50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Washington

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“Sushi Taro used to be considered one of the top Japanese restaurants in the city, but it is not surprising they no longer are on the Michelin guide in 2025. The table service was good, but the rest of the service was mediocre. The food itself does feel overpriced for the quality, only a few select items were notable. Really not a destination for sushi or sashimi. Nothing they are doing terribly wrong per se, just nothing to write home about.“

“Booked here because of the Michelin star rating but will go back for the service. After a bit of bumpy start, the Manager was quite accommodating and what an excellence recovery. Enjoyed the premium omakase, sake and whiskey. Never felt rushed even though the restaurant filled quickly. We were visiting from Texas but will make this a regular stop next time in town.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“The best meal I’ve had in my entire life. It’s a small, intimate environment; I’d recommend the chef’s counter. The wait staff was terrific; explaining every dish and answering questions. (The chef is also happy to talk too.) Every dish in the tasting was terrific, particular highlights were the wagyu two-ways entree, the ravioli with uni butter, and the soup at the end. Of course, it’s a seasonal menu, so you’ll probably be seeing something different—but I’m confident it’ll be excellent. Also, the cocktails were terrific.

We didn’t add the caviar, as it felt kind of like a hat on a hat, but hey… live your best life.

I will also say, with omakase menus, we often worry that we won’t be full at the end. That was not an issue. It was the perfect amount of food for us.“

“Dining at Koryou Urara was one of the most exquisite culinary experiences I’ve had in DC! The food was beautifully simple but the freshness was unreal. It felt like each ingredient had just landed from Japan (pretty sure it did) and Chef Urara’s take on every dish was so thoughtful and unexpected, I found myself genuinely excited for what was coming next.

There was a quiet confidence in the way everything was presented from the plating to the pacing to the atmosphere. Nothing felt overdone but everything felt intentional and authentic.“

“This place is a little gem; it felt like I was transported to Japan. The atmosphere and food had a casual, intimate, and authentic feeling. We got the house dinner special eel kamameshi, which comes with miso soup, sashimi, and three sides for a great deal. Everything was fresh and delicious. Service was friendly and quick. I will be back to try more of their menu!“

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

“I had an amazing experience. I had reservations for a table, but decided to sit at the bar instead. Great food, great service and an appropriately diverse atmosphere. The crab fried rice was delicious and I added chicken at the bartenders suggestion. It was perfect!“

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

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

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

“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!“

“I never write reviews but our anniversary dinner yesterday was amazing. The food was outstanding and the service was impeccable. The pre-fixe menu is worth it, especially for a first time diner. We're planning our next reservation already.“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

“The pork shoulder, eggplant and harissa sweet potato fries were all fantastic-knocked out of the park. Great seasoning on all. My girlfriend doesn't usually like sweet potato fries and would have probably liked a second order. Really nice quiet ambience and great 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).“

“I reserved omakase through Resy. My husband and I got seated right when we arrived. Our lunch omakase had 10 pieces and we ordered a la carte because the skip jack and uni were so delicious. Each fish was so flavorful and the texture was perfect. I will definitely be back for their dinner omakase one day. The Brooklyn Kura sake paired well with the fish.“

“the best bartenders in dc! hands down! i love every drink i’ve had here, and keep going back. the atmosphere is fantastic, and the service is above and beyond! (my friend forgot one of his belongings, they texted me, and offered him a drink when he went back to get it! the nicest staff). love press club. couldn’t recommend more!!“

“We have enjoyed several lunches here and have always felt satisfied. The quality is top-tier and great service.“

“EXCELLENCE“

“The food is always excellent“

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

“Sushi Hachi is the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to; it was so good that my boyfriend and I went back two nights in a row. Their cocktails are great, and my personal favourite was the 8th street specialty sushi. The atmosphere and mood is calm and pleasant, and the staff and service is top notch. I have to mention our waitress too from the second time, Soko. She remembered us from the previous night, she even remembered which drink she had made me! And she took the time to make some recommendations for us, and brought us some miso on the house and was just the most pleasant and friendly waitress I have had in a while. Thank you!!! We will definitely be back again for as long as we are in/near DC.“

“every time i come here, i have the best sushi of my life, if you want a life changing sushi experience, come here! the kevin bacon sushi was insane 😵‍💫 & stg, soup is fire too!! they also gave my bf something for his birthday & that was so sweet & unexpected ❤️ every one was so sweet“

“A small sushi & Reman shop, clean and fresh, only one person cook and serve. I tried the poke with tuna, Not only I tasted the freshness and abundance nutrition to the body but also was touched by the sincerity and dedication to the food from the owner! He must made tremendous efforts to prepare such healthy food with fresh ingredients at very affordable price! In such a profit driven business environment, it is so precious to have such a germ shop to make you feel happy and surprise in life! Thanks for the great food! Appreciated and Strong recommendation!

One thing I’d like to point out is that the ordering machine does not provide picture nor the detail ingredients of the dishes (I understand that it is only one man in charge of everything it would be great to have the ingredients shows in the ordering menu) but you can easily refer to the menu from google map it provides clear information.“

“Love this place! It’s absolutely beautiful and the staff is incredibly friendly. I came once and sat at the bar, and now it’s become my weekly spot for fresh sushi and handcrafted cocktails!
Helen is amazing—always smiling and giving off such positive, welcoming energy. She really makes you feel invited and appreciated. And Vanessa is SO sweet! She always checks in to make sure I’m doing okay.
Highly recommend!“

“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!“

“This little place is a hidden gem!! It is not a Michelin star affair. It is a mom and pop place that offers simple, delicious food. It will be on my list everytime I'm in the city! If you're expecting fancy, this isn't it. It's straight up comfort food!“

“Great food and excellent service.“

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

“Great food and fantastic staff“

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

“What a pleasure it is to dine here. The DMV has never known an omakase experience until the arrival of Two Nine. The care and attention that’s taken into each bite is an out of body experience. As someone who was lucky enough to experience omakase dinners in Tokyo, this is an authentic and memorable experience as it gets in the US. Everything moves so fast in this world, I encourage anyone to come here and slow down and savor each and every bite. Drink lots of sake too, their menu is outstanding!!“

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

“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.“

“Small place up some stairs, but after just coming back from two weeks in Japan, this place knocked it out of the park with their sushi rolls. Took my sister’s family out for lunch and we just kept ordering, everything we had was amazing both in taste and in presentation. Very assuming place from the outside, but well worth going up the stairs and ordering a meal. This place is the real deal.“

“I love this place, been here since I was a small child! There food is absolutely amazing! The owner is so nice and friendly along with the waiters and sushi chefs! Other places can’t compare to this place!“

“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.“

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

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

“incredibly delicious pho! I've been living in the US for 2 years, and only now have I eaten real and delicious pho! I've tried it in different cities, but this is the best. The most authentic, rich broth, elastic noodles. I recommend it to everyone!“

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

“I frequently visit this location, in fact this is the only location I come to here in Dc to have Quickway. The staff are really nice, I never have problems with them, they are very accommodating, and the food is always great. The best part about coming here is, the staff have my order memorized and all I have to do is come in and pay for my food.“

“Absolutely delicious sushi for a great price! The decoration is so cute and this little place is family owned. The owner Ms. Khin is the sweetest and always greet you with a smile! I absolutely love this place and am definitely coming here whenever I’m in Georgetown area!“

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