A Great Little Japanese Joint in Salem (Really!)

This place may have the best Japanese food between Portland and San Francisco. It's a little joint, more like a bar, and will be hard to find if you are not familiar with Salem. Momiji Japanese Crepes & Sushi on the east side of Salem has a sister restaurant in south Salem that is okay, but nothing special like this place.

The quality here is great and the prices are right. The nigiri sushi is only $1 each and there is lots to choose from. The sushi rolls are excellent with lots of variety (43 on the menu). We enjoyed the seaweed salad and the calamari salad, both only $3.75.

The diners next to us got the unagi donburi (grilled eel rice bowl) which looked very well-prepared. Next time.

For dessert there are four kinds of made to order Japanese crepes. Delicious! There is a good selection of beer and sake (13 on the menu). The vibe here is informal and friendly -- like a neighborhood bar. We loved it.

Check out the pictures below and see why this place is a real find. If you are traveling down I-5 it's about 5 minutes from the Market St. exit, but not easy to find without a map or GPS.