Murata Restaurant

Murata is a phenomenal spot for traditional sushi and Japanese cuisine, situated downtown right behind the Keller auditorium (NB, if you're hoping to dine on a show night, be sure to make a reservation). Everyone who works at the restaurant speaks Japanese, making the experience even more authentic. The fish is perfectly prepared, and the are sushi options running the gamut from affordable set dinners to more expensive a la carte options. If you're more adventurous, check out the specials board! I like Murata because it isn't flashy. The decor is simple, clean, and traditional. They're focused on providing an authentic and delicious Japanese dining experience!

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.

Absolutely perfect. One of the best we've had in the US.The sushi was really fresh and the sushi rice was just right. Getting a seat at the counter and watching the chef do it was a joy. It was my first time having Kani Zosui and it was a great experience. The broth was so tasty without being overpowering. There were so many yummy crabmeat pieces in it.Service was really good... everyone was nice and very attentive to our needs. The ladies worked fast and were super polite.Our only regret was not having enough stomach to eat more. Will definitely be back when we're in the area again.

Top notch sushi spot! Loved the food, staff, location, everything! The space is small but clean and well lite.

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.

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.

Finally decided to try Murata and it did not disappoint. I recommend getting a reservation because I've actually tried to walk in a couple times and the wait was always 1hr+ and I didn't want to wait that long.I went with sushi dinner A set and it also came with appetizers. We upgraded our sushi roll that comes with sushi A to negitoro for an extra $10. This was my favorite sushi there. The fish just melts in your mouth and while also flavorful from the green scallions. The nigiri fishes were all high quality, my favorite was the hamachi. They have a wide selection of Japanese dishes. I recommend looking at their daily and weekly specials, there were a few that I was interested in like the salmon or yellow collar and uni/fatty tuna bowl. The place itself is small and cozy. The staffs were very friendly and service was good. I'll definitely come back here to try other dishes.

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.

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)

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.