Stopped in after attending another dc event and loved Raku so much! Even at about 8pm on a weekday the place is packed and glad I had a reservation before hand. I had the harasu and red dragon roll and first I want to say that another yelper ordered the same thing and it came out looking the same way. It's those details and consistency that show they pay attention. Our server was great and kept the water coming. Sushi restaraunts can always be a hit or miss too for vegetarians but I can say my wife and daughter was pleased with the selection here. I look forward to coming back and visiting when im in this part of town. read more

Raku - Harasu and red dragon roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a delicious makunouchi bento and shrimp dumplings I had! I met up with a friend for lunch and it wasn't too crowded there. Free validated parking also available if parked in the garage. The service was quick and fuss-free. Every items I got to taste was absolutely delicious. I just wish the rice portion wasn't so huge or had an option for me to swap it with salad. Wouldn't mind revisiting again in the future. read more

Raku - Makunouchi Bento Box Lunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Visited Raku on a Sunday with no reservations. It was a very large restaurant on a busy street but it wasn't busy. There were only 2 of us so we were seated pretty quickly. The server came around pretty regularly and she was attentive enough. I know I ordered toro nigiri but I don't remember the exact roll. The nigiri was DELICIOUS but the roll was not. I'd come again for the nigiri. read more

Raku - Fatty Tuna Nigiri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Weather was fitting for comfort food and our appetites were ready. The place was clean and aesthetically pleasing. Our servers were nice, attentive, and patient in giving us time to decide what to order. We enjoyed the bowls and the dessert was amazing! We're definitely coming back. read more

Raku - Beef Tokyo Dashi Broth - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I came here with some friends after a great concert at the National Cathedral, and overall we enjoyed parts of the meal! The croissant pudding dessert is definitely a huge highlight. However, there was a significant issue with freshness. I had a salmon sushi roll, and it tasted like the fish had been sitting out--not the best feeling for a sushi spot. The gyoza also had a sauce that did not taste fresh. I hope to give it another try! read more

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My friend and I came here on a Saturday night and it was super busy! A good sign :) and with that, service was still good. The ambiance is also super cute - we were in the room with the hanging, changing lights! We both got wine and sushi and thought it was all delicious and fresh. Probably one of the more "quality" sushi fish that I've had recently. The primary downside (in my opinion) is finding parking nearby. It's a bustling area, so just expect that when you come to Raku! read more

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Visiting from other states and this place is a must. food , vibe , drink and server especially we've got pat who was our sever. she was a thumbs up. really recommended read more

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Disclaimer: I don't eat seafood so I am taking the word of my inlaws regarding the sushi. They've ordered obscene amounts from this place and will continue to do so. This is the only sushi place my in-laws will order from in DC. The mackerel, salmon, spicy tuna, and fish egg sushi are their favorites. However, I've never seen a single piece remain as leftovers once they dig in. I can only review the non fish options which were very good. Thai beef salad: Great fragrance and taste. If you would have said it was from a Thai restaurant I would belive you! Spare ribs: Meaty and very flavorful. These really surprised me by how good they were and the overall size. Pork dumplings: These are solid, but not spectacular. I wasn't a big fan of the pineapple sauce that comes with it, but the other "spicy" sauce was good. read more

loveee this place!! only giving 4 stars bc it used to be better like 5 years ago fr but it's still really good make sure to get the cake read more

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Great prices & great service. Restaurant is clean with a nice bar and plenty of outdoor space too! They great happy hour prices as well. Can't go wrong with any of the sushi rolls here, seriously! read more

Raku - Assortment of sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I live in the neighborhood and due to the proximity to my home I have been quite forgiving of the inconsistent service and food quality but my experience of yesterday was the last time I will ever eat at this restaurant. There are not other words to express my treatment other than full blown blatant racism. When taking an evening walk in the neighborhood with my 19 month old son it started to rain heavily. As it was near Happy Hour time I decided to take refuge in the portico. No one every came to greet me even though I was clearly visible from the window and they were aware of my presence. At around 4:20 a young white American couple arrived and were immediately greeted, offered a menu and water. At this time I tried to get the hostesses attention and was still ignored. The couple noticed this and when the hostess returned they asked him to also provide me with a menu. Yes a young white couple likely on their first jobs or fresh out of college, felt the need to ask the hostess to serve a mature women of color with the means to afford to live in the Cathedral Heights neighborhood. When the host approached me I questioned why he had ignored me for so long and informed him that this was unacceptable and inexcusable. He claimed to have not seen me then he claimed that he thought I was only there because of the rain. ??? I informed him that this was unlikely and impossible as I was clearly visible from the window and had even called for his attention when he served the couple. He had no other things to say. There have been too many instances at this location of either terrible service, food and very frequently a combination thereof. Now that I know that they are also racist the decision to boycott this "restaurant" is extremely easy and I invite all of those that care about fair and equal treatment of customers to do the same. read more

Bento is just as lavish (if a bit overpriced) as before. The sashimi that came with the bento box is fresh and delicious. The grilled octopus / shrimp salad is fantastic (first time trying it). Beware there are small bones in the cod (eat slowly!) We ordered on their own website, and food was ready in a timely manner. I miss their previous bento box (the actual, beautiful box). They have gone cheap since the pandemic. Just an ugly plastic box. No Japanese bento box charm any more. read more

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My go to place when visiting DC. I usually order sushi, but with such a large menu and I want to try more. I didn't know I liked curry, but the curry soup is the standout item. There was a problem with one of our dishes and we didn't understand why it didn't show up with the rest of the order. Turned out it was their mistake and they nicely comped it. Really fun atmosphere, but note to management - we were surprised to see the bathroom dirty on a busy Saturday night. read more

This place is my OBSESSION. Never ever disappoints, delicious food and lovely staff. Come here frequently for lunch/takeaway for dinner and also with friends. Hosts and servers are the sweetest. Would give more than five stars if I could. read more

We had a great affordable dinner here, party of 7...service was great. The vibe of the place was very much fun Asian fusion. (The bathroom sink was particularly creative lol.). You will certainly be happy if you order the sushi, Nigiri, and the rolls. Soups are also a great choice. My brother ordered the Bibimbop and that looked pretty good, along with an Asian spin on Calamari. He ate every bite. My husband ordered the big bowl of red curry soup. It's great for someone with a big appetite. Very filling for $15! It was nice to be able to either order a full meal, or to eat lightly. No pressure. There were specials available...all very interesting choices. The rolls were very fresh and well done. When my daughter wanted one more roll, she ordered mid-meal and it arrived quickly. Appreciated the overall presentation and the way things were plated. If I recall- Raku was founded by west coast (Berkeley CA) chef Mark Miller. I'm a big fan of Mark's southwestern cooking. I enjoy his Asian fusion menu as well. read more

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Chanced upon this spot which is a sister restaurant of the more well known Rakuya resto due to its strategic location at DuPont circle. Raku offers a slightly different menu and has lunch specials featuring seasonal items. I got the set meal from the regular menu as I simply can't say no to Unagi. The Unagi is pretty fresh and tastes better than the one I had at Momo cafe. read more

Raku - Agedashi tofu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Good service Sushi was yummy Service with a smile too Nice area. Good parking. Crowded but that's because they are good and reasonably priced read more

Had an absolute feast at Raku tonight. Everything that I had was absolutely delicious and prepared very quickly. For the sushi rolls, I'd highly recommend the black snake and the red dragon. The nigiri was scrumptious--and the portions of fish relative to the rice very generous. The dessert (chocolate cake) was also very good. Overall, I would highly recommend this place and will be back again. read more

Raku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Love this place. Their udon is nice chewy- like the bubble tea chewy in a good way. The rice that came with chirashi is slightly warm which give a nice contrast to the fish. The veggie on top give a nice crunch when eat with fish and rice. Last but not least the tamago and the fish roes on the rice also bring out the sweet from the egg and salty nice flavor. 5 stars for food , ambience, price. Service was ok . read more

Raku - Charashi Udon combo - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped by Raku after workout put down the road and had a great lunch experience! Raku has great lunch deals that are filling and fresh! I've been to the Bethesda location but never to the DC spot - nothing is different...excellent selection, friendly staff, quick service and fresh fish! I would happily go back to this new spot! read more

Raku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My husband and I stopped here for sushi after having drinks nearby and really enjoyed it. I liked that the restaurant had a more casual vibe because even though we were dressed up that night, I like that it's a place we'd feel comfortable visiting in jeans and t-shirts. It was a Friday night and we were seated right away since there were a few tables open. They have a pretty extensive menu, which was great because we weren't quite sure what we were in the mood for. Our server wasn't particularly friendly, but was very attentive and helpful. The restaurant also has a really nice ambiance. After ordering, we enjoyed some nice sake and wine while we waited. When our food came out, we were both delighted and a bit overwhelmed because we didn't realize how much we had ordered lol. It worked out though because we really liked everything. All the sushi was very fresh and the rolls had interesting flavors. Even though we ordered too much food, we did finish every bite and left happy. We'll definitely be back for dinner again. read more

Raku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Warm, modern ambiance, yummy food. Decent amount of vegan choices, though no entree soups that were vegan. Would go again.

Good japanese Restaurant in the area with a nice list of options. Ive only had the nigirj sushi platter and the miso cod but both were very good. The vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant is just okay in my opinion, and its not super high in terms of japanese authenticity so I took off a star. read more

Raku is on trend for DC! Totally unplanned visit; my daughter and I had a taste for sushi, and trusty Yelp delivered. Food: I had the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Maryland Crab Roll. My favorite of the two was the Spicy Tuna Roll. I can't say that the rolls tasted like something I've never had before, but they were good and satisfied my appetite. Ambiance: The exterior decor is unique with koi door handles - getting you ready for a seafood / sushi adventure. Inside is very intimate with dim lighting and close seating. I definitely want to go back and try other dishes. Just about everything on the menu sounded delicious! read more

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Love the location of this restaurant. It's a great place for date night! Finding good sushi in DC is rare but I have been to this place twice! Everything I have gotten there so far has been good. I highly recommended this place! read more

Raku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Sorry but this is not chirashi, and not worth $31. Raku's "chirashi" was a bed of sushi rice (got the first part right), topped with chopped up unagi, tamagoyaki, roe, pickled mushrooms and sugar snap peas. Typically, there are cuts of sashimi on top of the bed of rice, and considering that the menu said "Chirashi (14 pcs) - assorted sashimi and sushi rice"and the price, that was what I was expecting. This was a sad attempt at best and a complete rip off. Even the amount of roe and unagi is not worth the cost. I'll wrap up on a positive note to say that it still tasted ok for what it was, but caution diners to order something else. read more

Raku - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

After months of sheltering in place and only doing carry-out we wanted to find a sushi restaurant with outdoor seating that was doing a good job of social distancing, and of course, that would have terrific sushi! Raku fit all of this criteria so we ventured in for a maiden experience with them. As promised, the outdoor area, covered by the awning but open all around, had tables appropriately spaced, sanitized before we were seated and not being too busy for a mid-weekend day. Their are purell dispensers next to the hostess stand so we were able to douse up to get in/out of the place. The hostess and servers were wearing cloth masks, face shields over them and were fully gloved at all times. We really felt good about our environment so we felt comfortable to focus on our food. So many options and combinations to choose from, along with a very expansive wine/beer menu (limited on cocktails, but for a mid-day trip it was not on our To Do list anyway). The three of us settled on a bit of sharing; the Eel special, with several large fillets of perfectly marinated, cooked and placed on a bed of rice, accompanied by a healthy portion of Udon soup, a small salad and as a special treat, a shrimp and sweet potato tempura. The eel was outstanding and really plentiful and the accompanying items made this a very satisfying meal. Next up was the Deluxe Bento box...and they are not over describing this fully packed option! The starting Miso soup was delicious with a nice blend of tofu and kombu. The box itself, very elegantly presented, featured the promised roll, tempura, sashimi and sushi. Again, more than plentiful. What really made us smile on top of the very fresh fish and it's display, was the nice side of a Seaweed salad that blended lettuce and the seaweed with a light mix of the sesame oil. Truly delicious! We rounded out our sharing plan with an order of the spicy tuna roll and the crunchy avo-q avocado roll. Both were again, fresh and ample. The only disappointment is that the soy sauce was dispensed in the traditional small bowl before the meal began, and we weren't sure if it was a low sodium or not. Our servers only slip was in not checking on us for a refill, and when we tried to flag them down for it, they were waiting on other diners, so by the time they arrived to check on us, we were well past the need. Not a big deal, but something to be thinking of in dining out under these current conditions. Just as a side note; we did make a trip to the restroom. The path in/out was clear of any diners, the facilities were immaculately clean and there was hand sanitizer available next to the door out to the patio for a final spritz. Either in the pandemic times or beyond, we will be back for the very high-grade sushi and service. read more

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I was craving sushi so I decided to go to the nearest sushi location, I have been to Raku in Bethesda but this was first time here, I only didn't like the customer service at this place, they brought my sushi without any chopstick or fork or anything and then when they brought one they didn't apologize for not bringing them sooner! They also emptied our beer into our glasses without permission cause I wanted to have a taste of my friends beer but didn't get to do that! read more

Just bumping up my rating now because quite frankly, their prices are inline with today's average dining experience in DC. Efficient, if indifferent service at the bar but the food hits a lot of high notes for pan-Asian cuisine. Solid! read more

It's my second time at Raku and I'm really in love with this place! I usually come here by myself and I enjoy sitting outdoor, and the restaurant definitely brings a relaxing and chill ambience. This time, I ordered the Tuna California roll and the red curry noodle soup with udon and chicken. I have to say, I expected the broth to be a little bit spicier (since it has a little chili icon on the menu), but apart from that, I definitely enjoyed it! The broth was rich with a strong coconut flavor and the udon is cooked Al dente which makes the chewiness just about right! For the tuna California roll, I really loved the whole combination of tuna, avocado, cucumber and fish roe. The tuna and avocado have a soft texture, and by pairing with crunchy cucumber and fish roe, the dish is very balanced! Not to mention, the servers are really nice and friendly. I would definitely come back. read more

Raku - Red Curry Noodle Soups with Chicken and Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Delish! I had the sushi and sashimi combo and tiger tear beef salad. Both were wonderful. I had this same order twice; yummo.

My boyfriend and I were visiting DC from Florida and had a sudden craving for sushi, so we visited Raku. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very modern and super aesthetically pleasing. They were fairly busy but we were seated pretty quickly. The calamari was absolutely delicious, we almost ordered another plate! I also ordered a double salmon roll. I'm not normally a fan of sushi so this one didn't quite hit the mark for me, but the ingredients were of a solid quality. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a place to grab a nice dinner in the area! read more

Raku - Double salmon roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place was great. The customers service was great, waiters were so nice and the food was great. The vibe in this place is awesome. I love how there sticking with the Asian culture for even the sodas. The waiter took our food right after we finished. I highly recommend this place to everyone . read more

Raku - Raku Sushi Assortment Pcs - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We were seated on the patio shortly after 5pm on a Sunday night. November weather was chilly but the heat lamps made patio dining comfortable. Good for kids. Sushi was fresh and service was attentive. Servers all wore masks and face shields. Could not have asked for a more pleasant experience. See photos: Sushi and roll assortment Chirashi box read more

Raku - Sushi and roll assortment for dinner. November 2020. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I never like to write bad reviews as I like to support local businesses but a recent, absolutely terrible experience prompted this. I had ordered a small takeout order since I was too tired to cook anything and was hoping for a nice simple meal. Not my first time here so I expected everything to be straightforward. That was not the case. They had me waiting over an hour for my order. I had to sit inside their restaurant, being bit by mosquitos and seeing orders that were placed after me being delivered. I had asked about my order 3 times to different staff members with the response of "I will check on your order" only to get no answer. After I did receive my order, there were no apologies or explanations. The sushi is about average, same as most other mid-tier sushi place in this city. The worst part was that I was asked to pay before receiving my order and I decided to tip in advance to support their staff. My mistake... read more

Raku never disappoints. The food is bursting with flavor. Last night was no different. My curry vegetables with tofu was to die for, especially the broth which my companions raved about. Also, the sushi was similarly amazing. Even the miso soup was stellar. My one criticism, not food related, was that tea wasn't served hot. read more

Visited for a birthday lunch. Usually go to the Bethesda location but didn't have availability. Service was great - very COVID friendly (cleaning between customers, sanitizer on table, wearing masks/shields, partitions between tables on patio). The sushi is always good at Raku and they were very accommodating when I asked for substitutions on the bento box (i was more than happy to pay more for substitutions). read more

Raku - Deluxe Bento Box and crispy spicy tuna roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love everything about Raku. First of all, you don't even have to order an entree to have a satisfying meal. Their appetizers are amazing. I always go for the Tuna Tartar. Once you have it here, you won't want it different anywhere else. It's always so good. Perfect mixture of creamy and chunky tuna on a delicious warm bruschetta bread slice. The cornichons it comes with is tasty too. Skip the edamame and go straight for their Korean BBQ Hanger Steak Ssam. The Kimchee Puree is salty but just the perfect ingredient to balance the flavors. You have to wrap it in lettuce and add the rice to make it the perfect bite (or else you're just missing out). If you're in the mood for sushi, I recommend the Salmon Sashimi & Green Apple as another option. It's fresh, clean, and appetizing. The go-to for sushi lovers! For dinner, the Shrimp Tempera Udon Noodles is always a hit. It's cozy, savory, and the noodles are cooked just right. My bf loves their Beef Coconut Curry Udon Noodles. It's rich, flavorful, and filling. I could go on about their menu options. But I think I've said enough. I love Raku, and I highly recommend giving them a friendly visit. It's my fav Japanese restaurant in the area, and they're always consistent. Good service, great food, and a nice atmosphere. My happy place for date nights, early weekend dinners, and the perfect bite to eat with friends! DISCLAIMER: I accidentally posted this review for the Washington, D.C. location -- it was meant for the Raku in Bethesda. But I've eaten here several times and loved it every time so my review still applies :-) read more

I went to Raku for the second time last night. We made reservations a couple days in advance. When we arrived (at 7 on a snowy Saturday) the place was bustling. We were greeted and seated promptly. Within moments of being seated, our waiter greeted us and brought us water. He came back to get our drink orders, and then when he brought the drinks from the bar, he took our appetizer and entree orders. The pace of the meal flowed nicely and we never felt rushed. We ordered the rainbow roll to start and, due to the cold wintry day, we each ordered a noodle bowl with the red curry coconut broth. I had the tofu and veggie bowl and my friend had the shrimp one. The rainbow roll was excellent. Very fresh and did not skimp on seafood. We also loved our bowls. They were huge and I took over half home. Overall, I enjoyed both of my experiences at Raku. Their menu was extensive and the food exceeded my expectations both times. They also have a nice cocktail, wine, and sake menu. Also, the price is quite reasonable. Can't wait to go back! read more

Raku - Rainbow roll. Delish! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We had a reservation and were seated quickly despite it being super busy with full tables and the bar. We ordered miso soup, multiple rolls, the Korean BBQ ssam, and the Jo nigiri, as well as two of their flavored lemonades. My favorite roll was the volcano, and we loved the ssam. The butterfly pea lemonade was a nice change and not too sweet. My partner is gluten sensitive and forgot to tell the waitress until after we ordered, and she was very accommodating and pointed out which items he wouldn't be able to eat and let the kitchen know to keep sauce off his Philly roll. Overall great service and we will be back! read more