Syun Japanese Restaurant

Having recently spent nearly three weeks in Japan, I can tell you that Syun is the closest thing to the real deal that I've ever found in Oregon. I've been to a majority of the Japanese places downtown and up and down the I-5 corridor. I never thought that I'd find the best experience so close to my own backyard. Opening the front door and stepping in was just like being hurled back to some of my favorite little spots in Kyoto. It even smelled the same. The sushi is definitely higher end, on par with the best I've had in the States. But it would be a shame to miss out on some of the other dishes, you simply must try the steamed clams, heck, even prawns in curry. But it was a lot of the little touches that reminded me so much of Japan. The way the food was presented, the closed in small quarters, some of the flavors in the food. Now, I must say, what truly makes a Japanese meal great is good sake and good friends... and a lack of financial apprehension. Syun is not one of those places I hit every week because when I go there, I expect to put out some serious coin, especially for sake. I happen to know how extremely good sake should taste and Syun has a couple of impressive daiginjos that are on the list. The best daiginjo that I've ever had was a bottle in downtown Tokyo that was brewed to commemorate the birth of the new male heir to the throne. It was a $250 dollar bottle and I've never had it's equal. But there are definitely some great sakes on the list here. more

We found this restaurant on Judy's Book and had to try it since we live a mile away. Never knew it was there, but found it easily. Looks like it is in an old house, you'd never expect a great restaurant to be inside. We walked in and were surprised that there were a ton of people! They asked if we had a reservation, and even though we didn't they had a table for us in no time. I'm no expert, but they seemed to have a great selection of sake and 3 Japanese beer's (2 on tap). They even have 4 types of sake from a local producer. The menu we expansive and they offer a large selection of non-sushi dish's. Most items are small portions and meant to be shared. We ordered 5 different things (3 of which were sushi plates) and spent $60 including tip. Well worth the price and very appropriate for high quality sushi. All in all: GREAT food, great people, interesting atmosphere. If you like sushi, you have to try this place. more

Syun is the kind of place that you would never find if it weren't for those two friends you have with good taste. You know the type...the classy couple that knows what it means for wine to have a "nose?" They're the couple you invite for a night out on the town because you know you'll end up at a good hot spot, but forget about them when you're looking for accompaniment on a quiet night at home. So MY classy and slightly pretentious friends invited my boyfriend and me to Syun and we've been back several times. It's half submerged in the ground under some innocuous building that I've never paid any attention to. The ambiance is that of a kitschy beach café with bottles of sake lined up on the wall like you used to do in your college dorm--only I doubt it was sake back then. I've been told that Syun's non-sushi dishes are fabulous...unfortunately my sushi obsession does not allow me to order them. I've read about them on the lovely menu bound onto a piece of wood by some elastic and a chopstick. I've even smelled them at the table next to me, but can't quiet those authoritative voices in my head chanting "sushi...sushi...SUSHI!" So a sushi review is what you're getting, although I highly recommend you smell everything else on the menu. My boyfriend and I have attempted to become sushi connoisseurs over the past year. We went to a really nice sushi restaurant in New York just to find out what good sushi is supposed to taste like...and discovered that Syun is VERY good sushi. We've learned to know what tastes fresh and what tastes not so fresh, how the rice is supposed to feel on your tongue, and how the flavors are supposed to mix in your mouth in perfect proportions. I repeat--Syun is very good sushi. The sake is nice. I can't lie and tell you I know what good sake tastes like, but they have bottles that cost over $100, so I'm assuming that's a damn good bottle of sake. If you buy a bottle they'll actually hold it for you for up to 100 days, so that you don't have to finish it all at once, and can feel like a "regular" when you come back in for another meal and ask for YOUR bottle of sake. They also have a 3-sake sampler that is nice for beginners, and a list of descriptions that tell you what has notes of flowers and nuttiness so you don't have to pretend you can detect a hint of chicory in this third glass. Just so you and I stay on good terms, you should know that I don't know what chicory is, or if it belongs in sake. I feel much better now. Syun loses a star for priciness and portion sizes. My boyfriend and I can spend $50 and still lick the plates clean, which makes Syun a rare and special occasion. A quarter of the star was also lost for lack of sushi roll creativity. We like it spicy, and we like our variety, and unfortunately all we're left with is incredibly fresh and delicious sushi--I wish all disappointments were so sweet. So go to Syun, impress your friends by telling them it tastes just like that sushi you had in new York, ask the waitress if they have any sake with notes of chicory, And just for the record, I in no way endorse plate licking. more

You wouldn't suspect Hillsboro of harbouring a great Japanese restaurant - but it does. Syun is the real deal. Having spent time in Japan, I think this restaurant does an excellent job of consistently serving authentic Japanese fare. In addition to sushi, Syun has a wide selection of homestyle favorites. And they use real crab in their sushi rolls. Syun is also a sake club. If you buy a bottle of sake, they will store it for (I think) 90 days. more