50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Hillcrest Heights

“When I Tell You That This Is Life I'm So Glad They Open And It Was Jumping Nice Fresh And Hot Food Yesssssss Keep Up The Great Work Yalll“

“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!“

“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.“

“Came for the happy hour and it did not disappoint. The first 12 in line get to sit for the happy hour. The line hit 12 by 4:35ish this past Friday.

It was all delicious but favorites were the habanero scallop, fatty tuna & scallion, and king salmon.“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“I always enjoy a magical meal when I eat here.“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“Highly recommend!! I found Uma Nori when I was traveling for work in DC. The service, food and menu were all very impressive. The people working their were incredibly kind and welcoming. The prices were very reasonable and the food was ourstanding. I cannot wait to return !“

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

“My wife and I were in DC for the weekend and decided to stop by Shoto because it was close to our hotel, and I'm so glad we did. We chose the Omakase signature selection so we could get a sense of every course they had to offer, and everything was great. This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. I plan to return the next time I'm in DC.“

“A delicious wagyu omakase experience. The course was well put together, and everything was good. At the end, they served complimentary black sesame chocolates and hojicha tea, which I really enjoyed. I’ve seen mixed reviews about this place, but I had a great experience and would definitely 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!“

“Came here for the Casa Kantuta x Kyojin collab and absolutely loved the service Quynh provided was exceptional. I’ve been here many times and she made this experience special. She recommended so many different items to us based off what we ordered. We took one of her recommendations and LOVED it.“

“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!“

“One of my patients let me know that this would be their last week in business - the owners are retiring. Wonderful, cozy restaurant with the best sushi and home style dishes in the entire metro area. I have been coming here for 20 years. Sad to see them go, but glad it is of their own decision. Thank you, Kotobuki, for 20+ wonderful years.“

“just want to tell you...the best in DMV 5☆“

“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!“

“Every bite was perfect, the space is just right and the wine pairings were great. We were a large group and were seated at the Chef’s table where we had the pleasure of observing each round of fresh ingredients expertly crafted into a sublime dining experience. Cannot wait to go back!“

“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 🎄“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“Delicious spicy beef noodle soup“

“Discovered this place by accident while on the Crescent trail, and oh my what a happy coincidence. This is by far (!) the best sushi that I’ve had so far in DC: the rice is well cooked and seasoned, it sticks well to the sushi but at the same time is spread very thinly (a hallmark of a good place), and the rolls are so full of filling that they look like they’re bursting. The fish is fresh and flavourful. The price is more than reasonable (around 12 to 15 dollars for a dish). The owner/cook is obviously extremely competent and very fast in preparing your order. Fantastic place, I have to come back here as soon as I can.“

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

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“Great sushi place to try!“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

“The food was amazing , I would recommend it 💯. The staff/team members are polite and very friendly. The store is vary clean. I had the Pho soup “pick 2” I would highly recommend it . The salmon taste so delicious . It was my first time eating from Sakura and the young lady named “keren” was really helpful explaining the menu to me . Also if you get a bowl the crab meat and shrimp is so delicious. Every thing was fresh .“

“Wonderful experience! The sushi was incredibly fresh, and the service was excellent.

I placed a pickup order and requested a few substitutions. The staff called me to confirm every detail, making sure my order was customized exactly the way I wanted. They were very accommodating of my dietary restrictions and went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. I truly appreciated the extra care and will definitely be ordering from them on a regular basis“

“The whole menu here is excellent. Both the sushi and the sake are thoughtfully and chosen and prepared. The attention to detail both in the menu and the decor shows the care and dedication they put into the food. I highly recommend Shinwa to anyone who appreciates exceptional sushi.“

“Went last night for the soft opening and was very impressed from start to finish. The bartender, Chi, was personable and very attentive and we enjoyed various foods that were all top notch and some nice wine. Other staff who are coming and going were also very nice and you would never have known it was their first night. I worked in various aspects of the restaurant business for 15 years and have been to various soft openings, and these guys did a fantastic job. The owner Jay came by and chatted with us to make sure everything was going well and you can tell he really cares about everything. Pak Soii is a very welcome addition to Del Ray Alexandria and I can't wait to go back.“

“HOLYYY! Straight fire 🔥 follow my instructions if you serious about amazing food.

#1. Order the Chicken, Beef & Shrimp.
#2. Ask for half noodles and half fried rice.
#3. Order a soda (I got Canada Dry).
#4. Patiently wait 15 minutes.
#5. Tip your crew.
#6. Eat and enjoy.
#7. Thank the owner.
#8. Go ahead and write a review like I did, you know you want to 😋“

“Fresh and interesting sushi items. Extensive menu. Good service. I like what I’m eating :)“

“Bento Box was a little different than I’m used to. I ordered the salmon sushi box and it came with three salmon sushi. I guess you could call it that they were cooked on top then with a drizzle of wasabi dressing. The tempura was two pieces of an egg plant and two pieces of potato. The miso soup was, I guess dark red miso because it tasted rather strange to me, but I couldn’t decide if it was dark red miso so or salty beef lol.“

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

“Had a perfect time with my wife. Had the nigiri and hand roll omakase and loved it. Super fresh sushi and excellent preparation. Better quality and taste, and a way better value than other top spots like nakazawa and sushi taro. Will be back and highly recommend if you are really into great sushi“

“My friend and I were staying at a Residence Inn nearby and we fell in love with this restaurant. The ramen was fantastic, the sushi to die for, and the staff were all incredibly friendly and welcoming to a degree I wouldn't have expected coming from the opposite end of the country. Big shout out to Gary as well, great chef and all around fantastic guy! I will be back!“

“We chose the omakase experience and it was exceptional. Chef Zach takes you on an incredible culinary journey, with each course carefully crafted and explained. The amount and range of food more than justify the price. The setting is intimate and relaxed and the staff are friendly and attentive. Easily the best sushi we've ever had. We'll definitely be back.“

“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.“

“Have dined and ate alone and with colleges at Momo. Always fresh sushi and great service. On my rotation in Old Town Alexandria. Love it!“

“We ended up being late for our reservation and everyone was so incredibly nice and accommodating that it made our experience there all the more special. From the Gentleman at the door to the waitress going above and beyond, i cannot recommend this place more. The vibe was on point and the atmosphere was electric. Looking forward to going again and spending more time there. Thanks guys.“

“Great service and great food. Place always is clean. Good portions of food.“

“Great food and excellent service.“

“There were many DMV favorites I discovered at this restaurant. It is well worth the elevated price because the food is fresh, plentiful, and tasty. Best bacon and egg sandwich and seasoned fries in town! The decor is top notch with very comfortable chairs. Couldn’t recommend highly enough!“

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

“Super good food they have that holiday promotion for 2, varieties of meat from pork, beef, that chicken and shrimps are delicious. Friendly staff. Place is clean, excellent service. Highly recommend when you are in Arlington, Virginia come visit too!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sakura Express was absolutely amazing!
The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The staff was kind, quick, and made the experience even better. Whether you’re craving sushi, hibachi, or a quick bite of something delicious—this place hits the spot every time.
Highly recommend! 🍣🍱🔥

My only complaint is that when my glucose level dropped very low, I asked for a cup so I could get some ice and drink something to raise my sugar. Unfortunately, I never received the cup. As someone living with diabetes, this was not only disappointing but also concerning, since timely support in those moments is very important. I truly hope this can be improved for the safety and care of future guests.”“

“EXCELLENCE“

“Delicious food and very friendly services. Been there many times.“

“We went back to Shibuya after an initial visit shortly after opening and were much more impressed this time. The Yakisoba and the Summer Noodles were flavorful and served in generous enough portions that made leftovers possible. The chicken in both dishes was excellent. Although the setup looks like fast food, each meal was prepared from scratch. We won’t wait so long next time before returning.“

“Their Tiger Roll is by far the best shrimp tempura roll I’ve ever had. So good I ate it twice in one day and I don’t live right around the corner either. Plus their prices are awesome, especially when calling in to pickup rather than using a delivery service. I’m kicking myself for just now knowing how great this place is for as long as I’ve been in the area.“