Maru San Photos
MARU SAN ATMOSPHERE
What's the vibe?
You might also consider
More like Maru San
Recommended Reviews - Maru San
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
The hand rolls here are so tasty and well balanced with textures and sauces. My uni roll was my least favorite and for some reason tasted a little better and not that fresh... the toro, spicy tuna, and salmon belly were my favorite! The service is great, and I love how the ginger wasabi dish also comes with radish. It's first come first serve, and there was no wait when I walked in on a Saturday night. It is pretty dark inside, but still enjoyed the ambiance.
With a lot of hype, Maru San opened in a tiny space with 25 bar seats in Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. A month in, there's usually a line to get into this no-reservations spot. I walked in on a Thursday at 6 p.m. and got a seat right away. Here's my experience. 1) Food: The hand rolls are made before your eyes. My server recommended five hand rolls since I was medium hungry. Each hand roll is meant to be eaten right away in 2-3 bites. I ordered the mushroom, avocado, shrimp, scallops, and crab ones. All were tasty, but the stand outs were the scallop and shrimp ones. Soy sauce and a hot sauce from Peru are along the bar. 2) Drinks: The menu includes wine, beer, high balls, and other drinks. I ordered the passionfruit lemonade. It's sweet, but very tasty. I ordered two. They also bring water out to you. 3) Space: It's beautifully decorated with murals and simple design. It's stunning!
In town visiting my daughter and she really wanted to check this place out. Very close to Eastern Market Station. No reservations but we went early enough and there were only a couple other people inside. My daughter tried the 6 piece roll set and a Matcha Lemonade. I had a hot matcha lemongrass tea which really hit the spot along with 3 hand rolls. I tried the spicy tuna, salmon belly and eel. All 3 were delicious but the eel was my favorite. The spicy tuna had a little bit of a kick which a nice surprise! Will absolutely be back. Service was amazing.
I was enjoying a Sunday stroll at Eastern Market and to my surprise, I stumbled upon Maru San without knowing it was located in this neighborhood. Having been to Causa/Amazonia previously, Maru San has been on my list of restaurants to try since their opening this year. It was fate that we got to be one of the first few folks lined up by 4:00 PM and got to walk-in without waiting. To my surprise, Israel welcomed us in whom we also met at Causa and made it a memorable experience. Glad to see that Chef Delgado's team values keeping their level of quality and service consistent. Per Israel's recommendation, we ordered the Handroll Set that came with (6) of the pre-fixe options below along with Chilcano-Miso Soup. For drinks, we opted for a Pilsner and Passionfruit Lemonade. I was entertained with how Israel was speaking so lovingly about the ingredients when I asked him to walk me through the incredible things we just finished eating. He pointed out that there is shoyu and rocoto available should it be needed though pointed out that the hand rolls do not necessarily need any additional enhancement as the existing sauce speaks for themselves. I do agree the rolls below did not need additional sauce though he did recommend try the Chilcano-Miso Soup with a few drops of the rocoto midway to compare without it. +Acevichado w/ citrus garlic & sweet potato chips for crunch +Spicy Tuna w/ spicy mayo +Crab w/ aioli +Hamachi w/ aji amarillo +Salmon Belly w/ huacatay (Peruvian black mint) +Scallop w/ aji amarillo parmesan butter +Lobster Pachikay Batayaki w/ grilled butter We made friends with other fellow guests at the bar and recommended that we ask for an order of ginger and wasabi. We even found ourselves sharing mutual stories about our visits to Peru and enjoying Nikkei cuisine. Given how intimate the restaurant is, there is only bar seating for 25 persons and while I typically do not like to sit at any bar in most establishments, it feels luxurious at Maru San from the floor to the ceiling. Every detail - from the lighting, utensils, natural elements of stone for the hand rolls, water cups, and even the octopus chopstick holders. Loved the ambience. Alright - one thing that is a little bit of a maze is the restroom situation. You have to physically leave the restaurant and go down a few hallways. It is a shared restroom amongst other establishments in this area though not a big deal. Had such an incredible time and it was the perfect Sunday.
Really really great hand rolls. Go all out, just come early, right at 4:00 pm. The service is great, the dishes are all crafted for this place. The cups, the roll holders even! Given the nature of the food, it is a lil fish-smelling at first, as there is a bit of fish moving around, however the music is on point, so after a song or two, you get used to it. I suggest you try everything you can afford!
So happy to see a new handroll place added to the DC food scene! I think this might be the first Nikkei handroll place to hit the area too. It's a super fun and lively atmosphere inside, great for a date or meal with friends. And all the little details are adorable, like there's a little octopus that holds up your chopsticks! I went with their pre-set 5 handrolls option. The Acevichado was hands down my favorite. Unfortunately, it was maybe too strong of a start as the handrolls that followed felt a bit lackluster compared to the first one. They were all delicious though. Can't really speak about their alcoholic drinks, but I wouldn't recommend the hojicha lemongrass tea or their matcha lemonade. I'd definitely consider coming back for their tasting menu experience!
The handrolls were very salty. The ingredients tasted fresh and seemed like good quality, but the overall flavor was overwhelmingly oversalted. We ended up drinking so much water just to balance it out. The ambiance was nice, and the space itself was well done. However, the wait outside in the cold was pretty absurd, even if that's somewhat expected for a new spot in DC. Unfortunately, the food didn't justify the wait, which made the experience disappointing overall.
I visited Maru San on a Friday evening around 5:20 pm, the wait was about an hour. Food and service were definitely worth the wait and I plan to come back frequently. I really enjoyed the Japanese and Peruvian fusion. We ordered the 6 hand roll set! Absolutely no negative feedback! My favorite were the spicy tuna and acevecheria hand roll. We also ordered the Chicha morada and hojicha lemon grass hot tea. Service was great and the seating was spacious. The interior provided a good vibe. All in all, no negative notes.
Coming out the gate swinging!!! You can tell this place was envisioned and executed by industry folks with years of experience. From the greeting and seating to the check, everything was perfectly choreographed, never feeling rushed, looked after but hyper efficient. I think I was in and out in under an hour! Perfect!! Hand rolls are the name of the game and can be ordered a la carte or as part of 3, 4, 5 or 6 preset menus. The classic spicy tuna and crab are done exceptionally well while stand outs like octopus and scallops are embedded with South American spices that meld two food cultures seemlesly. Plenty of non-roll options which are a bit bulkier are also available. Rolls come out at a good pace and are 2 or 3 bites large. Crispy nori snaps yielding perfectly flavored fish. Some pepper sauce, pickles and soy sauce are available for dipping if you want to punch your dish up a notch (none of my rolls needed anything added but it was fun to play with flavors). The 6 roll was perfect to fill me up and at under $40 felt like a steal! For drinks, highballs made with pisco and ginger were light and bright to complement the fish. Saké (including a sparkling) are available in 4oz pours. This place has "it". I hope DC folks can adapt to the hand roll counter "culture". This isn't the place for a slow catch-up meal. It's a 'leta grab a quick bite and drink' vibe means don't keep folks outside waiting. No reservations means this place is going to take off and have long lines. Don't worry. It's worth it!
Amazing flavors and super attentive staff!! The interior of the place was so upscale and intimate that it's a great spot for date night (I wouldn't bring a group of people at once, just because it is bar seating only). Originally I was worried the place would be packed and there would be a long wait, but their lunch service had so much seating it was a good experience. Would definitely come here again! Definitely love the acevichado and I would recommend trying something not from a set if you are ordering the sets!
First off, Simon (one of the owners) took amazing care of us! We did the number 2 combo (each) and added a Madai roll with some sake and a beer! It was perfect! The dishes was amazing and the service was amazing! I don't want it to get too busy so I can go back all the time! Also- if you aren't in a hurry, it's all the better because space is limited and they don't rush you out!
I had one of the most memorable dining experiences last night at Maru San, DC's newest Nikkei-style hand roll bar--and I'm still thinking about it. From the moment we sat down, it was clear this wasn't going to be a typical meal. We were incredibly lucky to be personally served by Chef Carlos Delgado, one of the executive chefs (alongside Chef Simon Lam), who prepared a special omakase tasting menu for us. Watching him work up close added a whole different level of appreciation--there's real intention, precision, and creativity behind every bite. The food? Honestly, exceptional across the board. Every dish felt thoughtful, balanced, and just inventive enough to keep you surprised. Standouts for me: - The caviar hand roll was pure luxury--rich, briny, and perfectly composed. - The Amazonian hand roll was completely transportive--bright, complex, and easily one of the most unique bites of the night. - The chawanmushi was silky and deeply savory, comforting yet elevated. - The iberico pork hand roll was a standout--tender, flavorful, and unexpected in the best way. - The eel on an anchovy cracker (shaped like a fish skeleton!) was playful, crispy, and packed with umami. - The chirashi with toro and uni was indulgent and pristine--top-tier fish. - And the Wagyu a lo pobre (A5 wagyu) was unreal--rich, decadent, and perfectly executed. What makes this even more impressive is the setup: they don't even have a full kitchen--just a rice cooker, toaster oven, and a Thermomix--and somehow they're producing food at this level. It's a testament to the chefs' skill and vision. And just when I thought the experience couldn't go any higher--they surprised us with desserts (not even on the menu!). The strawberry matcha shave ice was refreshing and beautifully balanced. But the real showstopper featured Chef Delgado's signature ingredient: macambo. If you haven't heard of it, it's an Amazonian cacao relative that he's been championing and bringing into the spotlight. The macambo, copoazu dessert featuring hojicha ice cream encased in a macambo shell, set over crushed macambo--and it was incredible. It's honestly everything white chocolate wishes it could be: nutty, aromatic, complex, and not overly sweet. I've had a macambo dessert at his Michelin-starred Causa before, and this one was just as memorable. Maru San is doing something really special. Creative, intimate, and full of surprises--it's easily one of the most exciting new openings in DC. Already planning my next visit.
From the folks at Causa/Amazonia, Maru San is a great addition to the neighborhood. The fusion of Peruvian heat and fresh Japanese fish is a great combination. The fish is fresh, and the nori is some of the crispest I've ever had. Modern, sleek, and high-energy vibe. If you're looking for elevated hand roll, this is the spot!
Absolutely enjoyed everything about popping in for lunch after a stressful week and enjoying hand rolls. From the moment I walked in the door I was greeted with warm kindness, just what I needed after the week I experienced. Since a focus is handrolls they offer hand sanitizer at the door before showing you to your seat. The restaurant is sleek and minimal. Food is made right in front of you at the bar. Lunch is walk in only. I ordered the 6 handrolls and added on ell and Acevichado for a total of 8. Included in the 6 were the Acevichado, Spicy Tuna, Crab, Hamachi, Salmon Belly and Scallop. My two favorites were the eel and the acevichado hence why I purchased two. I had hot hojicha lemongrass tea to drink. Overall this is exactly what I needed. Great service, excellent food and good vibes. read more
5 months ago
Saw this place on social media and glad I did. The fish quality, service, and ambiance are all amazing. I personally like that Maru San doesn't take reservations outside of the tasting menu seating at 7PM. It is on my list to try this out at some point. Me and my girlfriend have already made it our signature date night spot where we like to frequent. Now to talk a little about our favorite hand rolls, our top 3 are and drink wise any of the highballs are excellent with our personal favorites being the Toki Highball and the Gin one. I love this place and will be back many times! read more
The hand rolls here are so tasty and well balanced with textures and sauces. My uni roll was my least favorite and for some reason tasted a little better and not that fresh... the toro, spicy tuna, and salmon belly were my favorite! The service is great, and I love how the ginger wasabi dish also comes with radish. It's first come first serve, and there was no wait when I walked in on a Saturday night. It is pretty dark inside, but still enjoyed the ambiance. read more
With a lot of hype, Maru San opened in a tiny space with 25 bar seats in Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. A month in, there's usually a line to get into this no-reservations spot. I walked in on a Thursday at 6 p.m. and got a seat right away. Here's my experience. 1) Food: The hand rolls are made before your eyes. My server recommended five hand rolls since I was medium hungry. Each hand roll is meant to be eaten right away in 2-3 bites. I ordered the mushroom, avocado, shrimp, scallops, and crab ones. All were tasty, but the stand outs were the scallop and shrimp ones. Soy sauce and a hot sauce from Peru are along the bar. 2) Drinks: The menu includes wine, beer, high balls, and other drinks. I ordered the passionfruit lemonade. It's sweet, but very tasty. I ordered two. They also bring water out to you. 3) Space: It's beautifully decorated with murals and simple design. It's stunning! read more
3 months ago
In town visiting my daughter and she really wanted to check this place out. Very close to Eastern Market Station. No reservations but we went early enough and there were only a couple other people inside. My daughter tried the 6 piece roll set and a Matcha Lemonade. I had a hot matcha lemongrass tea which really hit the spot along with 3 hand rolls. I tried the spicy tuna, salmon belly and eel. All 3 were delicious but the eel was my favorite. The spicy tuna had a little bit of a kick which a nice surprise! Will absolutely be back. Service was amazing. read more
I was enjoying a Sunday stroll at Eastern Market and to my surprise, I stumbled upon Maru San without knowing it was located in this neighborhood. Having been to Causa/Amazonia previously, Maru San has been on my list of restaurants to try since their opening this year. It was fate that we got to be one of the first few folks lined up by 4:00 PM and got to walk-in without waiting. To my surprise, Israel welcomed us in whom we also met at Causa and made it a memorable experience. Glad to see that Chef Delgado's team values keeping their level of quality and service consistent. Per Israel's recommendation, we ordered the Handroll Set that came with (6) of the pre-fixe options below along with Chilcano-Miso Soup. For drinks, we opted for a Pilsner and Passionfruit Lemonade. I was entertained with how Israel was speaking so lovingly about the ingredients when I asked him to walk me through the incredible things we just finished eating. He pointed out that there is shoyu and rocoto available should it be needed though pointed out that the hand rolls do not necessarily need any additional enhancement as the existing sauce speaks for themselves. I do agree the rolls below did not need additional sauce though he did recommend try the Chilcano-Miso Soup with a few drops of the rocoto midway to compare without it. +Acevichado w/ citrus garlic & sweet potato chips for crunch +Spicy Tuna w/ spicy mayo +Crab w/ aioli +Hamachi w/ aji amarillo +Salmon Belly w/ huacatay (Peruvian black mint) +Scallop w/ aji amarillo parmesan butter +Lobster Pachikay Batayaki w/ grilled butter We made friends with other fellow guests at the bar and recommended that we ask for an order of ginger and wasabi. We even found ourselves sharing mutual stories about our visits to Peru and enjoying Nikkei cuisine. Given how intimate the restaurant is, there is only bar seating for 25 persons and while I typically do not like to sit at any bar in most establishments, it feels luxurious at Maru San from the floor to the ceiling. Every detail - from the lighting, utensils, natural elements of stone for the hand rolls, water cups, and even the octopus chopstick holders. Loved the ambience. Alright - one thing that is a little bit of a maze is the restroom situation. You have to physically leave the restaurant and go down a few hallways. It is a shared restroom amongst other establishments in this area though not a big deal. Had such an incredible time and it was the perfect Sunday. read more
Really really great hand rolls. Go all out, just come early, right at 4:00 pm. The service is great, the dishes are all crafted for this place. The cups, the roll holders even! Given the nature of the food, it is a lil fish-smelling at first, as there is a bit of fish moving around, however the music is on point, so after a song or two, you get used to it. I suggest you try everything you can afford! read more
3 months ago
So happy to see a new handroll place added to the DC food scene! I think this might be the first Nikkei handroll place to hit the area too. It's a super fun and lively atmosphere inside, great for a date or meal with friends. And all the little details are adorable, like there's a little octopus that holds up your chopsticks! I went with their pre-set 5 handrolls option. The Acevichado was hands down my favorite. Unfortunately, it was maybe too strong of a start as the handrolls that followed felt a bit lackluster compared to the first one. They were all delicious though. Can't really speak about their alcoholic drinks, but I wouldn't recommend the hojicha lemongrass tea or their matcha lemonade. I'd definitely consider coming back for their tasting menu experience! read more
The handrolls were very salty. The ingredients tasted fresh and seemed like good quality, but the overall flavor was overwhelmingly oversalted. We ended up drinking so much water just to balance it out. The ambiance was nice, and the space itself was well done. However, the wait outside in the cold was pretty absurd, even if that's somewhat expected for a new spot in DC. Unfortunately, the food didn't justify the wait, which made the experience disappointing overall. read more
I visited Maru San on a Friday evening around 5:20 pm, the wait was about an hour. Food and service were definitely worth the wait and I plan to come back frequently. I really enjoyed the Japanese and Peruvian fusion. We ordered the 6 hand roll set! Absolutely no negative feedback! My favorite were the spicy tuna and acevecheria hand roll. We also ordered the Chicha morada and hojicha lemon grass hot tea. Service was great and the seating was spacious. The interior provided a good vibe. All in all, no negative notes. read more
7 months ago
Coming out the gate swinging!!! You can tell this place was envisioned and executed by industry folks with years of experience. From the greeting and seating to the check, everything was perfectly choreographed, never feeling rushed, looked after but hyper efficient. I think I was in and out in under an hour! Perfect!! Hand rolls are the name of the game and can be ordered a la carte or as part of 3, 4, 5 or 6 preset menus. The classic spicy tuna and crab are done exceptionally well while stand outs like octopus and scallops are embedded with South American spices that meld two food cultures seemlesly. Plenty of non-roll options which are a bit bulkier are also available. Rolls come out at a good pace and are 2 or 3 bites large. Crispy nori snaps yielding perfectly flavored fish. Some pepper sauce, pickles and soy sauce are available for dipping if you want to punch your dish up a notch (none of my rolls needed anything added but it was fun to play with flavors). The 6 roll was perfect to fill me up and at under $40 felt like a steal! For drinks, highballs made with pisco and ginger were light and bright to complement the fish. Saké (including a sparkling) are available in 4oz pours. This place has "it". I hope DC folks can adapt to the hand roll counter "culture". This isn't the place for a slow catch-up meal. It's a 'leta grab a quick bite and drink' vibe means don't keep folks outside waiting. No reservations means this place is going to take off and have long lines. Don't worry. It's worth it! read more
1 month ago
Amazing flavors and super attentive staff!! The interior of the place was so upscale and intimate that it's a great spot for date night (I wouldn't bring a group of people at once, just because it is bar seating only). Originally I was worried the place would be packed and there would be a long wait, but their lunch service had so much seating it was a good experience. Would definitely come here again! Definitely love the acevichado and I would recommend trying something not from a set if you are ordering the sets! read more
First off, Simon (one of the owners) took amazing care of us! We did the number 2 combo (each) and added a Madai roll with some sake and a beer! It was perfect! The dishes was amazing and the service was amazing! I don't want it to get too busy so I can go back all the time! Also- if you aren't in a hurry, it's all the better because space is limited and they don't rush you out! read more
6 months ago
I had one of the most memorable dining experiences last night at Maru San, DC's newest Nikkei-style hand roll bar--and I'm still thinking about it. From the moment we sat down, it was clear this wasn't going to be a typical meal. We were incredibly lucky to be personally served by Chef Carlos Delgado, one of the executive chefs (alongside Chef Simon Lam), who prepared a special omakase tasting menu for us. Watching him work up close added a whole different level of appreciation--there's real intention, precision, and creativity behind every bite. The food? Honestly, exceptional across the board. Every dish felt thoughtful, balanced, and just inventive enough to keep you surprised. Standouts for me: - The caviar hand roll was pure luxury--rich, briny, and perfectly composed. - The Amazonian hand roll was completely transportive--bright, complex, and easily one of the most unique bites of the night. - The chawanmushi was silky and deeply savory, comforting yet elevated. - The iberico pork hand roll was a standout--tender, flavorful, and unexpected in the best way. - The eel on an anchovy cracker (shaped like a fish skeleton!) was playful, crispy, and packed with umami. - The chirashi with toro and uni was indulgent and pristine--top-tier fish. - And the Wagyu a lo pobre (A5 wagyu) was unreal--rich, decadent, and perfectly executed. What makes this even more impressive is the setup: they don't even have a full kitchen--just a rice cooker, toaster oven, and a Thermomix--and somehow they're producing food at this level. It's a testament to the chefs' skill and vision. And just when I thought the experience couldn't go any higher--they surprised us with desserts (not even on the menu!). The strawberry matcha shave ice was refreshing and beautifully balanced. But the real showstopper featured Chef Delgado's signature ingredient: macambo. If you haven't heard of it, it's an Amazonian cacao relative that he's been championing and bringing into the spotlight. The macambo, copoazu dessert featuring hojicha ice cream encased in a macambo shell, set over crushed macambo--and it was incredible. It's honestly everything white chocolate wishes it could be: nutty, aromatic, complex, and not overly sweet. I've had a macambo dessert at his Michelin-starred Causa before, and this one was just as memorable. Maru San is doing something really special. Creative, intimate, and full of surprises--it's easily one of the most exciting new openings in DC. Already planning my next visit. read more
2 months ago
From the folks at Causa/Amazonia, Maru San is a great addition to the neighborhood. The fusion of Peruvian heat and fresh Japanese fish is a great combination. The fish is fresh, and the nori is some of the crispest I've ever had. Modern, sleek, and high-energy vibe. If you're looking for elevated hand roll, this is the spot! read more
6 months ago
7 months ago
I thought this place was super vibey! We got there on a Friday at 5 and only had to wait about 15 mins to get sat. Would come back! read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
7 months ago
7 months ago
More info about Maru San
325 7th St SE
Washington, DC 20003
Eastern Market, Capitol Hill
Directions
(202) 845-7169
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.marusandc.com
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
