50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Kensington

“One of my favorite local businesses. Staff is always super friendly, cheerful, and accommodating. I’m a creature of habit and drop in there maybe once a week - sometimes less, sometimes more. I always order the same dish, and they wave as I come in the front door and start working on my order even before I get to the register. Just wonderful folks.“

“This place was an amazing find. We had 5 or 6 rolls and they were all really, really good. The pricing is excellent, especially compared to some of the other sushi places we frequent. It's a small space and we sat at the bar, but it makes up for mediocre atmosphere with great food and service. If they offered an IPA their score would be even higher. We will definitely be back. Oh, and there is plenty of free surface parking, super easy.“

“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.“

“We had such a great experience at Yume! The food was delicious, but what really made our visit special was Hermella. She was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. Her service was outstanding, and she went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience.

We’ll definitely be back, and hopefully we get Hermella again! She is a true asset to Yume. Highly recommend! 🍣❤“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

“There's a reason this is THE restaurant that visiting Japanese dignitaries go to. Genuinely one of the top Japanese restaurants in the *world* outside of Japan. (And with the accolades to prove it.)

Come for happy hour, or a fancy dinner, or try the outstanding omakase... you can't go wrong, and you can eat well at every price point from $20-200.“

“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 !“

“Outstanding performers and great food!“

“❤️ 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.“

“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!“

“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 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 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.“

“This is, without question, one of my favorite restaurants in DC. I’ve been coming here for over three years, and every single visit leaves me impressed—their menu changes with the seasons, and it never fails to delight. This summer’s offerings might be my favorite yet; the food is creative, delicious, and made with real care. What keeps me coming back just as much, though, is the service. They remember you, they make you feel welcome, and every visit feels a little like coming home. I’m already looking forward to the next one!“

“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“

“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 🎄“

“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.“

“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!“

“Great food and fantastic staff“

“Great food......................“

“Great sushi place to try!“

“This restaurant was SO amazing! The inside was cute and cozy. It may have been a little small, but it certainly made up for that with the delicious food! The service was incredible; the servers were so kind and listened to every request. Would definitely recommend the crunch roll, Japanese lasagna roll (has a crunch cheese on top), friendly neighbor roll, etc. Would definitely recommend coming here!! 😋“

“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“

“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 food and fresh ingredients“

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

“Stopped in for some delicious sushi and chicken katsu, we also ordered the calamari which was fried perfectly and had a nice crispy outside.

The chicken katsu is cooked perfectly, crunchy outside and tasty inside but not dry. The sushi is amazing, I had the spicy tuna which had a good kick to it and the daily special which was the Goldfish Roll today. GOLDFISH ROLL WAS AMAZING!! Spicy tuna in front and goldfish roll in back in the photo.“

“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“

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

“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!“

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

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

“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!!!“

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

“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“

“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 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.“

“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.“

“The sushi at Takumi Japanese Bistro & Bar was fresh and nicely prepared. The salmon nigiri had a clean flavor, and the spicy tuna roll had just enough heat without being buried in sauce. The chicken gyoza was another good choice, with crisp bottoms and a savory filling. I liked that the menu had more than just sushi, so there were plenty of options for the table. Service was pleasant, although things slowed down a little once the restaurant became busier. Overall, a satisfying Japanese meal in Bethesda.“

“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.“

“Great food and excellent service.“

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

“EXCELLENCE“

“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.“

“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!“