50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Washington

“We went for the summer restaurant week. You get a cold and a hot appetizer, assortment of sushi and a dessert. We opted for the soft shell crab and shabu shabu ramen, both were delicious and served hot out of the kitchen. Sushi is top quality and decadent of course. Hojicha pudding is uniquely toasty and silky.

Not all RW deals are worth going, but I’d recommend the selection at sushi taro for the quality and the value of the food.“

“I had a fantastic experience at SHŌTŌ Washington DC. The atmosphere was vibrant, with great music that added to the upscale yet inviting ambiance. The food was exceptional… beautifully presented and packed with flavor. From start to finish, everything was top-notch. Definitely a place worth visiting for a great night out!“

“on point!! don't shy away from the menu, everything we had was delicious.“

“Went there to celebrate my birthday. Sushi was very fresh and perfectly prepared. The slices were excellent, which made the fish delicate, tender and without too much dark pieces which have more fishy taste, no tendons/skin/muscle to make it difficult to chew. It was a delightful experience! The amount of different fish/seafood species was surprising. A special place to go to celebrate, if you love sushi. We paired it with a nice bottle of Italian Sparkling, which was an excellent recommendation by our server.“

“When I think omakase, I think sushi. Kappo was wagyu omakase, so I didn’t know what to expect exactly. The wagyu was beyond delicious like melt in your mouth delicious. I added the sake pairing and it did not disappoint! The space was intimate with about ten bar seats and three tables of 4. Chef Ogawa was there showing us the cut of wagyu. The course took around 2.5 hours.“

“Had a really nice time upstairs with Ash as our bartender! Sooo sweet! My best friend andnI had a blast. 🩷🙌🏽“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“I wish I went here sooner. I have lived in the Palisades for four years. Sushi is one of my favorite fare and the six times I have been here in the last five months have been amazing. The sushi is impecable and the service is even better. I have come here just for a quick dinner to take home and a place to sulk after the death of my abuela. Their demeanor is unmatched to other sushi places in DC and I, regretfully, wish I could have spent more time with their fabulous staff. Kotobuki is an institution that must be respected and admired by everyone in the DMV. Thank you!“

“Rooftop on the Marriott great atmosphere. The service was good with the chef coming out to greet everyone at their table. They have multiple heaters which was perfect after the sun went down. I had the portobello app, very tasty. Also had the Baked fish dish, good seafood variety and flavor. I wish they served bread though.“

“Definitely a great rooftop place to go it's a little small and crowded because it's more like a pen outsetting however when it gets warm the view over the water is very beautiful I enjoyed my pan fried shrimp dumplings in my Wall Street Maki sushi. It's expensive though“

“Amazing! The sushi tasting menu was exceptional and filling! Delicious and whimsical cocktails. Bar in the back, very hip and chic workout being pretentious. Wagyu beef skewers from the bar was one of the best things I’ve ever had. All the skewers were amazing and the fried chicken and other bar snacks are classic bar foods, but way elevated- can not wait for the rest of the space to open!“

“Easily one of the best bars in the city, hands down“

“❤️ Oku. hits everytime. every 🍾 celebration we (my fam) head straightforward there.“

“The best sushi (to go) I’ve ever eaten...and I’ve eaten a lot of sushi 😅“

“Qunyh is the best! So helpful and kind, all her recommendations were absolutely fantastic. Her service was quick and the food wonderful. And with celiacs disease very knowledgeable of the menu

Dietary restrictions: celiacs disease“

“Had a Great time celebrating a friend’s birthday! Food is amazing, sushi is fresh! Good atmosphere! Owners are Super cool and really knows how to make their guests feel special. Kudos to the entire staff for the Great service. Highly recommend!“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“My wife and I went to NaRa-Ya for their weekend bunch. It’s a pretty good deal. $45 per person for an all you can eat 2 hours brunch. We got the chance to try most of their food options. The service was decent. I personally felt like our server was short with us. They have an automatic 20% tip added to all bills so I guess there was not really an incentive to provide superior service.“

“How does this place only have 4 stars? Do you all have covid still? Best sushi in town for the price point, even if they're not so used to customer service or the place isn't made for a nice sit down experience (it's Western Market, which is a great upscale food court worth going out of your way for).“

“Love this place immensely. Service was top notch and food is SO GOOD. I got the spicy salmon roll and the Ninja Turtle specialty roll and neither disappointed. Probably the best spicy salmon roll i’ve had, ever. Period hands down, no competition. Ambiance is great-standard sushi bar spot.
Will 1000% be back! I’m currently typing this as I finish my food. It’s that good—I couldn’t wait!“

“Great selection of vinyls. Their drinks are from another world so don't expect generic cocktails. Maitake mushrooms tempura and wagyu flank steak were perfectly cooked. Had the pleasure of opening one of their fine Armagnac with Will. I appreciate the passion they put into giving us such a unique experience through sight, sound, and taste.“

“My family loves Sushi Hachi. Most of our celebrations are here.“

“The place was small, cute, and charming. True mom and pop shop, the owners were so kind and doting. Tried the Bibimbap bowl and the mint lemonade and it did NOT disappoint. The owner and the cook herself, even mixed the Bibimbap for us. It felt like eating dinner at Grandma's house, and I can't wait to go back!“

“I chose Akeno Sushi to celebrate my bachelorette weekend, and I couldn’t have made a better choice! It’s my absolute favorite restaurant in DC, and this experience just confirmed why it’s one of my top spots. From start to finish, the staff was incredibly warm, accommodating, and genuinely thrilled to help us celebrate. Nadia, in particular, was a joy to work with and supported me every step of the way in planning. The food was phenomenal, with each dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The drinks were equally impressive, featuring thoughtful details like fresh flowers that added a special touch to the celebration. The ambiance was perfect, with lovely decorations that made the night feel even more festive. Whether you’re planning a special event, a casual dinner, or a date night, Akeno Sushi is versatile, delicious, and always delivers a memorable experience. I highly recommend it!“

“Very Nice atmosphere customer service was great and the food was superb“

“Hands-down best ramen I have ever had.“

“I stopped in with friends before a event Sunday evening. The staff was warm and welcoming. I had the lentil sambusas and a peanut-infused coffee at the staff’s recommendation. The food was fast and delicious- the sambusas were warm and spicy, and the peanut coffee was delicious! In a kind gesture, the chef sent over a sampling of sushi to our table. Fresh and refreshing, the sushi was a nice complement to my sambusas and hot beverage. I’m not on this side of town often, but now I have a reason to come back.“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“Amazing sushi place, the happy hour pricing is great and the service was phenomenal.

The sushi itself was well prepared and delicious. We sat outside on the patio and we were checked on frequently which was appreciated.

Definitely the best sushi I've had in DC in quite a bit, and pretty affordable too.“

“GREAT value— 50% off sushi after 7pm (from $10.5 to $5.25)!!! The tuna and salmon avocado rolls are delish and $10.5 or 50% off before closing (if there are any left).
The stickers are SUPER CUTE and $1 each!

They also offer great drinks (craft yuzu soda, topo chico, boba tea etc.)

♿️ Union Market’s entrance is accessible, but tables are mostly high top (low tables by the window and outside) and the aisles are crowded most of the day. Also good lighting. Very loud.

Wheelchair accessibility: Union Market’s entrance is accessible, but tables are mostly high top (low tables by the window and outside) and the aisles are crowded most of the day. Also good lighting. Very loud.“

“Legit Japanese food. I’ve visited 6 cities in Japan and this is exactly the type of food I’ve had there. 🍱 🍜 🍣“

“I had an incredible dining experience there. The food was fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Also their dine-in option is available, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed, authentic Japanese meal.“

“Great service, good sushi, delicious mochi, and great location.“

“Enjoyed delicious sushi and curry coconut udon! The service was great and the atmosphere perfect!“

“AWESOME experience and food. Customer service and food quality is always on point. SOO much food based on the price! My family was very impressed.

Vegetarian options: Tofu hibachi, Vegetable hibachi, Avocado Cucumber sushi roll, 4 piece spring rolls

Dietary restrictions: If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, ask or let them know ahead of your order. Easy.

Parking: Easy

Kid-friendliness: No problems

Wheelchair accessibility: No problems“

“It was a great experience.. food was good and customer service was even better and fast.“

“I rarely post reviews, but I make an exception for restaurants that leave a lasting impact, and this one definitely did! The pho was incredibly comforting and delicious. I’m already excited to come back next month when it’s cooler outside. The bánh mì was fresh and hot, bursting with flavor. Plus, our server was genuinely pleasant. Highly recommend this place!“

“The absolute best sushi 🍣 I have had ever! So worth it! Mango madness/capital roll yum just soooo goooood!!!“

“One of my favorite sushi spots for lunch when the mood strikes. The location is unassuming and if you aren't looking for it you will walk right by. Not the cheapest option but the quality of the fish speaks for itself. As far as sushi, I can only speak to the nigiri and sashimi but the various types I have had all have been fresh with good texture. The beef udon bowl was light and a great soup without being heavy. This place is only open for lunch so if you can swing it, it's worth a try.“

“I love this place!! The sushi is the most affordable you’ll get in the area, and the woman who works there is super warm and friendly and always makes me feel welcome. The sushi is also really yummy, if you’re looking for good fresh sushi in Georgetown come here!“

“I was really delighted savoring all the food. The service was professional, The guy serving was very professional and friendly, he was always smiling and always wearing gloves when serving the food. I am very impressed with that.“

“It’s solid. It’s a little off the mark on some dishes, the quality of the fish is excellent if that’s all you want then for the cost it’s really well positioned in the city. If it’s not sushi it’s probably really tasty but a little clunky in terms of preparation. Overall a win.“

“Yes, this restaurant is highly recommended for a casual dining experience.“

“We had so much fun and we’re amazed at how delicious everything was!M is a sweetheart and provided outstanding service. She answered questions and gave recommendations. She was very thoughtful and kind. And the food - outstanding! We can’t wait to go back!Thank you!“

“Excellent food temperature and taste. Ended up getting a combo, however their vegetables were mostly just onion, very few broccoli or carrots, showing that lack of vegetable variety. Otherwise, great quality for the speed, convenience, and price.“

“The food is always excellent“

“The dish that I ordered was great!!!“

“Nice vibe and great sushi!“

“I went at noon and it was not crowded at all, and it was quiet, a big bonus for me these days. No loud music and people shouting in order to converse over it. The food was very good, very fresh. I highly recommend this restaurant for Asian fusion cuisine and sushi.“

“This place is a gem! Been going here for years and they are absolutely lovely. My go-tos are the (vegetarian) soba/udon soup, shrimp dumplings (off menu item) and the sushi. Also excellent cucumber salad!
Not sure why some folk here have complained about the prices - you really can’t beat the value of this place in an area full of overpriced lunch spots.“