Crab Congee + Cold Beer 🍶！A Perfect Night for Japanese Food Lovers at

On an evening in Portland, I wandered into Murata with a for authentic Japanese food. The second I pushed the door open, I was wrapped in a warm, cozy Japanese vibe— the wooden countertop was polished to a shine, chefs chatted softly in Japanese, small ukiyo-e prints hung on the walls, and the air smelled faintly of soy sauce and the charred aroma of grilled eel. I slowed my steps unconsciously, and as a die-hard Japanese food fan, my excitement instantly spiked! The restaurant is small, but every detail screams “authenticity”: the tableware is simple ceramic dishes, the Japanese labels on the menu show care, and even the complimentary appetizer (a small plate of pickled cucumber + natto) was fresh and refreshing— my expectations were instantly raised! 🍣 Dish Reviews: Every Bite Is a “Fresh Delight” for Japanese Food Fans! ① Nigiri Sushi + Uni｜Fresh Enough to Taste “Just Off the Boat” I ordered three types of nigiri: tuna, salmon, and sweet shrimp. The chef pressed them firmly but not too tightly— the rice had a subtle vinegar tang that perfectly highlighted the freshness of the sashimi. The fatty tuna (otoro) had even marbling, melting in my mouth with a faint creamy aroma; the salmon was thick-cut, tender without being mushy; the sweet shrimp was a standout— plump and bouncy, with the sweet taste of its roe bursting in my mouth～ The uni was the biggest surprise! Bright orange and wobbly like small pieces of custard, it sat on top of the rice, trembling slightly when I poked it with chopsticks 🤤. The second it hit my tongue, there was zero fishiness— only pure, sweet ocean flavor, like eating “melted seafood cream”. I even scraped the tiny bits of uni left on the shell; my love for Japanese food was fully awakened! ② Crab Congee｜The Star of the Night! Two Bowls Isn’t Enough The crab congee arrived steaming hot, its milky white surface sprinkled with green onions. The first spoonful blew me away— it was so smooth and creamy that it melted on my tongue, with rice fully blended into the broth. Every bite had tiny pieces of crab meat, no extra seasonings— just the freshness of the sea and the aroma of rice. It slid warm down my throat, instantly comforting my stomach. Pairing it with cold beer was a game-changer! The beer’s bubbles popped in my mouth, with a light malt scent that balanced the congee’s warmth perfectly. One spoonful of congee, one sip of beer— two bowls still weren’t enough. Happiness spread from my stomach to my heart, and I couldn’t help thinking, “This is the coziest night of my trip!” ✨ ③ Grilled Eel｜Crispy, Tender, and Irresistible The eel was grilled to order, still warm from the charcoal when it arrived. Its outer layer was slightly crispy (a satisfying “crunch” when I bit down), while the inner flesh was tender enough to pull apart. It was coated evenly with sauce— sweet and salty in balance, no earthy aftertaste. The charred aroma mixed with the eel’s freshness; I even wanted to chew the bones! Paired with white rice, I finished the whole plate before I knew it. ④ Miso-Glazed Cod｜Decent but Not Amazing Compared to the other dishes, the miso-glazed cod was just “okay”: the fish was tender, but the miso flavor was too light— it didn’t fully seep into the flesh, so it lacked that “wow factor”. Still, the cod was fresh and non-fishy; it’s a safe choice if you want a lighter option, but don’t expect to be wowed. 👨🍳 Service: Gentle Details That Win You Over The staff and chefs are all Japanese— their English isn’t perfect, but their kindness shines: they patiently recommended fresh daily ingredients when I ordered; when they saw me hesitating over the uni, the chef smiled and gestured, “Today’s uni is very fresh!”; halfway through the meal, they brought a small plate of sliced mango— sweet and refreshing; and they bowed and said “Come back soon” as I left, making my steps lighter even as I walked out. The night breeze was a little cool when I left, but my stomach was warm and full— I was still thinking about the congee’s freshness and the beer’s crispness. Turns out happiness on a trip doesn’t need to be complicated: an authentic Japanese meal, a bowl of warm crab congee, and a cold beer are enough to make me remember this Portland night forever～ #PortlandJapaneseFood #MurataPortland #CrabCongeeAndBeer #JapaneseFoodLovers #PortlandEats