While you wait for Washington’s Japanese cherry blossoms to reach peak bloom, check out these six top Japanese spots from our 2016 100 Very Best Restaurants list.
Izakaya Seki
“Father/daughter team Hiroshi and Cizuka Seki quietly conduct one of the most impressive dining experiences in town.”
1117 V St., NW, Washington, DC 20009
Sushi Capitol
“Load up on rolls if you must, but this is a place to come and appreciate the subtlety and delicacy of the various white fishes that the Japanese prize.”
325 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003
Sushi Sono
“This is special-occasion sushi, but you might not know it, given the lack of trappings and the absence of ceremonial hush.”
10215 Wincopin Cir., Columbia, MD 21044
Daikaya Ramen
“You won’t go wrong with any of the five styles of ramen…”
705 Sixth St., NW, Washington, DC 20001
Crane & Turtle
“Crane & Turtle, which might easily have been an exercise in hipster self-congratulation—an expensive French-Japanese restaurant in a formerly working-class neighborhood—but instead seems so genuine and charming that you root for it.”
828 Upshur St., NW, Washington, DC 20011
Sushiko
“It’s worth exploring the expanded small-plates menu. We’re fans of the yellowtail crudo with grapefruit, miso-mustard duck, and addictive popcorn-style shrimp with yuzu aïoli.”
5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Greta started as an editorial fellow in January 2016 and joined as a full-time staff member that August. She now works as a web producer and writer. She was previously an intern at Slate and National Geographic and graduated from the University of Missouri’s Journalism School. She lives in Adams Morgan.
