Dining at Murata is always a real treat. The beautiful Makunouchi Bento arrives in a two-tier lacquered box, and even the careful handling and presentation add to the pleasure of the meal. Every element is prepared and served with such precision and care--you can feel the pride behind it. For nearly 40 years, this family-owned restaurant has been a Portland go-to for authentic Japanese cuisine, and today's lovely lunch reminded me why. Beautiful food, gracious hospitality, and a commitment to excellence that makes each visit special. read more

Nothing like fresh sushi and lunch specials, now add them together and you're in for one hell of a treat. Murata is a short walking distance from The Porter Hotel. I was luckily able to walk in without a reservation which was a bonus. I had to say I was quite surprised at just how packed it was with many of the tables taken. They had a few rooms with traditional seating where you sat on the ground and took your shoes off. My lunch came with fresh miso soup and the entree itself. The sushi was absolutely divine and I was in awe of each cut. Phew was it a solid meal. I'm not too sure how it is during dinner service, but a very solid spot for lunch. read more

Murata never fails to impress us and everyone we bring! Tonight we celebrated my birthday with our 8 month old and it was a blast! The sushi is phenomenal, fresh, perfectly sliced and prepared, and the toppings compliment the fish perfectly in a way that soy sauce would only insult the meal We had the carpaccio (tuna & salmon) and ended up ordering another, then moved on to salmon, albacore tuna, and bluefin medium tuna nigiri which was also sliced perfectly and proportioned beautifully to the wasabi and rice below it. Again, no soy sauce needed. We got the fresh salmon roll that had a spicy mayo type sauce and it was the perfect finish. For dessert we choose the cake & vanilla ice cream and were in love with how light and fluffy the cake was wrapped around the fluffy strawberry filling and vanilla ice cream was great as it balanced the sweetness nicely without stealing the show. I had some miso and green tea as well, the green tea never stops coming, I love that energy. We sat in one of the little rooms inside of the restaurant and it was nice floor style seating but still with room for your legs to go in. The waitress was incredibly kind - she brought out a kids bowl & spoon for our daughter and offered a sippy cup too. Overall it was an awesome birthday dinner, and something Id be lucky to do annually as the budget allows. What a treat!! OH! And park in the attached parking garage, bring the receipt with you, and get it validated for free, covered parking attached to the restaurant. read more

Phenomenal sushi! So fresh and unique. The bathroom was very clean and with a high end bidet! The service was impeccable, but it looked like everyone got watermelon at the end except us. That was a bummer. Still worth a visit. Call to make a reservation. read more

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This place is so hard to get into on weekends, and even harder to do so when there is an event going on across the street. Reasonably so! They are delicious. We arrived 10 minutes to 5pm thinking that we were early. Little did we know they were fully reserved for the night! After speaking with the staff, they kindly moved the earth to fit us in to give us the taste of Japan we had been missing. With such graceful service, a calm atmosphere, and authentic flavors, we were transported back to Japan during our time at Murata. read more

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Friendly service and decent portions, but lacking in freshness. After seeing their authentic website and finding out they only accept reservations over the phone, I was really excited to try Murata. The service was wonderful--the staff were mostly Japanese and very kind--and the portions for the dinner sets were generous for the price. However, the quality of the sushi felt like a standard neighborhood spot. The fish appeared to be pre-cut and frozen rather than freshly broken down in the kitchen. The biggest disappointment was the Hokkaido Uni. At $40 for two pieces ($20 each), I expected top-notch quality, but it sadly lacked freshness. The tempura was ordinary as well, though the complimentary amuse-bouche (tofu, broccoli, and asparagus) was surprisingly delicious. It's a decent spot if you want a high-value, casual sushi dinner, but since I prioritize the freshness of the fish, I don't think I'll be back. read more

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Good sushi - very fresh. They do close early on weekdays, so note the hours. We got Sushi Dinner A (which came with a lot of food!) and 3 specialty rolls. read more

Always call to make a reservation, just in case as it gets busy. We went on a Thursday night at 5pm and they had a sign up saying no walk-in's as they were booked out. Everything was meticulously prepared, delicious and just the perfect amount of filling without overly stuffing ourselves. We ordered: - $38, Three Fish don: salmon, tuna, hamachi over rice and it comes with miso soup & 3 small appetizer bites (ours was: Kobucha, edamame, pickles) - $40, chirashi b that comes in stacked bowls with sashimi and unagi, tamago egg, and a couple sashimi on top of rice with miso soup & 3 small appetizer bites - $39, Murata's selected dinner, 2 entree combination, where you can choose from cooked fish, sushi, sashimi, fried dishes. I ended up picking sushi & sashimi (I remember about couple years ago when it used to be $29.50, but I know ingredient costs have gone up) read more

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Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Went here for lunch and parking was under the building. We had a reservation, so our group got the whole room to ourselves, which was really nice. The place reminded me so much of Japan, especially since I was just there recently. There were lots of options to order so our group got to try a little bit of everything. I honestly forgot what we ordered because I was too busy eating LOL, but everything was good. The toro was my favorite!!! It was so tender and literally melted in my mouth. I'd love to come back again. Staff were nice too! Note: remember to validate parking ticket if you parked under the building! read more

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What an authentic experience that brought me back to my time in Japan. The hot hand towels, the perfection of the food, the taste, the hospitality. It all falls in line with Japanese philosophy. I also love how they actually have the chef's behind the counter from Japan which knows how to handle the menu properly. I enjoyed watching them prepare the food. I ate the steamed mackerel and the chicken Katsu with strawberry mochi for dessert. I also got a $28 sushi roll, which was really good and worth the dip. The steak was delicious as well. read more

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This place is poetry in food! I have eaten a lot of sushi and the freshness and care with Murata's dishes was divine! We ate here twice in our Oregon trip and I've recommended it to my friends who travel there frequently. Make a reservation as they are packed! The staff is so friendly and helpful with what to order. And walking in the door you j is it's going to be a poetic experience because it's small and quiet and lovely. They bring a complimentary appetizer dish that is tasty and beautifully presented. We ordered the chef's choice A I believe and some additional items along with it. Every bite was a celebration and I like getting items as a surprise. All of the fish was so fresh tasting and beautiful. I don't even have words for how delicious everything was! We even ordered an extra roll for dessert! I hope to return to Portland and Murata is one of the reasons why. read more

Murata Restaurant - Riesling and beer await the Sushi A dinner! - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Went here for a early dinner celebration/going away for my girlfriend. We were both pleasantly surprised with the food quality and the level of service from the staff. Coming from Los Angeles it's been a hunt to find food that meets the same level and this has been one of the places that does so! I highly recommend coming here for great sushi! read more

Murata Restaurant - Sea bream , scallop and surfer clam - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We had a great experience here and appreciated the ambiance and quality of the sushi. I booked the tatami room and it was so much fun. They gave is warm hand towels which was a very nice touch. A nice appetizer was included with our meal. The sushi was so fresh. When leaving the tatami room they even provide you with slippers and they turn your shoes around for ease of putting them back on. I understand what people said about the server not making recommendations but I think it's because everything is so fresh! read more

Murata Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We visited yesterday with a 5:00 p.m. reservation for three. Although the restaurant isn't very large, it was completely full, which shows how popular it is. Since there were three of us, we were seated in a private tatami room with a sunken table, making it very comfortable to sit and enjoy our meal. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and served surprisingly quickly. The quality was outstanding. I especially appreciated that the rice portions were slightly smaller than usual, allowing us to enjoy a wider variety of sushi without feeling too full. The service was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout our visit. Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience, and I highly recommend this restaurant. We'll definitely be back! read more

Murata is an unassuming little place, with great food. I knew I'd found a great place as soon as I heard all the Japanese being spoken. They had 4 chefs behind the sushi counter and plenty of wait staff to make sure that guests were cared for quickly - a great way to make sure that a relatively small space never felt over crowded, even at dinner. The fish was delicious and I could taste how fresh it was in all the best ways. I can't wait to come back again! read more

Murata Restaurant - Sashimi - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I ordered the salmon teriyaki lunch special to-go and it was incredible. I was nervous about the portion sizes but when I opened up the bento box, I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant gave me salmon, rice, pickled vegetables, a side of salad, and miso soup. The food was delicious and I will be coming here again! read more

Murata Restaurant - Salmon Teri, Miso, Rice - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The service and the ambience are super nice. This is definitely a very authentic casual Japanese restaurant. You can tell this is a Japanese owned/operated restaurant with the servers and sushi chef speaking in Japanese to communicate. We were lucky and got seated immediately at the sushi bar area after walk-in. Although busy, it seems like the turnover rate for seats is fast. Their nigiri are big and fresh. They also give you a slice of Cantaloupe as a complimentary dessert. My boyfriend and I enjoyed our time here. This is definitely my favorite place I have eaten in Oregon so far. read more

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Good traditional Japanese restaurant with selection of cooked food, sashimi and sushi. They have a la cart and set menus. It's in downtown. Free parking in the commercial garage that this building sits next to. read more

The other reviews talking about poor service were in fact true for my visit. 1) The staff seemed rushed and nonchalant when I asked questions about the menu. I asked 3 times what dishes were good and still didn't quite understand what the restaurant's best dishes were. 2) The staff ARGUED with each other in front of me and the other diners. I have never witnessed staff arguing in front of guests before, and I dine out for my meals every day. 3) I came in when the restaurant was half empty. They still required reservation!? Made me feel like I was a beggar begging to dine in their restaurant. 4) When I paid, the server asked me if I wanted to tip "18% or 20%". She did not even hand me the machine so I could choose, let alone choose anything other than 18 or 20! Would not come back even if they fed me for free, let alone $50 for dinner for one. Would rate 0 stars if I could. The food was good but not mind blowing. Take your money elsewhere where they don't make you feel like a beggar. read more

Murata Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is now our favorite Japanese restaurant in the area. It is small, cozy, and beautifully decorated. Staff was all very kind and attentive. Pro: -All the fish was very fresh, juicy, generously sized and from Japan. You can taste the quality and care put into the food. -For what you get, we believe the price is very reasonable and the lunch menu is a great deal! -There are tatami rooms for larger groups & chairs in the main room as well. -Parking is validated!! Con: -You might need to call a few times to get ahold of someone to make reservations during their open hours We are already planning on when to return and enjoy more items on the menu!! read more

Murata Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I visited Murata twice during my recent trip to Portland. If you are a Japanese speaker looking for a place where you can enjoy authentic Japanese food with the comfort of familiar, Japanese-style service, this is likely your best option in the city. The reservation process was seamless; even without an online booking system, I was able to make arrangements in Japanese over the phone, which was a huge relief. The staff's hospitality makes you feel right at home, even so far from Japan. Regarding the food, it is generally very authentic and well-prepared. However, there were a few minor inconsistencies--for instance, the edamame served as an appetizer was a bit dry on both of my visits. While the culinary quality is high, I think there is still room for improvement in those small details. Also, for those visiting with friends or family, I would advise that the service can sometimes be a bit overly casual with personal questions. Overall, I had a positive experience and would definitely return on my next trip to Portland. It is a solid, authentic spot, and I would recommend it to anyone prioritizing a genuine Japanese dining experience and language comfort. 4/5. read more

One of the best sushi spots in town!! I also love that they have the private tatami rooms which elevates the experience. The sushi is always incredibly fresh, with many different options. When I worked downtown years ago, I used to go there for lunch. While I wish they were open for weekend lunch, it's still a very solid place for dinner! read more

What a great meal with incredible service! Ochazuke was very comforting and fish was fresh. Would definitely go back again!

I came here for lunch service with a friend! We made a reservation and were promptly seated. The restaurant filled up quickly so it might be a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time. The restaurant is small but has an airy atmosphere. There's a sushi bar and a few tatami rooms for groups of 2 or more. I really felt Japanese authenticity shine through in the decor, service, and food! I ordered the broiled salmon and tempura teishoku set. It's a $28 lunch deal where you get to pick 2 entrees. I think it worth it as it comes with a lot of variety. The miso soup had a really rich flavor too it that was really refreshing. The salmon was cooked perfectly and had nice seasoning even though it's meant to be simple. Overall a really wholesome and straightforward Japanese meal. I will be back soon! read more

Murata Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Excellent in every way. Super reasonable prices for the quality. Fresh and delicious and very accommodating. Unagi and tamago top notch

Wonderful family owned Japanese restaurant across from the Keller Auditorium. Murata has a number of traditional Japanese menu items not typically found in the US including Oshi-Zushi (pressed sushi), Zosui (rice soup with egg) and Ochazuke (side of rice with broth poured on top) among a variety of sushi and sashimi options and set menus. We were lucky enough to take advantage of a late cancellation on a Tuesday night and got a nice tatami room for our dinner. It seems that you usually need to make a reservation in advance to get a table as they have signs on the door stating no walk-ins today when the restaurant is booked. Given they close at 8:30, there is not much time for two full seatings. The food was fresh, well prepared and beautifully presented. We had set dinners (sushi/ribeye and sashimi/hakata-age (chicken)) as well as a Zosui with salmon. You can see from the photos that their presentation of appetizers to entrees is meticulous. I had not had wasabi with steak before (definitely unfortunate) and thought it was a truly wow combination that I will start making at home. The Zosui was new to us and was a tasty comfort food - a nicely flavored hot bowl of rice with fish broth, egg and toppings of your choice. Their cuts of fish for sushi and sashimi are far above average - they have outstanding fish! They also have a nice list of sake that is available by glass, carafe or bottle. I had an outstanding 10oz portion of Kasumi Tsuru Kimoto Extra Dry from their Premium list. Our servers had to work a little harder given our tatami room and they did a great job making sure we always had what we needed and to ensure we got any last orders in before last call at 8:30. Wonderful service! Murata is a clean and uncrowded (despite being full) space with lots of natural light coming in their front windows. The tatami rooms were also clean and comfortable. Their sushi bar is at the back of the house. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and were pleasantly full afterwards. We will definitely return next time we are in the area! read more

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If you want to have authentic Japanese food, this is the place for you to enjoy yummy meals. It's recommended to make reservations if you have a big group coming over. We got lunchtime meal at the restaurant and they were delicious. read more

Murata Restaurant - Murata's lunch telshoku; sashimi and tempura. - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I got reservations for my date and I for a Monday night before a comedy show. We both love sushi and have been trying multiple places around town. We ordered a 12 piece of sashimi, fried tofu and two rolls. They could easily accommodate gluten and dairy free which was nice. The restaurant is small and definitely recommend to make reservations. You will need to call their phone to make reservations and easy to do at lunch. Note they do validate parking if you park in the garage. Make sure to bring your ticket with you. read more

My family came to Murata for dinner without a reservation, and luckily, the staff was incredibly kind and accommodating, managing to fit us in on a Friday night. We waited about 30 minutes for a private dining room where we got to sit on traditional floor mats. The setup, decor, and overall ambiance truly made it feel like we were dining in Japan. We ordered the Murata selected dinner with a choice of entree--opting for the sashimi and tonkatsu. It came in a nice set with various side dishes, miso soup, and fruits. We also tried the Sushi B dinner, rainbow roll, and dragon roll. The presentation was beautiful, and the fish was fresh. The service stood out--professional, friendly, and attentive. We especially appreciated the warm hand towels and consistent check-ins. It was a cozy and authentic Japanese dining experience. read more

Murata Restaurant - Dragon Roll & Rainbow Roll - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Uh yeah this place is beyond good. Small, and difficult to get a table but if you do, you won't be disappointed. Sashimi is like butter. Just so good. read more

Murata Restaurant - Sashimi plate. - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is my favorite sushi restaurant in Portland! The interior makes you feel like you're in Japan. The service is extremely friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The Kani Su crab was amazing. The sashimi was all super fresh and high quality fish. The creamy scallop roll was so delicious with just the right amount of spice. If you're looking wanting dessert, I recommend the green tea ice cream - it was the best green tea ice cream I've ever had! read more

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Was in town for work and wanted to have a nice meal to end the week. We fortunately made a reservation for dinner - and so we were allowed to go in for dinner. They gave us a Tatami room bc we had a larger party. Most of us order the the Chirasi Zushi set. One of us ordered the 3 Fish set and a salmon Chirasi. We were given an appetizer as well as Miso soup (red miso-the better type of miso) The ingredients are definitely higher end and very "curated". The service is comfortable but very very good. Just the right level of comfort and attention to detail. The servers definitely make it a great dining experience. 5-stars (a rare one from me) read more

Murata Restaurant - Lollipop for the younger ones - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Best Japanese in Portland! I was a regular ~20 years ago, but tonight was the first time back in a long time. The quality and service are still stellar. I tried the Zosui (type of rice soup) for the first time and am now a raving fan. The crab chunks are ample. The various sushi we ordered were very fresh. You know the it's top notch when the rice is room temperature, which is the opposite of Fred Meyer, sushi-boat venues, and anything low end. Their version of Mackerel was a mouth-watering balance of oily, tender, and crispy. Only the Beaverton Korean restaurant on the second floor of a grocery store does it better. And the portion here is very ample, maybe too much. I did not care for the Iceberg salad, but this is the same at any Japanese restaurant. The sponge cake and gooey ice cream was a hit, but the chocolate sauce tasted like Hershey's. Parking can be tough at lunch, but they validate. Just a gem of a place. read more

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A very homey and cozy but authentic Japanese sushi and sashimi experience! We sat at the sushi bar, and the fish quality was on point. The prices are also super reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. read more

Reservations highly recommended. A good chance you will not get a table for dinner if you do not. The tables are filled and yet the servers remain composed & treat everyone with professional kindness. Tatami rooms are fun for four folks if you are willing to take off your shoes ~ wear socks! The quality of the menu & service is worth the price. read more

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I first had Japanese food in high school because my buddy is from Japan. He changed my life as it became one of my favorites. Now I'm picky. I travel extensively for work and fun. One of my local friends brought me here in 2017 and obviously it stuck with me so I came back n my own. Wow!! By far the best I've been to stateside. I'll be back in 2 weeks. The fish is so fresh. I recommend the blue fin medium fatty tuna !! Super nice staff. Alcohol is limited but just try premium the cold sake. You can't go wrong. read more

Murata Restaurant - Medium Fatty Bluefin and Eel - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My boyfriend and I stopped by here one evening, right at the beginning of dinner service and we were so lucky to get a spot. The place practically had every table reserved and we got bar seating. The inside of the restaurant has plenty of seating with tables, bar seating, and more traditional tables/booths. The service here was so nice; the waitress was really sweet and the sushi chefs were friendly and very skilled at their craft. My boyfriend and I got the sashimi omakase and nigiri omakase sets and they were both so delicious. I'm genuinely so surprised we finished both of them. When the sets came out, they were presented beautifully and there was so much sushi! The cuts were thick, the fish was fresh, and the quality was amazing. My favorites were definitely the uni and wagyu nigiri. I love love love this spot and would highly recommend. (Plus, the restrooms are very clean and they have a bidet haha) read more

Murata Restaurant - Nigiri Omakase Set - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Best sushi in pdx. Wait staff are super nice. Ambiance is good for a date or a group.

The food was amazing, service was quick and kind, and the drinks were delicious. All of the fish was super fresh and will definitely be coming back over and over read more

Murata Restaurant - Sashimi platter and à la carte choices. Yuzu wine - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Need to call for making reservation. Probably best top sushi place in Portland. Don't pass it by. A must go to!