Kaze Japanese

Sushi. You either love it or you hate it. I love it, and I love Kaze’s sushi. The fish is fresh, and it’s molded into traditional, and not-so-traditional, rolls and sashimi plates by Chef Toshi-san of Portland’s Hakatamon restaurant. Sushi size, quality, and execution is a bit better than at Hood River’s other raw fish restaurant – you tell me how this little town supports two – Sushi Okalani.

But more than the sushi, I love Kaze’s miso ramen. I can hear you clicking away from this page now. Don’t do it. “Ramen,” you’re thinking. “That’s what college kids eat.”

This isn’t broke-and starving, college-kid miso ramen. This is the real stuff. This is what freezing cold Japanese people eat during the heart of pipe-freezing, icebox cold Hokkaido winters. Don’t try and eat it in the middle of summer (there are plenty of colder items on the menu then… like sushi), but if you’re cold, nothing will warm you up faster than a big bowl of miso ramen.

The food is very good at Kaze. The service, on the other hand, is unremarkable, at best. The girls look pretty, but lack the ever-searching eyes of talented waitstaff. Be prepared to wait a bit to catch a waitress’ eye, especially if you’re just looking or another bottle of Sapporo or Kirin, or a second round of sake.

Having said that, the not-so-great service is on par with the rest of the not-so-great service in Hood River. It’s more a disease of the whole town than a disease specific to Kaze. Don’t let it scare you away from a delicious dinner.

Kaze is located at 212 4th Street in downtown Hood River.

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