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!“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“Fabulous dining experience with our server, Yurii. Kind, patient, and attentive service. Came to celebrate a birthday so thank you to Yurii & Kelly who wished us happy birthday and made the night memorable. Will be returning. Delicious, quality sushi with beautiful ambiance and a clean space. Free parking is easily accessible right around the corner, about a 2 minute walk to the garage.“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“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.“

“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 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!“

“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.“

“Cute little Japanese spot in Georgetown, it is quite original, serving Japanese home style cooking. The wine selection was amazing; we did the wine pairing and the combination of flavors was incredible. Each course and wine was preceded by a very interesting exposition from the Chef and the Sommelier. Will have to come back to try the sushi menu on weekdays!“

“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 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.“

“Great sushi place to try!“

“I happily got my sushi fix here. The Dynamite Crunch roll was great! The eel avocado roll was good, but after splurging on the Dynamite, it seemed plain in comparison.
Very nice couple working there and quiet classical music playing in the background was good.“

“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.“

“We had an amazing dining experience with our server Sathitphorn, service was amazing and the ambience was nice, more of a hole in the wall gem restaurant and we will be back to try more of the menu! The Kiku Sake was delish and so was the wagyu steak.“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

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

“Amazing!! Family owned business, and the portions + prices made the commercial poke bowl restaurants look embarrassing!! I only got the regular size but look how much salmon came with mine! Will be back, can’t believe i’ve lived here forever and have not had this place.“

“Oh my gosh!! Seriously SO GOOD! I came on a Friday lunch and the food was tasty, fresh, and beautifully prepared. The Japanese skewers were mouthwatering and the sushi is of course incredible. The miso soup even tasted fresh and well prepared. The ambiance is amazing. The staff wonderful and kind. 100/10 experience for my first time here. Thank you!“

“I really enjoy with with Matcha drink tonight“

“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!!!“

“Stopped by close to closing and the owner was very gracious. She offered to modify dishes when she learned of our dietary restrictions and made great suggestions. I have a feeling the liquor drinks will be phenomenal because the care that went into the ingredients, process, and presentation of the tea drinks were next level. It was very satisfying to watch her make them!

So glad I discovered a new, local spot to go to!“

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

“Such a cute little place for lunch! My husband and I stopped in by chance and everything was wonderful. Seeing the staff greet regulars with such warmth made it apparent that this is a great place with hospitality that goes above and beyond. The ramen had delicious broth, and my husband loved his chicken teriyaki. The Japanese market upstairs was so cute too! It made for a great little afternoon outing.“

“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!“

“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.“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

“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“

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

“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!!!!“

“Bento is a spot that never misses. I live close by so I’ve been coming here to eat for years and I have not once been disappointed. The prices have always been affordable and the portions have been very filling. I enjoyed a shrimp teriyaki from here today and the shrimp was fresh, perfectly seared on the outside and crispy, but not too overcooked to where it has a chewy texture. Just perfect. Amazing service. Amazing food. Amazing staff.“

“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......................“

“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!“

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

“Excellent food . The sushi,grilled squid,yellow tail collar and the seafood udon were all delicious. The server was most kind and gracious despite the fact she had so many tables to wait on the the time
The staff overall is truly commended for their hospitality and presentation.“

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

“This place was amazing on all levels! We walked in and it was a fantastic vibe. The service was the best I ever had, I don't think we had a dirty plate sit for longer than 30 seconds. I started with a cocktail - Where did all the rum go. If you like Tiki style drinks it's a must try. We had the Bulgarian Banista, Maine Scallop Crudo and Squash Quesadilla to start. They were all delish, but the Squash Quesadilla was my favorite. I had the Sea Bass for my entrée, the fish was amazing and the sauce - soooooo good! Ended with the Creme Brulee, which was perfect. The sugar topping was that glass like texture that is so fun to crack. If you are in DC you have to check this place out.“

“I eat here at least 3 times a week as it is close to my job. The food never disappoints and the staff is always extremely friendly. I switch up between the hibachi and the ramen depending on weather..... iykyk. The assortment of Asian snacks and drinks is also a plus!“

“I love this place! It’s such a hidden gem. I came yesterday and I’m from Virginia but I will definitely have to come back for more! I created my own bowl of Ramen, which came out perfect I also got a side of kimchi, which honestly is the best kimchi I’ve had. And I also got the ginger pear, juice, top-tier thank you so so much please open a spot in Woodbridge!“

“Five stars for our waitress Jai, she made the experience! We went on a Sunday around 4:00-ish and had so much fun. We ordered three rounds of sushi and dessert. It is $15-20 a specialty roll, but they have really good portion sizes. Jai got our food out fast, was consistently swinging by to check in, and was prompt with the check. She also totally sold us on their sushi brunch, which we will be going back for!“

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