Murata Restaurant

If you are looking for ambiance, Murata is not the place. It looks like most of the sushi bars I saw in Tokyo about 15 years ago. Clean, overly well lit and boring. But, if you are looking for good Japanese food this is the place. The sushi menu is short, but super authentic. The sushi chefs are really Japanese; Mr. Murata hardly speaks any English. The waitress is also Japanese and although she speaks good English, I am sure she would prefer if all the clientele were Japanese.

It is a little more expensive than the average sushi place, but I think it is worth it. It has often been voted the best Japanese restaurant in Portland, but it still flies under the radar due to the crappy location and the poor ambiance. However, the people who know, know. It was voted one of the best restaurants in town by other Portland chefs in Portland Monthly. We had not been there for years so it was great to see that the food was still top notch. We had the toro, spicy tuna roll, yellow tail, fresh salmon, scallop and fresh water eel. All the sushi was amazing, and we probably over ordered as the portions were a good size. The one disappointment was the seaweed salad, which had three kinds of seaweed, but not much taste. For a little taste of Tokyo, you should check out Murata, but be sure to make a reservation.

Murata Restaurant
200 SW Market St.

Portland, OR 97201

(503) 227-0080