly no-frills dining experience: the lighting is a bit too bright, the service is efficient, not expansive. But the sushi man, the sushi is so good. If you're in the mood for some quality cuts of fresh fish this is the place for you.
(4)
Pat G.
For two years I always wanted to go eat at Ding of the Pole. What did I do wrong? Did I piss someone off? Where the stars aligned? I took my wife and child who all know and love to eat Sushi. We arrived at 400 and had to walk around to wait for it to open with no problem. Don't know what to say nor do I even care to relive it tonight after many hours of feeling sick. I had 4 oysters and almost gaged in disbelief as I tried to eat them. I told the waitress they where rancid to take them back and I still had the pleasure of paying for them. Miso..ewwww. Tuna dark in color is that fresh? They love to funnel wrap things in seaweed and make it wonderfully mushy. Last my daughter gave me a piece or her simple California roll that I ended up spitting in my napkin. I don't understand? $60 Gone Make it simple for yourself go somewhere else.
(2)
Jax P.
There are a lot of sushi joints in Portland and while king of the roll is passable it is certainly not as refined or tight as other places like Yosaku or Benkay. The rice is flavorful but does not hold tight or together as well as it should. The fish is not as delicately prepared as it is elsewhere, but is fresh. Bite sizes are not consistent and sometimes the rolls don't hold together well. Portions are great and it is less expensive than previously mentioned restaurants, but as with everything else you get what you pay for. If you're already in the neighborhood and have parking and need sushi kotr is valid but there is also a Benkay in that neighborhood now as well as non-sushi locations to consider that might be better choices. I'd rather save up a bit for someplace better.
(3)
Yelena S.
This is our favorite sushi place in Portland, hands down. We go here so often they have started to recognize us. The spicy crunchy tuna and caterpillar roll are my absolute go-to's, never disappointed! The staff is always super nice and the outdoor seating area I personally really like because you can really people watch. The food is a little less expensive compared to other sushi places and it's always delicious, highly recommended!
(5)
Malin N.
The sushi and the food are always amazing and the service are Fantastic but..... The hot pot... ok let's break it down To all my hot pot lover and foodie This was a fail, the price was over priced, little portion of food and the broth was bland, regardless of Thai, Chinese or Japanese sukiyaki. The broth was less flavor full than a packet of Thai noodle you get from an Asian market.... and the selection of vegetable didn't match the broth.... feel like the food and the vegetable didn't compliment or add to the flavor of the broth, no body and seriously no flavor, spend $60 and hungry, take it from someone who explore Portland food on a regular. This was a fail, take your time to make your own it's way less expensive and taste better.
(3)
Greg P.
The sashimi was nice and big with great flavor. Also had a san fransisco role that was to die for..
(5)
Viet T.
Forgot my debit card in the restaurant and the sushi chef himself ran out into to the 15 degree cold night looking for me in the parking lot to return it. This is customer service at its best, going out of there way just to return my card. Most places would have just waited till I called. My father takes my siblings and I to this place when ever we want to have a get together, on special occasions or when we just simply want to enjoy top quality sushi. The atmosphere is calm and the serving staff and sushi chefs are always friendly. This in my opinion is the best sushi place in town and would easily recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants top quality sushi.
(5)
Kenneth G.
Fresh. Delicious. Affordable. I have gone to all the sushi joints in and around the Portland area. Nothing comes close to satisfying your wallet as well as your pallet with King. There Ahi Tuna Maki is PHENOMENAL. The only thing I would suggest is for the staff to be a bit faster or bring on one more server for busy nights.
(5)
William M.
The best sushi per dollar in Portland. Miyake is, obviously, the best sushi, but this is a the best reasonably priced sushi in Portland.
(5)
Gloria W.
This is by far the best place for sushi I have ever been. The food is delicious and has very reasonable pricing, especially for the large amount of food you get. They have many combo options for under ten dollars that include your choice of two items (sushi or cooked food), a small salad, fruit, soup, and pickled cucumbers. The service here is also great. They are very helpful when it comes to making suggestions of what to eat. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to dine in. Atmosphere is quiet and the dining experience feels fairly private even on busy nights.
(5)
Anna B.
What a deal!! You cannot beat the prices, quantity, or quality here. I couldn't believe the amount of food we got for the price. We started with the pork gyoza and a bottle of cold sake. We ordered four rolls - 2 tuna avocado, a portland roll (mackerel, avocado, scallion, and a salmon skin roll. We should have stopped there! The rolls were very generous. We had already placed the order for the sashimi platter, and I have honestly never seen such big pieces of fish, all for $16.95! The total bill rang up to $54.00. This place is a steal; you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Robin B.
King of the Roll, has become one of our favorite habits. One of the best sushi places in Portland! The food and service are A+ :-)
(5)
Justine J.
King of the Roll is one of my go-to sushi spots in Portland, and I always have an awesome experience there. The wait staff is always great, the plum wine is delicious, and the sushi is always extremely fresh and fantastic. I would highly recommend it!
(5)
Sebastian V.
Top 5 sushi bars in Portland ME. Very nice and helpful servers. Great variety of sushi preparations. Always have a new invention cooking. Average beer selection. Love the outdoor patio, though a bit small and not exhaustively decorated.
(4)
Michelle D.
aiiii, i wish King of the Roll were better. we are neighbors, and i like to be a good neighbor. but!! it is not very good here. sushi: very bland and served at odd temperatures. noodle soup: so bad we had to send it back, actually inedible. and did they apologize, offer some other food? no. we asked to have it removed from the check, tho, and they did that for us. shame we had to ask. there are *sooo* many sushi places in Portland. do yourself a favor and go to another.
(1)
Samantha L.
Bamboozled! This had never happened to me before. Dropped 100$ at this place and the food quality was below supermarket grade. Sashimi was not sliced properly nor evenly/uniform. The quality reminded me of Great Wall buffet in south Portland. The rolls ordered were haphazardly rolled with little care and when picked up with chop sticks nearly fell apart on the plate/mid transference to my mouth. Over all presentation looked like sushi I could have made at home. Their udon soup with tempura is NOT Japanese style seasoned with miso. All I could taste was chicken broth with sesame oil. And their tempura was not a light airy batter but a heavier greasier consistency. And their tempura udon soup was literally just that- a bowl of udon noodles with tempura. Most places its served with a poached egg, maybe a veggie/fish cake. Bare bones here. I don't usually write such harsh reviews but i spent a good amount of money here and we packed up the left overs that we will never eat. Instead we went and bought Thai food and gelato to forget about this experience. The service was fine, decor extremely dated, they're not Japanese people working here- so that speaks volumes about food quality/consistency and authenticity. It just feels like there is no pride in what they make here. The rice was falling off the rolls, the nori paper was not fresh. The complimentary cucumber side dish each slice was again not uniform. They were ranging from 1/4 inch slice to 2/3 inch slice. I just don't get it the 4 stars. If you're looking for supermarket grade sushi come here.
(1)
Alicia G.
King of the Roll is my go-to sushi place when I am home. The dinner special (or lunch special depending on the time you go - they are pretty much the same thing) is reasonably priced and very filling. The side salad that comes with the dinner special has the most delicious dressing ever. After trying to replicate it myself (and failing) I asked if they would give me the recipe but they said they couldn't (though I can't blame them). The waitstaff has pretty much been the same for the past 5 years and they are always friendly and knowledgable (Hope, especially). The atmosphere is very casual but welcoming. I have never been disappointed.
(4)
Bets R.
If you are judging your meal on price alone go here- it is definitely the cheapest sushi in town. But if you are judging it on taste, go eat elsewhere. There are so many amazing sushi places in Portland, don't waste your meal eating here.
(2)
Ted K.
Perfect neighborhood sushi place. Unassuming and friendly, KOTR is my go-to for sushi. Rolls are generous, prices are good. It's sushi without the pretense. Try the sweet potato maki, the casco bay roll, or the flower roll. All outstanding!
(5)
Rebecca S.
I eat their sushi at least once a month and often more frequently. They are 3 min away from my apt so when i call for a take out and its ready in 10 im a happy eater. the fish has always been fresh and the service great. i love john wayne and all the staff at the king of the roll. I have been going for at least 5 years and have yet to be disappointed. so nice to have consistency in fresh sushi just down the block.
(4)
S. K.
Very good ambiance in here. Staff is nice. Complimentary little cucumber salad dish. What I liked the most was their sake (salmon) sashimi.. so fresh and fatty. Their California rolls are good too. In the tonkatsu donburi, the egg was good but the meat was a little dry. The pot stickers were sub-par -- barely fried and little meat. The uni was not good. Overall, a hit or miss with some of these dishes.
(3)
Lily T.
King of the Roll is my go to sushi restaurant. My boyfriend and I live right around the corner, so we frequent this restaurant A LOT. I typically have a craving for sushi every week, and KOTR never disappoints. The service is always super speedy, and the waitresses are always polite and friendly. Part of the reason I love KOTR so much is because it's so affordable! A delicious, crunchy sweet potato roll is only $2.75. I usually go all out when I get sushi, and I think KOTR has some of the best specialty rolls in Portland. My favorite is the Casco Bay Roll - a tuna roll fried in tempura, drizzled in this amazing wasabi mayo. Most of the rolls are served warm-ish, but not in an unpleasant way. It kind of allows for the sushi to just melt in your mouth. 5 stars!
(5)
Kevin T.
Being that Portland is known for having access to some of the best seafood in the country, I was excited as to how the chef's in town would prepare sushi. My city guide suggested KotR since it was close to where we were staying. It was with a bit of confusion that I walked into the restaurant and noticed the eclectic mix of both Japanese and Chinese decor. Still, I reserved my judgement and made my way to the table to skim over the menu....and then noticed that all the rolls on the menu either came fried, soaked in sauce, or a combination of both. I was devastated. Thankfully they had Nigiri on the menu so I went with the Unagi, Maguro, and Hamachi. The fish themselves looked okay, but as soon as I popped the first roll in I quickly noticed that the rice was underseasoned and bit dry. Contrary to popular belief the RICE is supposed to be the star of the roll and is supposed to be accentuated by the fish. It seems KotR has it backwards.
(2)
Jay H.
King of the Roll failed to satisfy my sashimi craving, but lived up to its name as maki mavens of Portland. The presentation of the rolls is astonishingly beautiful; piled high with veggies and tobiko. The chef obviously knows his tempura frying. The special rolls are definitely the way to go, and even though the prices are slightly higher (than the simple rolls) they'll fill you up in spectacular style. The sushi chef was very charismatic. If I go again I'll sit at the sushi bar and buy him beer.
(3)
Matthew M.
A couple friends and I were cruising downtown on foot, looking for a bite to eat when we walked by King of the Roll. "Sushi?" We asked each other simultaneously. "Let's do it." In almost a year of living in Portland, this was the first time that I've had sushi since moving here. All in all it was decent. The only thing that stood out for me was the veggie tempura. AWESOME! Other than that, everything was decent enough. The service was good, and the rolls were presented wonderfully. I'll have to check out some other Sushi places in town in order to compare, but so far I have enjoyed King of the Roll!
(3)
Rajiv A.
[2 visits] September 2011: My sushi tastes are not super-refined. I love to frequent a casual sushi joint in Princeton - Sakura Express, and while I enjoy Miyake's play with flavors and techniques, much of what makes more traditional sushi great is lost on me. When I went to King of the Roll I had just returned from a three-day climbing trip and I was worn-out and starving. I wasn't looking for anything fancy. I just wanted some good rice with stuff on it, and a cold beer. I ordered the most robust of dishes in my opinion - unagi don and a spider roll. They proceeded to screw up sushi in ways I did not know were possible. 1) They didn't use sushi rice, and they over-cooked it. The grains were longer rather than shorter, there was no bite to it, it wasn't sticky (how do you make sushi out of non-sticky rice?!). Cooking sushi rice properly is, I've heard, akin to rocket-science. But anyone can use the right type of rice!!! 2) They didn't use regular tempura batter on the spider roll. It was coarse and more similar to fried-chicken batter. 3) The miso soup was served slightly above luke-warm. There were many other things wrong - the water finally came after the food and beer, there was a general blandness of flavor, etc. But none of these would have stopped me from enjoying the meal given my state of hunger. ----------- July 2012: The servers were hospitable and friendly. The food, however, is consistently bad. The rice is all wrong - thin grain, not sticky, no bite, no flavor. The sushi is generic and inoffensive. The pork katsu over rice with egg smelled horribly off - sulfurous (bad eggs?) and fecal (bad pork?). Here's hoping I'm not sick tomorrow.
(1)
Kristen K.
Maybe I brought too high of expectations to the table. I think I was expecting something decent - good, but we ended up with something closer to mediocre. The thing that sticks out most from my take-out experience is the green salad. Ranch dressing? WTF? Isn't it a mandatory that green salads at sushi restaurants have some sort of miso or ginger+carrot dressing? Since I was eating with the hubs (fairly new fish eating and still scared by it), we went for some maki rolls. We had the Flower Roll, the Dragon Roll, and the Golden Gate Roll. The Golden Gate Roll is worth repeating, if I give this place a second chance, but the other two somehow managed to taste fishy. This is weird, because they both contained shrimp and one also had crab, while the Golden Gate Roll was covered in salmon. So fishy shrimp? Not worth your time. Hey, I'm new here. Maybe I just have to get used to local tastes. I AM still holding out hope for Miyake though.
(2)
Natalie M.
Portland has got it's fair share of sushi goodness. You know, it's practically in the ocean so the fishes are freshes. Anyway, the problem with the sush, as sush lovers know, is that it far too often requires the droppage of dollar bills in exaggerated amounts. I mean, I just want some quality fish and rice where I don't have to sell my hair to survive after like some sushi addicted Fantine from Les Miserables. King of the Roll is a great little joint with affordable, quality sushi. They have simple rolls for fish and veggie lovers alike not to mention some crazy concoctions that I don't even know what is in them. The staff is friendly and attentive and when I spilled my Sapporo, the waitress did not even get cross with me. It's a small little gem with a creepy parking lot but when you're in it to win it one has to make sacrifices. I will gladly sacrifice the safety of my vehicle if it means that I can have some soft-shell crab, heavy on the wasabi and some toasty miso.
(4)
Scott S.
One of the best sushi places in Portland. Great service. Fair prices
(5)
Renaud F.
I went to this restaurant after a recommendation from a co-worker. This place is low key and has a great lunch special. Just the right size. Be sure to ask for there seasonal pieces of "monk fish liver" if you are into that. I will return again the next time i am in town
(4)
Will S.
King of the Roll... Well, I will say his maki rolls are truly magnificent in the best western sense, both aesthetically and taste-wise. In this regard, in Portland, he most certainly is the King of the (maki) Roll, and definitely a master of the fryolator. In regards to sashimi, I was disappointed by the small selection. Not to mention, it just didn't taste all that fresh and was fairly warm. I realize some high end sushi restaurants keep the fish in wooden boxes before serving at room temp, but I definitely prefer my fish cool to prevent any additional bacteria and to at least feel like it was just caught. The spicy tuna roll wasn't great... kind of, underwhelming... however, the tempura version was A+. On the plus side, the prices were good, beer was cheap. That is a strong invitation to go back for sure. Also, we were given a small cucumber vinegar salad, on the house... Free appetizers are always a HUGE bonus in my opinion, and really shows they want repeat business. I cannot applaud this gift enough. All in all, I like King of the Roll. I can't say I'm in love but would give 3.5 stars if I could. I was impressed by the friendliness of the servers and chef and would and will go back. However, I wouldn't say it's my first choice for sushi in Portland. Recommendations: Spicy Tuna Tempura, Sweet Potato Maki Roll, Seaweed salad.
(3)
Dan S.
The sushi was pretty good considering the price, but in the grand scheme of sushi, it was just okay. We also had the salmon teriyaki which was better. Service was nice and fast. I would go back, but nothing too special.
(3)
Wendy C.
Very good sushi and friendly service. The special-- scallops tempura-- was excellent! Would definitely eat here again!
(4)
Rox F.
This place truly warrants four stars. If it were slightly cheaper or just a tad bit more amazing I would not hesitate to give it all five. Anyhow, on with the review: This was some of the best sushi I have ever had and I have had sushi in Toronto, L.A and Vancouver and well... Wyoming but never mind that, no one should ever really eat sushi in a place like Wyoming... I went to King of the Roll for Lunch on a Tuesday and there was no one else in there, though by the time I left some tables had filled up. I looked over the lunch special menu (super cheap and good combos) but decided to go with the 8 piece Sushi combo and a special 'Patriot Roll'. The patriot roll was a special of the day and was not on the menu. The sushi was excellent. You do not get to pick which type you get, instead the chef chooses 8 different pieces for you. We got: Eel, sea bass, white tuna, yellow tail tuna and Ahi tuna as well as mackerel, halibut and salmon. The pieces of fish were huge, twice the normal size and well worth the $10.95. The Patriot roll was also huge, maybe about 12 pieces. It had spicy Ahi, roe and avocado inside with white tuna and more roe on top. It was about $13 which is a little pricey even for its size but again, it tasted terrific. Shared among two people it was a lot of food. We also got small complimentary cucumber salads to start which was a nice touch. Thus far the best Sushi I have had in Portland.
(4)
Amanda V.
I was craving sushi, so my lady suggested King of the Roll! We started with veggie tempura: One of each veggie, perfectly fried. I also ordered the tofu tempura: Smooth tofu, crunchy exterior. DELISH. Next, we had cucumber maki and the sweet potato maki. Much to our culinary delight, the sweet potato maki held little pieces of sweet potato tempura, and they were still warm. It was INCREDIBLE, let me tell you. Those four things were plenty of food for two hungry people, and it was a struggle to eat slowly! The service was quick and friendly, and we were out of there for under $25 dollars. What could be better?
(5)
Tracy C.
I am very impressed with this place! Ordered takeout for a special meal at home. Read on an earlier post about the sweet potato maki and had to order it. That and the vegetable tempura were my favorite. Considering it's only a few blocks away, we probably won't go anywhere else. Their service was very fast, clear, efficient and friendly, but the food was so good and affordable! Thank you King of the Roll! You are my savior from now on when I am craving really good Asian food like I used to get in San Francisco.
(5)
Brandon D.
The best sushi I've had in the area. My girlfriend and I eat here almost every time we go out. We never wait for a table, the service is tops, not to mention the over all friendly, pleasing enviorment with a great outside patio! Highly recommended if your in portland. (check out their happy hour for 15% savings!)
(5)
Pinky T.
Sushi was excellent, fresh, tasty. I haven't found bad seafood yet in Portland, Maine :) The only downside to this restaurant was the kid sitting behind me; he smelled like he hadn't showered in 4 years and detracted from my dining experience! All in all, good food, solid choice. Ate here during the summer outdoors. Good service.
(4)
Melissa M.
Nothing about this experience made us unhappy, and much made us happy. The sushi was excellent, quickly prepared, good portions, and super fresh. We ordered a couple of "fancy" rolls as well as some sashimi and were happy with all. No, this isn't high end fancy sushi, and yes, the place has a decidedly pan-Asian feel. But for a fast, well-prepared, flavorful meal, this is an excellent choice!
(4)
Eddie L.
Best sushi in town. BAR NONE!!! Reasonably priced and interesting specials every time I go in.
(5)
Jacob F.
Great sushi and it's totally worth the slightly elevated prices. Fast, friendly servers are knowledgeable and helpful. Its a great date restaurant, havent had a bad meal here yet! I've eaten at most of the sushi places in town and this is by far the best!
(5)
Sam W.
For my first real attempt at sushi I was happily satisfied with everything I tried. My date loved the place so I left it up to her to choose what we were having. The Dynamite roll was spicy good, the Casco Bay roll was crispy and full of flavor and she ordered up some salmon and tuna sashimi to give me the true raw experience, I was not disappointed. I know there are many sushi places to eat at in Portland and I'll try others but, I will certainly visit King of the Roll again and will always remember "the first time."
(4)
Portlander F.
This is a place that people in Portland have very mixed reviews about - but I think it's one of the best. In fact, when we want just sushi, this is our favorite place. Sure, the service isn't top notch, but the sushi is delicious and much cheaper than other places in Portland. Perhaps the bad reputation comes from the previous ownership, but if you haven't been in a while and want good quality, inexpensive sushi, I would definitely stop in to eat here.
(4)
Bryan M.
It took me a while to learn which rolls I liked best at King of the Roll, but when I did, I found them superb.
(4)
Avanti M.
King of the Roll for the price is probably one of the best sushi restaurants on the East coast. For a little over 10 dollars, you could have premium quality sushi with super fresh pieces of fish that melt in your mouth. Their chirashi is their true deal breaker. Having raised in Japan, I know my sushi well....trust me, the King of the Roll is no joke. The appetizer sunomono is slightly less than authentic, but you can't go wrong with their fresh raw fish. Hats off to Chef John Wayne!
(5)
Matt S.
since I left boston for (ick) chicagoland, I only get to portland a couple of times a year. I'm hoping to move back to new england, this time to portland, and I have to say that this will be one of my frequent stops if and when I do. I and my japanese fiance ordered from here last time we went up, and we were both impressed by the saba shioyaki. only four of five stars because I love to try several things from the menu before giving a real review, but if the rest of the food is as good as the saba shioyaki was (and I have had some bad saba shioyaki at some great places), I'll be bumping it up to five.
(4)
Scott N.
Very friendly, delicious food. King of the Roll is my go-to sushi joint.
(5)
Catherine S.
My husband and I stumbled upon this place when looking for another restaurant, and I'm glad we stopped in. It was definitely slow for lunch as we and another person were the only ones dining in the restaurant. We got fried oysters as an appetizer - perfect. Then we had the Casco Bay Roll. At present time I can't remember what was in it, but it was fabulous. The wasabi cream sauce drizzled over the fried roll was the perfect amount of spice to wake me up. We also had a Bento box with salmon teriyaki, rice, and a salad. It was good, but I think I'd rather prefer to have a roll in the future. All in all, I know we'll be back to sample some more of the fare at King of the Roll.
(4)
Adrienne M.
Some of the best sushi in Portland, especially for the price. The lighting inside is a little dim, but you can't beat the patio on a warm summer day. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Valerie S.
Good food fast, authentic and tasty
(4)
Alana Q.
The food is not high quality sushi. The seaweed didn't wrap all the way around so it would fall apart in your chopstick. The salmon teriyaki flavor was not so good. Maybe one grade better then what you get from the grocery store. Service was fast though.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Brian G.
I've been locked into a sick, twisted universe of carb reduction lately, and as much as I want to stab myself at mealtime I have discovered a deep love for things previously unexplored. Item #1 - Potato Vodka. Item #2 - Sashimi. Today I found myself on Congress Street at lunchtime, and figured it was an ideal opportunity to try King of the Roll. This was some of the best sashimi I have had to date - delicate, flavorful, no chew. The sashimi platter came with mackerel, tuna, white tuna and salmon (I may be forgetting one). The mackerel and white tuna were especially memorable. Some very smooth wasabi with just enough burn. I added a two-piece of Uni sushi (urchin) just because I love it too much too pass up. It was just as tasty. I started off with a small seafood salad with surf clam, octopus and squid, all mixed into a light salad with scallion and a just-spicy-enough sauce. They threw in a mini-cucumber salad on the side with a similar dressing. Seated outside on the small but comfortable side deck, I ate alone like a loser and watched the interesting blend of people walking up and down Congress. A good experience, and looking forward to going back when I'm off this ridiculous diet.
(5)Lisa H.
The sushi here is consistently the best i have had outside San Francisco and better than a lot of places there too. Cuts are always on the big side, generous helpings.. And service is FAST and consistent. I love the special rolls they offer although i am more of a sashimi girl. If only sushi was cheaper.. But ive always gotta get the sashimi, wakame salad, salmon handroll, miso soup, and Hot Sake and Sapporo Beer.. Oh and something for him too of course lol.
(5)Adam F.
Gross. Only good in a pinch when starving to death or when mercury deficient. Just avoid it. Instead, sushi in this order: Miyake Fuji Yosaku
(2)Michelle L.
This is a classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover," or in this case, a restaurant by its name. I initially resisted going here because I thought it would be cheesy with lots of weird americanized rolls on the menu and little in the way of actual quality sushi. Well, shame on me, because when I did give in to their claims of the best sushi in town I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a fairly no-frills dining experience: the lighting is a bit too bright, the service is efficient, not expansive. But the sushi man, the sushi is so good. If you're in the mood for some quality cuts of fresh fish this is the place for you.
(4)Pat G.
For two years I always wanted to go eat at Ding of the Pole. What did I do wrong? Did I piss someone off? Where the stars aligned? I took my wife and child who all know and love to eat Sushi. We arrived at 400 and had to walk around to wait for it to open with no problem. Don't know what to say nor do I even care to relive it tonight after many hours of feeling sick. I had 4 oysters and almost gaged in disbelief as I tried to eat them. I told the waitress they where rancid to take them back and I still had the pleasure of paying for them. Miso..ewwww. Tuna dark in color is that fresh? They love to funnel wrap things in seaweed and make it wonderfully mushy. Last my daughter gave me a piece or her simple California roll that I ended up spitting in my napkin. I don't understand? $60 Gone Make it simple for yourself go somewhere else.
(2)Jax P.
There are a lot of sushi joints in Portland and while king of the roll is passable it is certainly not as refined or tight as other places like Yosaku or Benkay. The rice is flavorful but does not hold tight or together as well as it should. The fish is not as delicately prepared as it is elsewhere, but is fresh. Bite sizes are not consistent and sometimes the rolls don't hold together well. Portions are great and it is less expensive than previously mentioned restaurants, but as with everything else you get what you pay for. If you're already in the neighborhood and have parking and need sushi kotr is valid but there is also a Benkay in that neighborhood now as well as non-sushi locations to consider that might be better choices. I'd rather save up a bit for someplace better.
(3)Yelena S.
This is our favorite sushi place in Portland, hands down. We go here so often they have started to recognize us. The spicy crunchy tuna and caterpillar roll are my absolute go-to's, never disappointed! The staff is always super nice and the outdoor seating area I personally really like because you can really people watch. The food is a little less expensive compared to other sushi places and it's always delicious, highly recommended!
(5)Malin N.
The sushi and the food are always amazing and the service are Fantastic but..... The hot pot... ok let's break it down To all my hot pot lover and foodie This was a fail, the price was over priced, little portion of food and the broth was bland, regardless of Thai, Chinese or Japanese sukiyaki. The broth was less flavor full than a packet of Thai noodle you get from an Asian market.... and the selection of vegetable didn't match the broth.... feel like the food and the vegetable didn't compliment or add to the flavor of the broth, no body and seriously no flavor, spend $60 and hungry, take it from someone who explore Portland food on a regular. This was a fail, take your time to make your own it's way less expensive and taste better.
(3)Greg P.
The sashimi was nice and big with great flavor. Also had a san fransisco role that was to die for..
(5)Viet T.
Forgot my debit card in the restaurant and the sushi chef himself ran out into to the 15 degree cold night looking for me in the parking lot to return it. This is customer service at its best, going out of there way just to return my card. Most places would have just waited till I called. My father takes my siblings and I to this place when ever we want to have a get together, on special occasions or when we just simply want to enjoy top quality sushi. The atmosphere is calm and the serving staff and sushi chefs are always friendly. This in my opinion is the best sushi place in town and would easily recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants top quality sushi.
(5)Kenneth G.
Fresh. Delicious. Affordable. I have gone to all the sushi joints in and around the Portland area. Nothing comes close to satisfying your wallet as well as your pallet with King. There Ahi Tuna Maki is PHENOMENAL. The only thing I would suggest is for the staff to be a bit faster or bring on one more server for busy nights.
(5)William M.
The best sushi per dollar in Portland. Miyake is, obviously, the best sushi, but this is a the best reasonably priced sushi in Portland.
(5)Gloria W.
This is by far the best place for sushi I have ever been. The food is delicious and has very reasonable pricing, especially for the large amount of food you get. They have many combo options for under ten dollars that include your choice of two items (sushi or cooked food), a small salad, fruit, soup, and pickled cucumbers. The service here is also great. They are very helpful when it comes to making suggestions of what to eat. Overall, this is one of my favorite places to dine in. Atmosphere is quiet and the dining experience feels fairly private even on busy nights.
(5)Anna B.
What a deal!! You cannot beat the prices, quantity, or quality here. I couldn't believe the amount of food we got for the price. We started with the pork gyoza and a bottle of cold sake. We ordered four rolls - 2 tuna avocado, a portland roll (mackerel, avocado, scallion, and a salmon skin roll. We should have stopped there! The rolls were very generous. We had already placed the order for the sashimi platter, and I have honestly never seen such big pieces of fish, all for $16.95! The total bill rang up to $54.00. This place is a steal; you will not be disappointed.
(4)Robin B.
King of the Roll, has become one of our favorite habits. One of the best sushi places in Portland! The food and service are A+ :-)
(5)Justine J.
King of the Roll is one of my go-to sushi spots in Portland, and I always have an awesome experience there. The wait staff is always great, the plum wine is delicious, and the sushi is always extremely fresh and fantastic. I would highly recommend it!
(5)Sebastian V.
Top 5 sushi bars in Portland ME. Very nice and helpful servers. Great variety of sushi preparations. Always have a new invention cooking. Average beer selection. Love the outdoor patio, though a bit small and not exhaustively decorated.
(4)Michelle D.
aiiii, i wish King of the Roll were better. we are neighbors, and i like to be a good neighbor. but!! it is not very good here. sushi: very bland and served at odd temperatures. noodle soup: so bad we had to send it back, actually inedible. and did they apologize, offer some other food? no. we asked to have it removed from the check, tho, and they did that for us. shame we had to ask. there are *sooo* many sushi places in Portland. do yourself a favor and go to another.
(1)Samantha L.
Bamboozled! This had never happened to me before. Dropped 100$ at this place and the food quality was below supermarket grade. Sashimi was not sliced properly nor evenly/uniform. The quality reminded me of Great Wall buffet in south Portland. The rolls ordered were haphazardly rolled with little care and when picked up with chop sticks nearly fell apart on the plate/mid transference to my mouth. Over all presentation looked like sushi I could have made at home. Their udon soup with tempura is NOT Japanese style seasoned with miso. All I could taste was chicken broth with sesame oil. And their tempura was not a light airy batter but a heavier greasier consistency. And their tempura udon soup was literally just that- a bowl of udon noodles with tempura. Most places its served with a poached egg, maybe a veggie/fish cake. Bare bones here. I don't usually write such harsh reviews but i spent a good amount of money here and we packed up the left overs that we will never eat. Instead we went and bought Thai food and gelato to forget about this experience. The service was fine, decor extremely dated, they're not Japanese people working here- so that speaks volumes about food quality/consistency and authenticity. It just feels like there is no pride in what they make here. The rice was falling off the rolls, the nori paper was not fresh. The complimentary cucumber side dish each slice was again not uniform. They were ranging from 1/4 inch slice to 2/3 inch slice. I just don't get it the 4 stars. If you're looking for supermarket grade sushi come here.
(1)Alicia G.
King of the Roll is my go-to sushi place when I am home. The dinner special (or lunch special depending on the time you go - they are pretty much the same thing) is reasonably priced and very filling. The side salad that comes with the dinner special has the most delicious dressing ever. After trying to replicate it myself (and failing) I asked if they would give me the recipe but they said they couldn't (though I can't blame them). The waitstaff has pretty much been the same for the past 5 years and they are always friendly and knowledgable (Hope, especially). The atmosphere is very casual but welcoming. I have never been disappointed.
(4)Bets R.
If you are judging your meal on price alone go here- it is definitely the cheapest sushi in town. But if you are judging it on taste, go eat elsewhere. There are so many amazing sushi places in Portland, don't waste your meal eating here.
(2)Ted K.
Perfect neighborhood sushi place. Unassuming and friendly, KOTR is my go-to for sushi. Rolls are generous, prices are good. It's sushi without the pretense. Try the sweet potato maki, the casco bay roll, or the flower roll. All outstanding!
(5)Rebecca S.
I eat their sushi at least once a month and often more frequently. They are 3 min away from my apt so when i call for a take out and its ready in 10 im a happy eater. the fish has always been fresh and the service great. i love john wayne and all the staff at the king of the roll. I have been going for at least 5 years and have yet to be disappointed. so nice to have consistency in fresh sushi just down the block.
(4)S. K.
Very good ambiance in here. Staff is nice. Complimentary little cucumber salad dish. What I liked the most was their sake (salmon) sashimi.. so fresh and fatty. Their California rolls are good too. In the tonkatsu donburi, the egg was good but the meat was a little dry. The pot stickers were sub-par -- barely fried and little meat. The uni was not good. Overall, a hit or miss with some of these dishes.
(3)Lily T.
King of the Roll is my go to sushi restaurant. My boyfriend and I live right around the corner, so we frequent this restaurant A LOT. I typically have a craving for sushi every week, and KOTR never disappoints. The service is always super speedy, and the waitresses are always polite and friendly. Part of the reason I love KOTR so much is because it's so affordable! A delicious, crunchy sweet potato roll is only $2.75. I usually go all out when I get sushi, and I think KOTR has some of the best specialty rolls in Portland. My favorite is the Casco Bay Roll - a tuna roll fried in tempura, drizzled in this amazing wasabi mayo. Most of the rolls are served warm-ish, but not in an unpleasant way. It kind of allows for the sushi to just melt in your mouth. 5 stars!
(5)Kevin T.
Being that Portland is known for having access to some of the best seafood in the country, I was excited as to how the chef's in town would prepare sushi. My city guide suggested KotR since it was close to where we were staying. It was with a bit of confusion that I walked into the restaurant and noticed the eclectic mix of both Japanese and Chinese decor. Still, I reserved my judgement and made my way to the table to skim over the menu....and then noticed that all the rolls on the menu either came fried, soaked in sauce, or a combination of both. I was devastated. Thankfully they had Nigiri on the menu so I went with the Unagi, Maguro, and Hamachi. The fish themselves looked okay, but as soon as I popped the first roll in I quickly noticed that the rice was underseasoned and bit dry. Contrary to popular belief the RICE is supposed to be the star of the roll and is supposed to be accentuated by the fish. It seems KotR has it backwards.
(2)Jay H.
King of the Roll failed to satisfy my sashimi craving, but lived up to its name as maki mavens of Portland. The presentation of the rolls is astonishingly beautiful; piled high with veggies and tobiko. The chef obviously knows his tempura frying. The special rolls are definitely the way to go, and even though the prices are slightly higher (than the simple rolls) they'll fill you up in spectacular style. The sushi chef was very charismatic. If I go again I'll sit at the sushi bar and buy him beer.
(3)Matthew M.
A couple friends and I were cruising downtown on foot, looking for a bite to eat when we walked by King of the Roll. "Sushi?" We asked each other simultaneously. "Let's do it." In almost a year of living in Portland, this was the first time that I've had sushi since moving here. All in all it was decent. The only thing that stood out for me was the veggie tempura. AWESOME! Other than that, everything was decent enough. The service was good, and the rolls were presented wonderfully. I'll have to check out some other Sushi places in town in order to compare, but so far I have enjoyed King of the Roll!
(3)Rajiv A.
[2 visits] September 2011: My sushi tastes are not super-refined. I love to frequent a casual sushi joint in Princeton - Sakura Express, and while I enjoy Miyake's play with flavors and techniques, much of what makes more traditional sushi great is lost on me. When I went to King of the Roll I had just returned from a three-day climbing trip and I was worn-out and starving. I wasn't looking for anything fancy. I just wanted some good rice with stuff on it, and a cold beer. I ordered the most robust of dishes in my opinion - unagi don and a spider roll. They proceeded to screw up sushi in ways I did not know were possible. 1) They didn't use sushi rice, and they over-cooked it. The grains were longer rather than shorter, there was no bite to it, it wasn't sticky (how do you make sushi out of non-sticky rice?!). Cooking sushi rice properly is, I've heard, akin to rocket-science. But anyone can use the right type of rice!!! 2) They didn't use regular tempura batter on the spider roll. It was coarse and more similar to fried-chicken batter. 3) The miso soup was served slightly above luke-warm. There were many other things wrong - the water finally came after the food and beer, there was a general blandness of flavor, etc. But none of these would have stopped me from enjoying the meal given my state of hunger. ----------- July 2012: The servers were hospitable and friendly. The food, however, is consistently bad. The rice is all wrong - thin grain, not sticky, no bite, no flavor. The sushi is generic and inoffensive. The pork katsu over rice with egg smelled horribly off - sulfurous (bad eggs?) and fecal (bad pork?). Here's hoping I'm not sick tomorrow.
(1)Kristen K.
Maybe I brought too high of expectations to the table. I think I was expecting something decent - good, but we ended up with something closer to mediocre. The thing that sticks out most from my take-out experience is the green salad. Ranch dressing? WTF? Isn't it a mandatory that green salads at sushi restaurants have some sort of miso or ginger+carrot dressing? Since I was eating with the hubs (fairly new fish eating and still scared by it), we went for some maki rolls. We had the Flower Roll, the Dragon Roll, and the Golden Gate Roll. The Golden Gate Roll is worth repeating, if I give this place a second chance, but the other two somehow managed to taste fishy. This is weird, because they both contained shrimp and one also had crab, while the Golden Gate Roll was covered in salmon. So fishy shrimp? Not worth your time. Hey, I'm new here. Maybe I just have to get used to local tastes. I AM still holding out hope for Miyake though.
(2)Natalie M.
Portland has got it's fair share of sushi goodness. You know, it's practically in the ocean so the fishes are freshes. Anyway, the problem with the sush, as sush lovers know, is that it far too often requires the droppage of dollar bills in exaggerated amounts. I mean, I just want some quality fish and rice where I don't have to sell my hair to survive after like some sushi addicted Fantine from Les Miserables. King of the Roll is a great little joint with affordable, quality sushi. They have simple rolls for fish and veggie lovers alike not to mention some crazy concoctions that I don't even know what is in them. The staff is friendly and attentive and when I spilled my Sapporo, the waitress did not even get cross with me. It's a small little gem with a creepy parking lot but when you're in it to win it one has to make sacrifices. I will gladly sacrifice the safety of my vehicle if it means that I can have some soft-shell crab, heavy on the wasabi and some toasty miso.
(4)Scott S.
One of the best sushi places in Portland. Great service. Fair prices
(5)Renaud F.
I went to this restaurant after a recommendation from a co-worker. This place is low key and has a great lunch special. Just the right size. Be sure to ask for there seasonal pieces of "monk fish liver" if you are into that. I will return again the next time i am in town
(4)Will S.
King of the Roll... Well, I will say his maki rolls are truly magnificent in the best western sense, both aesthetically and taste-wise. In this regard, in Portland, he most certainly is the King of the (maki) Roll, and definitely a master of the fryolator. In regards to sashimi, I was disappointed by the small selection. Not to mention, it just didn't taste all that fresh and was fairly warm. I realize some high end sushi restaurants keep the fish in wooden boxes before serving at room temp, but I definitely prefer my fish cool to prevent any additional bacteria and to at least feel like it was just caught. The spicy tuna roll wasn't great... kind of, underwhelming... however, the tempura version was A+. On the plus side, the prices were good, beer was cheap. That is a strong invitation to go back for sure. Also, we were given a small cucumber vinegar salad, on the house... Free appetizers are always a HUGE bonus in my opinion, and really shows they want repeat business. I cannot applaud this gift enough. All in all, I like King of the Roll. I can't say I'm in love but would give 3.5 stars if I could. I was impressed by the friendliness of the servers and chef and would and will go back. However, I wouldn't say it's my first choice for sushi in Portland. Recommendations: Spicy Tuna Tempura, Sweet Potato Maki Roll, Seaweed salad.
(3)Dan S.
The sushi was pretty good considering the price, but in the grand scheme of sushi, it was just okay. We also had the salmon teriyaki which was better. Service was nice and fast. I would go back, but nothing too special.
(3)Wendy C.
Very good sushi and friendly service. The special-- scallops tempura-- was excellent! Would definitely eat here again!
(4)Rox F.
This place truly warrants four stars. If it were slightly cheaper or just a tad bit more amazing I would not hesitate to give it all five. Anyhow, on with the review: This was some of the best sushi I have ever had and I have had sushi in Toronto, L.A and Vancouver and well... Wyoming but never mind that, no one should ever really eat sushi in a place like Wyoming... I went to King of the Roll for Lunch on a Tuesday and there was no one else in there, though by the time I left some tables had filled up. I looked over the lunch special menu (super cheap and good combos) but decided to go with the 8 piece Sushi combo and a special 'Patriot Roll'. The patriot roll was a special of the day and was not on the menu. The sushi was excellent. You do not get to pick which type you get, instead the chef chooses 8 different pieces for you. We got: Eel, sea bass, white tuna, yellow tail tuna and Ahi tuna as well as mackerel, halibut and salmon. The pieces of fish were huge, twice the normal size and well worth the $10.95. The Patriot roll was also huge, maybe about 12 pieces. It had spicy Ahi, roe and avocado inside with white tuna and more roe on top. It was about $13 which is a little pricey even for its size but again, it tasted terrific. Shared among two people it was a lot of food. We also got small complimentary cucumber salads to start which was a nice touch. Thus far the best Sushi I have had in Portland.
(4)Amanda V.
I was craving sushi, so my lady suggested King of the Roll! We started with veggie tempura: One of each veggie, perfectly fried. I also ordered the tofu tempura: Smooth tofu, crunchy exterior. DELISH. Next, we had cucumber maki and the sweet potato maki. Much to our culinary delight, the sweet potato maki held little pieces of sweet potato tempura, and they were still warm. It was INCREDIBLE, let me tell you. Those four things were plenty of food for two hungry people, and it was a struggle to eat slowly! The service was quick and friendly, and we were out of there for under $25 dollars. What could be better?
(5)Tracy C.
I am very impressed with this place! Ordered takeout for a special meal at home. Read on an earlier post about the sweet potato maki and had to order it. That and the vegetable tempura were my favorite. Considering it's only a few blocks away, we probably won't go anywhere else. Their service was very fast, clear, efficient and friendly, but the food was so good and affordable! Thank you King of the Roll! You are my savior from now on when I am craving really good Asian food like I used to get in San Francisco.
(5)Brandon D.
The best sushi I've had in the area. My girlfriend and I eat here almost every time we go out. We never wait for a table, the service is tops, not to mention the over all friendly, pleasing enviorment with a great outside patio! Highly recommended if your in portland. (check out their happy hour for 15% savings!)
(5)Pinky T.
Sushi was excellent, fresh, tasty. I haven't found bad seafood yet in Portland, Maine :) The only downside to this restaurant was the kid sitting behind me; he smelled like he hadn't showered in 4 years and detracted from my dining experience! All in all, good food, solid choice. Ate here during the summer outdoors. Good service.
(4)Melissa M.
Nothing about this experience made us unhappy, and much made us happy. The sushi was excellent, quickly prepared, good portions, and super fresh. We ordered a couple of "fancy" rolls as well as some sashimi and were happy with all. No, this isn't high end fancy sushi, and yes, the place has a decidedly pan-Asian feel. But for a fast, well-prepared, flavorful meal, this is an excellent choice!
(4)Eddie L.
Best sushi in town. BAR NONE!!! Reasonably priced and interesting specials every time I go in.
(5)Jacob F.
Great sushi and it's totally worth the slightly elevated prices. Fast, friendly servers are knowledgeable and helpful. Its a great date restaurant, havent had a bad meal here yet! I've eaten at most of the sushi places in town and this is by far the best!
(5)Sam W.
For my first real attempt at sushi I was happily satisfied with everything I tried. My date loved the place so I left it up to her to choose what we were having. The Dynamite roll was spicy good, the Casco Bay roll was crispy and full of flavor and she ordered up some salmon and tuna sashimi to give me the true raw experience, I was not disappointed. I know there are many sushi places to eat at in Portland and I'll try others but, I will certainly visit King of the Roll again and will always remember "the first time."
(4)Portlander F.
This is a place that people in Portland have very mixed reviews about - but I think it's one of the best. In fact, when we want just sushi, this is our favorite place. Sure, the service isn't top notch, but the sushi is delicious and much cheaper than other places in Portland. Perhaps the bad reputation comes from the previous ownership, but if you haven't been in a while and want good quality, inexpensive sushi, I would definitely stop in to eat here.
(4)Bryan M.
It took me a while to learn which rolls I liked best at King of the Roll, but when I did, I found them superb.
(4)Avanti M.
King of the Roll for the price is probably one of the best sushi restaurants on the East coast. For a little over 10 dollars, you could have premium quality sushi with super fresh pieces of fish that melt in your mouth. Their chirashi is their true deal breaker. Having raised in Japan, I know my sushi well....trust me, the King of the Roll is no joke. The appetizer sunomono is slightly less than authentic, but you can't go wrong with their fresh raw fish. Hats off to Chef John Wayne!
(5)Matt S.
since I left boston for (ick) chicagoland, I only get to portland a couple of times a year. I'm hoping to move back to new england, this time to portland, and I have to say that this will be one of my frequent stops if and when I do. I and my japanese fiance ordered from here last time we went up, and we were both impressed by the saba shioyaki. only four of five stars because I love to try several things from the menu before giving a real review, but if the rest of the food is as good as the saba shioyaki was (and I have had some bad saba shioyaki at some great places), I'll be bumping it up to five.
(4)Scott N.
Very friendly, delicious food. King of the Roll is my go-to sushi joint.
(5)Catherine S.
My husband and I stumbled upon this place when looking for another restaurant, and I'm glad we stopped in. It was definitely slow for lunch as we and another person were the only ones dining in the restaurant. We got fried oysters as an appetizer - perfect. Then we had the Casco Bay Roll. At present time I can't remember what was in it, but it was fabulous. The wasabi cream sauce drizzled over the fried roll was the perfect amount of spice to wake me up. We also had a Bento box with salmon teriyaki, rice, and a salad. It was good, but I think I'd rather prefer to have a roll in the future. All in all, I know we'll be back to sample some more of the fare at King of the Roll.
(4)Adrienne M.
Some of the best sushi in Portland, especially for the price. The lighting inside is a little dim, but you can't beat the patio on a warm summer day. I highly recommend it.
(5)Valerie S.
Good food fast, authentic and tasty
(4)Alana Q.
The food is not high quality sushi. The seaweed didn't wrap all the way around so it would fall apart in your chopstick. The salmon teriyaki flavor was not so good. Maybe one grade better then what you get from the grocery store. Service was fast though.
(2)