50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Washington

“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!“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“2026年 Osechi bento review:
Excellent traditional bento, beautifully prepared with high quality ingredients. 100% worth the price. You can tell a lot of time and effort was spent preparing this bento. I was very very impressed. I will be ordering this every year. どもありがとうございます！“

“Stopped by this restaurant for lunch randomly last Friday and I was so impressed!! I got the sushi and nigiri lunch special and my partner got the two traditional rolls and 1 special roll. It was such a great deal and amazing quality. The fish tasted very fresh. The service was also very good. We will definitely start coming here regularly! Loved my experience.“

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

“Took my husband here for his birthday and he loved it! We chose from the a la carte menu and every bite was phenomenal. Service was impeccable, elite fine dining kind of Service. The atmosphere really tied everything together. From the decor and low lighting to the excellent selection of music, we were really blown away. Highly recommend this spoy“

“Kappo was such a great experience. You can tell a lot of care goes into each course. The wagyu was incredible, and the pacing of the meal made it easy to just relax and enjoy it. It’s an intimate space, but doesn’t feel too loud or crowded. Definitely a spot I’d go back to for a special night out.“

“We had an absolutely outstanding experience! Our very kind server Randy was attentive, knowledgeable and gave great reccomendations on dishes to eat & cocktails. Food was very flavorful! Atmosphere lovely! Highly reccomend. Really a great kick-off to our families weekend away 🎄“

“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.“

“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 was a bit disappointed with how the kamameshi was prepared. I ordered the pork kamameshi expecting it to be smoked or braised with soy sauce, but instead it came with a very plain layer of ground pork over the rice. That said, the sashimi was spot on.“

“As we reviewed, everything was 10/10, but the best part of our dinner was getting to meet the best Itamae/Host: Elvin and Willy, with magically flavorful and perfectly fresh food, served by their hands. We will definitely come back and recommend.“

“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.“

“My girlfriend and I went for her birthday and they already had a card prepared for her when we got there because I selected birthday under the event tab in our reservation. We both decided it was the best place either of us had been. I do not write reviews for restaurants but this one deserves it. All of the food was delicious and we couldn't have asked for better customer service. We can't wait to go back.“

“Absolutely LOVED this restaurant. The place was nice and homey with attentive service. The couple who run the place were very kind and ensured we were comfortable. The ramen and the sushi we ordered were very tasty. The food felt homemade, which was great for people who love eating ramen at home. The location was great. We had a 15-minute walk back to the hotel, and we got to take some great pictures of the capitol building, which was right around the corner from the restaurant.“

“Lunch: Order from a kiosk and they will give it to go, or you can go upstairs to their seating area.

The hand rolls were excellent. The bowl, very good. The only knock here is they are understaffed. They had a major line but only two people working? The order took 30+ minutes and there were only four groups ahead. Can't imaging the wait for when the line really hit. Just an FYI, you'll likely need patience at prime time lunch.“

“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!“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“Great food and excellent service.“

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

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“One of the best sushi experiences we’ve had on the East Coast. The Omakase was exceptional and absolutely worth every penny. A must‑try is The Heaven sake — incredibly smooth, crisp, and perfectly paired with the meal.

We celebrated my brother’s birthday here, and the entire family is still talking about how amazing everything was. Highly recommend!“

“So I'll preface this with having grown up in Los Angeles, ate at amazing sushi spots in San Francisco and San Diego, and top it off with Hawaii for a week. This is hands down the best Japanese food I have ever had. I was confused as I went to it and the door said it was a phsycic reader. I called and a woman came to the upstairs window ushering me upstairs through the door.

I ordered fried oysters, chicken teriyaki lunch with rice and soup, and a tuna and mackerel nigiri. Half way through I was confused as to what I was eating and realized it was the mackerel with a very submissive non-gamey flavor. The chicken teriyaki wasn't much to fuss about, wish it was grilled. The salad was the best I have ever had, not sure how to describe other then it was original. I told the manager all of this and she was thrilled, and they got a deserved big tip. Y'all in Washington DC are lucky 😆“

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

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

“Absolutely a vibe, you pay a premium for the beautiful surroundings and being at the waterfront, very cozy and small tables as a 6 foot one adult it felt a bit tight and restricted, but I think that's what they're going forward to give it a trendy or more chic feel either“

“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.“

“Everyone was so sweet/ they knew we were celebrating both our friends birthday and our anniversary and they made sure to acknowledged that and even gave us cards and glasses of champagne. The food was amazing- each dish had depth of flavor and tasted fantastic. We greatly appreciated all the extra touches and loved being able to see Kyle who was our sons college roommate and still one of his best friends“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Instant Favorite

Just had the BEST no pretense miso ramen I’ve had in years. The broth is rich, rustic, and deeply miso-forward. The pork is chunky and tender. The greens are unfussy and perfect. One sip and I was basically transported back to 1980s provincial Japan.

Fast, friendly service and true ramen-shop energy. For $15, I got nostalgia, comfort, and actual joy in a bowl.

I’ll be back. 🍜🔥😎“

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

“It was a pleasant experience, the atmosphere was nice and welcoming.

The host / waiter were super friendly, super nice which made my experience even better. Thank you Nancy

The restaurant was tidy and clean 9/10.

Talking about the food: I ordered,

● Fresh shrimp summerroll: it was fresh and done the right way, and the peanut sauce was good.
● Chiken spring roll: was crispy and not greasyat all, I did not like the souce that comeswith it (you need to make a new soice please).
● Dumpling: I had netter, can be much better.
● Pho beef combination: was just perfectly done, the broth was flavorful so as a whole it was just delicious.

Food quality was great and fresh, survise was really good and fast.

Would I come back? Yes I would and Highly recommend it.“

“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 incredible sushi, great service, and very cozy, intimate atmosphere that I don't think can be beat.

Every preparation was outstanding and a good mix of traditional and modern, each playing to the strengths of the fish.

My only regret is not ordering more when offered. I'm very much looking forward to the next time I can visit.“

“My wife and I had a great experience at Khin's. Amazing staff, delicious food, not expensive whatsoever. If we lived in the area, this would be a regular spot indeed. Just give 'em a try, c'mon. They're awesome. Oh what did I order? Well you see, I had a caterpillar roll and one of those fancy volcano dishes, and my wife had a philly roll with some other roll that had salmon on top. Good quality. Ten out of ten, five out of five, same same.“

“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.“

“EXCELLENCE“

“The food is always excellent“

“First time visiting DC and was looking for a spot to celebrate an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend. We both love sushi and this place showed up on the list. Got there early for dinner and was seated right away. I love that they offered the Japanese skewers. We ordered pork belly, beef, and shrimp. All were amazing! We wish we ordered more of them. Also ordered the Gyoza that had pork and chicken in them. They were good but the ponzu sauce wasn’t the best. I ordered the Sake Don which was raw salmon with seasoned sushi rice. It was really good and filling. This restaurant makes a great date night and the staff were nice.“

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

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

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

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