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

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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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

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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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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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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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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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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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

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 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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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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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

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

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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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

The service was a bit slow. I sat in the chair for more than 30 minutes before someone came to speak to me and arrange my seating at the bar. I ordered from the dinner menu, and while it was good, the fish was much better than the beef. We also ordered some sushi--the portions were small, but the fish was fresh. Crowed environment, a little pricey for the good. read more

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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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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

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

Amazing sushi that's authentic and clean. They embody the Japanese culture and fully engage you by providing a parallel sushi experience to as if you were really in Japan. If you are looking for cream cheese in sushi- this isn't your place. This is the freshest and delicate sushi I have tasted in a while. Service can be slow, it's a small real estate but come early or make reservations- so worth it read more

I've had the sushi rolls, ramen, pork katsu and bento meals for lunch in the past three months. The place is small so I understand the need to make reservations but for the love of good don't rush me out since I do only have an hour to eat lunch. The white lady who spoke Japanese was very approachable and welcoming but the rest of the staff made me feel like I am some nobody off the streets. The small setting makes it feel like sake bar rather than a sushi place. The prices are kinda steep and although the quality of the food is hit or miss. read more

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

This place used to be very good. Last two times we went it was just plain bad. The staff seemed like they didn't to be at work and just cared about getting us in and out. We ordered the omakase which was a special order. It was really poor-quality fish and delivered in an unprofessional manner. We used to really like this establishment but will never ever go back. read more

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

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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My Favorite! The best sushi! Wonderful people, we miss Mr.& Mrs. Murata very much! The new owners carry on their legacy.

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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Murata came highly rated and was voted the destination for an early team lunch. Our goal was to arrive early and beat the crowd but seats were scare due to its popularity. The hostess kindly snuck us into a reserved dining area of a party that was due in 45 minutes (note: make a reservation for larger groups in their dining areas). Service was fast, friendly and very efficient leaving our group highly satisfied. My Sushi B lunch choice was fresh, tasty, and visually pleasing... we will definitely be back. read more

Murata Restaurant - Sushi B - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

As someone who grew up in Japan, Murata is one of the most authentic restaurants I've experienced in the states. Staff are all incredibly attentive and most speak Japanese. Food is on the pricey side but the combo choices are always a great option. Sushi is a must and some very traditional dishes on the menu. If you have a group the private shoeless booths are a treat. read more

Murata Restaurant - Sushi Combo - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I know this restaurant is really popular, and wanna to try with my family. We lived in CA and traveled first time to Portland so I booked this restaurant like 2 weeks ahead to make a reservation. When the day come I called to confirm my reservation time, the lady said can't find my name nor phone number for the reservation. I can't believe it and it is freaking ridiculous. It totally ruined our day. Plus, I still have our call history like 2 weeks ago, so it is not me that confused by day and time. Guys, please sure that you guys got like a prove of reservation or something next time, I feel like I live in the old time. read more

I made a reservation before going. The parking was absolutely impossible to find. When I called to ask, a rude staff member laughed and said, "The parking is next to the restaurant--you'll see it when you come." When I tried to park next door, the parking attendant told me it wasn't for the restaurant. At that point, I just gave up on coming here. The rude attitude of the staff completely ruined the experience. read more

A chef friend recommended we go here and we are so glad we did. I don't think sushi gets more authentic than this. This is a must visit. read more

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I was on my way to the airport and this restaurant was close to my hotel. It was a small place with tatami mat seating for large groups. The place was packed for lunch and many tables were reserved, for a Thurs. I was lucky to get a spot at the bar for walk-in, I suppose. I did try to call, as I saw on the site that walk-ins were limited. No one answered. Staff was cordial. The chef was quite meticulous of his craft, which was a humbling experience. He presented my chirashi pleasantly. I believe I ordered chirashi A and an order of uni. It was good for the price. Nothing life changing or disappointing. Good quality, simple, and fresh. Nothing too exotic. I should've tasted the uni on my meal before ordering more though. Im guessing the tamago is supposedly handmade and fresh. The people on both sides of me were raving about it and got extra orders. Overall, solid Japanese restaurant, with authentic feel. It's rare to hear Japanese spoken, save for the chef, at many Japanese restaurants. I can't say this place is the best of Portland, but I wouldn't want to be disappointed trying to compare. read more

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

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Murata. One of the finest Japanese establishments in Oregon. Elegant interior that was beautifully simple. The servers were keen on caring for each customer. Efficient, yet not rushing you. I ordered the chirashi bowl, which had fresh fish with octopus, shrimp, egg, etc. The quality of each bit was phenomenal. Furthermore, the rice was exactly what you imagine. What my mom says about sushi rice is that it needs to be washed so much that it is just pure white rice. That's exactly what I had in the bottom of this bowl. I also had a spicy tuna roll for fun. The added arugula was just the right touch for a simple staple dish. I thought the spicy tuna was light and airy, which was amazing. On a side note, they validate parking, so this would be an added bonus. read more

I would love to give the opportunity to review fully, went in with my wife for our anniversary. Knew that online it stated to call for reservation, which is great! Except when you call it goes straight to voicemail every time. So after months of calling, we decided on our trip that maybe we can just walk in. No wait time, just outright denied and then shamed for not making reservations! When we tried to explain that we had attempted several times to make reservations, we were told that we needed to call "5 days in advance". Apparently 2 months was too far in advance. Would love to return, but probably won't! Good luck to anyone who wants to dine here! read more

Service was top notch- cute little place with private low table dining as well as regular seating. Fish is fresh- and portions are healthy; with a great variety to choose from as well as some cooked dishes for your friends who don't do raw... wish I had taken pictures as presentation was also awesome. read more