Food was pretty good. Sushi was good and i would come again. My first tome in DC and i was craving sushi and we found this place. Its good mid grade sushi and more affordable than the high end places. read more

Believe the low ratings. The food here lacks flavor, and things just don't taste fresh. I came here specifically looking for pork shogayaki and decided to give this place a chance, hoping it would be better than its low ratings. We started with the vegetable tempura. It smelled off--almost like it was made with old oil, or oil that had previously been used to fry fish. Maybe both. Either way, it wasn't appetizing. I ordered the Pork Shogayaki, and my date had the Karaage Curry. The pork was chopped into tiny pieces, maybe twice the size of the grains of rice. I understand that this type of dish is meant to be cut into bite-sized pieces, but this was excessively small. The pork is supposed to be served in a ginger sauce, but I could barely taste any ginger--or much of anything, really. The sauce was essentially flavorless. The rice was also long-grain rice rather than the shorter-grain rice I typically expect with Japanese cuisine. My date's meal wasn't much different. The curry was extremely thick, approaching the consistency of pudding rather than a pourable sauce. It definitely tasted like curry, but the flavor was very mild. Combined with breaded chicken and rice, the entire dish came across as bland. The service was fine--average, even--but the food is the problem. Does it taste bad? Not exactly. It's more that it doesn't taste like much of anything. The best comparison I can make is to buffet or institutional food: food that's intentionally bland enough to appeal to people who don't like strong flavors. That's a shame because I'm used to Japanese food having vibrant, bright, and distinct flavors. Here, the rice is the star of the show...ack. One last observation: this was probably one of the least expensive Japanese restaurants in the area. One appetizer, two entrées, and one drink from the bar came to about $75. You probably won't get sick here, and the food isn't horrible. But it isn't good, either. Given the lack of flavor, the low rating isn't particularly surprising. read more

I've always walked past Sushi Aoi and never stopped in but today when I was around City Center I wanted sushi and decided to give the restaurant a try. It's right across the street from the Tatte. It's a fast casual Japanese location. Even on a Saturday afternoon around 2 pm they were able to seat my friends and I quickly. The restaurant was pretty full without almost all the seats taken. Everyone's food around us looked delicious and came out quickly. The staff was really friendly, attentive and quick. Here's some info on the food, FAVES + chicken fried rice -- really enjoyed the chicken was like a teriyaki chicken. It was a pretty big portion + salmon nigiri- fresh and big slices JUST OK + beef noodle soup with udon -- didn't care for the sweet taste or the meat but the broth and noodles were delicious + spicy mango margarita -- not that spicy and also feel that the drink was a bit overpriced + the roll that my friend had -- kind of forgettable, nothing really stood out flavor wise Overall I would definitely come back since it's right in the heart of the city. I would be interested in trying out additional items on their menu. If you've been before, what did you like most? read more

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Great location right by City Center / Metro Center, friendly and attentive service, pretty standard sushi options, and reasonable prices. The restaurant has a good amount of space and I can see it getting crowded during weekday lunch. read more

The service was quick and the food was tasty. There was soft music playing and it was very clamming. It was not super busy but it was a very cold Thursday afternoon so that may have been why. I was skeptical to try this place at first because the reviews don't blow you away but I enjoyed my time there. It is worth a try in my opinion. read more

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Walked from our hotel to this sushi spot for a quick dinner. The seating was well spaced, albeit laid out in an interesting manner to best use the space available. We were quickly greeted and seated, and iced water was immediately served. Two had the tempura special - a huge serving of veggies and shrimp - the men didn't even finish! It came with miso soup and rice. Two had the chicken teriyaki special bento box, which included California rolls, rice, salad, miso soup, edamame, and a large serving of a tasty version of chicken teri (resembling a chicken sukiyaki stir fry with an extra teriyaki sauce flavoring). Just $19.95, and the women didn't finish either. Generous and tasty servings, with attentive service. Naturally the leftovers were enough for two and a half meals! Sturdy takeout containers were provided along with utensils and a bag. We needed this kind of (a tad bigger than a hole in the wall) casual atmosphere and comfort food (ok we admit, we are AAPIs from Hawai'i). Not exactly what we expect in Hawai'i, but well recommended for all the aforementioned reasons! Would return again when we get back to DC! read more

The sushi was good, nothing out of this world but the taste was solid and fresh. Service was good but very expensive. read more

Sushi Aoi - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice small restaurant, service was okay, I ordered the katsudon it came pretty quickly. I will say the pork was over done hard to bite into but the flavor was all there. Just really disappointed in the quality and cook on that pork. Was more like a thin dry pork chop jerky. Also when it came to my table the pork was already soggy it was supposed to be fried and crispy. read more

Super dry and overcooked katsu curry. I ordered the chicken katsu curry and the Philly roll. Chicken katsu was over cooked, super dry, and tough. The curry's flavor was ok, but it had large chunks of raw carrots that clearly weren't cooked in the curry as they were all crunchy. Finally for the Philly roll, the avocado was completely black on the peeled side. Flavor was only ok, but clear the avocado sat out. Will not ordering from here again. read more

Sushi Aoi - Overcooked katsu curry. - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great service and food was delicious. Attire casual which was a great vibe. Customized meal to my liking with no rice. Sashimi was amazing and miso soup delicious. read more

This was walking distance from my hotel, so very conveniently placed within town. The food and drinks were decent, but not my favorite sushi place I've been on DC. I can't complain about anything but the service - it was pretty slow. read more

Sushi Aoi - mexican Deluxe - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped here for a lunch, the moment I walked inside the staff were very welcoming. I believe the owner was even welcoming and nice on top of the food had flavor. if I was to complain about anything maybe the sweet potato could've been cooked a little longer, but other than that, I really don't have much to complain about The view of where I was sitting at my table was spectacular. The food was amazing. The drinks were nice and strong. I would definitely recommend sushi aoi and come back. read more

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The sushi is good, but I've had better. If you're looking for a quick bite in DC it'll serve its purpose but there are better places. The service is a little in the slow side. read more

Paid cash was not handed my cash back instantly after seeing g others receive they orders

Service staff very friendly I came here on a Friday at lunch Food was decent but I would not grade this place any higher than a 3.5 at best The advertisement I saw indicated I could sit at the sushi bar and watch all the sushi being made and served. That either doesn't exist or it was not open for lunch today. In a positive note the poke bowl comes with a miso soup and today that was nice and warm inside. They do not offer military discounts - that is very sad in the heart of our nation's capital with National Guard patrolling the streets of DC - not like they don't know the US military is a huge part of this community. I like my normal Sushi / Raman place in Alexandria much better read more

I went to Sushi Aoi as I was getting off work at 9:30 and just before the restaurant closed at 10. The workers were really friendly about giving me time to read through the menu, as several places would rush me at that time of night, which I really appreciated about the service. It's a cute location and I had the katsu curry, which I might wish was a little thicker but I was truly satisfied by my meal and would recommend. read more

We wanted to have sushi and found that this place had good reviews and was close to where we were staying and decided to give it a shot. It did not disappoint. There was so much variety, we wound up getting a 2nd round of a platter because it was soo good and it did put a dent in our wallets, but it was worth it. We left stuffed and satisfied. read more

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Overpriced and not very good. Better off going to Soho. The staff is nice but the food is overpriced.

I keep coming back here for takeout sushi and it is ALWAYS really fresh and tasty. This is my go-to takeout sushi downtown.

The rating is right on par. I love the atmosphere of this place. Super cute and fairly good sized menu. We got the udon and sushi combo. For the pricing the sushi was subpar- overcooked rice, lukewarm when served, and not too fresh. The udon had a good flavor but I added my own chili oil which definitely kicked up How good it was. The dish should have way more beef but loved everything in the udon dish itself. Cute for a date night. read more

Sushi Aoi - Sukiyaki with udon and sushi - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We came here for dinner on a very cold night bc it was fairly close to the Sofitel. Actually I was navigating to another restaurant but passed this one and decided what the heck , it looks busy, menu/prices are decent and google said it was decent. It was fine - we both got beef bento boxes - the meat was a bit tough but it was a LOT of food. Quality was decent. Our included California roll was fresh and tasty and service was prompt and friendly. And mostly importantly, it was nice and toasty inside lol read more

Sushi Aoi - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We ordered 3 bento boxes and miso ramen. The boxes were pretty filling and came with the main meat dish, edamame, rice, california rolls, and salad. The miso ramen was pretty good as well, even though the egg wasn't soft boiled like it usually is in other ramen dishes, but the hard boiled egg we got wasn't bad either! Service was great! Thanks for the meal. read more

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Just not good. I got a chirashi bowl to go - in my opinion one of the purest ways to try the fish and gauge the freshness. No spicy mayo or other condiments to hide the fish. Some pieces tasted more or less fine (like the salmon), but others, particularly the tuna, were stringy, old, and basically inedible. Im cringing just thinking about that tuna - it really was that bad. I'm surprised I didn't have an upset stomach after this lunch. With so many fantastic sushi options in DC, there's really no reason for me to ever come back or give this place another shot. Do not recommend, if you're looking for fresh sushi check out Zepplins, momiji, sushi hachi, or sushi capitol - any of these are far better that sushi aoi. read more

Sushi Aoi - Chirashi bowl - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My wife and I stopped in for a late lunch during our recent trip to Washington, D.C. and were very impressed. The restaurant had a nice, intimate atmosphere with indoor and outdoor dining options, and the menu selection was extensive with so many appetizing options. The staff was quite pleasant and attentive, portions were generous, and the service was superb. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would recommend to anyone looking for a great sushi/ramen restaurant that's within walking distance of the heart of Washington, D.C. read more

I had a really good dinner here with my friend the other night. My friend and I split the edamame, which had a lot of really salty pieces on the top and none on the pieces below. She had three kinds of sushi and I had the sukiyaki with udon. The soup was delicious and a huge portion, I was really happy with my choice. The manager came over a few times to check on us and see if we needed anything, and our waitress was attentive. We sat outside and it was nice (though keep in mind you're in a busy street and it can get noisy). read more

Sushi Aoi - Sukiyaki with Udon (Edamame and sushi rolls in the background) - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Sushi Aoi offers a delightful dining experience with a menu that caters to both sushi aficionados and those seeking a broader range of Japanese cuisine. The salmon salad with ginger dressing had salmon perfectly grilled, providing a fresh and flavorful, and a good alternative to the extensive selection of sushi and stir-fry options they offer. We started with the edamame appetizer, which was a great choice for sharing among the table--light, flavorful, and just the right amount of salt. Theres ample seating both indoors and outdoors, and the outdoor seating area is especially pleasant on a nice day, it isn't too loud with street noise during the day. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, and their recommendation of a fantastic sake was spot on. It paired perfectly with our meal and was enjoyed by everyone at the table. Whether you're in the mood for sushi, stir fry, or just a well-prepared meal in a pleasant setting, this place is definitely worth a visit. read more

Sushi Aoi - Grilled Sesame Salmon Salad - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Quick, casual, and comforting! I've been passing by Sushi Aoi and have always wanted to come in to try their food. Luckily, it was raining and this was close, so my friends and I stopped by. I got the Geso (fried squid tentacles). Let me tell you, the presentation, especially for something as ugly as a squid, was breathtaking. It was so pretty even the table next to us commented on it. In terms of flavor, the dish was really flavorful. The tempura was super crunchy, however, the squid itself was a bit overcooked/chewy and the tempura batter was not as light as you'd expect Japanese tempura to be. My friend got the tonkatsu ramen which had really tender meat, however, could've had more flavor. The service was super quick which was nice read more

Sushi Aoi - Gero (fried squid) - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Enjoyed coming here after a long day at the DC Convention Center. Walked in around 2pm on a Saturday and was seated right away. The staff was prompt and took our drink and food order. Food and drinks came out in a timely manner and our table ordered a variety of sushi & ramen. The food & sushi was tasty, and the service was lovely! A gentleman came out and made sure our food was good (maybe a manager?), but the staff was already so prompt that we didn't need anything else. I would enjoy coming back when I'm in the area for work again. read more

Sushi Aoi - Variety of sushi: salmon roll, philly roll, spicy tuna, & Bagel roll - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very mediocre sushi for the price. Price is very expensive. Location and service was good. We ordered simple sushi rolls but the taste of rolls was not very pleasant. read more

First time visiting DC and was able to stop by Sushi Aoi. They offer great food and excellent service! Very helpful and friendly staff. Thank you again! read more

This sushi was very well made and the servers were attentive to us - I however feel this price is too high and the portions too small to warrant the price hike - please lower your prices or increase the size of which you manufacture these such rolls read more

delicious food and wonderful service! I love this one! This one is the best one. GUYS. so yummy guys. Yes!

I ordered the Bento Box option at Sushi AOI instead of my typical sushi order, and I'm very glad I did because the sushi had no flavor at all. The teriyaki that came in the box was way overly sauced, so I guess that had too much flavor? The rest of the box was mediocre. My meal was also tainted by a man yelling to himself a few tables over and becoming borderline violent, which the management did not intervene in, despite many uncomfortable patrons. read more

Not really any place special for Asian food but quality is not bad! I got the Rainbow sushi roll. It is quite expensive for sushi (considering what you could get in a different part of DMV area) but for the location it's convenient for post work dinner. They have plenty of specials too. Lots of indoor and outdoor dining options (again if you have a big group, they have lots of seats for indoor dining) Service is pretty mid. I don't think I'd come back here for anything in particular. The menu doesn't exactly boast anything original and special, however the location of this spot makes it a very convenient place for commuters/work people. read more

Got takeout from here a few times during the pandemic. Easy and quick, very reliable, and perfectly good for the price. I always get the chirashi, and I think it's worth the few extra bucks for the jo/deluxe assortment -- a much more exciting selection. Though as with so many other DC sushi restaurants, I would skip the tuna. Otherwise so far so good. Various rolls I've tried -- California, unagi, salmon --have all been good as well. The salmon in particular is always tasty. read more

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Nice people, the sushi is a pass. I've seen canned tuna with more color and flavor than the spicy sushi roll. Don't bother eating here unless you are getting tempura or something fried. I had my suspicions walking in since there was a table with no chairs but a huge can of Lysol greeting me, first thing you see walking in. This isn't a place watching the details... read more

I usually prefer to post more positive reviews. I find that most places have something that they do quite well even if they sometimes stretch into territory they are not able to handle. I've been to Sushi Aoi a number of times, and I never considered it to be fantastic but it was passable. After my last visit though I really have to reconsider. The prices are quite high, and the the food really does not match the cost. Tonight I had the Agadashi tofu which was absolutely bland, the Tempura appetizer (vegetable) which came as a heaping basket was greasy but uncooked inside. The Sashimi platter was terrible. The salmon and tuna tasted old, and a number of the other pieces tasted like... well nothing. They had clearly been thawed poorly and tasted like a wet rag. A pair of Maki rolls were fair. The cost of the food though was high and given the absolutely poor quality it simply isn't worth a visit. To be fair to the wait staff, they provided good service. read more

Sushi Aoi - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be rude and/or mean but I've had better sushi from Harris Teeter. The sushi was so disappointing I think I am done with sushi in their area. I ordered the three roll special - spicy tuna, spicy salmon, and California roll. I also purchased a shrimp tempura roll. Since this is my first time ordering food from here, I decided to try what was "safe". None of my spicy rolls had spice.... Not even a pinch! The shrimp tempura was edible but had any flavor. My "spicy" rolls- I could only taste the rice. Maybe I decided to order from here on a bad day but I do not care to give them another try read more

Sushi Aoi - California Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll and spicy tuna - Japanese Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Sushi Aoi was delicious for a last minute dinner in the neighborhood. I'm strictly sweet potato rolls for my sushi, and this one was perfect. I also got the Bagel Roll which was good, but not my favorite. My partner got a few different fish rolls and said they were all delicious and fresh. For Teo people and six rolls it came to $52 which is super reasonable. I will definitely be back to eat on their outdoor patio read more

The location is on the corner on a busy street with not the best street appeal. I was hesitant but happy that I walked in. The sushi is amazingly fresh. The killer wasabi will give you a new perspective on spicy. My compliments to the chef. The waitresses are a wee bit meek but fast. It is the place for you if like sushi! read more

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