Got the yaki udon. Not good. All I taste is pepper and oil , no flavor . Over priced for udon noodles and cabbage with a sprinkle of carrots and very small sides . Like that whole meal is worth $2 max if you do the calculations and make it yourself. Don’t waste your money on that seriously or change the recipe ….
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Sarah F.
Born and raised in Japan, I am pretty judgmental when it comes to any establishments claiming to be “Japanese.”
I had miso soup ($4), Toro Bowl ($28) and hot tea ($3).
Toro Bowl: I was not impressed, but definitely this dish was not disgusting like some other fake Japanese restaurants serve. Ikura wasn’t the freshest, and the three sheets of nori (sea weeds) were stale (thus making it chewy rather than crispy) and tasted very cheep. Overall it was “Okay”
Miso soup: I was pleasantly surprised with how they have used decent amount of dashi in their soup (like how they do it in Japan), giving it an authentic twist. The soup was flavorful and I enjoyed it.
Tea: this was another pleasant surprise to receive what it mocked as Genmai-cha (tea with roasted rice bits in it). Well done.
From what you get in DMV area, I’d give a 4 stars or even 4.5 stars. As an overall “Japanese” izakaya, I’d put this in 3 stars range.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Bo
Genki Izakaya was a fantastic find. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented—each dish felt thoughtfully prepared. My favorites were Takoyaki and Tornado Omelet Fried Rice.
The service was equally impressive. Olivia was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home throughout the meal. Free parking is available in the garage behind the building.
We wrapped up with their matcha cake, which was light, not overly sweet, and the perfect end to the meal. Will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
KRITIBHA UPADHYAY
We had a wonderful experience! Our server, Grace Yim, was excellent, attentive, and friendly, and made us feel very welcome. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We truly enjoyed our time here and will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kai Fujimoto
The ramen is unreal. It is so good. The broth is perfect, the noodles are perfect, the egg is so good. My wife loved the drinks! They are anime themed and very cute. Our server Sabrina was super nice and friendly to us. Highly recommend anyone who loves noodles and cocktails to come by and check it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Javier Ordonez
Love the Spicy Miso Ramen and the Pork Belly Skewers! Sabrina was really cool as a host and always making sure I progressed through my meal well! (Also I’ve been here for drinks before in the evening and love the vibes)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicolas Marfurt-Levy
Great food our server Sebrina was very nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Min
We visited this place some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The ambiance was delightful and reflected the essence of Japanese Izakaya, with contemporary Japanese decor, light wooden tones, clean and minimal elements, and an impressive display of wines and sake above the bar. The Japanese-style tapas were lovely and served in small portions, perfectly paired with delicious cocktails. Each dish was freshly prepared and came with balanced flavors. The dessert was equally impressive, although my cheesecake was the tiniest piece of cake I've ever seen.
The service was excellent, with several staff members walking around and assisting tables where necessary. Although the overall price was high, the experience made up for it entirely.
Update: 09-03-2025
Genki Izakaya in Fairfax, Virginia, offers a contemporary twist on traditional Japanese cuisine. A highlight is the Bluefin Tuna Foie Gras with Uni, which melts in the mouth. The Genki Sushi Boat features 40 fresh pieces of nigiri and sashimi, while the shareable small plates, like Octopus Crudo with tomato salad, also impress.
One of its special rolls, the Mango Tango Roll, also stood out. It combines shrimp tempura, avocado, lobster salad, mango, and tobiko with mango and eel sauce and is topped with a slice of yellow mango.
With authentic flavors and vibrant decor, Genki Izakaya ensures a fantastic dining experience, supported by friendly and attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley Baldovino
We had a great time here on a weekday for dinner. Sabrina was awesome and took care of our order and requests very quickly and professionally.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Betssy Lopez
I eat at Genki almost three times a month. As someone that loves good food, this place is perfect for someone looking for a delicious meal for a good price and beautiful decoration. I always order food to go when I go. The pork skewers are my go to with the tornado omelette. Waiting on my to-go order right now. Thank you Sabrina and the rest the staff for another good experience!
Really great atmosphere with the food to match. Sabrina our waitress was amazing! I highly recommended the Ube Fries and Mentaiko Udon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maggie Guo
My friend treated us to Genki Izakaya and we loved it! It has beautiful, authentic Japanese décor and such an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere. The yakitori platter (grilled beef skirt, pork belly, chicken wings, chicken thighs, and shishito peppers), every bite was perfectly flavoured and cooked! Sushi roll, udon, and ramen were all fresh, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.
We got so caught up in the food and conversation that we forgot to take pictures, it was that good! Memorable and highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thant Aung
This place's decor will make you feel like you're in Japan. They went all in on the decor for sure. I had the opportunity to interact with more than one staff member. They were amazingly friendly and helpful in deciding what to order.
As the name, Izakaya, suggests, the yakitori or skewers are the stars here. It didn't matter if it was chicken, beef, or lamb. They all tasted great and went well with some beer and drinks. The ube fries were uniquely good. The sushi is average, though. My friends do not recommend the omelette rice or the ramen, so I didn't order them. I cannot comment on those. The matcha ice cream finished off nicely.
What I'm coming back here for - the yakitori and the ube fries. Absolutely!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
F'burg Foodie
A small group of us came in for a business lunch on a weekday… I made reservations prior due to tall their very positive reviews, I thought they might be very busy, but they weren’t. Service was excellent! Everyone who we encountered were sincere and offered amazing service. Their menu is large and varied, all Japanese though. There’s definitely something for everyone, regardless of whether they enjoy sushi or any of the other Japanese dishes.
Everything we tried was great and served beautifully! Prices are very reasonable. Food was made with fresh ingredients and tasted great.
Definitely would return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinesh Dhanasekharan
As someone who has grown up with the depth and diversity of Indian flavors, I’ve always appreciated Asian cuisine that balances freshness, spice, and artistry. My recent visit to Genki Izakaya was exactly that—a delightful exploration of textures, colors, and bold tastes.
Sushi Rolls The sushi presentation was a feast for the eyes before it even touched the palate. Bright layers of avocado, mango, and delicate fish were crowned with microgreens, tobiko, and spicy aioli. Each roll carried a balance of creaminess and heat, reminding me of how Indian cuisine layers flavors. The avocado roll stood out for its buttery texture, while the mango-topped roll brought a tropical sweetness that worked surprisingly well with the spice.
The sizzling skillet dish arrived bubbling and fragrant. The crispy fried cutlet like atop a rich, golden sauce of corn was pure comfort food—crispy outside, tender within, and generously sauced. It had that same indulgence as a well-made curry, where richness and spice linger together.
To cut through the richness, the citrus-mint drink was perfect. Fresh, tangy, and cooling, it felt like the Asian cousin of a fresh nimbu-pudina sharbat—light yet layered with zest.
Got the yaki udon. Not good. All I taste is pepper and oil , no flavor . Over priced for udon noodles and cabbage with a sprinkle of carrots and very small sides . Like that whole meal is worth $2 max if you do the calculations and make it yourself. Don’t waste your money on that seriously or change the recipe ….
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Born and raised in Japan, I am pretty judgmental when it comes to any establishments claiming to be “Japanese.”
I had miso soup ($4), Toro Bowl ($28) and hot tea ($3).
Toro Bowl: I was not impressed, but definitely this dish was not disgusting like some other fake Japanese restaurants serve. Ikura wasn’t the freshest, and the three sheets of nori (sea weeds) were stale (thus making it chewy rather than crispy) and tasted very cheep. Overall it was “Okay”
Miso soup: I was pleasantly surprised with how they have used decent amount of dashi in their soup (like how they do it in Japan), giving it an authentic twist. The soup was flavorful and I enjoyed it.
Tea: this was another pleasant surprise to receive what it mocked as Genmai-cha (tea with roasted rice bits in it). Well done.
From what you get in DMV area, I’d give a 4 stars or even 4.5 stars. As an overall “Japanese” izakaya, I’d put this in 3 stars range.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Genki Izakaya was a fantastic find. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented—each dish felt thoughtfully prepared. My favorites were Takoyaki and Tornado Omelet Fried Rice.
The service was equally impressive. Olivia was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home throughout the meal. Free parking is available in the garage behind the building.
We wrapped up with their matcha cake, which was light, not overly sweet, and the perfect end to the meal. Will definitely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a wonderful experience! Our server, Grace Yim, was excellent, attentive, and friendly, and made us feel very welcome. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We truly enjoyed our time here and will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The ramen is unreal. It is so good. The broth is perfect, the noodles are perfect, the egg is so good.
My wife loved the drinks! They are anime themed and very cute.
Our server Sabrina was super nice and friendly to us.
Highly recommend anyone who loves noodles and cocktails to come by and check it out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the Spicy Miso Ramen and the Pork Belly Skewers! Sabrina was really cool as a host and always making sure I progressed through my meal well! (Also I’ve been here for drinks before in the evening and love the vibes)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food our server Sebrina was very nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited this place some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The ambiance was delightful and reflected the essence of Japanese Izakaya, with contemporary Japanese decor, light wooden tones, clean and minimal elements, and an impressive display of wines and sake above the bar. The Japanese-style tapas were lovely and served in small portions, perfectly paired with delicious cocktails. Each dish was freshly prepared and came with balanced flavors. The dessert was equally impressive, although my cheesecake was the tiniest piece of cake I've ever seen.
The service was excellent, with several staff members walking around and assisting tables where necessary. Although the overall price was high, the experience made up for it entirely.
Update: 09-03-2025
Genki Izakaya in Fairfax, Virginia, offers a contemporary twist on traditional Japanese cuisine. A highlight is the Bluefin Tuna Foie Gras with Uni, which melts in the mouth. The Genki Sushi Boat features 40 fresh pieces of nigiri and sashimi, while the shareable small plates, like Octopus Crudo with tomato salad, also impress.
One of its special rolls, the Mango Tango Roll, also stood out. It combines shrimp tempura, avocado, lobster salad, mango, and tobiko with mango and eel sauce and is topped with a slice of yellow mango.
With authentic flavors and vibrant decor, Genki Izakaya ensures a fantastic dining experience, supported by friendly and attentive staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a great time here on a weekday for dinner. Sabrina was awesome and took care of our order and requests very quickly and professionally.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I eat at Genki almost three times a month. As someone that loves good food, this place is perfect for someone looking for a delicious meal for a good price and beautiful decoration. I always order food to go when I go. The pork skewers are my go to with the tornado omelette. Waiting on my to-go order right now. Thank you Sabrina and the rest the staff for another good experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Really great atmosphere with the food to match. Sabrina our waitress was amazing! I highly recommended the Ube Fries and Mentaiko Udon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My friend treated us to Genki Izakaya and we loved it! It has beautiful, authentic Japanese décor and such an inviting and sophisticated atmosphere. The yakitori platter (grilled beef skirt, pork belly, chicken wings, chicken thighs, and shishito peppers), every bite was perfectly flavoured and cooked! Sushi roll, udon, and ramen were all fresh, beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.
We got so caught up in the food and conversation that we forgot to take pictures, it was that good! Memorable and highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place's decor will make you feel like you're in Japan. They went all in on the decor for sure. I had the opportunity to interact with more than one staff member. They were amazingly friendly and helpful in deciding what to order.
As the name, Izakaya, suggests, the yakitori or skewers are the stars here. It didn't matter if it was chicken, beef, or lamb. They all tasted great and went well with some beer and drinks. The ube fries were uniquely good. The sushi is average, though. My friends do not recommend the omelette rice or the ramen, so I didn't order them. I cannot comment on those. The matcha ice cream finished off nicely.
What I'm coming back here for - the yakitori and the ube fries. Absolutely!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
A small group of us came in for a business lunch on a weekday… I made reservations prior due to tall their very positive reviews, I thought they might be very busy, but they weren’t. Service was excellent! Everyone who we encountered were sincere and offered amazing service. Their menu is large and varied, all Japanese though. There’s definitely something for everyone, regardless of whether they enjoy sushi or any of the other Japanese dishes.
Everything we tried was great and served beautifully! Prices are very reasonable. Food was made with fresh ingredients and tasted great.
Definitely would return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As someone who has grown up with the depth and diversity of Indian flavors, I’ve always appreciated Asian cuisine that balances freshness, spice, and artistry. My recent visit to Genki Izakaya was exactly that—a delightful exploration of textures, colors, and bold tastes.
Sushi Rolls
The sushi presentation was a feast for the eyes before it even touched the palate. Bright layers of avocado, mango, and delicate fish were crowned with microgreens, tobiko, and spicy aioli. Each roll carried a balance of creaminess and heat, reminding me of how Indian cuisine layers flavors. The avocado roll stood out for its buttery texture, while the mango-topped roll brought a tropical sweetness that worked surprisingly well with the spice.
The sizzling skillet dish arrived bubbling and fragrant. The crispy fried cutlet like atop a rich, golden sauce of corn was pure comfort food—crispy outside, tender within, and generously sauced. It had that same indulgence as a well-made curry, where richness and spice linger together.
To cut through the richness, the citrus-mint drink was perfect. Fresh, tangy, and cooling, it felt like the Asian cousin of a fresh nimbu-pudina sharbat—light yet layered with zest.
Interesting food!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
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