50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Kensington

“So there is a level of precision in presentation, with generous portions-delicious is a given,

The Women at the register are happy and efficient.

There is an unmistakable tension between the hispanic sous chefs and the main guy back there (Friday) which some may not care about. I am not trying to sound too woke and liberal. I am a foodie. In the style of nothing being hidden, somebody needs to take a joy class, or at least see it as good for business IMHO. I used to serve food in a monastery so I realize the bar is set high for me, but we would let the Donny and Debby Downers take the night off if they brought this energy into the kitchen.

Not the review you thought would happen. The food is amazing! I am not exagerating though. If I come to the door again and see the same tension-to include proximity scowls, then I’ll probably wait until another night and get a 5 Guys burger next door.

Otherwise it is a welcome change to quick food at night, on your way home, with a high quality to the brand ❤️“

“Amazing sushi! I've tried Kusshi, kura Sushi, and Uzu Sushi in the Rockville area and was not impressed with their quality at all. However, Sushi Toro is always consistent with their quality especially for their price. The sushi tastes amazing and fresh, the service is wonderful, and the atmosphere is perfect for a date night or a casual dinner with friends. Easily the best sushi I've had in Rockville. Highly recommend!“

“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!“

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

“It was my first time at this restaurant. I wanted to eat Omakase style , but they did not have that. But instead they had a 4 course meal plus deserts and I was super impressed with the food. The sushi was fresh and the chef did an outstanding job with the sushis. I love the flavors and the fact that this is truly a gourmet sushi experience. The sushis had the right amount of rice ( not too much) and the sushi rice was seasoned to perfection. I ordered the miso soup and although it was not the usual flavor for me , it was still delicious and not as heavy on the soybean paste. You should rally try it. By the way our waiter Franz did a fantastic job serving us.“

“Love this place immensely. Service was top notch and food is SO GOOD. I got the spicy salmon roll and the Ninja Turtle specialty roll and neither disappointed. Probably the best spicy salmon roll i’ve had, ever. Period hands down, no competition. Ambiance is great-standard sushi bar spot.
Will 1000% be back! I’m currently typing this as I finish my food. It’s that good—I couldn’t wait!“

“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.“

“We went for the summer restaurant week. You get a cold and a hot appetizer, assortment of sushi and a dessert. We opted for the soft shell crab and shabu shabu ramen, both were delicious and served hot out of the kitchen. Sushi is top quality and decadent of course. Hojicha pudding is uniquely toasty and silky.

Not all RW deals are worth going, but I’d recommend the selection at sushi taro for the quality and the value of the food.“

“When I think omakase, I think sushi. Kappo was wagyu omakase, so I didn’t know what to expect exactly. The wagyu was beyond delicious like melt in your mouth delicious. I added the sake pairing and it did not disappoint! The space was intimate with about ten bar seats and three tables of 4. Chef Ogawa was there showing us the cut of wagyu. The course took around 2.5 hours.“

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

“We were pleased to find this restaurant: It is a bit out of our way, and due to road construction, we had to do some doubling back. I recall that the sashimi was fresh and the portions generous, but I was a bit disappointed in the flavor, perhaps because it was not served with a side of rice. I would return and try it again. Pictured are the sushi chefs, a wall inside, a sushi clock, and the outside of the restaurant.

Parking: There were several parking places in front and we had no trouble finding a spot.“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“Everything about the dining experience was outstanding. The hostess was extremely accommodating with securing a quiet table for our long awaited family dinner. The service was excellent and the food was outstanding! It was a memorable evening!“

“i had the best experience here, its my second time & this time i dined in rather than the bar. i had the best and sweetest experience with my server, Ina. She gave the best service and had the best personality. 10/10!!!!“

“Excellent presentation in hibachi food tossing around and amazing our sights and senses!“

“This is my favorite poke bowl place! The food and toppings are fresh and delicious! The fried tofu is so good. They have a small staff, so if it’s at all busy, you might have to wait a while. But it’s so worth it!

Vegetarian options: Fried tofu is a protein option“

“tengo 15 años de venir aqui sin dudarlo se lo recomiendo la mejor comida“

“We have been to TaiPei Tokyo Cafe several times and have enjoyed the meal and the service from Flora and Kylie. They and the way our food was prepared and served always makes the visit enjoyable. I have tried many items on their menu and never disappointed. We will certainly go back. John“

“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!“

“Delicious and great vibe. Did the fixed menu, which was the perfect choice. You get a little bit of everything and the flavors are exceptional. If I went again I would probably go a la carte just to try something different. Drinks were also really good! Quiet enough where you can have a great date night. Service was exceptional.“

“We tried a few different types of kamameshi, all of which were flavorful and came with four tasty side dishes that complemented the meal nicely.

The staff was warm and welcoming, adding to the overall experience. The dining area is cute but small, but we had no trouble getting seats around 6:30 on a Saturday. A solid spot for a casual Japanese meal.“

“I really enjoy with with Matcha drink tonight“

“Temari Cafe has a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for unwinding with a comforting meal. The ramen with rich, flavorful broth and tender noodles were amazing!! However, the sashimi was slightly disappointing, as it didn’t seem as fresh. Overall, it’s a great spot for ramen and takoyaki .“

“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!“

“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.“

“Great price great eats inside of 99 grocery store.“

“We had bento boxes—one bulgogi and one salmon sushi. Food was hot, tempura light, dumplings practically flash fried and bulgogi was shaved and tender with classic, flavorful marinade. The homemade mint lemonade was delightful after a hot day staying hydrated with just water. It was an easy 10 minute 0.4 mile walk from the East National Art gallery. The place is small, clean, casual and tucked down a street that looks like an alley, with I think the owners cooking.“

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

“yummmmmm bento box did not disappoint“

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

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

“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.“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“This quiet little spot was something we weren't expecting. It's got amazing quality ramen, you can watch them make it. the atmosphere is something of classic Japanese but has a modern little flair. Me & my girlfriend really enjoyed this. We randomly found it while working & are not disappointed one bit. The staff is super friendly it's a little spot so it's not overwhelming or stiming just a perfect little ramen experience ❤️“

“Just had an awesome meal at Kusshi Sushi last week with my friend. She is a sushi lover and mentioned the sashimi was fresh and perfect. The sweet shrimp was sweet, dedicate, and tasty. She loved the crispy shrimp head too. The vibe was chill and the staff were super nice. She said the price was only half of what she would pay in New York. If you love sushi, do yourself a favor and hit up Kusshi.“

“Reservations only for dinner and walk in only for lunch, atmosphere was ok, since it’s shared space with a few other restaurants, the music and ambiance is hard to control. But the food is soooo good, you’ll forget all about it. Photos don’t do it justice, so I’ll just post 1. The whole omasake is very well crafted in terms of flavor profile and texture.“

“Perfect place for a great deal of healthy food with great taste and reasonable price! We had two bento boxes $21.25 and $21.75, respectively, the two most expensive ones on the list. Every table is provided with a small but free salad and an miso soup. Served quickly.“

“I’ve been ordering from Umi almost every week for the past 2 years, and each order has been consistently delicious. This is my go-to sushi takeout spot in DC given its quality, price, and large variety. Exceptional service when ordering - the staff takes the time to label each item in a group order by name and pairs items ordered by the same person together! I also love how you can make all the rolls with brown rice.“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“This is literally the best Japanese restaurant. They have the best shrimp shuma. The service and atmosphere is awesome too! Little pricey but totally worth every penny. Awesome place in DC if you're looking for some authentic Japanese food! 💖“

“Yosaku Sushi is a hidden gem! I recently had the chicken katsu, and it was absolutely delicious – perfectly crispy and flavorful. But what truly sets Yosaku apart is the exceptional kindness of the staff. They made me feel so welcome and went above and beyond to ensure I had a wonderful dining experience. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu. If you're looking for delicious food and top-notch service, Yosaku Sushi is the place to be!“

“Excellent choice of sushi resturant that fits in between casual and fine dining. It has an extensive menu of Japanese choices so you are not limited to sushi. I went with their sushi special offered with finer cuts of fish and was impressed with the selection. I also tried their truffle shoyu ramen and did not think it was that great. The egg which should be one of the best parts is not properly prepared. The broth just felt lacking and not rich in flavor. They gave a lot of noodles but did not find them to be very tasty. It was my fault because this is a sushi resturant and ramen is not their speciality.“

“Great food......................“

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

“it was great especially the music, if like Anime.“

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

“This place is LEGIT! Best quick service Japanese food I've ever had across the eastern half of the US, from Florida to Kentucky, to New York, it can't be beat! Generous portions, friendly service, fast and fresh. The restaurant was super clean and comfortable. Prices are reasonable especially considering the quality. Can't go wrong here!“

“Absolutely loved it!
I ordered from Ikura Sushi recently and was really impressed. The sushi was incredibly fresh and flavorful — you can really tell they use high-quality ingredients. The place is super clean and well-kept, which gives you confidence in everything they serve. On top of that, delivery was surprisingly fast — everything arrived neatly packaged and right on time. Definitely one of the best sushi spots around. Will be ordering again soon!“

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

“5 stars - Have loved Tako for years! I miss the grill but the food is consistently tasty and presented beautifully.“