Where can I find some authentic Japanese food in Washington, DC area?

Question

Basically, I used to love Olive Garden, but I hear its not real Italian. (But it is delicious Italian inspired food!). So, I've found that most resturants are like this.

But right now I am in a Japanese mood and would like to try some of the real stuff this weekend, not just something Americanized.

Any suggestions for anything in the DC/MD/VA area?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Believing that you can do it better than any restaurant, I say:

Daruma Japan Market
6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: [phone]
Web: www.darumajapanmarket.com

When I returned from Japan, I asked your question and found them to be the answer.

If you're not into doing it yourself, don't worry they have lots of carry out. If you go a couple of times and talk to the other shoppers, you'll be ready to take on the Iron Chefs!

Gokouun o inorimasu

Answer 2

For great Japanese dining let me recommend Sushi Taro in Dupont Circle. From the outside, you wouldn't suspect the amazing talent the chefs have here! My husband and I often order the omasake. The Master Sushi Chef is truly an artist. The quality of the food is amazing. They serve only the freshest of fish. One of our favorite is a fresh Spanish Mackeral.

We love the sushi. The entree dishes are also very delicious.

There is no place like this!

Answer 3

One of the top ten restaurants as rated by Zagat last year is Mokoto on Macarthur Blvd. Small, intimate, and very authentic,the servers are in formal kimonos, shoes off at the door, and you sit on wooden boxes. The food is amazing, expensive, and worth it. ANd very close to Daruma market is Aji Nippon on Arlington Road in Bethesda, another small jewel of japanese cuisine.

Answer 4

I love Spices, at 3333 Connecticut Ave NW (Cleveland Park). The food is great, not specifically Japanese...it covers Japanese, Malaysian, Thai and Korean. The atmosphere is fun and everything I've ever had there is very well prepared and a good value.

Answer 5

Try Asahi Kaiten in Arlington. They have great food a great sushi bar and good drink prices. They are located in the Balston Commons mall next to Rock Botton Check them out at http://www.asahisushi.com/index.html

Answer 6

For one of the VERY BEST Japanese Dining experiences you will ever have, I present the following:

Murasaki Japanese
4620 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest
202-966-0023

Answer 7

1. Sushi-Ko : imaginative and experienced. Plus if you're with someone who prefers tempura, they do an excellent job with that as well.
2. Kotobuki : great sushi as dirt cheap prices

Answer 8

Seems like there are a bunch:

http://www.switchboard.com/swbd.main/dir/results.htm?cid=&MEM=&PR=&ST=&inputwhat_dirty=1&KW=restaraunts%2C+japanese&initial=&inputwhere_dirty=1&LO=WASHINGTON%2C+DC&SD=-1&search.x=53&search.y=8

Answer 9

This is Asian fine dining http://www.noras.com/asianora/about/
Check it out