I'm updating my review now. I went to this Raku several times for lunch and dinner more than decade. It's convenient location while you're in Bethesda Row area. Raku is an Asian fusion restaurant and have some verity of Asians menus that's nice things about here. Their popular coconuts curry noodles soup is from Thai or Vietnamese coconuts curry, and not as spicy as authentic Thai or Vietnamese ones so It's easy to eat. You can choose from 3 type of noodles and different soup - curry or simple broth. It's probably better choice here than their sushi for my preference. If we just want Sushi in near Bethesda area, Sushiko in Chavy Chase is good. When we crave for Authentic sushi we just go to authentic Japanese restaurants ( some Michelin stars "Sushi Taro" in DC ) that is truly authentic quality. I also go to other one for sushi ( "Love Sushi Makoto" in DC ) I know that's not even comparable category as those restaurants offers authentic real foods by Japanese owner and chef, and ingredients are real from Japan. I know It's not fair to compare to Asian fusion restaurant like Raku or typical local sushi places that other Asian or American own the place. Raku is very reasonably priced as it should be for actual ingredients. Price stays reasonable that makes this place a popular spot too. I have to be honest their miso soup tastes no real authentic favor to me. But Raku is definitely better choice of quality foods overall compare to other Asian restaurants in Bethesda. Sushi chefs and waitresses are asian and none of them are Japanese and that is ok as most of Sushi chefs and Sushi restaurants in USA the workers are not Japanese anyways. It is actually hard to find Sushi restaurants that owned by Japanese with real Japanese chefs and waitresses and staff in USA. They sometimes says welcome "irasshai" in some Japanese greeting ( that's only used in restaurant setting ) with their wrong accent that is cute to me:) Bethesda is a cute little town and Bethesda row is just like a corner cute village with surrounded by basic restaurants and cafes, normal shops, nothing luxury really, but safer and quiet, clean little town. Neighbors enjoy to go out to restaurants including this Raku as easy to access from near suburbs housing area, so my friends does and walking distance from their houses. This restaurant set small tables very close to next seat and there's very small bar that space is limited, that's as why it's always filled up and crowded. It's uncomfortable and no privacy, I wish they make space between next seats. Except winter, they offer outside seats and dog friendly that's a bonus for dog lovers. read more

I attempted to contact the restaurant via email directly but no direct contact info provided on their website, so I am posting here. Summary: it litterally left a bad taste in my. Off Uni which I saved for the last taste, first pieces stunk of ammonia, replacements were just bitter and off as well. These were suppose to be chef choice and he chose to serve off uni which could have easily been deteced with a sniff test. The salmon roe was also soft, runny, tasteless and off color. The remainder of the shashimi was OK but lacked the freshness one would expect for the price. Also the platter was so cluttered I could not identify what was what. Labels would be helpful. First time visit, first impressions are importent. Not the best experience I am giving an 1 star rating to draw attention for their managment and maybe fair warning to customers. I visited Raku on Thursday April 30 @7:30, Restaurant was about 3/4 full. A bit tight seasting as other's had described. Elbow to elbow almost. Typically noisy as resturantes are these days. 1. When we walked in, the receptionist / greeter had no uniform or ID badge so a bit confusing and no reception desk. Not the most welcoming hospitality. 2. Wait staff sort of dissappeared mid service or was just unattentive, they were right around the corner at the wait station. I dropped a chopstick on the floor and needed a repacement. I could not get eye contact so I had to get up and request a replacement after a few minutes. The two of us order the TOKU JO SASHIMI - (38) Chef's Choice ~ White or Multigrain Rice - $110. 3. The shashim was served an a single platter which was a bit crowded and lacked the artistry or elegance a $110 platter of shashimi shoud be presented. Many of the pieces were cut too large and chunky. I appreciate the generosity of the protions but they could / should have been sliced in half. Most of the fish tasted OK but lacked the brightness you expect from fresh cut shashimi. Maybe these platters are pre-prepared and storred in the cooler until needed. The rice served in bowls with the platter was extreemly bland to me. No flavor at all and a bit over cooked. 4. We ordeed the corn meal coated calamari as appetizer. This was adequate but lacked seasoniong and included a some what bland ambigious dipping sauce. Maybe garlic aioli. This was compped in compensation for the off uni in the sushi platter. Probabaly not going back regardless as I am not local. read more

We made a reservation for early evening. When we arrived, the place was already crowded. The ambiance was pleasant. Our table was located between two tables that were already occupied. It was so awkwardly tight, squeezing by the customers who were in the middle of their meals. Honestly, the proximity of each table was not conducive to conversation. Based on the tightness, we wanted to eat as quickly as possible, because it was a bit claustrophobic. Our orders were taken shortly after we were seated. We ordered four types of sushi, miso soup, shrimp summer rolls, and Yakitori. It was so crowded that I did not take any food photos. The presentation of each dish was good. The food was pretty good overall. The sushi was sushi. The miso soup was on par with all miso soups. The shrimp summer rolls were tasty. The Yakitori was flavorful, but was not cooked as hard as I would have preferred. However, the included sauce went perfectly with them. Based on the crowded dining, I would not be in a hurry to dine in again; however, I would order it to go. read more

I want it to be known this is a first time trying this place. My twins wanted to try something new and brought up this place. The food was excellent, these are well balanced portions. The noodles a lot bigger than you would think. The tofu skewers were amazing. Well seasoned. The dumplings my kids seemed to enjoy so much. The calamari was amazing, it was so buttery and melted with each bite. I had the red curry seafood with egg noodles. The balance of seafood and coconut red curry broth was excellent. It wasn't overpowering and the seafood was well cooked which I can appreciate having seafood that isn't overcooked. The service was excellent, made sure the drinks were always refilled and the food came out at a decent time which was very impressive for such a busy place. We had an excellent server who made sure we had everything we needed. As far as the ambiance, due to being so busy it can get loud with such a small area and lots of people. They do give option to inside or outside seating which is nice. Overall this place is highly recommended. The prices are between 18-60 depending on what you are getting. Overall it's worth the bite and hype. read more

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Great location and great sushi. I am happy with the portions. Even when it's crowded, staff seems to always find you a spot. I wish they served their bento boxes at dinner read more

This place is always crowded, and to be honest, I'm not entirely sure why. The food leaves a lot to be desired. Sushi is very basic, nothing to rave about. I tried the red curry noodle soup, which I liked better than the sushi. However, it wasn't enough to keep me coming back. read more

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I love Raku! My to go order is the Steak bento box. My order is always on time. The people there are very lovely. I recommend this place:) read more

Raku - Perfect Lunch Spot with Great Sushi Vibes! Jasmine loves sushi, so we decided to check out Raku in Bethesda. I'm already a fan of Rakugaki in the Wildwood Shopping Center, so I had high hopes for this spot -- and it delivered. Walking in around 11:30 AM on a Saturday, the chill lofi music and the regulars hanging out gave it a relaxed, welcoming vibe. It reminded me of an old favorite spot, Rolls and Rice on the Pike, that closed a while back. Raku definitely filled that void for me. We went for the lunch specials, and they hit the spot. I got the Ribeye Steak Bento Box, which came with shumai, salad, miso soup, California rolls, and a mix of green beans, mushrooms, and crispy strips. The ribeye steak was cooked perfectly -- tender with a slightly sweet flavor that I loved. Jasmine got the Deluxe Bento Box, and it was loaded: shrimp tempura, a smaller serving of steak, three pieces of nigiri, four assorted sashimi slices, three California roll pieces, and seaweed salad. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. We also shared a Crunchy Spicy Toro Roll, which was a great addition to round out the meal. Our server, Aum, was awesome and made sure we were well taken care of. For everything we got, the total was $63.60, which felt fair for the quality and portions. If you're looking for a solid sushi spot with a chill vibe, great lunch specials, and fresh flavors, Raku is a must. I'm already looking forward to coming back! read more

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Still my favorite sushi spot. Clean fresh and a variety of healthy options. Very well made rolls and accommodating. Service is very good, although a can be a little slow because this place is very busy. so don't plan on rushing in and out. Plan some wiggle time for after plans. read more

Good food, good service, and clean! I enjoyed my experience here, everything was fresh, and the staff were friendly and attentive. Would recommend it. read more

Raku - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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One of our favorite restaurants in Bethesda, and I don't eat sushi. Try the pumpkin soup and the black cod!

yum yum yum!!! first time and will def be coming back! parking garage right around the corner but you have to pay. pretty easy to find. nice area w/ premium shops and restaurants. medium-sized, modernly-decorated restaurant. i would def suggest making a reservation in advance -- it was full for lunch on new year's day but our service was good and quick. the menu has something for everyone -- sushi, noodles, soups, salads, meats, etc. and not unreasonably priced. we enjoyed and devoured everything we ordered! my personal fav was the green monster roll and the summer rolls. fresh, high quality, and tasty. i can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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The udon + chirashi set was delicious and super filling for only $19! Service was great and I would definitely go back again read more

Raku - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

I really like this restaurant. I had appetizers as my entree, so I had the butterfly shrimp, red chili curry mussels, edamame and a kale salad and a peach organic ice tea drink. Our server was really nice and we enjoyed the ambience. We plan on coming back and trying their other foods. 10/10 experience and it was nice sitting at the bar. read more

Raku - Kale Salad Dinner Red chili mussels - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

While staying in Bethesda for a work assignment, we tried this place. It was packed but thankfully we had made reservations even for dinner on a weekday. Service staff was pleasant and quick. We enjoyed every bite of the following: Steamed Shumai (3 pieces filled with kurobuta pork-shrimp-chicken filling with chunky chili oil and sake tahini sauce), Cornmeal Crusted Fried Calamari served with cilantro-cucumber sauce and horseradish cocktail sauce, Roasted Mushroom and Asparagus which is a mix of shitake and portobello mushrooms and asparagus drizzled with Yuzu vinaigrette and topped with shavings of parmesan cheese, Golden Dragon Roll which has eel, salmon, avocado, cucumber, crispy potato, and eel sauce, and Agedashi Tofu with delicate chunks of tofu in dashi broth with slices of kabocha, shitake, ginger and shishito peppers. Everything was delicious. This is a great place to sa nice dinner with good company. read more

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Hadn't been since pre-COVID but recently went back for the red curry noodle soup - very good. Also got the Philadelphia roll - also very good. Glad this place is nearby. read more

The $17 roll I received was tiny and frankly not very good. The edamame had no salt and the pieces of tofu in the miso soup was abysmal. Everything way overpriced for what it is. read more

Raku - Tiny $17 roll with spoon for reference. - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Just an update on their happy hour. I looked up a few items and one was $12 reduced from $13 for happy hour. I am happy to pay full price. I am not happy to be told I am benefiting from a small markdown. There will be no happy hours in my future. read more

Food and service, excellent, at reasonable prices. My choice for Japanese cuisine. The miso soup is the best I've had in Japanese restaurants in the DC region read more

I've never been disappointed in Raku and really love their rolls! Some of my favorites are the spicy tuna deluxe, green monster, and the spicy scallop roll I also really enjoyed. Definitely recommend their chicken and pork dumplings as well! It is a bit cramped in there just as FYI. read more

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Needed a sushi fix and this place really hits the spot! I ordered the sushi and roll combo. Loved the assortment and each piece tasted fresh. The sushi rice was made well. Also ordered dessert and a drink from the special menu and both were delicious! It does get really busy but if you come earlier (e.g. 5pm) it's not as bad. An extra 10,000 stars to one of the servers/bartenders. He was very friendly from the get-go, chatting with me here and there and checking in to make sure my food/drinks were good. Halfway through, my nose started bleeding (it's a thing that happens to me) and because I was eating alone, I didn't want to leave my spot to go to the bathroom and seem like I hadn't paid or get my stuff taken or something. The server/bartender immediately was very empathetic and handed me a bunch of napkins and said he would watch my spot/food while I went to the bathroom, and then periodically checked on me several times after that to make sure I was okay (I was okay, nosebleed stopped after a couple minutes). THIS MAN DESERVES A RAISE! read more

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Four stars for the rolls. I enjoy the tuna or salmon "California" rolls which thankfully have no imitation crab but do have tobiko and avocado. The crunchy spicy tuna and crunchy scallop rolls are also good. The fish quality isn't good enough to warrant any nigiri or sashimi, though. There's a decent sake selection. I do hate how absolutely packed together the tables are. If you're at a table for two you will be eavesdropping on the next table. You will have to stick your butt in someone's table to get out even if you are very petite. It seems like a fire hazard. I would get takeout more except the price point is a tad high and you have to book hours before to get a decent pickup time. It's always packed inside and for takeout, perhaps because there are few other options nearby. Regardless it's a decent standby. read more

We were excited to try this sushi place as we passed by it every night during our stay at Hilton Bethesda. It looks beautifully decorated from the outside. Nonetheless, the customer service is subpar. We were seated in a very cramped table with 2 other groups between us. So we asked if we can sit on the booth. They said it was reserved (but in our almost 2 hrs stay in the restaurant no one ever seated there). Our orders of sushi plate and ramen noodles took so long to come out. We waited for almost 45 minutes for the foods. The servers were all standing in the corner next to our table and they were all on their phone. They were also talking to each other ina different language while looking at customers which made me so uncomfortable. The food was ok. Nothing special in my opinion. So this was one and done for us. read more

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I went to Raku in Bethesda Row for my friend's birthday dinner! However, I was a bit disappointed because I've visited the Cathedral Heights location and had an amazing experience but this place felt just okay -- it could just be the menu items I ordered though. For my drink, I ordered a strawberry elderflower mocktail but it tasted like alcohol and wasn't that yummy. I also got the nigiri sampler and the lobster sushi roll. The nigiri was fresh but ended up filling me up fast so I wasn't able to finish it. My favorites were probably the raw spot prawn, ikura, and seared salmon. I wasn't a huge fan of the lobster sushi roll though bc it was surprisingly very flavorless. This was especially disappointing because I love lobster and shelled out a little extra to order this. I wouldn't mind coming back here again but would prefer going to its other locations! read more

Raku - Maine Lobster Roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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My partner and I dined there on Friday, definitely get a reservation because it's very busy! Our server, Nat, was so helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive. The entire staff and service were very consistent in accommodating everyone and making sure the restaurant ran smoothly. Food was delicious and served quickly too, we had the pork bao buns (special) and sushi. The checkout handheld only gave us 15 or 20% tip options, but Nat deserved more. I'd recommend Raku as long as you don't mind a crowded place! read more

Came here with my friend and her family. First off, the staff was very accommodating and attentive. The ambiance was nice, it was very busy - which is a good sign. I had the lychee saketini and shrimp tempura Tokyo dashi. Even though the weather was hot outside, I was craving noodles and the picture in the menu looked appetizing. The broth was flavorful and not that salty (which I appreciated). My friend got a rendition of a poke bowl which had very fresh sashimi. If I came back here again, I would probably get the sushi rather than the soups. read more

Raku - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

This place is currently getting a renovation! We stopped in just before they were about to close down to do so. Service here is on-point. Seriously, so fast. They magically appear with seconds of being seated then continue to surprise you nonstop. Best service. Miso soup here is one of my favorites. The broth is milky, salty and has a flavor that I have yet to taste elsewhere. The sushi rolls at lunch are smaller than dinner, however, they still pack a flavor punch and are extremely fresh. Bento boxes are super packed with different tasty items. read more

I picked up a Bento Box to go around 5 pm and I'm very disappointed. That's a first. I don't know if they've changed the menu or what happened. The tempura was tasty, as was the portobello mushroom salad. However, I only got 3 California Rolls & they supplemented with a weird assortment of so-called sushi: A large mushroom on rice (what's with all the mushrooms?) asparagus on rice (the salad already had asparagus in it!) and a large piece of tofu which was OK. The worst was a kale salad with onions and raw sprouts. What? Gross. It's as though they ran out of ingredients and decided to double up on the same ingredients & throw in whatever was in the kitchen. What happened to the tasty little salad w/a sweet dressing and the little potato squares? Definitely not worth $23. read more

Love the food here. We went back with American friends. Basically THEY got lovely polite service and we got all the curt service (a literal change of tone from them to us from the lady with short orange hair). We are polite smiling happy people when ppl don't especially behave curt with us. We have been recommending this place and bringing people here, only to be treated like WE are less than. I feel bad for the person of color serving us. She must think people deserve different respect based on color. We were equal in our outwards warmth as our American friends. Kindly Train your staff. read more

Was in Bethesda row yesterday so decided to dine in here for lunch. It was great because we sat outside and the weather was amazing, so it was a nice ambiance. Otherwise, it's just your very typical americanized Japanese restaurant. They have lunch special bento boxes which range from $15-20 ish and we got the salmon teriyaki and steak. We also got the volcano roll. Overall we enjoyed our meal, but felt that the bento box was mostly filled with lettuce and veggies with very small portion of meat. My salmon was slightly fishy too. Volcano roll was decent, but definitely a bit overpriced. It terms of service, we got checked up on a few times throughout the meal but I could tell they were pretty busy and running around a lot. Overall it was a decent experience! I came here to eat outside in nice weather with good company, which is what I got. I just wouldn't come here if you're looking for authentic asian food or food worth what you're paying. read more

Raku - bento boxes - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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Carry out was not good! No response from Restaurant. Tuna was brown! California rolls tasted Off. read more

Raku - Tuna - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Raku has changed since the pandemic. They largely focus on take-out and restaurant dining seems incidental. I remember Raku as an above average, and somewhat upscale sushi house before covid. That is not the impression I got this last time. This place always had a cramped feel but the take-out food station will the high piles of plastic containers now makes it feel cluttered as well. The server kept us waiting at the table for over 15 minutes before making an appearance. By then I was ready to order but she only took drink and appetizer orders and disappeared. She was gone another 15-20 minutes. I saw she was quite busy putting take-out orders into bags. Clearly, they don't have enough help. My tablemate waited a long time for a glass of wine. She asked for it three times until it finally came. Everything we asked for took too long and the service was not welcoming nor friendly. The food itself was good. When I asked for extra ginger a server did a walk by and wordlessly tossed a little mini take-out container filled with ginger onto the table. In a word, service was terrible. There are much better options like Kusshi Sushi at Pike and Rose so don't think I will be back for the time being. read more

What a spot in cute Bethesda Row! Outdoor dinning if great in this perfect weather. Was greeted by a very nice hostess and she had a perfect little table for the party of one. Ordered edamame with salt and it was so hot and fresh it was delicious. Then I ordered a Sushi and Roll combo which was perfect for me half of a california and half of a cucumber roll paired with shrimp, tuna, yellowtail and mackerel it was all delicious. Service was fast and good oh yes the Sushi and Roll Combo came with ginger salad and miso soup, it was allot of food and really good. read more

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Very good food and many options on the menu. Amazing cocktails. Excellent Service. Clean restaurant. They're also able to accommodate large parties. read more

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I have always loved coming here and I will continue to. The location is prime, especially for sunny summer days, the staff is friendly and the food is just spot on. I finally tried the salmon sashimi with green apples and I am now going to order this every time. The savory salmon mixed with the tart green apple and the spicy jalapeño honestly created the most perfect and delectable bite. Delicious. The shishito peppers were okay.. they might have changed their recipe within the past couple of years and I liked it better before, but they were still fine. I ordered two new rolls this time and both were amazing. I preferred the salmon because of the pickled ginger, which just added the perfect freshness to the fatty salmon. The sea bass was also super enjoyable though and for being a tempura roll, it tasted very fresh. Always a good time at Raku! read more

Raku has outstanding food perfect for lunch, dinner, or brunch. It's conveniently located off Woodmont Ave in Bethesda's restaurant district and an easy walk for local employees. The interior is a bit tight with tables, booths, and a very small bar section. I have always ordered online (which was extremely easy from their website) and always had a trouble-free experience. I have had to wait when picking up the order, but when you see how busy they are, you understand why. Delicious foods all way around! I tried Shrimp Curry and a Valcano Roll. Normally, I don't order soups... this was outstanding! A must visit in the area. read more

This place has no concern for allergies, I called ahead to confirm that what I wanted to eat was safe for me and they lied to me. I got incredibly sick after eating here. If you have an allergy you should avoid this place read more

Raku is consistently great sushi and quick service every time I go-whether its sit down or take out. I've gone several different times, tried much of their menu, and I've never been disappointed. Most importantly, their fish is always fresh which i am always nervous about when eating sushi. They also have a great happy hour until 7 so if you get make it to the bar, I'd definitely recommend getting a drink! Right now, they are offering outdoor dining with limited heaters, so try to get there early if you want to dine "in" and stay warm. I recently tried the chicken and pork dumplings as an appetizer and they were great. I really liked the sauce that came with them - "pineapple star anise" so it's sweet but pairs well with the dumplings! My favorite roll is the classic rainbow roll. Although this isn't necessarily unique to Raku, it's SO fresh and tasty, I recommend grabbing this if you come. I've also really enjoyed the spicy crunchy scallop roll which is more unique but just as fresh. Their different variations on a California roll are really fun too (shrimp, tuna, crab, ...) and they also offer a few vegetarian options as well. Service is always quick and accurate. You don't need to budget a huge block of time when dining here, I'm always surprised at how quickly they turn over tables and churn out food. I'm excited to go back and try more of this menu, especially now that I've discovered their yummy appetizers! read more

Raku - Rainbow Roll - Asian Fusion Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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The grilled salmon in the bento box was still warm. The portion was large, not the usual small square. I also tried pumpkin ginger soup. It was delicious. read more

I would rate the food 4/5 but vibe was 0/5. First of all, it was so loud inside and the tables are so close to each other that we couldn't have a conversation. Chicken karage was so crispy and well seasoned. The ribeye steak was not worth it at all. It was so fatty and the fat wasn't rendered well. But definitely get their Tokyo dashi broth with udon. The noodles were fresh and the broth was very flavorful! Also I had a better time during their lunchtime. I prefer their lunch menu. read more

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