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    AKO by KENAKI

    4.5 (21 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    AKO by KENAKI Photos

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    An easy breezy roll
    Kwame S.

    My experience with Ako by KENAKI is pretty limited because I had only one small cucumber and eel roll. I thought my roll was fresh and pretty delicious. One small thing that I really appreciated: the MASSIVE amount of wasabi that accompanied my roll. *I have to admit that I'm a little but of a wasabi fiend.* While I did not try any other items from the menu, Ako had a decent selection of yummy bites that I hope to try in the future. Also, I thought the prices were pretty standard for the area. *Note: I did not order addition items, because I was ordering small plates from other establishments in The Roost.*

    Lauren S.

    We went to AKO by Kenaki for my birthday and we really enjoyed it! The sushi was innovative but very tasty. As you might know, this is located in the Roost which is more of a food hall vibe. We sat at a counter and ordered on the app and it was delivered to us. Only complaint was that it was a little pricey and only open on certain days for lunch but overall pleased with the food and experience

    Four different rolls!
    Nini J.

    This place is so unrated. It has the best sushi in the DMV and the prices isn't outrageous either.

    Sydney G.

    This is my first time visiting any of the restaurants in the Roost and I have to say, this was a great way to start! We got almost all of the specialty rolls and then a spicy crunchy salmon roll. One thing to note is that in the spicy crunchy rolls, they use a whole piece of fish instead of like having it chopped up inside the spicy mayo so if you've got a thing about big pieces of fish, this might not be for you. The sushi was beautiful to look at and it was served with a great amount of pickled ginger and wasabi. My favorite roll was the Devil's Kiss (but beware the Calabrian chili ponzu definitely sneaks up on you!). The fresh Granny Smith apple is a great addition. My least favorite was the Black Magic--I think they were a little too heavy handed with the truffle and there wasn't enough variety of texture within the roll. There are no servers--you just order off a QR code and they deliver it to you, which was annoying bc there was no one to refill my water when I had to chug it after the Devil's kiss haha

    Timothy V.

    Bottom Line Up Front: Woefully Overrated OKAY at best food. I was hopeful and looking forward to Ako, and really wanted to like the place. I was hoping to try the fatty tuna donburi bowl, but they were unavailable. I thought this was strange as they had another dish using fatty tuna (pictured) which had no apparent shortage. Maybe they were missing some other ingredient. AKO is in the Roost Food Hall, environment is what you would assume - nothing bad, just a bunch of people who want variety in food. Unfortunately as the issue with most restaurants in food halls, you get a plethora of choices without real expertise in any of the restaurants- Jack of all trades master of none. I had sushi rolls with fatty tuna placed on top along with a salmon donburi bowl. The rice was hard and tacky, something completely unacceptable for any sushi place. With a bad base, it was hard to appreciate the rest of the dishes. The donburi bowl was seasoned nice, with crunchy chili flakes. The sushi rolls looked nice, and were strangely flavorless. I'd give another chance to AKO to try the fatty tuna donbur bowl, but I'd skip on anything else - go to a real sushi restaurant and save your money.

    Premium cuts sashimi bowl (16 pieces)
    Andrew H.

    I'm glad I get to be the first to review AKO. Due to Covid, I haven't been able to get much of my sushi cravings due to my favorite ones not having outdoor seating. I was skeptical of a food hall sushi but their vendor stand looked well made and authentic, so I gave the 16 pieces premium cut sashimi a try at $35. It did not disappoint at all. The fish was fresh, large pieces and melt in your mouth soft. They gave large portions, it was enough for me and my wife to share, they gave two pieces of each type of fish. The sushi rice had a perfect texture to go with the fish. The tamago, and fish eggs were a perfect completely as well, and they gave a lot. The Japanese mushrooms were also a nice touch, I don't like mushrooms but these were delicious. One of the best sashimi bowls I have had and at $35, very reasonable. I would definitely get this bowl again and love that I can enjoy it outdoors.it even includes a piece of uni as well, but all the fish was great.

    Tessa A.

    Stopped by for lunch and we left satisfied! After hearing nothing but great things about Kenaki in Gaithersburg, MD we knew we had to stop by at their DC location. Ako is located inside a food hall, The Roost, which offered a variety of cuisines. The establishment is very spacious with lots of seating both inside and outside. If you want to sit outside, they have fire pits and heated lamps to keep you warm. Service is self-served. You order and pay for your food beforehand. They do have staff members coming around filling up your water cup if you decide to dine in. We loved this concept as it was convenient and more efficient. The sushi rolls were all delicious and beautifully presented. We ordered the White Tiger, Devil's Kiss, Green Monster, and New Spicy Tuna. My personal favorite was the White Tiger-- which had eel, salmon, apple, and avocado topped with seared scallop and dried, crunchy chili. This was such a unique roll and different from what I usually get. I loved the chili consistency with the other ingredients. The soy sauce and wasabi also tasted delicious and it did not taste store bought. We were later told that it was all made in house (so that makes sense). Overall, the fish was fatty and good quality and the ingredients also tasted fresh. If you are looking for delicious sushi with a relax ambiance this is the place for you-- 100% recommend.

    I can't forget the taste of this Sashimi bowl. The fish was so soft and flavorful . The food was perfect and great service.
    Sina H.

    This Sashimi rice bowl was perfect and AKO delivered great service. The fish was super flavorful, and the texture of the sushi rice was great.

    Black Magic, Devil's Kiss, New Spicy Tuna

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    4 years ago

    Excellent maki. Very fresh and delicious. This will be my new go-to in the neighborhood!

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    Sushi Hachi - Salmon Avocado roll, Salmon Sashimi, and two special rolls

    Sushi Hachi

    4.3(630 reviews)
    0.6 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    Started with the Red Snapper ceviche. It was so good that I reverted to a fork to clear the bowl. I…read moreaccompanied the meal with the house hot sake that paired well with the fish. It was a nice upgrade to my usual draft beer selection. I had two rolls and both were excellent. The spicy tuna avocado roll was superb and the yellowtail scallion roll was fresh and very tasty. I added a third roll, called the Alaska. It was a great combination and was the perfect way to end a celebratory evening. The service is always the star of the night at Sushi Hachi! My server was attentive and quick while looking calm and zen throughout. The managers/owners each stopped by the table and we talked about the neighborhood and I felt a connection to my Capitol Hill community. All-around it was an outstanding evening. Will return as often as I can!

    For Christmas Eve, my wife, eight-year-old daughter, and I made a reservation at this small sushi…read morespot along Barracks Row. After many accolades and Michelin nods, it was an honor to dine at Sushi Hachi. Here's our experience. 1) Food: To start, we ordered the miso soup and edamame. Both were full of flavor and well prepared, especially the edamame. Sometimes the ones from the grocery store can be slimy. These are not. They are perfect. To eat, I got the shrimp tempura, Chicken Kara-age, and the 8th Street sushi. My wife ordered the Chef's Sushi Platter and swore she will crave the Yellowtail Cilantro Roll. Our daughter enjoyed the California Roll. 2) Drinks: Their cocktails hit each end of the liquor spectrum. My wife enjoyed their Manhattan. The Summer cocktail was a tad sweet, which I found refreshing and unique. 3) Service: It's excellent. The timing, warmth, and attention to our daughter was spot on. 4) Space: It's simple yet inviting inside one long dining room with the sushi counter in the way back. 5) Area: Along Barracks Row, Sushi Hachi is near many other restaurants and local shops. One of the oldest military bases in the country is across the street. There's street parking- paid and free- throughout the neighborhood.

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    Sushi Hachi
    Sushi Hachi - Beef, sweet shrimp, roll

    Beef, sweet shrimp, roll

    Sushi Hachi - Salmon roll, spicy salmon roll, and yellowtail nigiri

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    Salmon roll, spicy salmon roll, and yellowtail nigiri

    O-Ku - Salmon Usuzukuri

    O-Ku

    4.4(785 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    We came here for Valentine's Day. Managed to snag a reservation for 5 PM, right when they open, at…read morethe sushi bar. The staff were all absolutely lovely. And we even got a cute little Valentines gift. I can't say enough nice things about our server - she was so great. Sitting at the sushi bar was neat as we got to see everything being made. We also got to try some complimentary bites. Great experience! The cocktails were crazy good. Everything we ordered was delicious. The salmon usuzukuri was so good we ordered it twice. The Kobe baller was another standout. The scallops were also fantastic. Such a yummy meal! Highly recommend! We will definitely be back.

    I might give them another shot given the rave reviews, but tonight I'm disappointed. At this point,…read moreI haven't even seen my check so the price is not the issue, but the service and overall flavor for the price point definitely are. My Hotote crudo app which should be served cold was served cold on a super hot plate which means by the time I ate it, it was thus weird hot/semi-luke warm temp and honestly, not appetizing. I tried the Moriawase after and told my server I wanted to add caviar if it was possible and since I didn't get any, I assume it is only an option for the nigiri/sashimi. Silly but no problem. I was still sooooo hungry I ordered a Surf&turf roll and it was less than appetizing. It had no flavor which was terribly unfortunate. I didn't make a review about the sake mixup or my server only to be polite but there are definitely low points, and those make the list. I hope it's better for everyone else!

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    O-Ku
    O-Ku - Complementary cucumber salad (tasty AF) @ O-Ku!

    Complementary cucumber salad (tasty AF) @ O-Ku!

    O-Ku - Tempura shrimp roll!

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    Tempura shrimp roll!

    Kura Revolving Sushi Bar - Salmon sashimi

    Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

    3.7(588 reviews)
    2.4 miChinatown
    $$$

    My friend was super excited to introduce us to Kura as she has been twice to two different…read morelocations. It was quite the experience! I'm just glad she made dinner reservations because it does get super busy. We still had to wait a while even with reservations but it wasn't crazy long thankfully. We had a pretty decent booth location close to the start of the rotating sushi belt. I'm glad, my friend is a pro at this so she was able to give us direction with the flow of things. They charge by the plate and she recommended that we count our plates because for every 15 plates you get a "toy" that rolls out of the machine to your table. She donated some of her plates so I could experience the novelty, which I was very appreciative. The sushi is covered and rotates by and if you see something you like, you just push the button on the dome that says "push" and quickly take the plate with the sushi on it. It's best to stack your plates when you're done eating. Then when you're completely finished eating all you want, insert your plates one at a time into the slot to count how much you owe (which is located at the end of your table closest to the conveyor belt). If you don't see something on the conveyor belt you want, or desserts that specifically state "order", just press the buttons on the screen at your table above the conveyor belt. You order your drinks and drink refills this way as well. A robot comes to your table to bring you drinks. A person will come to your table with a check. If you have any issues just press a button on the screen and they will work to resolve any issues. Overall, it was a pleasant and enjoyable experience! I enjoyed the sushi and the desserts! I had a butter cake and a taiyaki which were both excellent!! The taiyaki you order on the screen.

    First time at a revolving sushi spot and I was tickled the entire time. It's a casual spot and the…read moreline was long but we made reservations a few hours before. This is in Chinatown so parking can also be a little iffy. Food an selection is pretty decent but basic, and there were a few dishes that we tried just for the heck of it. There was a line for the bathroom and they also have the server robots to bring drinks which was super cute and unexpected. I think we hit like 25 plates and ran up a nice tab but would definitely come back when in the mood.

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    Kura Revolving Sushi Bar - Tiny Water Serving Robot

    Tiny Water Serving Robot

    Kura Revolving Sushi Bar - Sea urchin.

    Sea urchin.

    Kura Revolving Sushi Bar - Heated Sitting area

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    Heated Sitting area

    Sushi Sato - Sato Roll

    Sushi Sato

    4.4(51 reviews)
    1.4 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast

    There are several levels to sushi Sato. Discussing the first floor. I went in to enjoy their…read morehappy hour and unlimited sushi. I purchased the first option since I was more interested in the basic sashimi/nigiri and was very impressed. It was so fresh and every bite was extremely tender. I believe the time limit is 90 minutes, but I was done at about the hour mark. I sat at the bar which made the ordering experience very easy. There are several tables on the first floor and a second floor devoted to table seating. My bartender was great and provided excellent service. They have pretty good happy hour specials as well--$3beers, apps decently priced. Overall really easy and nice experience. I popped in early on a Friday afternoon and found the place to be somewhat busy, but not too packed that I needed to make a reservation. I would suggest one if coming after six since it did pick up. My next foray on another weekend on the third floor (i believe it's called red lantern) was so fun. It's set up as a karaoke floor with TVs to see the lyrics and sing all around. The space is smaller, but tables are spread out for you to sit with your group. There's also a bar with a few seats if that interests you. You can order food and drinks and the song selection process is easy. I enjoyed a cocktail, a delicious Japanese take on a grilled cheese (which was amazing and like nothing I had before), and a Japanese whiskey cocktail. The bartender serving me gave me a Japanese whiskey tasting which was pretty unique. I'm a big fan of Japanese whiskey! Sushi Sato and red lantern are so much fun and I encourage everyone to give both floors a try for good food and fun.

    As someone who has high standards, had an amazing time. Our server Laura was 1st class. She truly…read moremade the experience very enjoyable, while making us want to come back. All the fish tasted fresh, was cut properly. With sushi, the rice can make or break the experience like dough to pizza. With AYCE it's hit or miss due to the volume. The rice is either too hot cause they're trying to keep up, over seasoned, not seasoned, not cooked properly or mushy. Not here, the rice was cooked n seasoned expertly. While miso soup n seaweed salad is typically an after thought at most sushi places, I tend to judge a place by it. If something so simple is overlooked, then the rest of the food typically is. To my surprise, both were top notch. The miso was packed w flavor, while most places taste like water or is watered down w barely any miso paste. The seaweed salad was very dry, fluffy, fresh n well balanced. Most places it's too wet n mushy n lacks flavor, at times has a unpleasant texture. The steak skewer n miso cod to my surprise was expertly cooked. Lets be honest, most fish served is over cooked n dry. The cod was still juicy n packed w flavor. The steak skewer caught me by surprise how much flavor it had, while also being tender. Truly enjoyed everything here. The plating of every dish alone was eye candy. That was something you don't typically see at an AYCE and something I definitely appreciated n respected. That alone shows the love n passion that's being put into this restaurant. If I'm finding something to nit pick about. The angel hair pasta dish, while cooked to perfection, did lack in the seasoning dept. The soft shell crab in the sato roll overpowered w fried oil taste that I didn't even taste the eel. Those 2 dishes I wouldn't order again. This is just me trying to find something to nit pick about among an entire menu that was enjoyed. You def need to come here if you like/love sushi.

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    Sushi Sato - Group shot

    Group shot

    Sushi Sato - Lychee

    Lychee

    Sushi Sato - Second floor dining room

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    Second floor dining room

    AKO by KENAKI - sushi - Updated May 2026

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