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“

“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.“

“❤️ 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“

“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.“

“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“

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

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“Went in celebration for our anniversary and the chef was extremely helpful with fantastic recommendations. Mackerel became our favorite with the scallop being hers. We got a little carried away with the Al La Carte menu but having the selection of fish in front of you is a no brainer.“

“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.“

“I love hole-in-the-walls, and it's rare you find a reasonably priced non-chain restaurant this close to the mall. And filling too!

Tucked down 2nd St NW, in an unassuming townhouse behind the Department of Labor, this is a cosy spot to dine-in. Unpretentious, this atmosphere is inviting to solo dinners. I had my eye on it for a while when working nearby, and am glad I got the chance to stop by. If you're in the area, it's worth a visit.

Had the vegetable bibimbap, but the boxes looked just as good. Will bring a friend next time to split.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

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

“I had a great experience here. It was extremely busy when I came in for my reservation so I was skeptical based off of the reviews but I had my drink within 5 minutes. My bartender Ryan was super helpful and made me a great cocktail based off of what I told him I liked.
The food was incredible, serving sizes are larger than I thought they would be, one roll and another app is perfect for one person. The Wall Street roll is fantastic if you like truffle.“

“Just amazing. You can see why they are Michelin. We sat at the counter and had the complete experience. We felt like we were the only two in the restaurant and learned so much about each carefully curated delicious dish. They spared no expense and cut no corners. Exquisite.“

“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!“

“My wife and I love coming to Press Club to have nice cocktails and listen to good music. The house cocktails and small bites are solid. Most importantly, the staff is always very welcoming and friendly. Frank behind the bar is fantastic. It's hard to walk in, so reservations are a must.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“Great friendly welcoming service and the food was delicious- I would HIGHLY recommend 🤩“

“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.“

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