Restaurant Murata Reviews

9/12/2018. Wanted to try. Walked there..........FYI. CLOSED for renovations till some time in October.

I was looking for a sushi location near my hotel and came across this restaurant on my google map . I went there at 1:30 Pm. The place was still pretty full and people continue to come in even though lunch service was supposed to close at 2:30 (?) . I sat at the counter and ordered several of sushi daily specials and some on the regular menu. All of them were fresh and I could tasted the “sweetness “ of the fish because of how fresh they were. You could tell there are regulars and new customers . The price may not be the cheapest according to the Portland couple who sat next to me. They were there to celebrate a birthday. For me, it was a lot cheaper than comparable quality in my home town. Also, the quality justified the price. Last but not least, the wait staff was also very attentive . The place isn’t big but definitely make reservations. I got lucky as a walk in .

If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, this is the place for you. It is the complete experience. The ingredients are fresh, the service attentive, the preparation and presentation flawless. If that's not enough, it is perfect after an afternoon at the Portland Japanese Garden or as a meal before going to the theatre, both of which are nearby. Bravo!

Murata is a traditional Japanese restaurant, so do not expect to find a Philadelphia roll... They have an unusually large variety of fish that is well priced for its quality. We sat at a Japanese table--shoes off, private room--and it was a lot of fun. We had a blast! And--excellent sake selections!

We went there after out Segway tour. It is a well hidden gem. Yummy Japanese food (great veggies rolls) and very friendly and easy going staff. We recommend it. Arigato.

This is a first-rate restaurant. Dinner for two with wine before tip was $110. For sushi of this quality, it was a bargain. As usual, I started with tako sunomono, and the octopus was very fresh. Perfect. I had an assortment of nigiri, but the standout was the monkfish liver pâté. It was excellent. If you're in Portland, this place is definitely worth checking out.

We came here for dinner and ordered hakarage chicken and sashimi don. Both were very tasty and came with miso and small starter places. For dessert we had matcha ice cream. Everything was delicious and served with beautiful presentation. They make their own tofu and the sashimi was very fresh. The ice cream was very tasty and a generous portion. Go early if you don't have a reservation as the restaurant is small and very popular.

Extraordinary authentic Japanese dining experience in downtown Portland. We went with the chef's recommended assortment of hot, cold, raw and cooked dishes. Spectacular presentation, ample portions. Exquisite experience in every way!

If the ambiance is plain, Murata makes up for it with one of the best sushi and sashimi we have had in larger Canadian and US cities in years. The maguro, hamachi and uni were all extremely fresh and sweet—even the uni-skeptic loved it, and the rice was seasoned and formed perfectly. All the other dishes (poké, tofu, tsukune) were also very good, and you could tell that someone took great care in the preparation of each dish. The food is traditional, so if you are looking for the more "exotic" rolls, you might be disappointed. However, if you want to eat something close to what you might get at a solid traditional sushi joint in Japan, this is definitely the place. The prices are extremely reasonable given the care that goes into preparing quality products flown in from Hawaii and Japan. Service was excellent. I wish Murata-san was in my hometown.

For authentic Japanese food Murata is the place. We had Sashimi and a few rolls. Outstanding. Hamachi, Sslmon, Mackarel, Herring.... all superb. The one downside, item to bear in mind is that the kitchen closes at 930. No last call or warning. We were not offered a second round of drinks which we found odd. On food alone a must, we would have a goal to be there by 8.

We were pointed to this place by, of course, TripAdvisor. We stopped in here for our Son's birthday, as we were traveling to Portland and he LOVES Sushi. Great little out of the way place downtown, which I had never stumbled in to. I think I walked by here more than once in all my travels to Portland. Great little, very traditional, Sushi restaurant. The service was incredible, with many attentive people making sure you were taken care of. The food was outstanding. The broiled mackerel, with skin on, what a delight this was. Even the skin was very tasty. When visiting, you can sit at a more traditional Japanese style table, with you bottom on the floor, and the table set up to you. We chose the traditional western style with a typical chair and table. Again, this place was delicious, with excellent service, and I plan to go back with some work folks!

Revisiting after my first visit 2 years ago. Since the memory was so great, I want to see if it's still the same high quality of food and services. Yes, I can say it's worth the second, and any future visits.

The sushi b lunch special was good, but it was pricey ($18.50) for 6 pieces of sashimi and 6 of sushi. The plum wine was cheap quality. The atmosphere is authentic.

I had the una ju. Which was good but like most things in this restaurant a bit expensive. I would maybe go again when my wallet was thicker or if it was cheaper.

Do not miss the opportunity to come here and eat. The service is stellar, the quality is the best I have had in this city. I have tried almost everything on the menu over the years and highly recommend trying the chirashi bowl to be able to sample a little bit of everything.

Nice place, tiny and comfortable, good food and great service. I tried a dragon roll, crunchy and tasty. Ps. Use the restroom

Stayed downtown on a recent brief visit to Portland and tried Restaurant Murata with my daughter. The sushi was excellent but the service was what was really great; attentive, kind and friendly staff made us feel very comfortable and welcome. We appreciated the hospitality and loved the sushi!

Food = awesome. Really very tasty indeed. Atmosphere = none. We were the only customers for a while. No atmosphere at all Opening hours = very bad. Last food orders at 9.30. Sushi prep = very good. You can see your sushi being prepared at the sushi counter Neon signs = ~4; very cheap looking. That's 4 too many. Overall. Cracking food. Well worth it, just a shame about the atmosphere, opening hours, and cheap neon signs. However, if you like sushi, then don't let these minor details put you off.

This tiny restaurant has outstanding sushi. In fact, it was so good we ate there for dinner twice on a recent trip for a conference in Portland. The daily sushi specials increase an already generous choice of sushi options. We ate at the sushi bar and the sushi chefs seemed very knowledgeable and were meticulous in their handling of the fish and the presentation. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are a sushi lover. Everything was very fresh and excellently prepared.

Excellent "traditional Japanese" restaurant withoutstanding fresh food and great service. Not many places have inari sushi, chicken terayaki and many preparations of udon and soba. All of these and more are done well - and it is an excellent value. They've been in business for many years and are still going strong.

Murata is on Downtown Portland. Small but the quality rivals anything I've had in Dallas or San Francisco. Plenty of authentic specials which tantalize and intrigue. I had an appetizer of fried mini river crabs which were presented in a fun way on a bed of lettuce making them appear as if they were alive in a tide pool. The sashimi and sushi were very fresh. Even the Uni which will gross me out if not fresh was buttery and smooth. Family owned and they take pride in their product. Try it out.

Fantastic! Murata-san is adorable!

Murata is a long-time fixture in downtown portland - and deservedly so. Sushi is exquisitely prepared, including presentation, in a traditional sushi-bar manner, while other dishes come promptly from the kitchen. Service is friendly and helpful to non-Japanese, who might not be familiar with the cuisine. It's a small place, reservations are highly recommended.

Most EXCELLENT Japanese cuisine. Very fresh Sushi, awesom Yosanabe and Sukiyaki. Tatami room makes for fun dining.

Very good traditional Japanese restaurant.

great traditional japanese sushi joint!

Enjoyed excellent service and food. The appetizer, miso and strawberry dessert were extra perks to the fresh and delicious sushi. Small with limited seating. We visited on a Monday without reservations; however, I suspect this would not be possible on a weekend.

If you are looking for real Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi, you have to go to Murata. Convenient location near PSU and the Performing Arts Center, the quality and authenticity of the food is the best.

The Sushi and Sashimi are very fresh and beautifully presented. Everything is so delicious. Service is excellent; You have to know that this is where the Japanese expats dine and entertain their clients and families, and you are likely to hear more Japanese than English being spoken there. It adds to the ambiance and authenticity. It is what I would imagine if I were in Japan.

This was an amazing experience. We were able to sit at the bar and watch the chefs in action. Nigiri was excellent, especially the salmon and fresh water eel. Rolls were delicious and well made. Seaweed salad isn't usually my favorite but theirs was incredible. The kids enjoyed it and even got sushi shaped suckers after our meal. This isn't a place that we will forget and look forward to returning.

For a lowbrow American like me, it's really hard to imagine that sushi isn't just sushi wherever you go...until you've been to Murata, then you think, Ah, I get it. Murata is simply in another league (the pros) compared to just about any other sushi place I can think of in the City of Roses. Go. Be prepared to be blown away. Bring an extra credit card. (Make reservations - even for lunch) Kanpai

good sushi but overpriced. staff is too sexy for their shirts, and a bit huffy. service a bit slow.

Very nice salmon poke. Good assortment all fresh and excellent. Katsu was good. Tempura had a nice assortment including taro. Great restaurant and I'm looking firward to my next visit.

I am a huge fan of Japanese food and a huge fan of this place. Every time I am in town I go. Get the deep fried crab as well as the deep fried shrimp heads. Sushi is top notch as well as the service

Restaurant Murata felt so different from a lot of sushi places we have visited. You can tell right away this is not a place you order California and shrimp tempura rolls. We wandered in on a Friday evening and were lucky to get a spot as a lot of tables were reserved. It felt kind of empty at first but later we noticed all those tables and the bar filled up. We love sushi and sashimi and we had amazing dishes, but Murata also has a lot of other Japanese entrees that looked really interesting. We tried the shime saba, mackerel marinated in vinegar, and it was some of the best mackerel we have ever had outside of Japan. The prices were a bit higher than we expected, but it was a great evening.

The sushi he was very good and fresh. With your meal you get some little appetizers that are about 1 bite each. They have a couple of private rooms for dinner parties, just about 4 tables, and a small sushi bar. I liked just about everything here but don't believe that what I got was worth the price. The uni didn't seem right to me as I've never seen it the brownish color. It must have been a type that I've never had but tasted fine. The rice was good but would fall apart very easily in the nagiri pieces. I'm not from Portland so I wasn't sure if there was parking anywhere other than the garage across the street so you have to add that to the cost. Also reservations are a must since this place is very small.

Some of the best sushi and sashimi. Very creative menu with special items listed on chalkboard. We had tuna prepared 3 ways as listed on the special items menu. Separate room with tatami mats; leave shoes at the entry point of this room.

I enjoyed Muratasan's cuisine immensely. I had the sashimi sampler with additional uni gunkan sushi. Both were outstanding, the uni was particularly fresh and impressed me. Although the prices (for lunch) were elevated somewhat, the quality of your food, it's preparation and presentation are worth it! The friendly wait staff was attentive yet unobtrusive. I plan to return with friends for dinner and enjoy their tatami rooms, a rarity nowadays. The decor was very authentic. Don't let the diminutive size of the place discourage you, it's huge on quality and style! I recommend sitting at the sushi bar to watch the Itamai chefts do their art! Wonderful!

Best Japanese cuisine in the city from my viewpoint. Love watching the preparation at the counter. Freshest seafood, carefully handled, lovingly arranged and presented. Delicious!

We dine there regularly and think it might be bite for bite, by taste for taste the best restaurant in the city. Fresh fish for the sushi/sashimi and attention to the details of presentations make for a wonderful meal and experience at a traditional Japanese sushi bar. One can reserve an authentic tatami room as a fine alternative to the sushi bar.

There are several other popular sushi restaurants in downtown Portland but Murata is the most orthodox and authentic with Japanese chefs and kimono-clad waitresses on the premises. Although other places in town may serve a larger variety of sake (and fancy cocktails) Murata's fish is second to none and the rice is properly prepared (something that non-Japanese chefs rarely master). Prices no more expensive than some of the second-rate competitors.

Oh my God I love sushi, I eat it weekly (maybe not super safe) and I love Murata as a kinda casual yet amazing fresh fish spot. The portions are so large, like wow, the atmosphere is authentic and the service is very attentive, it's a small spot cant fit too many people maybe no more than 20-30, but that's part of what I love. The chicken is also great.

Perfect execution very fresh fish. Rice was firm. Good sake selection sushi haven. Small space can be booked fast. I would definitely go back

Read about this place on tripadvisor, and gave it a try. The location is very "strip center", but it's the real deal. The food is authentic, and the menu is first in Japenese and then English. I sat at the bar, and visited in broken english with the sushi guys. I would recommend this to the guy that wants the exotic stuff. If you're looking for chicken teriyaki, this is NOT your place.

We ate here before a show at the Keller Auditorium. The food was delicious and fresh and the staff were kind and professional. Of the rolls we tried, the dragon roll was among the best I've had. We also had fresh octopus and striped jack ngiri on the recommendation of our server. Wow! I've always stuck to rolls, but that ngiri was so amazing that now I'm going to have to expand my repertoire. This restaurant is small, but very good. They do take reservations.

Excellent fresh fish. Very quiet restaurant where the food is the life of the party! If you want the traditional Japanese sushi this is the place for you. The menu is wonderful (non sushi items), but the sushi is the real winner. Very small restaurant, so make sure you make reservations. The saki selection is very good too! They have private traditional tatami rooms where you will be sitting on the floor and your shoes are left outside the curtain. We will definitely be back!!!!

It's my first time to visit to Portland. Portland is beautiful ,quiet and clean. But the American food is still difficult for me, so I didn't eat real meals until the day I met Murata which is near Marriott Hotel where I was. I had a real Japanese meal, like I used to had when I lived in Japan. The meal was very fresh and delicious, I was so happy, and I met also an employee (I really regret that I even don't know his name) who talked with me in Chinese (my mother tongue) and took a very good care of clients. All of these in Murata made me feel so warm, so confortable, that Portland was no longer a strange city for me. I went back to Murata once more with my husband, and we had an excellent sashimi, perfect sushi, tempura and so on , and very kind and careful services, both of us actually enjoyed a lot the dinner. Before we left Porland, we wanted to go again to Murata to have a last dinner, and to express our thanks for the quality of the food and the very kind and perfect service, and to say "good-bye" to them, but unfortunately, Murata was closed on Sunday, so we missed the opportunity to do it, but we will keep these good experiences in our memories. I hope one day I can have the opportunity to go to Portland again, and I hope, at that moment, at the corner of Market street, that the warm blue light of Murata will still be there. A lot of thanks to Murata, with a special one to the employe who speaks Chinese!

It took a while to find the place, it is hidden in a little shopping strip between 2nd and 3rd street. It is the same as sushi restaurant in Japan - the interior, chefs and waitresses. Sushi were exactly what I was hoping for, fresh and authentic, no crap with mayo or chile sauce, etc. Thank you for wonderful dinner! It is definitely not the last time, I would come here again and again.

Top notch authentic traditional sushi; it's like walking into a side street place in Tokyo. This is not Americanized rock and roll sushi; it is a welcome throwback focused on extremely high quality fish and simple preparations. This is the best nigiri sushi I've had stateside and I eat here when in Portland. I like to eat here at the bar, chatting with the chef, occasionally getting a off menu treat. A big cold beer, some maguro, hamachi, toro. A spider roll. Maybe some fried shrimp heads. (Try them!) Another beer. Perfect. If you are looking for fancy rolls drenched in sauces filled with fried shrimp and cream cheese this ain't the place.

I’ve always seen this restaurant listed in reviews before but we finally pulled the trigger this past weekend for my son’s birthday and loved it! We sat in the semi-private tatami room and the waitresses serve you in traditional kimonos, very cool. I say semi-private because we only had a party of 3, so they split the table and another couple sat across us. The room can easily seat 6 but it also looked like the rooms were adjustable by sliding doors for larger parties. They also have regular dining tables if preferred. We loved the menu because it had a lot of great traditional dishes with a great selection of sushi and rolls too. The sashimi tasted fresh and delicious, and I especially liked the smoked salmon. My only complaint was that there were two Chirashi dishes (chef’s choice sashimi on sushi rice), one at $27.95 and other at $36.95. I asked the waitress what was the difference and she said the $36 dish came with Uni and Geoduck so I immediately said yes. To my huge disappointment the Uni serving was the size of a nickel and Geoduck size of a quarter! To me that was NOT worth the extra $9 and I would probably not order it again, but go with the $27 version or other dishes. The sushi prices were on the higher side and probably reflective of the busy downtown location, but the tasty and fresh fish are worth it. Murata doesn’t use an online reservation system so you have to call for a reservation and they also validate your parking if you park in the Market garage which is awesome. Murata is definitely now on my top sushi restaurant list.

I accidentally found this place on the way to the waterfront boardwalk. Wow. Perfect for a Japanese who missed "real" Japanese food. I ordered specials, so it go a bit pricy, but regular menu looked reasonable. Food was great. Chefs and waitresses are all Japanese/Japanese speaking. Not a big place. Probably 6-8 at Sushi bar, four tables and two tatami (Japanese traditional) rooms that would probably seat 8 each. (just guessing) Will return when I'm in Portland.

A couple of locals recommended Murata's over any other sushi parlor in Portland. They weren't wrong. We were the first in the door and watched as the place gradually filled with mostly Asian faces; this is my general standard of excellence when dining in a strange city. Japanese flowed freely, as did some of the best sushi we've had in a while. Very fresh, very clean and lovely presentation. You need to know about this place to find it, but please make the effort. You'll thank us. The Dana and Neal Traveling Circus and Sideshow Extraordinaire.

Murata Sushi Located downtown Portland in the Upmarket section off of SW Market Street. The reason I give so much detail to the direction is because 1. they do not have a direct website and 2. you could easily saunter right passed this gem. Keep your eyes open for this hole in the wall because this is absolutely one of my fave spots that everyone in the world, who likes authentic sushi, MUST experience. Murata is tiny, offering but a few tables on the main floor by the chef's counter and to the right of the entrance there are four separate rooms curtained off with 2 tables in each room. They are traditional tables with comfortable pillows to sit so take off your shoes and relax. The servers are in traditional kimonos, have beautiful accents, ,provide amazing service and are genuinely kind and gracious. Their drink menu includes delicious sake's, large Sapporo with a limited liquor bar but who wants cocktails? I want chilled sake all day :) My other 3 friends and I ordered an array of delights, including Chef's Choice sashimi plate, radnon rolls and it was fresh and clean and the rice was perfect. It was unprocessed, soft and fell apart indicating it was made that day. It didn't resemble a sticky rice brick that some may prefer. Honestly though I had the BEST dish of Black Cod. It was so good I wanted to order another piece but with all of the typical starters such as seaweed salad (which is an acquired taste and I always order to critique as each salad varies extremely), edamame and miso soup, I decided against it. It was so good I dreamt about it and NEEDED it the next day. We four ladies had a feast fit for Queens that fused together fresh, succulent variety combinations topped with black cod as a cherry on top; then add the nuance of impeccable service by tradition, beautiful Japanese women. Are you sold yet??? Wait...one more detail...the check. Adding up a secret rendezvous, sashimi plate, multiple rolls, my black cod, all of the starters, sake, beer and we only paid $25.00 per person (not including tip). Need I say more?

This restaurant was recommended to me by the once national sales director for Kikkoman Soy Sauce and my title is his description. This is by far the best sushi I have eaten outside of Japan. The rice is perfect and the fish is so very fresh. The cuts are generous and the quality excellent. This is the real deal with no gimmicky overly sauced, fried, or aggressively seasoned sushi. This is authentic!

Everything was very fresh and high quality. Service was good, and we had a traditional private room with floor seating. The saba was excellent, as was the geoduck, which is not something we can find in Chicago. I often judge Japanese restaurants on their pickles, and they were very good and varied here.

Murata not only has excellent sushi, but is a cozy little place, with a family atmosphere. The service is fine and friendly.

We had dinner at Murata back in July of 2016. This place is very small so get there early, or be prepared to wait. The chef looks like some master sushi guy from Tokyo. We ordered some sashimi chefs special choices...it was presented to us with an exotic display of great cuts. Tasty. Tasty. Tasty. Go check it out... Happy trails!

Great Sushi and traditional Japanese dishes. Service is excellent and ambiance creates a small, intimate restaurant with 'tatami' seating rooms for more privacy. For me this is the best Japanese Restaurant in Portland for consistently fresh and delicious sushi.

Traditional Japanese menu, with each item done correctly and with fresh ingredients; best and most consistent sushi/sashimi in Portland.,. We have never had fish here that was not perfectly fresh. When you tire of too many asian-fusion restaurants with too-clever food, try this for a taste of the true basis of Japanese cuisine. Excellent dining room service, menu has many choices without being overwhelming; quiet and excellent place for a conversation! Traditional Japanese restaurant interior includes tatami rooms.

I'll definitely be coming back to this spot next time I'm in Portland, OR. Restaurant Murata has the best sushi in all of Portland. My partner and I really enjoy the quaint atmosphere and the waitstaff are friendly and knowledgable. Bottom line- If you want a delicious authentic sushi dining experience, look no further. Murata has what you need! I highly recommend making reservations as this is a smaller restaurant.

I rarely give five stars, but this place deserves it. I eat sushi rather frequently and have had good and bad. I will say Murata is close to tops. Very close to authentic as you can get being in the states. Very fresh fish, great rice with great service. They have 2-3 wait staff that keep up with you as well as the sushi chefs. It is a small spot, and I was lucky to have gotten in, so reservations would be recommended.

This restaurant has great food including sushi!!! They had several waitresses but the short hair waitress made it a bad experience. I was sitting at the sushi bar and hadn’t finished eating the main course I ordered. Right before I put food in my mouth, there was a voice saying ‘excuse me’ followed by an arm with a long sleeve almost dipping in my food, sticking from the right across my face to the left to grab some small dishes she thought I finished without asking. So I dropped some of the food on my lap. What was the rush? It’s just so rude! Other than that, I strongly recommend this restaurant. Other staff and the chefs were friendly and awesome!

Had mostly the sushi here, everything was excellently prepared. Service was very good. It's definitely a traditional/old style no frills japanese restaurant, one isn't going to find fusion food food here. Just go in knowing what to expect.

My first visit to a sushi place. Surprised to see quite a few vegetarian options - right from starters thru the entree. Steamed soya beans were a treat followed by soba soup & healthy desert. All should try this place at least once.

I will state upfront that I am usually a roll girl. I was introduced to this restaurant by a friend who took the liberty of ordering for us. We had natto (odd and delicious) and a large platter of the best sashimi I have ever had. The fish was so fresh that you did not want to put anything on it. Clean, fresh, delicious and AMAZING. This is a very small storefront place and it is well worth a visit. I will be back!

Outstanding food and service. Why not 5 stars? A bit pricy for the portions. My sashimi plate was good but very small pieces. Service was amazing! Open 5:30 on weekends MAKE RESERVATIONS! Saw many parties turned away. Very limited seating. Yes, I would return .

Four of us had dinner here prior to seeing a show at the Keller Auditorium. It's right across the street - so the location is great. It is a SMALL restaurant - maybe seats 20-30 people - so get there early. I thought the food was very good and fairly priced. We shared some rolls, sushi and tempura and everyone was happy and full when we left. They have a very friendly and helpful wait staff as well.

Family run and very welcoming this restaurant has a dedication to fresh and to sushi perfection. I usually go alone and sit at the sushi bar for a peaceful lunch and to appreciate the quality of the food and service. This restaurant has a following of people who speak the language and appreciate real quality Japanese food.

If you're a sushi lover, you'll want to check this place out. It has the best chirashi I have ever had in all my days of trying sushi. Great ambiance and service as well.

Been to Japan many times and enjoyed many meals. Murata is like it was cut out of Japan directly. Atmosphere and food is very good. Super helpful service and reasonable priced food.

The fish was fresh and beautifully prepared. The service was wonderful and the experience was authentic. Some very nice touches to make it special.

probably the most authentic sushi in town. although i'm more of a bento guy

The service with really spotty. They seemed to not like me being a solo diner. The service was very slow. They "forgot" basic items like bringing me miso, or offering me tea or even a glass of water. They made a big deal about me not having a reservation (on a Tues night) and yet when I sat down at the counter, the couple next to me asked to be moved to a table and they had no problem accommodating them. The sushi was good as was the broiled mackerel. However the rice they served with the mackerel was stale - which was surprising given that this is not a cheap place. I do not recommend this place for solo diners. I am sure if you are a couple or a party, you will have a better experience than I did.

Went with Japanese friends and was a little hesitant as we entered. it's not a fancy restaurant but we went in and sat in a small private room. Our Japanese friends ordered for us. EVERYTHING was delicious. I highly recommend this place for fresh and creative and authentic Japanese dishes. Service was also excellent.

Went in there by myself as I was in town for business. The place was absolutely packed which is always a good sign. Agreed with staf to come back in 30 mins. It was worth the wait and visit!! What a great place with great food! The sushi was very good and I love sushi and do not say that often. Als tried some dishes that a staff member advised. Spot on, awsome place!!

I love Sushi and have eaten it on both coasts. One thing I read once said don't put soy and wasabi on sushi until you taste it. Normally, I use alot of both. I didn't have to at Murata. I think it was the freshest I have ever tasted and the most expertly prepared. They have a unique and really special smoked salmon. I use Tekka Maki as a base. The tuna roll at Murata was the most generous I have ever had and at a time when all the restaurants I go to are skimping on the amount of tuna they serve. I completely agree with other reviews that stated the portions are generous. The service is wonderful and it truly is the best Sushi I have ever had. I only had sushi and did not sample any of their other dishes. It gives me yet another reason to visit Portland again.

The sushi is amazing!! One of the best I had. There are more cosy and cool places but if you want the best sushi, this is the place.

I have lunch at Murata 2-3 times every month! It is a great restaurant to enjoy by yourself at the Sushi bar or with friends. Everything is done with such care and attention to detail. The atmosphere is peaceful and the staff are friendly and speak English and Japanese.

During our trip to Portland, for our son’s birthday, we were searching everywhere for a good sushi restaurant. My son loves sushi. Kind of seems odd for a 18-year-old. Restaurant Murata start out as I was searching through trip adviser for a place to eat. Having spent many weeks in Portland for work travel, I never stumble across this place. Shame on me. From the moment we walked in the door, until when we walked out very full and content with our amazing meal, this was an excellent experience. This is a very traditional Japanese style restaurant. The food was extremely fresh, well prepared, the feast for the eyes when delivered to the table. I plan to go back here, now that I know it exists, for work meals with my business associates. If you like sushi, and are staying downtown Portland, this is the place to go. Don’t waste your time with other @want to be” sushi joints.

Amazing food, ambience, wait staff. Highly recommending even though I fear when more people know about this it will be even harder to get in. Get there early or make reservations!!!!

We had a side room with floor seating. Service excellent. Good wine list. Presentation lovely. As expected. Appetizer tray interesting— bit of eggplant, pumpkin squash, something else. Miso soup was superior. Fried softshell crab was the best! Tempura was good- predictable dish. The double entree salmon and steak was good. Sushi was well presented and good.

We were looking for sushi and were pointed towards this place. Tucked into the commercial district it ended up being fantastic. Generous portions for the price and worth every penny.

I write my review primarily on the freshness and uniqueness of the Sashimi that I've been able to get it this restaurant. Simply superb on my visit. Other items I've tried have been pretty standard. That miso Cod, teriyaki salmon and the unagi nigiri. The Miso soup is made with a package base and red aka miso. Passable but not fantastic. The reason for the five star is that nowhere else in Portland have I been able to find Sashimi the quality that these people have and this is probably the best old school traditional sushi place I've seen in Portland. Granted, there are fancier Fufu places but, I prefer old school to Fusion cuisine. I also like to pick my own meal and not have it decided for me by a chef okay. One caveat, this place is rather expensive. Lunch for two can easily be $100

After spending years in the midwest dining on overpriced, frozen, "fusion" sushi, Murata was a fantastic, fresh experience. Extremely authentic in all regards. The location is bit out of character, but as soon as you step inside you'll be impressed. Despite being a busy night, we were able to be seated at the bar right away without reservation. We primarily order sashimi but also ordered a couple of rolls - all of which was very flavorful, fresh, and properly prepared. They have many "exotic" options you may not be able to find elsewhere. Best for those who want a genuine, authentic sushi experience, all at a fantastic price.

The most authentic sushi/japanese dining in town. The owner's son apparently flies for Japan Airlines and it shows, as there is always something unusual and fresh on the board. We usually come for strictly sushi and have to say that after living in Portland for over 20 years, this is the place for the best. Not cheapest, not the trendiest, but the best. Not many seats, a good idea to arrive early at 530pm opening. A major concert hall is across the street, so if you try to find a spot at the bar or table on show night at 7pm, good luck. I have never been disappointed with the fresh offerings at Murata. It is subdued and fiercely authentic-a good thing.

What a wonderful little gem in Portland. Before deciding on my sushi spot, I looked at a couple of different websites and areas. I only saw Murata on TA. I'm glad I did. Every dish was outstanding. From the spicy scallop, the fresh shrimp nigiri, the ginger pork to the squid special all were fresh and tasty. I have to say this was my top food find in Portland. If you are craving awesome sushi I encourage you to go to Murata.

This is the first time I have eaten at this restaurant. It's tucked away near small shops near a tall business building. The restaurant is small, very light and has tatami rooms! That's unusual these days. The service was wonderful, very friendly servers and the food excellent. We had sushi, sashimi & Dungeness crab. The sashimi is cut thicker than I have had, it is really delicious and very satisfying. If you like a salad with your meal their dinner salad is very nice. I will be sure to eat here again when I return to Portland.

We walked in and were told the only seats available were in a small private room. If you are given this option, take it! The room is small, you take off your shoes, and you sit on the floor with a hole under the table; just a very cool environment. We ordered a beer and a variety of sushi to share. Overall, a great meal and an excellent dining experience that I highly recommend.

The sushi at Restaurant Murata is world-class and the service is polite and quiet. This is a small "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant in an office park, with either small tables (with street view) or private tatami dining space (shoes off, eat sitting down). Make sure to try the seaweed salad! The best I've ever had! I would not recommend it as a place to go for a romantic date or a business meeting - just too small and exposed. But for any other occasion it is an excellent option for authentic and artful sushi.

Most "Japanees" restaurants in the US serve Sushi. This place serves sushi and other standars Japanees dishes, but they also serve typical dishes from Southern Japan. The food, atmosphere and service was excellent. A bit pricey. But worth every penney. Will go back again and again. Great downtown location.

I don't normally like sushi, but, this place offers an amazing variety of fresh and unique menu items. Not everything is on the menu, thats the trick! You gotta dig for more...just ask!

We focused on nigiri and we were very happy with the quality of food as well as the service. The shrimp tempura was really perfect and served very hot and we were delighted! Great evening 👏👏🍶

I'm not Japanese, but I lived on Japan for 5 years. This is as close to eating lunch in Japan as I've found. Awesome fish, excellent tempura and salmon cheek, teriyaki chicken, miso, salads - all spot on and delicious. Presentation was perfect. Service was kind, attentive and quick. Not pretentious, not expensive. Thank you!

Great sushi. Pleasant experience. A quiet restaurant. Nothing else notable to add, but I need 100 words to add this review.

Because this restaurant is so wonderful that if more people find out about it, it might be even more difficult to get a table!

The sashimi was fresh and authentic but other dishes suffered. The rice was not Japanese style --it was dry and not round short grain. The cucumbers were western so they had to remove the seeds (you could tell because the pieces were horse-shoe shaped). The tempura was heavier and thus a bit oily. The chicken was dry and tough.

I love the sushi here. Best I have ever had.

We went for an intimate birthday dinner. We got the sushi A which is chef's choice. The quality of the fish was great and it was the perfect amount for us. We love sushi and it was well worth going.