Sushi Fukami is the best sushi counter in town. The amount of craft and attention to detail Cody Auger puts into each bite is astounding.
I’ve been going to Cody’s places since he started at Hiroshi’s in the Pearl. He has stag’ed at many of the great sushi masters both in the states and Japan, picking up so many techniques along the way.
I don’t think people realize how much goes into each bite. The fish is prepared, salt cured, rinsed, and aged just the right amount of time for maximum texture and flavor. The rice is sourced from a specific farm in Japan, and is a very specific strain. It’s flavored with a specific combination of salt, sugar, and a specific red vinegar. It is served at a specific temperature so it’s slightly warm, and the fish can meld slightly with it. The shoyu brushed on top is a carefully chosen one that has been simmered with kombu and other ingredients to enhance its flavor. And then you are presented with a precisely crafted little piece of edible art.
The attention to detail is everywhere. The ikura bowl had some of the most flavorful and aromatic nori flakes I had ever tasted, and when I asked what the trick was, Cody showed me a tiny toaster oven behind the counter where is slightly toasts the nori right before service.
Anyway, best sushi in Portland. Hands down.
