50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Kensington

“This place is an 8.5 or 9 out of 10 but it's better than the sun of its parts. We ordered a good selection of food and it was all good. The ambiance was good, chill, the service was prompt and attentive. Presentation was immaculate. The fish was really spectacular and tasted great. Soft, beautifully sliced, and no sticky slimy to be felt. Can especially recommend the white Flint roll, very creative blend of flavors and textures. The only complaint is that the nigiri construction could be better. It was too little rice to the point where the fish to rice ratio felt skewed and the necessary support under the fish was not present. There was also no adhesion of fish to rice, leading to the nigiri falling apart often. Maybe a small dab of wasabi or slightly stickier rice will remedy the problem. Still a great sushi restaurant and worth a visit.“

“Good value and food was very good. Spring roll was a little soft but otherwise the food was excellent. A full plate of food for about 10 bucks. Yum yum. Quick lunch place,if you can find a spot in the lot at lunch. That center has a few lunch spots when im in Kensington, and parking can be sparse.“

“Very cute and innovative Japanese-Italian fusion spot! I had the Vongole Ramen, which was very tasty, although also extremely rich so perhaps difficult to finish towards the end.The onigiri was also interesting, although many of them were a bit lacking in filling.“

“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!“

“Me and my sister attended a lovely evening here for my birthday! Great food, great service, great drinks. Everything was great. Staff was even kind enough to check on my sister, who had a reaction to one of the foods we weren't aware she was allergic to. We had to leave earlier and didn't get to finish the experience but would love to return again next time I am in town. Highly suggest.“

“The food and service here are truly exceptional, but I would say this is a special occasion restaurant where you'd be better serviced with better portions at less expensive prices:Pros:Exceptional ServiceFresh and expertly prepared dishesCons:Sushi: although unbelievably fresh, the portions are just not worth the price. Nigiri sizes are incredibly, incredibly small for what you pay.Atmosphere: clubby vibe with very loud music can make it difficult to hear your dining partnersFor me, the price isn't worth the experience. I needed a cheeseburger after spending $200 per person.“

“In a spot where the sushi's divine,Far from Japan, but tastes like its own shrine.The staff, with smiles, swiftly glide,Explaining each dish with knowledgeable pride.A saki selection that brilliantly does shine.Beyond seas, this place holds its fame,With flavors no connoisseur could blame.Here, fish tales are more than mere notions,Served with a flair that stirs deep emotions.A top-tier feast, in every aspect, it came.“

“Our family loves Taipei Tokyo's food. We always use curbside pickup and have never been disappointed. Quick service, discounts, delicious food and a huge selection of dishes. We recently placed an order for eight people and they all enjoyed their dinners very much!“

“We went to Kyojin for the first time and Jessica took care of us and it was an absolutely wonderful experience! Jessica gave me all her recommendations and explained the menu thoroughly to me as it was my first time which I extremely appreciated. She made notes of what my favorite fish and dishes are in general to give me better recommendations that suited me. Overall great experience. Also amazing atmosphere and such a cool place. Thank you Jessica!“

“My goodness...I am pretty sure Kappo DC is the closest thing to heaven on earth. Upon arriving, you are greeted with a conspicuous entrance, light brown wooden door, and a gold plaque with "Kappo Makoto" carved into it. It gave off a very exclusive and high end vibe. Once our dinner reservation time arrived, the door finally opened with a host greeting and welcoming us in. Walking by an amazing display of various bottles of sake and a large mirror for us to snap a picture together, we entered the main dining area. To start, the chefs introduced themselves and gave us a little history on the restaurant's creation and overall vision. We ordered our drinks and we were given the option for the uni & caviar add-on. Since it was my birthday, you can bet your ass we got it! To start, we were presented with the wagyu summer salad. Every ingredient paired perfectly together with a dash of acidity from the light dressing. The uni was absolute butter. The wagyu was melt in your mouth goodness. The greens provided the perfect balance to the rich, complex flavors from the uni and Wagyu together. I knew we were in for an amazing night. Next up was the Chawanmushi, a savory egg custard with wagyu. It was delicate and velvety, yet bursting with umami. Of course, with our caviar topping, this dish was the perfect amuse-bouche. The sashimi trio that followed did not disappoint. The first was light, refreshing, and well balanced. The colors of this dish popped, with bursts of green, pink and orange. The fish (I believe it was hamachi) was super fresh and perfectly marinated. The next one was more meat centric and being paired with the uni, it balanced out the sharper taste of the tuna. The final of the trio was a scallop sashimi, with thin cucumber slices and red onions in an acidic drizzle. Like the first one, it was refreshing and bright. Annnd let's not forget, the caviar/uni pairings which perfectly meshed with each dish. Next up we starting getting back into the wagyu with the Wagyu Menchi Katsu. This one was fun to eat, not anything super impressive, but overall had rich flavor and sat atop a small pool of sauce and a shishito pepper. Overall, a nice change of pace from the fish heavy dishes from before. Onto the Wagyu Chirashi Sushi, this was by far one of my favorite dishes on the menu. The presentation was gorgeous, with a small ball of white rice topped with orange salmon roe, red tobiko, bright yellow quail egg, vibrant green chives, a little yellow flower and a gold flake on top. Let's not forget the radiant uni and caviar to top it all off, this dish was bursting with color. The flavor was overwhelmingly good. My friend, wife and I couldn't stop ourselves making awkward "mmmm's" and "oooh's" out loud lol. It was served in the perfect portion, as any more would have been too overwhelming, but any less would leave much to desire. The Wagyu sukiyaki was a good transition from the rich and savory flavors of the Chirashi. It was solely Wagyu beef with glass noodles and some greens on top, sitting in a puddle of delicious sauce. Sweet yet savory. At this point I was getting very full. Finally the Curry Udon arrived. It was good, but honestly it was definitely well past the climax of the courses. I found this to be a grounding dish, bringing us back down to earth after being sent into space. It was comforting and warm. I wouldn't say it was amazing, it was just nice. A reminder that overindulgence can be detrimental to your overall enjoyment. They did provide me with a scoop of some yummy ice cream since it was my birthday, but also we were sent home with some Royce chocolate. Among the dishes, they had really great cocktails and we also got a bottle of "Seven Spearsmen" sake, which paired really well with the rich and fatty flavors we consumed. Service was phenomenal and I think the chef's enjoyed us at the counter because of how expressive we were and amazed by each dish that was put forth. They spent a lot of time chatting with us while preparing t“

“If you are craving great sushi and great service you have to come here!!!! I got the firecracker roll and the seaweed salad and it was soo good and very fresh!! Jc was my server and he was the best server I’ve had hands down!!! 100000/10.“

“top notch service and food! the interior is beautiful and the servers were knowledgeable. the fish is really fresh and there's a lot of variety. i love the modern takes on the classic dishes. the dragon roll was my favorite, the char on the unagi was perfect. the japanese inspired cocktails are delicious, I especially recommend the sweetheart!“

“Mita Cafe is super cute! This small cafe offers both Ethiopian and Japanese eats, in addition to breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, smoothies, and juices. While in the area, we decided to try them out, and ordered: +a Strawberry with Mango smoothie - prepared with mangoes, strawberries, and bananas, made with either your choice of apple or guava juice; we opted for the latter +an order of Spicy Lentil Samboosas - they also have spicy chicken as a filling, too; these are larger than the usual sized sambusas; super crispy, but I thought the filling was way too spicy! +a Tokyo Sushi set - this came with 4 pieces of salmon nigiri, a tuna nigiri, a red snapper nigiri, a roll of salmon maki, and a roll of tuna avocado maki; I really enjoyed the salmon nigiri, and most likely will opt for requesting these only; wasn't really a fan of the maki rolls, as one that contained 'baked salmon' tasked like it was from a tin I'd love to try their paninis next time and get more of their salmon nigiri. I'd also like to try their drinks. Service was very friendly and kind! There are only about 4 tables inside, so most seem to get their orders to go, or there's a queue to get one of the tables. The place is definitely tight and cozy! Street parking is available in the area. +salmon nigiri +tasty smoothies +friendly service! +street parking available in the area“

“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!“

“The weather was beautiful today, and flowers were blooming. And this little cozy place was perfect for me. The chirashi bowl was very satisfying... the fish was so tasty and fresh! I don't think anyone can beat this price with the quality of chirashi here. What a surprise... that I could trust Yelp reviews once again :)“

“One of the best sushi places in the DMV area and I've been to a lot of sushi places!They have nice portions. Their Black Magic is amazing. Their belly bun is good and I just recommend everything on their menu super flavorful and awesome service.“

“Akeno is my new favorite sushi spot! Not only is the food amazing, but the people that own and run it are the kindest, most appreciative people I have ever met! We get great service, the ambiance is perfect and we have fun with the staff. If the truffle salmon is on the specials menu, do yourself a favor and ORDER IT! You can thank me later.“

“CAN I SAY THIS IS SOME OF THE BEST SUSHI I'VE HAD IN ALL OF DC!! The flavors in their Seaweed Cucumber Crab salad, and Rainbow and Unagi specialty rolls were music to my tastebuds, so much that we ordered a third one!! My dirty martini and my sister's plum wine added great spirit to our evening and our server was attentive and flowed with our jokes. They also followed great COVID protocol. You must pay them a visit TODAY!!“

“This used to be my neighborhood sushi restaurant. I live in NYC now and I never miss an opportunity to dine at SushiKo when in DC. The fish is super-fresh and beautifully prepared. The staff is attentive without being overbearing. The wine list is very good. Am already thinking about the next visit.“

“I also wanted to select ambiance. But weirdly it won't unless I type it I'm so happy I selected to come here out of all the options around me. I ordered the Chaplin A.S.S. and it was phenomenal. The people working there were amazing. I highly recommend prioritizing this place.“

“Fantastic sushi tucked away in an unassuming strip mall. I’ve been a couple times because there are so many appealing sushi rolls and they have all been fantastic. The fish is fresh, the proportions are good. I’d avoid the cocktails, they are underwhelming. They can be slow when busy but that should be expected when sushi is being made to order.“

“I want to give a shout out to Mr. Ham, Jobbi, and MJ. I stayed at a hotel near this fine establishment and I visited it quite frequently for dinner. Their omakase is absolutely incredible, and sitting at the bar watching them prepare the food was an awesome experience. They were very kind, and super welcoming. They have an vast understanding of the meals they are preparing for you, and they only use premium cuts. Literally the meat melts in your mouth, it was sooooo good. I will definitely visit them again on my next trip out. I stayed at this hotel for over 2 weeks, and this was the only restaurant I went to eat at more than once. They made me feel like I was family, they new what I wanted when I walked in, and they remembered our previous conversations from nights prior and were very engaging. I would highly recommend to anyone who inquires. Hands down one of the best restaurants experiences in the area.“

“Ok. I can be pretty harsh, overly critical, and selfishly opinionated about sushi offerings. But I can only convey that is tastes good and where good sushi can be found. Moreover, what gets lost in tranlation is my eagerness to convince just one or two readers which sushi place is good at the places where I can afford it.I don't think it makes sense to just order the most expensive sushi item on the menu at the most popular sushi places in city areas. We can't all fly in and out of Vegas just for lunch. Yume Sushi seems to bridge that divide. Oh man, just want I thought you cannot find any better quality+value sushi than the 1-2 places around the Tyson's area, Yume was a nice find. The chirashi is out of this world but note somewhat price at ~$50. But the fresh raw fish in chirashi is different than all other sushi places I've had. The award winning rolls I can pass. The chirashi is just the best item on the menu. Most of the other menu items evoke poor attempts at fusion inventions while trying not to alienate true foodies who appreciate proper traditional high quality sushi preparation. The A5 wagyu donburi was way too much rice and way too sweet. So if you decide to go, the chirashi is definitely worth the trip and at least for that special occasion.Parking: The sign to free parking in in the garage behind the restuarant is small and easy to miss.“

“So far I've only had two of their dishes, the signature bowl, and the salmon lovers, but both were impressive!I've been to a few other similar places in the area, but I feel like there were more varied ingredients, and you actually got a lot more food at this place for about the same price.They were friendly, happy to walk me through whatever choices I wanted to make and my food was out quick.Both dishes were tasty and I will definitely go back here again when I'm in the area...“

“Bar tenders were delightful, the view of the Capitol at night was spectacular and the food was so good I went back the following night to eat the same thing again! Chef stopped at the tables to check on his guests and thank them for coming!“

“Temari Japanese Cafe has become a pretty classic Rockville staple for delicious authentic Japanese food! It does fill up pretty fast on Friday and weekend evenings, so be sure to come early. On my most recent trip I got the Katsu Curry, one of my favorite Japanese comfort food dishes. The curry was thick, rich, and super delicious; bold with flavors, and had potatoes, onions, and beef chunks! Which in combination with the crispy pork katsu on top, its a great combination. They give you plenty of rice and curry too, I just wish there was a bit more katsu given the size of the rest of the plate. Service is really great too, servers are friendly and attentive. I've been here multiple times and it's always a pleasure to dine here.“

“TL;DR: Toro is where it's at Came here close to the end of lunch time and was able to snag a seat. Interior is small and minimally decorated, but very cute. Service is very fast and friendly. FOOD: ~Toro Sashimi (5/5): they let the product speak for itself. Very good ~Chirashi Deluxe (3.9/5): I love the variety of fish they give. Flavor/quality varies depending on the fish. I LOVED the mushrooms that came with this, I thought about asking for a bowl of it. Favorite fish we liked from here were: toro, crab stick (surprisingly), and white tuna. ~Eel and avocado roll (3.5/5): basic ~CA uni (4/5): yummy and fresh ~Hamachi (3/5): mid quality and flavor ~Scallop (3/5): again, not up to par ~Saba (2.5/5): didn't have that pungent flavor that mackerel usually has ~Aburi salmon (2.5/5): was over charred and couldn't taste anything but bitterness Overall, if we stick to the main things we liked, this place would easily be a 5/5. But if you want a variety of things every time you visit, then you MIGHT be disappointed.“

“Je me suis abrité dans ce restaurant en raison de la pluie. J'étais le seul client à mon arrivée mais j'ai été très surpris par la sympathie des propriétaires et par le goût de la nourriture. Je me suis régalé avec le bibimbap. Cependant je trouve que le prix est un peu élevé mais ça doit expliqué par la proximité avec tous les monuments alentours.“

“Absolutely amazing. Tapas style, so you get to try lots of different dishes, especially if you share with your party. Great service, phenomenal food, and a beautiful view. Our server was extremely knowledgeable, informative, professional, and very kind.One of my new favorite restaurants in DC.“

“Love this place. Been going there since I was a kid and it was located on Lee Highway in Arlington. The food is great and most of the staff is very nice. It’s always difficult ordering because they have so many awesome dishes. BTW my Japanese father loved this place too.“

“Today I was in this place, and my first impression when I saw the beef soup I ordered was that it was very good, abundant and light, we also ordered some wings with the sauces on the side, and the frying of the wings was on point, crispy and juicy inside, it has been a very good experience, pleasant music and very good service. We hope to return soon.“

“Someone shared a review of how they didn't appreciate how the DJ said their song request was annoying. They forgot to mention how they were making the request with their phone and that is very annoying to every DJ. Also, it's called a "request" meaning the DJ can or cannot play if they choose. As far as I've experienced, every DJ at Death Punch has been on point and plays to the crowd and not the individual (there have been so many terrible song requests). This venue is fun and always vibin. To the other poster...go listen to Grammy winning Olivia Rodrigo in your car if you want. The rest of us will dance to whatever the DJs choose to play.“

“Small, quaint hidden gem. Food is AMAZING!!! Reasonably priced. Everything is cooked super fast and brought out to your table. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. Mixed croud- young adults and families. Fun pop culture decor all throughout.“

“Stopped in for a quick bite while shopping in Georgetown and it was perfect. The 7 dollar sushi rolls were cheap and fresh. The staff was very kind and accommodating. and we got to sit outside and enjoy the sunny day. Will def be back when i’m in the area. Wish there were more sushi spots like this.“

“Great little sushi place in the Harris Teeter shopping plaza. Brought a large group here and they were extra accomodating to us with all of the silliness that goes on with a 12 person group. Food came out quickly, hot and delicious. Beverages were never empty. Really love the tuna-peno roll which is a little spicy! Will definitely return.“

“My daughter loves the steamed shrimp shumai so it was eaten in 2 seconds from being unpacked and I didn’t get a pic. The salmon & Ikura sashimi tasted fresh. The Ikura was eaten too fast so no pic but the portion size appeared modest while the thick cut slices of the salmon sashimi is generously cut.The yellowtail jalapeño appetizer is a nice portion for the price but the sauce is too spicy for me but diluting it with soy sauce helps.The folks working here are kind and professional. The dining room is kept clean but not inviting to relax and eat. I prefer to get my orders to go or eat quick and go. I’m glad they’re in the neighborhood!“

“I never have this a fried calamari in some where else. Only Sumo thai served 2 different sauces for it.It makes this dish pop up and so yummy until a last bite. All sushi is very good quality and rice wrapping is very thin. Mango sticky rice is nice presentation in a heart shaped. We will be back again. ??“

“Lots and lots of food options (don’t forget to look at their Menu Specials, separate from their regular menu). Loved that their menu was marked for dietary restrictions (I.e., GF) so we did not have to ask additional on how the dish was prepared. The server was very attentive and all dishes came out fast and fresh. Absolutely loved their garlic fried rice, good to have in addition to sushi rolls.Dietary restrictions: Menu is marked with all GF options.“

“Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious service was good only one girl working but But service was not lacking it takes a while to get your rolls and your orders but it's worth the weight very delicious and the prices were very reasonable“

“First time visiting & it was good. Dining in with beer & sake:Takoyaki: exceptional, definitely order them if visiting.Shrimp Shumai: good.Gyoza: tried steamed and probably be better to order fried.Rolls: Philadelphia & Salmon with Avocado - both good.Suggestions: Takoyaki & Shumai, any rolls. Could skip Gyoza.General information: this place is pretty busy, so you may want to make a reservation for a party. Seating consists of dining room & outside patio. Place itself across from Whole Foods. Parking garage is 5 minutes walk.Pricewise: about $85 with 3 appetizers to share, 2 rolls, sake & beer.“

“My husband and I love getting ice cream at Kyoto Matcha. I love the atmosphere and the vibe. We almost always get awesome service. The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because one time we ordered a slice of cake to go and we were given a frozen slice. Normally we are asked when we are going to eat it. I asked if we could get a slice that isn’t frozen and the woman helping us didn’t have the best attitude about it. Misunderstandings happen but I don’t think it was handled well that time. The last couple times we’ve come for ice cream have been pleasant. Overall it’s a great place and I’d say one of the best.“

“Yiku is a great casual sushi if you want a quick fix that has a little more than yoyogi. They don't have any extravagant rolls but they do have specialty rolls! I also got the udon soup with a side of shrimp tempura and the tempura was soooo good. Our server was super attentive and the location was convenient.“

“Yummy food with a great atmosphere! I had the Salman Gohan, which is a bowl with rice with salmon, corn, and other great flavors on top. The ratio was good to mix everything together, with a bit of rice left over at the end. It tasted very good, but it cost $18. The portion was sufficient for a meal, but I would have liked a bit more salmon for the price. The quality is good, but for $18 I prolly would have preferred all you can eat dinner at the dining hall. The service was really good and any questions I asked were promptly and politely answered. I got my food 5 minutes after the time I was told by the automated text message, and this wasn’t good because the person I was with had to catch their bus. The atmosphere is great, with a wood and plant theme. The kitchen is visible and connect to a tabletop with barstools. There is a cool large mural on one wall. I will definitely be back here to try some ramen and onigiri, but for now I give Onikama Ramen Bar 4 stars!“

“It's a small sushi restaurant on a busy street but there's a public parking garage a couple of feet away. The workers/owners? were nice and quick with service. Even offered recommendations. Not sure if they get a lot of dine-in customers because my friend and I were the only ones there around 6pm. At the end of our meal the server gave us a small plate of fruit, yum! I would definitely go back for a second round.“

“I have been coming to Koi Koi since they opened seventeen years ago. In all this time I never had a bad experience here. The food is fresh and amazing. The staff is friendly and officiant. Very welcoming and warmKid-friendliness: Extremely family oriented“

“Walking into Endo Sushi doesn't initially scream "acrobatic antics," but the place has its flips and tricks up its sleeve—figuratively speaking, of course! It’s as quaint as they come, clean as a whistle, and home to a charming mural that could tell a thousand tales if only it could talk.The staff? They’re so cheerful and welcoming, you'd think they nailed a backflip before coming to work. And though you won't actually see any gymnastic feats (health and safety, folks!), their ability to deliver top-notch service and sushi with a smile is nothing short of spectacular.While the menu mysteriously lacks the high-flying acrobatics of crafting crab rangoon (I mean, how high can a crab even jump?), the sushi rolls are a culinary somersault of flavors. Yes, the place is simple—no unnecessary pizzazz or sequins needed here—but the experience? Excellent!Five stars to Endo Sushi for a meal where every bite feels like a mini celebration in your mouth. As I left, the whole team waved goodbye with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for Olympic gymnasts sticking the landing. So, while there may not be any literal backflips, dining at Endo feels like a perfect ten every time!“

“Really neat, cozy spot for homestyle Japanese food + interesting wine and a large sake menu. We enjoyed sitting at the bar upstairs, and particularly loved the special black cod with miso, the snap peas, and the fried rice. Everything was made with care and presented in an elegant yet approachable fashion. Looking forward to returning the next time I am in DC.Vegetarian options: There is a section of the menu devoted to vegetable dishes, as well as tofu, vegetable tempura, and vegetarian fried rice or noodles.“

“Camouflage! This daytime only, casual looking lunch spot hides great sushi.Decor is utilitarian and reminds me of Tokyo business office worker lunch spots.I've been five times and all the fish has been fresh and expertly prepared.Sushi snob makes going into the office less painful.If fish is not for you, my buddy consistently has the beef Pho and loves it. They have a few other bowls that look great.Let's fill this place up and keep it thriving! Next time, lunch omakase!“

“Absolutely some of the best ramen I ever had. Every element was flavorful. I also enjoyed the pork bun and the cold sesame noodles (the pickled ginger was such a nice touch!). This was my first time eating from her, but it definitely won’t be my last!“

“This place really deserves 10 stars, the food was exceptional and the service was top notch! I have been to Michelin rated restaurants that cannot compete with this place. Me and my wife came here for a wedding anniversary dinner during our visit to the cherry blossom festival staying for an extended amount of time. The first server Maher and the second server Cassie both are super professional, went above and beyond, we never felt rushed. We never had a dull moment over dinner and we never felt pushed. Next time we are in DC we will be back here!“