Murata Restaurant

Although they do serve white-people sushi, I dig this place because their specials is legit that even Ryoshiro would eat himself. I've been a religious weekly customer for nearly 8 years now and their Chirashi never fails. It's gone up in price recently and is now $19.95 but this is the shiznit I shiz you not; there's no better way to sample a nip restaurant's fish but to order their chirashi. It's a must. Go get your spicy tuna or california rolls from someplace else. more

Sashimi is not just cut raw fish. When you watch the preparations of a master, look carefully at how the fish is held and moved as though it were still swimming. Murata is far better than Nobu. For sushi, rice is the beginning and few do it better. I consider Murata to be on par with Nozawa. If you are poor, go to mcdonalds instead. Pros: quality and presentation Cons: you might need a reservation more

Recommend by business associates -- they were correct. My Japanese friends and I agreed that it was the best sushi any of us ever had. Though we did set a new record for the highest bill -- $100 each with no alcohol. That said, worth ever penny and I am going back tomorrow!! Pros: Fresh everything - abalone was unbelievable! Cons: $$$$$ more

i've been going here for years. love their food, it is always so fresh and sinfully yummy. the rainbow roll is a good choice, spicy tuna rolls are scrumptious too. Pros: food is incredible, owner is precious Cons: a little on the spendy side more

An absolutely terribly experience: after inquiring about a chef's choice/omakase situation and receiving an enthusiastic ""yes,"" my boyfriend and I were served 1 plate of New Year's pickles/slices of fish cake, a cucumber salad with two slices of sea cucumber, a serving of matsutake soup ($7.00 on the menu), and 9 pieces each of dry, unremarkable fish, including unagi that we both concluded was definitely off and could not eat. We drank tea throughout. The bill was brought with a slice of pineapple. The total: $160.00. A perfunctory tally of what these items would have cost if ordered a la carte: $30-35/person. more

I haven't had any vacation in past 30 years, and my old business partner invited me to US from Japan for my retirement anniversary . My friend asked me to try Japanese foods in the US, and we went to this restaurant. Pros: not authentic foods at all Cons: Bad customer service more

fresh sushi, creative apps, Kimono wearing waitress at dinner time. Great place to go to for good authentic japanese food. Their rice soup is one of the best in town. more

There was little Murata had to recommend itself to me, other than the fact it held up other reviewers' claims that the restaurant was authentic. Come to think of it, Subway, Denny's and Applebees are authentic American dining experiences, and so it is useless to equivocate ""authentic"" with ""good."" I don't know what all the stir has been about Murata. There are plenty of better Japanese places in town; I think that my experience of eating at Murata underscores the sad fact that downtown Portland has no decent Japanese food venue -- you're better off on the east side, out Woodstock, or even eating ""fusion"" Japanese on E. Broadway. Food: The rice was perfect. saba was cooked for goodness sake (!) and served without shiso, perhaps not a crime, but odd enough. Fatty tuna was a tough cut. Presentation was unembellished, the edamame was as tired out as the staff, and we left there lighter in the pocketbook but all the world wiser. Good authentic Japanese food? Go West, go to Hillsboro. Pros: Harsh fluorescent lighting made it easy to see the portions Cons: The exit was too far from our table more

I went to Murata because of all the reviews on it calling it (best of the North West!!) I was greatly disappointed. I ordered two things: salmon roll, soft shell crab roll. I was sitting at the bar, so had full view. Pros: location Cons: price, work hours, quality, freshness more

Those are the best sushi I have eaten in the Pacific Northwest Area. I don't know why some people really hate the restaurant that much. ALL of the Japanese and Asia Pro Sports player who plays in the U.S major league, to name a few (Ichiro, Nomo, Jojima, Yao Ming) have been there and left signatures and photos with the chef. I can't see why their food is as bad as people mentioned. And I myself have been dining authentic Japanese sushi for over 15 years in Japan, asia, Canada and US. This is one of the three best sushi restaurant I have been to. If people think the food portion is too small, this isn't the right place for you, maybe Todai sushi buffet will be better for you to fill up your stomach. But this is Authentic Sushi, the size, the way the chief made the sushi. Pros: Fresh Sushi, fully experienced (over 30 years) sushi chief Cons: Food like Tempura just average, better save it for sushi only more

Not cheap or romantic... just great sushi. Possibly the best sushi in Portland. Fresh and very tasty. Pros: Valet parking more

I have traveled all over the world and had some of the best sushi. I also owned my own restaurant so I know what goes into quality sushi and poor sushi that the owner is trying to save some money on. This sushi is really not good and I will not go back there. I discovered this revuew site a little too late. If I read the reviews I would not have gone. I do not understand how they claim to have fresh fish and it is not. No respecting chef would serve what they do. You do not have to listen to me, but you will not be happy with the service or food. You will only waste your time and money. Pros: no pros Cons: everything about them more

I don't understand what people are saying with the good reviews!!! I read.... I went.... I ate.... it was horrible!!! I truly believe that they are now depending and surviving on their past reputation and reviews! Who serves smoked salmon and cooked mackerel as sushi?!?!? I asked why... they gave me the cold shoulder. The sushi rolls are mostly rice and tiny pieces of cheap fish and loaded with veggies (which is a way for them to save money).... No customer service at all! You can check it out and see for yourself, but you will be disappointed.... I wish I read the negative reviews on the restaurant before I went there! I found out too late! I don't think our family or my colleagues will ever go back there. Pros: ? Cons: fish is cheap quality, service is bad more

I love sushi so when I moved to Portland recently, I asked for recommendations and checked the reviews on City Search. I have to say that although I've relied on the City Search reviews a lot, I've never really been compelled to write a review until now. I couln't believe that a place that received such great reviews served smoked fish and called it fresh sashimi! I think they're now getting by on past good reviews. What they should be really concerned about is keeping the quality of their sushi consistent, rather than now skimping on quality to save a few bucks! Pros: Can't think of anything.... Cons: Horrible sushi! Smoked fish... not real sashimi! Below average service. more

I tried 3 different and two entrees on a recent visit to Murata. I had the california, spicy tuna, and river eel rolls. While the fish was extremely fresh and the flavor of the rolls was good, the rice was too mushy and the rolls kept falling apart (it seemed like they were not rolled especially well). If you don't mind bad texture, then you'll definitely like the rolls. I also tried the fatty tuna nigiri. I usually don't like tuna, but after reading the reviews on citysearch, just had to see how fresh the fish was. It was definitely fresh. Compared to Pros: fresh fish, free parking Cons: mushy rice, poor service more

Murata tastes just like eating in Japan! All the flavors and little dishes, like the chawanmushi taste just like it came from Kyoto. You can order a set dinner or be more adventurous and order a few dishes ala carte. Pros: most authentic menu, highest quality of ingredients, variety of dishes Cons: space is small, but that adds to the authenticity. really feels like Japan. more

Murata is the finest sushi chef in Portland. Not only is the fish incredibly fresh and the service amazing, but the ambiance is the closest to a traditional family-run Japanese restaurant. You will definitely see a Japanese business-man or two sitting at the bar (make a reservation for this spot to watch a master chef in action!) Don't listen to anyone who has anything negative to say about this place! Pros: Freshest fish of the highest quality, excellent service Cons: Reservations recommended, slightly spendy more

I just went to Murata for the second time and this time I order take out. I drove a ways away ( I am from Washington state) just to get their Spicy Tuna rolls, which are the best in town! Tonight they did not offer Toro Tuna, but when available, it is a MUST HAVE! Parking was hard to find for take out, since they not validate parking for take out orders. I also ordered their Hawaiin Rainbow roll and I asked for Wild salmon as oppose to smoked salmon. You have to reqest it, or they may serve it to you with the smoked salmon. It was very fresh and delicious. They offer the freshest fish and very top quality. The only thing that disappointed me was their California rolls. Sure it had the real crab, but you could hardly tell, since they drowned it with a mayonnaise creamy sauce...Not good. The sashimi is top notch. This I had when I dined in there the first time. Prices are extremely high, but you do get what you pay for. Having been to Japan before, I am extremely picky about my sushi. I would recommend this restaurant to any Sushi-Connisseour seeking out the freshest sushi in town. Pros: Top notch quality sushi Cons: Parking for take out orders not validated at the parking lot and it's hard to find a parking spot. more

Fresh and tasty sushi but be careful cause its easy to hike up the bill! I spent 53.00 just on avocado rolls and california rolls. By the way ixnay on the fried soft shell crab Pros: fresh sushi excellent service Cons: deep fried soft shell crab more

They have a quality fresh food. If you just need to have a quick Japanese food, there is a new convert belt SUSHI restaurant in town. We usually make a reservation before we go to eat at Murata; we love their food and people are really friendly, you would better go there again and know them. more