Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Gyu San Japanese BBQ

4.8

4.8 (83)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Arlington

About the restaurant

At Gyusan Japanese BBQ, offer high-quality cuts of meat, that are known for their tenderness, flavor, and overall premium quality, which include cuts such as Wagyu beef, dry-aged beef, prime rib, and other premium cuts of beef, as well as premium cuts of pork, lamb, and other meats.Wagyu beef, for example, is known for its high level of marbling, which gives it a rich, buttery flavor and a tender texture. Dry-aged beef is beef that has been hung in a cool, dry place for several weeks, which helps to intensify its flavor and tenderize the meat.Our focus is often on using the highest quality and freshest ingredients, including premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and organic vegetables.From salad to sashimi and yakiniku to noodles, your friends and family are bound to find something to enjoy together.

Top review

GregoryVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Our server Eleanor was excellent. Wagyu fried rice was disappointing and not value for money, but sushi and sashimi were very good.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Arlington, VA | Clarendon

4.8

4.8 (692)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Arlington

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

DanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Fun spot with good food (and plenty of it). Also gluten allergy friendly.

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

O-Ku - DC

4.7

4.7 (1701)

$30 and under

Japanese

Washington

About the restaurant

O-Ku DC invites guests to explore rare and unique dining options -traditional sashimi and sushi, innovative Japanese specialties and wood-fired robata-style dishes from the Kitchen's Binchotan grills. The fish and other ingredients are sourced from the highest-quality purveyors around the world and is committed to using sustainably sourced ingredients when possible.

Top review

Liz

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent as always! My favorite sushi spot. Happy hour is wonderful!

Chaplin

4.7

4.7 (1575)

$30 and under

Japanese

Shaw

About the restaurant

Chaplin's Restaurant & Bar is a 1930's style Japanese Ramen House and cocktail bar. Chaplin's Executive Chef and Partner, Myo Htun, is originally from Burma, but was cooking ramen in Japan at a young age. Myo received a blessing from his mentor in Japan after nearly 30 years of cooking in Japan, to come to America and continue to showcase his authentic Ramen and traditional Japanese cuisine. Chaplin's Restaurant demonstrates the aesthetic of a bustling ramen house in Japan in the 1930's silent film era. There is also a large outdoor dining area that is dog friendly. Chaplin's is located in the heart of the Historic Shaw neighborhood. And it is open until last call 7 days a week. Chaplin's received a Plate certification in the Michelin Guide in 2020. And it is located steps from the convention center and popular Logan Circle, 14th street and City Market.

Top review

KyleVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Chaplins always offers great food with good service, and tonight was no exception. They were slammed with large tables from a convention, yet the team still managed to run a very efficient service without compromising on taste or hospitality!

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4.4

4.4 (112)

$30 and under

Japanese

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Best Sushi Restaurant in DC located in the heart of Dupont Circle Featuring Unique Specialty Sushi rolls // Cocktails // Japanese beers and Sakes at a high energy Lounge.

Tokyo Pearl is committed to the health & safety of our patrons.

Indoor & outdoor dining available (Heated Patio )
6 foot social distancing between tables with maximum of 6 per table
Facial coverings worn by all staff

Top review

JordanVIP

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

Went on a slow, cold Sunday afternoon so it wasn’t not busy at all. For some reason, though, our server was difficult to find throughout our meal. Food/drinks were really good, & they had fun holiday themed drink decorations. Definitely bundle up though if you’re seated on the patio.

DAIKAYA 2F THE IZAKAYA

4.6

4.6 (2120)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Please be advised that the reservation is for the Izakaya on the second floor and not the ramen shop on the first floor. The ramen menu is not available at the Izakaya. The Izakaya, located on the second floor of Daikaya, is a casual restaurant that serves Japanese comfort food to accompany a diverse selection of bar offerings. The izakaya experience is perfect for after work, before a big night out, as a full supper, or for late-night bites with friends. The cuisine is freestyle and adaptive in nature. Each izakaya in Japan puts its own touch on its menu items. The plates are typically small so that one can sample many different items.

Top review

AshleyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

All the food was fresh and really good. The drinks were spot on as well

Kabuto Hibachi and Sushi

4.2

4.2 (441)

$30 and under

Japanese

Rockville

About the restaurant

Kabuto Hibachi Grill & Sushi is a beautifully designed new restaurant in the heart of Rockville town square. We have amazing Sushi & Hibachi items that is sure to satisfy every guests desires & palate. State of the art hibachi tables, beautifully design space combined with amazing food and service will make your experience at Kabuto a memorable one.
We look forward to serving you and making Kabuto Hibachi & Sushi one of your favorite places to dine out.
Please keep us in mind for your special gatherings as we have beautiful private dining room options available.

Thank you!

Top review

Margy

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

Great friendly service but oftentimes slow due to lack of staffing on a Tuesday night. Good location for family and kids. Our chef was very interactive with the children at our table. The portion size of food was very generous. Everyone at the table had to box up the leftovers. We knew dessert came with our meal but our server just brought our check instead of asking us what we wanted to eat. So I asked her, "doesn't our meal come with a dessert?" She responded that yes but they don't ask the customers. The customers have to ask for the dessert. She said it is because the restaurant serves such a large portion of food that people do not finish their meal and the dessert. They didn't want to waste the dessert. I was really looking forward to the green tea ice cream but they were out of it. I had the vanilla ice cream which was probably some generic version that they got in bulk because it was pretty tasteless. Other notes: * Noise level was pretty loud. * Temperature in the restaurant was extremely warm. * Validated parking was convenient in private lot. * 18% gratuity is automatically added.

Moonraker

4.5

4.5 (358)

$50 and over

Japanese

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

Welcome to Moonraker at Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf, a signature rooftop hideaway with a Japanese inspired menu of light bites and sushi alongside handcrafted cocktails, a curated selection of Japanese whiskeys, and more. All set around a stunning central bar boasting panoramic views of the waterfront. A laidback lounge by day evolves into a buzzy nightlife scene alongside a handsome bar that sets the scene for intimate soirées and nighttime meet ups, all by the Potomac.

Introducing Capitol Brunch. Meet us at Moonraker for an all-new weekend brunch menu, featuring everything from bottomless brunch cocktails to Japanese-infused breakfast classics.

Please note the following for your reservation:
Reservations are limited to (2) Hour Dine Times.
Our Culinary Offerings conclude at 10:00 PM weekdays, and 11:00 PM weekends.
Moonraker does not have a dress code but does recommend appropriate casual wear.

Top review

Divya

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Bordeaux, tuna sushi, and edamame were delicious. Excellent service

Benihana - Bethesda, MD

4.2

4.2 (2605)

$30 and under

Japanese

Bethesda

About the restaurant

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

Top review

NicholeVIP

Dined 6 days ago

I have not been to this new location. I use to go to the location near the metro. The quality and experience has not changed. Great food, service, and experience.

Umaya

4.1

4.1 (748)

$30 and under

Japanese

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Umaya, where East meets West in a plethora of Japanese inspired small & large dishes. We focus on drawing from the simplicity of flavor in fresh ingredients, while giving it a Western flair. Specializing on the popular Japanese ‘street food’ - think small 'tapas' style dishes that are easy to share amongst friends & family. Our Izakaya grill features a one of a kind charcoal brick that is imported from Japan & allows for the natural flavors of the proteins & vegetables to radiate.

Umaya elevates the typical 'beer garden' concept with hard-to-find Asian dishes. Our menu promotes friends, coworkers, family to enjoy their time together. We carry a wide array of Asian beer, sake & Japanese Whiskey, complimenting the tranquility of the restaurant. The menu will feature seasonal highlights; however, the time-honored staples will always be available. ‘Umaya’ directly translates to a ‘place that tastes good’ in Japanese; it is a place where you can go

Top review

Eric

Dined 2 days ago

Great Japanese apps and sushi for us. Drinks were interesting

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Popular dish

Curry Ramen

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