Biwa

215 SE 9th Ave Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 239.8830

Located in: Southeast Portland & near Northeast Portland - Visit Website
horns uppatiohappy hourWheelchair Accessiblenon smokingkid friendlyhipstersliquor
Click to share on: Share on Facebook Post to Twitter

BarFly's Review of Biwa

A biwa is a “short-necked fretted lute” from Japan; this we expect, is some sort of noodle metaphor, but if so we don’t know how to complete it. Something about melody and swelling, maybe. 

In any case, Biwa is Portland’s premier ramen/udon spot, housed in the old La Luna/Pine Street building that also has Autentica buried in it somewhere. Dining/drinking are casual, on those ubiquitous little square bar tables that seem to assume that you are dining sadly alone that night.

This ain’t college ramen, however; this is the real goddam deal, Chungking Express shit, with special guarded secret recipes, what old yakuza dudes slurp down as a last late-night meal before they get their brains splattered all over the menu by the mysterious lady stranger in the trenchcoat and sunglasses.

The secret to know is the improbably short late-night happy hour from 9 to 10. If you do it right, this could be a possible bridge in an entire night of happy hour crawling, from Valentine’s across the river (till 9), any number of 10pm-midnight restaurant happies, and Matchbox after midnight.

Why anyone would do this we don’t know, but we’re just saying: who the hell else has happy hour from 9 to 10? Well? You got an answer?

Handmade ramen and udon for $5 every night from 9PM until 10pm.

Hours:
Mon-Sat 5pm-close.

Biwa's Happy Hours
Monday$3+ beers, $5 sake, $5+ cocktails, $1-4 food menu (counter only) 5-6:30pm
$5 noodles 9-10pm
$3+ beer, $5+ sake, $5+ cocktails, 9pm-Midnight
Tuesday$3+ beers, $5 sake, $5+ cocktails, $1-4 food menu (counter only) 5-6:30pm
$5 noodles 9-10pm
$3+ beer, $5+ sake, $5+ cocktails, 9pm-Midnight
Wednesday$3+ beers, $5 sake, $5+ cocktails, $1-4 food menu (counter only) 5-6:30pm
$5 noodles 9-10pm
$3+ beer, $5+ sake, $5+ cocktails, 9pm-Midnight
Thursday$3+ beers, $5 sake, $5+ cocktails, $1-4 food menu (counter only) 5-6:30pm
$5 noodles 9-10pm
$3+ beer, $5+ sake, $5+ cocktails, 9pm-Midnight
Friday$3+ beers, $5 sake, $5+ cocktails, $1-4 food menu (counter only) 5-6:30pm
$5 noodles 9-10pm
$3+ beer, $5+ sake, $5+ cocktails, 9pm-Midnight
Saturday$3+ beers, $5 sake, $5+ cocktails, $1-4 food menu (counter only) 5-6:30pm
$5 noodles 9-10pm
$3+ beer, $5+ sake, $5+ cocktails, 9pm-Midnight
SundayAlas, no happy hour today.
Reader Reviews of Biwa
Biwa has 2 user reviews.
outdated/incorrect

no beer/sake specials past 11 fri&sat and not past 10 all other days. they've pledged to send barfly an updated schedule with corrections.

Reviewed By BarFly User newmy51 on April 30, 2010, 11:22 pm
good

great appetizers and udon bowls, aviation gin and tonics

Reviewed Anonymously by galen on September 15, 2008, 10:12 am
Tell Us What You Think of Biwa

Your Name:

You really should sign up for an account if you want credit for this review. If you have an account, please Log In

Subject

Overall Rating of Biwa

Absolute boozer heaven
Pretty freakin' nice
Could be worse
Exemplifies mediocrity
Ugh, shoot me.

What You Think:

Yes, these CAPTCHAs suck, but they are a necessary evil. Typing the words you see below proves you are a human.

Before hitting that submit button, we highly suggest you read the following guidelines:

  1. Owners/Managers/Employees: Do not shill for yourself or bad mouth competitors because we WILL catch you. We have been known to "out" repeat violators. Simply identify yourself as the owner/employee/manager to address our users's complaints. Trust us, it works to do it that way. It is great PR, our users love it, we love it, and your business will love it.

    Also, please do not use the review system to update your bar's listing. Instead, fill out this form

  2. ALL CAPS does not get get your point across, but it does make you look completely stupid. The button on your keyboard is clearly labeled CapsLock. Move your pinky 5/16ths of an inch and turn it off.

  3. Mockery is cool, libel isn't. Learn the difference. Naming names in a negative or totally false review? You forfeit your right to privacy and will be named if any legal issues arise.

  4. Were you 86ed for being a complete douchebag? Are you the perpetually unsatisfied bitch? The bartender's psycho ex? Are you copy & pasting the same review from/to Yelp, Citysearch, etc? Then you undermine the value of user reviews. Don't waste your time posting.

  5. The 1st Amendment covers your right to say what ever you want and our right to delete it off our server.

  6. BarFly staff may choose to break these rules at their own discretion.

  7. Shills WILL be publicly outed. By clicking submit, you authorize us to release details about your review(s), including your IP address, email, name, and any other contact info if we feel you have abused our website.

Now, if you think your review will pass muster, click the submit button.

If You Love BarFly, Please Support Our Advertisers
Have a drink and tell'em "I saw you on BarFly"

Wild Orchid