Warms the Soul, Japanese Grandpas Make Sushi Super Fast 🍣

🥣 Crab Congee Steals the Show! Crab in Every Bite, Perfect for Tired Travelers The star that made me obsessed? Their crab congee! It arrived steaming hot, the rice simmered so soft it melted in my mouth. Stirring gently with a spoon, I found it packed with shredded crab meat—not just a few scraps, but enough to taste that sweet seafood flavor in every bite. The broth was perfectly made too—only a faint kelp aroma and crab sweetness, no extra salt or MSG. It tasted light but not bland. We’d been walking around all day, tired and cold; after sipping half the bowl, my stomach felt warm and cozy, like all my tiredness had been “smoothed out.” I couldn’t help telling the chef “it’s amazing” when I put down the spoon. The Japanese grandpa nodded with a smile, saying in broken English, “The crab arrived this morning”—no wonder it was so fresh and delicious! 🍣 Lunch Round Two! Japanese Grandpas Make Sushi Faster Than You Think The crab congee was so good we went back early the next day for lunch, eager to try their sushi. We got there right after 11 AM, and the restaurant was still quiet—the same Japanese grandfathers were busy behind the counter. One grandpa wore reading glasses: he held sushi rice in his left hand, laid sashimi on top with his right, twisted his hands twice, pressed lightly, and a piece of nigiri was done. It looked slow, but he was surprisingly fast! We ordered a “lunch sushi set,” and in less than 10 minutes, plates of sushi arrived: salmon toro with even marbling, melting in the mouth; tuna akami with a faint iron-rich aroma, fresh enough to taste the ocean’s crispness; tamagoyaki (sweet egg roll) soft and not too sweet. The biggest surprise was the speed—we thought older chefs might be slow, but they were faster than many young chefs! Even the guest next to us laughed and said, “The grandpas are so efficient—it’s amazing, you never wait long.” The miso soup in the set was also home-style: soft tofu, fresh wakame, perfect for cutting the sushi’s richness. After finishing two plates of sushi and the last sip of soup, I was full but still happy. My only thought was: “If I were still in Portland tomorrow, I’d come back again!” 💡 Pro Tips for Visiting: Reserve in advance for dinner! Especially on weekends—walk-ins rarely get seats, and bar seats are hit-or-miss. Lunch is less crowded with no wait. Besides sushi, there are simple bento sets with great value. If you want crab congee, order it for dinner—the chef said “we prepare more crab meat in the evening!” This old-school Japanese spot has no “viral hype”—just “fresh ingredients + careful cooking” and the grandpas’ dedication to their craft. If you want “solid, delicious” Japanese food in Portland, Murata is a no-brainer. The joy of eating it two days in a row? That’s the rare “home-style comfort” you crave on a trip～ #PortlandEats #Portland #NorthAmericanLife #PortlandJapaneseFood #OldSchoolJapanese #CrabCongee #Sushi