Express Japan Sushi Bar

On a cold raining day I stopped by to get the shrimp udon. The broth is made out of water and soy sauce. They charged 7.49 that come with two tiny shrimps. Please don’t try the udon or else you’ll be disappointed like me.

Express Japan lets you enjoy inexpensive sushi without the crowding of a conveyer belt. It is located in Pioneer Place, selling the usual mix of simple rolls and more advanced rolls. Like the other adjacent fast food places, it has fountain drinks and you have lots of seating to eat your food at.
I went to Pioneer Place looking for a quick bite. The eel rolls and the California rolls are each interesting. Both are $ 4 dollars for six of them. Their sushi is not too notable, but it is slightly above supermarket sushi. Conveyor places might have more bang for the buck, but this isn’t bad. They do fill things up with cucumber, but the taste is acceptable and edible. Things take varying lengths of time depending on visit.
The sushi at Express Japan fulfills the convenience the mall food is known for.

Good enough sushi to satisfy my sushi craving when I’m in a rush. As a vegetarian, their Vegetable Delight and an order of miso soup will fill you up.

This is the best sushi I have eaten in a long time
Their salmon is exquisitely fresh. My granddaughter loved their 12 piece California roll
This is definitely worth the trip downtown.

I found myself in this mall and hungry. I was surprised by the food. It transcends grocery store sushi and restaurant sushi.
I had the salmon-​avocado roll and BBQ eel roll with miso soup. Miso was A+, and the rolls were also very good.
I saw one person order udon soup with shrimp tempura. It looked fantastic. If I ever find myself here again I am definitely going to try that.

I know what you are thinking. «Is this an episode of Bizarre foods?» Nay, it is a mere response to what I felt as a gift from above to fulfill an unyielding craving.
Before you accuse me of being an asshat for eating at a place that A. has the word «express» in the name for a sushi place, & B. Is located in a food-​court let me preface with two things; I have had a craving not yet fulfilled for sushi (specifically of the roll type), secondly, this is in Portland so if it seems weird it alright, right?
So, how was I drawn here? While visiting our favorite city I was telling my wife that I was really craving sushi or kim bap. I have had this craving for about a week without the opportunity to give in to my weakness. While we were at the mall I remember expressing how badly I wanted sushi. Two minutes later we say this place, I laughed at the thought of getting something from there. I asked «am I that weak that I would venture down this questionable culinary alley» As soon as this thought came to mind one of the workers approached us with a sample of their special of the day which was their California roll, we were hungry and it looked good so we tried a sample. I have to admit, it was a very good California roll, so much so that I decided to go ahead and try them out. I will admit, I was skeptical to try anything with raw fish so I forewent that idea.
Their set up looks much like a typical modern day sushi joint, everything was made right there and looked pretty fresh. Like I said, I did not try anything with raw fish so I cannot vouch for that department. I ended up ordering their seaweed salad, a California Roll, & the Caterpillar roll. Were they the best rolls that I have had? No. Did it titillate my senses? Yes. I would say that it was as good if not better than most «conveyor» sushi joints.
Would I come here again? If I am at this food court I would say more than likely I would. If I were to crave sushi again and had the freedom to go somewhere else I would. However, I am glad to see a place like this delivering decent results and good variety in a food court that is typically mundane in its selection.

It is the best food court sushi in Pioneer Square (it’s the only one). It takes about the same amount of time to get your sushi as it does to get your Big Mac at McDonalds. Stick with the sushi.

Average sushi made to order at a food court. The prices are average and so are the pieces. Great to cure your sushi cravings while you’re shopping.