50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Marlow Heights

“Amazing place food really good“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

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

“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 🎄“

“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.“

“Great sushi place to try!“

“My favorite quick go to spot! The food is amazing. Shoutout to my girl Tofa! She is so sweet and has great customer service, hard worker! My boy Lamont was in there too, he came with the recommendations and I LOVED what he suggested! The cooks are really awesome too! Thanks guys! 😆“

“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.“

“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“

“The food here excellent and always presented well. The owner and his staff are always polite and I enjoy every visit, and if it's a quiet enough time, the owner will come sit and talk to you so you have someone to enjoy your meal with.“

“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!!!“

“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“

“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 .“

“The pictures are not up to to date and they have much less options now. There's no more poke bowls, dim sum, or sushi. Just rice/noodle bowls, and pho.

I got a fried rice bowl with teriyaki chicken, and it was very good. You get to pick that toppings, just like Chipotle. It's a weird choice, but I added potatoes to it, and they were SO good. Great favor, soft and with crispy skin.

The serving sizes are big and I couldn't finish. I was just a bit disappointed they didn't have poke bowls any more.“

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

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

“Great food and excellent service.“

“Nothing less than phenomenal. Everything was hot, everything was fresh, and everything tasted amazing. Will definitely be coming back whenever in the area. Fairly priced as well...can't beat that.“

“A favorite neighborhood spot“

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

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

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.”“

“I felt the staff were courteous and attentive. The atmosphere was more fast food-y though and my dish was nothing more than mediocre. I got chicken and shrimp hibachi and it was just OK. I wouldn’t order it again because I was underwhelmed from the flavor and quality of ingredients. I will say however that the portions are massive so it’s a good deal for the price.“

“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“

“I've been to Shibuya Eatery many times, and every visit reminds me why I keep coming back. The first thing I noticed was how fresh everything tastes. A lot of places can make food look good, but here you can actually taste the quality of the ingredients. Every ingredient seems like it was chosen for a reason.

The ramen is easily one of the best I've had in the area. The broth is rich and full of flavor without being too salty, and you can tell it takes time to make. The noodles have a great texture, the toppings are always fresh, and the portions are filling without feeling excessive. I've also tried a couple of the rice bowls, which are equally as amazing. Everything tastes balanced, and each ingredient adds something to the dish instead of just taking up space.

What I appreciate most is the consistency. I've never had a meal that felt like it was rushed or disappointing. Whether I'm dining in or grabbing food to go, the quality has always been the same. The restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly, and the food comes out surprisingly fast.

There are plenty of places to get Japanese food, but Shibuya Eatery stands out because it feels like they genuinely care about what they're serving. The flavors are authentic, the ingredients are high quality, and the prices are very reasonable for what you get. It's become one of those restaurants that I recommend without hesitation because I know people will leave impressed. If you're in the Chevy Chase area and want great Japanese food made with care, this place is absolutely worth trying.“

“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!“

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

“Excellent foods, good vibes, great services!“

“Always great food, great service, never disappointed. Love love this place. Please stay open🤗“

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

“Absolutely enchanted by my omakase experience!

Steer clear of other spots; this one transcends expectations. Having explored omakase across the states, even the renowned ones fall short of this hidden gem, breaking free from sushi snobbery.

The highlight? Undeniably the superbly curated fish selection. Each piece, a testament to culinary artistry, surpassed my expectations. What set this experience apart were the exquisite hot dishes seamlessly woven between courses, elevating the tasting journey.

The owners and chefs? They're the cherries on top, sealing the experience like a wax-sealed envelope—sophisticated and perfect. Can't contain my excitement to introduce this culinary haven to all my friends. It's a gastronomic adventure that deserves to be shared!

Updated 6/19
Even after traveling all over Asia, I still missed coming here. Amazing sushi, great staff, and consistently one of my favorite spots. I honestly can't believe this place still isn't getting more media attention. The quality is incredible, and I'm surprised more people don't know about it yet. Definitely a hidden gem“