Murata Restaurant

Recommends

keithmbailey

Joined 6 years ago

Go for the SUSHI. Best in Town!. Not cheap or romantic... just great sushi. Possibly the best sushi in Portland. Fresh and very tasty.

Doesn't Recommend

food_reviewer

Joined 6 years ago

Really horrible- about all I have to say- really!. 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.

Doesn't Recommend

sushlvr123

Joined 6 years ago

The worse sushi ever!!!!. 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.

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pinot123

Joined 6 years ago

Anyone who knows real sushi.... knows that smoked fish is NOT the real thing!!! NOT RECOMMENDED!!!. 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!

We went twice just ourselves and thought it was satisfactory. Service was not great but we weren't too bothered because we equated with the small business type dealings. So, when my family and our family Pastor and his wife flew in from out of state to see our new home in Oregon, we wanted to take them out to sushi. It was their last day in Portland and we wanted to make our last meal together for a long time special. We asked the waitress if the chef could make a special sashimi platter for our table. We stressed we wanted fresh fish and top quality. We were assured that for the $90 plate, we would receive the best. What did we get? Smoked fish! Anyone who really knows sushi, knows that this is very cheap for the restaurants to get and this is a way for them to charge a lot to their customers (by calling is sushi) and then serving them smoked/cooked fish! It's insulting to customers that they assume that their clientel wouldn't know the difference.

I would never to go this place again. I would be embarrassed to take anyone to Murata and have them serve smoked fish- calling it sashimi! Sushi lovers-- there are so many quality sushi restaurants out there-- don't waste your money on this place.

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porkee

Joined 11 years ago

Fresh fish, but mushy rice. Moderately priced sushi, expensive entrees. 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

The two entrees i tried were the tonkatsu dinner and fried oysters a la carte. the oysters were large and juicy, but lacked flavor. the tonkatsu was nothing to write home about.

Service was somewhat slow despite it being such a small restaurant and there being two waitresses. The waitresses were not very attentive to our refill needs. for a resturant that is supposedly nice, i felt the ambience and decor lacking. it seemed to lack elegance and personality.

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ttgibbs

Joined 8 years ago

most authentic japanese cuisine on west coast. 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.

The service is a lot like being in Japan too! Everyone is attentive and wants to make sure that you eat the best food and get the best service.

Also, the grade of sashimi is very very high. I am not sure if anyone else in Oregon buys such a high grade of fish. So if you are wondering about the price tag, you pay for what you get at Murata -- the best.

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smyach

Joined 7 years ago

Best Sushi in Portland. 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!

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gialovessushi

Joined 7 years ago

Best Spicy Tuna rolls in town...and perhaps the whole state of Oregon.. 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.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

High-end sushi restaurant caters to business diners, theatergoers and those coming for special occasions.. In Short
The space is a picture of Zen-like simplicity. The dining area includes a handful of tables, a sushi bar and three tatami rooms. Old-school touches reveals sushi as both art and tradition, with beautiful results. Salmon miso poured over rice speaks of a wholesome, peasant origin. Beef or seafood nabe ladled from hot pots is hefty and satisfying. Sushi and sashimi choices include marbled toro and fresh hamachi, both featuring distinctive cuts.

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finnigan76

Joined 7 years ago

great customer service. 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