50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Kensington

“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!“

“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! 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.“

“I had such an incredible experience at Yume Sushi last night! Casey the bartender, and Matt the manager were incredible. Everything i ordered was absolutely phenomenal. The quality of the food was outstanding, and you could tell so much care went into every dish.

The entire staff was incredibly attentive, welcoming, and knowledgeable, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. Everyone went above and beyond to make us feel taken care of. I’m absolutely obsessed with this place and can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend Yume Sushi to anyone looking for amazing sushi and exceptional service!“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“Overall five stars for the service. We made a mistake with the original reservation and they were so kind in accommodating us. Generally, everyone was so professional and kind.

We did the tasting menu along with the sake pairing. Overall, the food was solid but it seemed a little pricey for the quality we got. A few dishes did blow us away: the fish and chips with the vinegar sauce, the shabu shabu, the gizzard chad, and the fish cake. The sake pairing generally worked, but the one that came with the nigiri seemed more like a palette cleanser than a pairing.

Also, shoutout to Alan our server who was kind, thoughtful, and even ran after us when we left something. We really appreciated his knowledge about the food and his service. All the service made our night exceptional and memorable - hence the five stars overall.“

“It was a pleasant experience and friendly service.

the atmosphere was nice and welcoming.

The restaurant was tidy and clean 9/10

Talking about the food:
I tried the following:
● Signature CATERPILLAR
● Signature SUICIDE SQUAD
● CRAB WONTON starter (I would say less cheese more crab)
● Specialty rolls:
○ Roll me a fatty
○ 911
○ Rainbow
● Nigiri (Tuna (Maguro), Yellow tail (Hamachi), Kanpachi (Amber Jack), Flunder (Hirame),
Anago (sea eel)
● Classic Rolls
○ Salmon Avocado Roll
○ Hamachi negi
○ California Roll
○ Shrimp tempura Roll
○ Spider Roll

Food quality was great, everything was delicious and most importantly the fish was fresh.

Would I come back? Yes, I will definitely comeback.“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

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

“Best sushi restaurant me and my family have ever been to. Our server, Jay made our experience even better with his service that went above expectations. They also gave complimentary matcha ice cream for our birthdays that was insanely good.“

“I recently visited this Japanese restaurant and had an absolutely amazing dining experience. The sushi was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and full of authentic flavor. I also tried the ramen and tempura, and both dishes were prepared perfectly with high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere was calm, elegant, and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff members were attentive, polite, and provided excellent customer service throughout the visit.“

“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!“

“My bf and I loved this spot, it was so cute and intimate. I will say it's much lighter than we were expecting about half of the dishes had wagyu and the other half were lighter bites. I thought it was a great balance and was satisfied.

The chef Jason was really the standout for us, he handles all the dessert in house and it was incredible. We'll come back just to see Jason.“

“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“

“Incredible dinner experience. Chawanmushi (egg custard) is to die for. Each dish was prepared with such care. I felt like I was back in Japan. A wonderful service - chef Urara is lovely. A great wine selection. I can’t wait to go back.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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 🎄“

“I'm so sad we found out about this place just as we were leaving DC. The seared salmon belly had that delicious char flavor and melted in my mouth. The salmon sashimi with wasabi olive oil was a punch of wasabi in the best way, and also melted like butter. All the nigiri is divine with how fresh and thick the cuts are, and the wasabi is pure. The rolls are uniquely flavorful -- we loved the salmon skin and white tuna especially. I would skip the tempura roll as the texture was too soft for my liking.“

“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.“

“Great sushi place to try!“

“Amazing Memorial Day lunch, from the cocktail to the clams miso soup, high quality sashimi imported from Japan, this restaurant offer a Japanese twist with a western touch!
One of best Japanese restaurant in the DMV
Chef Chemel“

“I have overlooked Sushi N You for years eventhough it is right under my nose. Don't make the same mistake I did! This is an amazing gem in the neighborhood. The sushi was EXCELLENT. The place is spotless, cozy, and welcoming. The staff was so nice, attentive, and accommodating. We will now be regular customers for both carry-out and dine-in.“

“This is my go-to poke bowl spot whenever I visit my parents in Rockville, and honestly, I feel like it’s a bit underrated because it’s so damn good. The salmon is always incredibly fresh, and I love pairing it with imitation crab.

My usual toppings are scallions, sesame seeds, sweet onions, mixed greens, spinach, lettuce, seaweed salad (a must), sweet corn, edamame, cucumbers, cilantro, masago, and sweet egg. The portions are generous, the flavors are consistently great, and the price is very fair for the quality you get.

Definitely one of my favorite poke spots in the area!“

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

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“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.“

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

“I really enjoy with with Matcha drink tonight“

“This was my first time here and all of the servers were so helpful in making my decision. I couldn’t decide so I chose two rolls: the Out of Control and the Crispy tuna. The crispy tuna is deep fried but didn’t taste that way! It was very flavorful and so was the out of control, which is not a fried roll. I also had the white seared tuna for happy hour. I will certainly be back soon! Highly recommend!“

“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“

“Press Club (1506 19th Street)**

From the moment you walk into Press Club, you’re greeted by a super stylish vibe. The decor is sleek with neutral, natural woods that give off a warm yet modern feel—so inviting and perfect for hanging out.

Their cocktails? Absolutely on point—beautifully crafted and totally delicious—plus the small bites are such savory surprises, fresh yummy. .

The music? Eclectic and cool—something for everyone and keeps the vibe lively. The crowd is diverse and friendly .

And I have to say—**Will, the bartender, is too gorgeous for words**—he makes every drink look as good as it tastes. The staff are quick and super friendly, always making you feel at home.

Bravo !
Elizabeth Faiella. Winter Park Florida“

“Don't let the exterior of the building fool you. Closed on Sundays. Visited on a Monday at 3pm and the door was locked, but opened very fast (they were on lunch break!). Let me tell you, the couple that own and operate this restaurant are the kindest, most amazing people. The husband took out order and served us while his wife prepared the sushi. Oh, and the SUSHI!!! Expectations exceeded, by far! Ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Box, A roll of Spicy Salmon Sushi and a roll of Shrimp Tempura Sushi (shared by 2 people). The Teriyaki Box was good but the Sushi Rolls were outstanding!!! Whole meal with 2 non alcoholic drinks came to about $65 without tip, which was WELL worth it! I will be returning, most definitely!!!“

“I ordered the pork katsu curry and it was perfect. The katsu was crisped just right—golden and crunchy on the outside while still tender inside. The curry itself was thick and savory with a deep, comforting flavor, and it had plenty of pork pieces, which made it feel really filling. The rice balanced everything out perfectly and soaked up the sauce so well.

The place was pretty busy, but we got lucky and found a table. It’s clearly popular, and after eating here, it makes sense why. Despite the crowd, the staff was fast and efficient with getting food out, which I really appreciated.

Service stood out too—everyone was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. One small detail I liked was the waitress complimenting my rose pink debit card, which just added a nice personal touch to the experience.

Another bonus is the location—it’s right under a Japanese grocery store, which makes it super convenient if you want to grab anything before or after your meal.

Overall, it’s definitely worth the price. Great food, solid portions, and excellent service. I’d absolutely come back and would recommend it to anyone who loves authentic Japanese food.“

“We had a fantastic dinner! Great food and great staff. We had a variety of appetizers and rolls; with the crispy rice, torch roll and Maryland roll being the best! Thank you Linda for the recommendations, you didn’t let us down! We will be back to try Linda’s other favorite dishes. :)“

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

“The restaurant was impeccably clean, very cool decor. The staff were all very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious and a good price for the portions. They were playing some early 2000s hits which really added to the atmosphere. Drinks were delicious and perfectly balanced. So many food and drink options. Food came out quickly and hot. Best crab rangoons i’ve ever tried!!! i prefer a tempura sushi and the shrimp tempura was perfect. Our serve was very on top of checking in and was prompt with bringing boxes, the bill etc. the bidder was also right on top of things, he’d cleared the table before we even finished signing the bill. Overall, a wonderful experience and i will definitely be back!“

“It was interesting place. Contactless order and dine in on 2nd floor. For lunch, that's actually convenient. I tried mini chirashi. It was good but the sashimi was too chopped. I felt like I was eating leftover from dinner. I wish it was served in a bowl. Being served in a disaposable mini plate made the eating experience uncomfortable and inconvenient.“

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

“Food is good. They unfortunately charge extra for some toppings which is not stated on their physical menu. I was told I can choose my toppings at the end while the chef prepared my meal. When I got to the end they told me, adding an egg would be extra even though the egg is listed as a topping choice on the page where it asks you to choose between a Teriyaki bowl or a bento box.“

“I love visiting new places, especially when traveling.

This gem in Washington was so good! The atmosphere when you get inside the restaurant can’t be on the photo.

Staff was kind and great! Drinks and food were delicious. Most creative interpretation of banitsa I ever tried - loved it!

Definitely recommended!“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

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

“Great food and excellent service.“

“Great food......................“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

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

“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!!!!“

“Cool concept it’s like +6 kitchens in 1. They offer a lot of different promos on social media. From Alana pizza, I ordered the burrata and the bacon pesto pizza. The burrata was really fresh and I enjoyed the pesto pizza. From Di Fara pizza, I ordered the pepperoni, sausage and meatball pizza. Not sure if it was dough or the pizza was undercooked, but I wish there was more of a crisp to the crust. I found myself chewing longer than expected.

Location was really clean and ordering via the app was easy. There’s plenty of street parking around the shopping center. Prices are high for the area. I would definitely be back to try some of the other restaurants.“