50 Best Japanese Restaurants near Potomac

“Kema by Kenaki is simply delicious, pure and honest from the very first bite. The food is beautifully executed, full of flavor, and thoughtfully prepared without unnecessary complexity. Every dish feels balanced, clean, and intentional, letting quality ingredients truly shine.

The experience is refined yet approachable, the kind of place where you can appreciate technique without feeling overwhelmed. Flavors are memorable, comforting, and elegant at the same time, making it easy to enjoy every course.

Kema by Kenaki delivers exactly what great food should do. It leaves you satisfied, impressed, and already thinking about coming back.“

“Wonderful addition to Park Potomac. Food and service were excellent! Sushi sesame roll, shrimp tempura, miso soup w were delish and the D Box was plentiful…for two people …even had a tasty salad“

“This is an underrated restaurant, and I'm surprised it's not always packed! The seafood is incredibly fresh, with tender and succulent texture, and both the cooking methods and seasoning are spot on. Every dish is delicious, highly recommended!“

“The staff and service was impeccable. This is hands down the best sushi restaurant I've ever experienced. The seafood is incredibly fresh, and every dish is visually stunning. The creativity behind the sauces truly sets this place apart, and I even heard the chef makes his own soy sauce—which absolutely shows in the depth of flavor. The Japanese uni was beautifully presented, and the tuna was a deep, rich red that melted in my mouth, finished perfectly with a delicate sprinkle of truffle oil. Every bite felt intentional and expertly crafted. I only wish I lived closer—this would easily be my daily go-to restaurant.“

“Mike was on top of his game from start to finish. He didn’t forget about my wife’s birthday! He gave us a nice glass of Champagne each to toast, as well as let us try all of the desserts! He was very attentive to all of our needs and the platinum deal was definitely something that was worth all of the amount of food that we got! Don’t listen to all the other people that said it’s not worth the value because I think that’s complete BS! Ask for Mike Tow be your waiter! The fireworks candle went out and he even brought another one out, especially for my wife so that we could Record the video since we missed it the first time! He was courteous enough to ask if we would like smoke and fire display or to keep it on the DL, Of course, we decided to do all of the smoke & fire display!

He answered all questions with detailed and made it clear about what we were getting as well as gave good recommendations!“

“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!“

“Very tasty! Nice new hole in wall.“

“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.“

“It’s a local Japanese ramen sushi place, the food was pretty decent. We had the tofu bento box, unagi rice bowl and Osaka meat lover ramen. Everything was good and the service was prompt and nice. It was a cold cold week so the ramen hit the spot.“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“This is my first time at sushi oishi ayce and it really exceeded my expectations. This place was suggested by a friend and I finally came here. The wait was a bit long due to it being busy but I got seated within 10 minutes. The service was pretty good but the sashimi came 25 minutes after I ordered it. The food overall pretty good and the sushi rolls arrived within 5 minutes of ordering them. The staff were also pretty attentive.“

“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!“

“It took me years to find a good ramen and sushi place, this place is the best! The owner is so sweet and welcoming, can’t find customer service like what she give anymore. My husband and I make it a point to god every month or two, you always get quality. As being spoiled by NY and NJ for several years we’re picky but this is our spot.“

“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.“

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

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

“I really enjoy with with Matcha drink tonight“

“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.“

“We had the most wonderful dinner tonight celebrating a birthday. Quan Tran was amazing! The food was so good and he was so fun!“

“Excellent food and service!“

“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!!!!“

“Best Ramen I’ve ever had, though sometimes the service was slow. Coming back again in a couple weeks, it tasted so good!“

“Great sushi, friendly staff, and pretty ambiance. Definitely recommend!“

“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“

“I've tried all the sushi restaurants in Vienna, and Sushi Yama is hands down the best. The fish is always fresh, the service is friendly and efficient, and the quality is consistently excellent. They have a great variety on the menu, and everything is prepared with care. My go-to spot—highly recommend!“

“Great food......................“

“Great food and fresh ingredients“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“This place surprised me greatly. I've tried Japanese food, but this one has a delicious flavor. I loved it. The place is small and very clean, which is an important detail to note if you're going to eat there. The service was very good. I liked it a lot. Highly recommended!“

“This is the Nori Japan that used to be in Lakeforest Mall.

I remember when I was a kid, we used to go to the mall and we would always get nori japan!

Got the chicken teriyaki with half noodles and half fried rice with extra chicken! It was so good! Just as I remembered it! Took me back to when I was a kid! Will be visiting whenever I'm back in town!“

“yummmmmm bento box did not disappoint“

“Maki Bar is absolutely amazing. The sushi is super fresh, flavorful, and beautifully made, and the ramen is just as good—rich broth, perfect noodles, and really satisfying. Everything on the menu feels high quality. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the staff makes you feel comfortable right away. Overall, it’s a great place to eat whether you’re going with friends or family. I definitely recommend that people come here—you won’t regret it. One of the best spots around for sushi and ramen!“

“I went here with my sisters and found the place empty. I was confused as to why, as I later found the food to be great! I had ordered the halal chicken ramen and added spice. It was warm, yummy and the chicken was seasoned amazingly. I ordered the edamame, and for 6.50 I expected a little more than what I got. I enjoyed the self serve water dispenser. I am giving a 4 - star review because my sister had ordered separately (she got the same thing) and her broth was very bland. As someone who does not have halal options near them, this was great!“

“I absolutely love this place, their crepes are incredible. I’ve had the matcha chocolate truffle and the lychee rose and both were excellent. The crepe itself is so crisp and the fillings are always balanced and not too sweet. My only feedback is I wish they had knives and plates to put the crepe on; I was sharing two with a friend and it was impossible to cut them with plastic forks and try to share. Besides that it’s so delicious and I can’t wait to try more of them!“

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

“Super good food they have that holiday promotion for 2, varieties of meat from pork, beef, that chicken and shrimps are delicious. Friendly staff. Place is clean, excellent service. Highly recommend when you are in Arlington, Virginia come visit too!“

“A place I visit regularly, about once a month.

Among nearby sushi spots, this is the best place for nigiri. The balance between the sushi rice and the fish is excellent..the thickness and aging of the fish pair perfectly with the rice portion.

I often order the sashimi platter as well, which is always generous in portion. The udon and tempura are also great additions to enjoy alongside the sashimi.

There are just two areas that could be improved. First, using fresh wasabi would better match both the quality and the price point. Second, the front-of-house service could use more attention...each visit, we tend to be left waiting for a while upon arrival, which is a bit disappointing.“

“I'd been craving takoyaki for days, and suddenly decided to drive over late at night. Surprisingly, even though it was close to closing time, they still served me. The waitress, Emily, recommended some dishes, and we ordered them right away. She wasn't just beautiful and kind-hearted, she was practically a buddy! Apparently, she's only there on Fridays and weekends. There were only her and one other guy working at the front; everyone else was chatting. Everything was great, and she even recommended two drinks – such good value! She was so friendly and welcoming. Overall, it was a worthwhile trip, and I'll definitely come back!“

“I love this place, been here since I was a small child! There food is absolutely amazing! The owner is so nice and friendly along with the waiters and sushi chefs! Other places can’t compare to this place!“

“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 ❤️“

“food was excellent, staff was accommodating and very friendly, definitely going back#“

“While in Arlington for a conference, my colleague and I were walking to dinner. We had been in the area previously, but never really thought about going in this restaurant. BUT! This looked like a great place. It did not disappoint. We were seated immediately and the wait-staff was very prompt. I ordered the spring rolls and hibachi plate. My colleague ordered sushi and Ramen. The food was amazing!
I do have to note - they 'forgot' to bring his Ramen, but when we mentioned it, they made fresh and gave us free mochi! ❤️
As a bonus - all the staff had on Studio Ghibli t-shirts. Was fun to see all the different ones they had.“

“Excellent sushi restaurant! We were in Vienna and craving sushi and found this gem. We were seated right away, greeted with a smile and had a lovely evening. We started off with the edamame and miso soup and salad. We were BLOWN away with how good everything was right off the bat! The house salad had a onion sauce on the top that was so good! Best house salad I’ve ever had at a sushi restaurant. Then we both had rolls that were amazing! Joanne was our waitress and she was so kind and efficient. She even provided us with recommendations and a great description of some of the dishes I asked about. We will definitely be back next time we are in Vienna! Thank you so much!“