Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Sushi Express

    3.8 (97 reviews)
    InexpensiveJapanese, Sushi Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Order Sushi Express Takeout or Delivery

    Sushi Express Photos

    Business Info

    SUSHI EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Sushi Express

    Recommended Reviews - Sushi Express

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Inside
    J. --or Call Me Bolanle O.

    I visited this place on 12/13/19 to pick up lunch to-go. Food and First Impressions Convenient (to me) K Street NW location, not too far from Farragut North and Farragut West, and close to me. I got the Combo Platter and chose a combination the Fresh Salmon Rolls (6), Tuna & Avocado Rolls (6 Pieces), and miso Soup (photos below). The Combo (according to the Ritual app anyway) comes with a side of steamed rice. The cost was $10. The sushi was fine, sized well. I thought this was a good price for a combo that included two sushi rolls; I thought they might come out smaller but they were normal. The miso soup was a tasty plain but plain broth. It had approximately 2 small, small pieces of tofu in it. I looked up miso soup photos online to compare, and others had veggies and such. Oh well. The tuna roll wasn't too fishy. Yay. The soy sauce tasted special, like they made their own...just somehow different from the usual packet soy sauce. It was strong, so I used it sparingly. Pick-up Experience As I am doing often these days, I used the Ritual app to schedule pickup, and it was pretty fast, though it didn't have my side of steamed rice. I wasn't in a rush. I let them know and they added it soon after, so no worries in this case. Ambiance The restaurant is inside a larger office building on the upper level (photos below), and it is on the end of a long-ish corridor. Once you enter the building, you take the escalator to get to the level Sushi Express is on. The seating is mostly on the outside of the restaurant. The space itself nice initimate-ish space. There were people seated in the corridor seating area munching. My Conclusion I would come back if I wanted a sushi lunch, or to try another item on the menu. If I really wanted it, I might get the miso broth soup again--but I'd try other places' miso soups first to see if I get a more filling soup. Convenient location for the work day.

    Lunch box
    Tommy C.

    Not sure why this place doesn't have more stars... sushi Express fulfills it's job as a casual sushi takeout place with surprisingly great fish quality. They have a variety of different assorted sushi combos with nigiri+roll that range from $8-15. If you aren't in the mood for sushi, they also have a lunch bento at $11. Each entree comes with soup or salad. This is a great place for those working in Downtown D.C. Peak lunch hours on weekdays can get a bit busy but it is pretty empty by late afternoon.

    Executive sushi platter, rainbow roll
    Sophia C.

    This is the best bang for your buck sushi & it's really fresh too. We ordered the executive sushi platter & the rainbow roll (both come with soup/salad). Everything was so fresh & our total came out to under $20! I get sushi here often but me being the pig I am I have always finished eating before thinking of taking a picture to leave as a review... (the knocked over tuna roll in the picture will forever bother me). There are fancier sushi places in the area and I've tried many of them and can definitely say this place is up to par with those places as far as freshness goes.

    Rainbow roll plus miso
    Eric Joseph D.

    Finally walked 0.48 miles to eat at this place from work and don't know if I would say it was worth it for what I got. For 6 dollars, I bought a rainbow roll while my friend had teriyaki for 5 dollars. Personally, the fish was not bad, but there wasn't anything special about the sushi. I rather have got a combo with teriyaki as the sushi was just not filling! Huge kudos to the "free" miso or soup with your meal. For 9 dollars, you can order a combo of sushi and other meals (see my picture for pricing) but I am Still not convinced that this is any deal what so ever! I would def want to try out their hot meals as they did give a good amount of my chicken to my friend, but they do need to improve on their flavoring. Not asking for the works, but asking for something more than just your regular fare! This place is also inside a business building -- there are signs in the directory outside the building! Hope you can find it!

    Bento and California roll.

    I cannot believe that it took me 10 years to locate an affordable sushi restaurant in downtown DC. I ordered a bento for $13 and a California roll for $4.5. they are tasty and cheap. And they are on second floor inside 1990 K St. I will come back.

    Shrimp dumplings with rice and salad. Rainbow roll with miso soup. I overordered.
    Zach L.

    After thinking I'd tried all of the drool and wallet-worthy hole in the walls in this part of town a friend took me here. Looks like I missed one! This place is crazy cheap and the food ain't bad either. I had the rainbow rolls which came with a salad and the shrimp dumplings which came with a hunk of steamed rice and a miso broth soup. In total this massive amount of food only set me back $11. Probably one of the best deals for a weekday lunch downtown. The rainbow rolls were made fresh to order although I wouldn't try the sushi if you're a big germaphobe since this place has seen better days. The shrimp dumplings were fried and really were more like shrimp shumai than dumplings. They tasted great especially for only $4 for a big portion. The side salad wasn't anything special but it's nice they tack it on. Not sure why someone said they don't take credit cards but they do. I'll definitely tell my friends about this place and will be returning often. Just make sure to beat the line early or come later on.

    Jam C.

    Great lunch spot if you work in the area for cheap and decent sushi and other Japanese food! They have so many options and everything is decently priced. I've tried the ramen too and it's not bad and hits the spot. Too bad it doesnt come with egg.

    Inbalance between rice and fish.  Too few fish.
    Jack S.

    I ordered Chirashi. It looks OK. The fish and rice is inbalance. Too few fish compared to rice. After my first bite, my impression is, What! They serve Chirashi with bland hot rice in stead of flavourful cold sushi rice. Who does that? That is not even the worst part. The hot rice cooked unevenly. Some part are too wet and therefore mushy. Some part are too dry. If a Sushi restaurant can not even cook the rice right....Well, you draw your own conclusion. The Miso soup is also very diluted. I walked more than one mile from Washington Hilton where I stayed and wait outside for them to open the door. I really expect a much better experience. Big disappointment.

    Bradford S.

    I only had the time to stop by today and get an order to go (a tuna roll and two salmon roe sushi pieces). The tuna roll was very fresh, while the salmon roe was only so-so. I got it to go, and it was raining heavy as I brought it to work, to eat it, so I had to put it into another bag, and maybe that crushed it a bit. I dunno, but today, they only get 3 stars with me. Though, I didn't truly get to see all that they have to offer, I will admit.

    Chicken Teriyaki
    Jason S.

    The value you get from this place is crazy. My chicken teriyaki meal which came with a side salad was only $5.50 and I added a small miso soup for only a dollar. And the portions aren't small at all. As I said, crazy value. The food itself is pretty good, I wouldn't say great but surely a fine lunch option. The miso soup was yummy and the salad was fairly standard. I enjoyed the chicken teriyaki but it clearly felt like a cheaper version of it (as I expected given the price). The chicken didn't have that teriyaki taste to it. It was just grilled chicken bathed in teriyaki sauce. And it wasn't bad by any means, just lacking. Thankfully though there was an abundance of sauce in which to dip the white rice.

    $11 sashimi bento (disclosure: $10 paid by Ritual) fails to come anywhere close to a typical $11 sashimi lunch box.
    Chosenjin K.

    Their $11 sashimi bento box fails to come anywhere close to what you might expect from other $11 lunch box (full disclosure: portion of my bill was paid by Ritual).

    Vegetarian yakisoba
    Cat P.

    Just as the name suggests, this is a grab-and-go type of place. The staff are Japanese, and they prepare good, cafeteria-style Japanese food. Besides sushi, you can also find yakisoba, curry rice, onigiri (rice balls), and other popular Japanese dishes. At Sushi Express, you definitely get what you pay for, not less, not more. The good news is that prices are very reasonable, especially for downtown DC. The bad news is that portions for non-sushi items lean more towards petite. I got the vegetarian yakisoba today, which was very tasty but had almost no vegetables, aside from some cabbage and onions. The pickled relish on top of the noodles was great, but I really wanted some broccoli and maybe some carrot to give the dish more color and texture. Perhaps they didn't want to stray from the authentic version...While the sauce was spot-on, I was left wanting more noodles. Also tried two rolls before, though I only remember one of them, salmon. Again, tasty but not remarkable. Don't expect local, super fresh fish or anything, but know that this is more of a jack-of-all-trades establishment that caters to area office workers who are hankering for sushi or casual Japanese dishes. The sushi chef prepares the various rolls offered with nimble fingers and his assistant cook whips up delicious dishes, but ingredients are okay quality. What I like most about this place: 1. Friendly and efficient staff 2. Dependable sushi 3. Cheap prices 4. More unusual and authentic menu and miscellaneous items for sale (e.g., Japanese snacks, harder to find in this area)

    Executive Class Sushi Lunch $9.95

    See all

    Photo of DC R.
    0
    153
    13

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    I've been going to this place since 2004. It's a very decent lunch choice for cheap sushi if you are close to GWU.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Serena C.
    7
    45
    145

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    I have been there a few times and everytime, I found the rice to be not fresh. It seemed they are reusing stale rice to make their sushi.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    My favorite lunch spot. Great sushi, friendly staff, good value

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy S.
    0
    17
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of V W.
    0
    7
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ian K.
    5
    39
    1

    10 years ago

    great value. high quality sushi.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S L.
    53
    62
    17

    13 years ago

    A good find! The people who run the place are friendly, and the food is very cheap and decent. Cash only!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dio L.
    0
    82
    0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 3

    Ask the Community - Sushi Express

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Japanese 6,107 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Kyojin DC

    Kyojin DC

    4.4(327 reviews)
    1.2 miGeorgetown

    I went actively searching for this restaurant, yet still found it easy to miss. It's tucked away…read moreand for good reason. It's a secret that you wish never got out. I went alone and sat at the sushi bar and did the premium omakase. Non traditional in that it was all served on one plate, but worth it. Nice presentation. I even watched a fish delivery from a vendor. It strikes you as too trendy to be good, but that's not the case.

    Birthday dinner brought us to Kyojin Sushi on a Monday night, and while the food definitely…read moreimpressed, the service kept this from being a five-star experience. We had a reservation for 7:30 p.m. for a party of 12, and I think that was the first issue. A group our size really needed a dedicated server, but instead we had one server covering our entire section. To be fair, he may have been stretched thin, but unfortunately, the service itself also left a lot to be desired. We were seated at 7:30, but our drink orders weren't taken until around 7:50. Then he disappeared for another 20 minutes before returning to take additional drink orders from people who had arrived later. We were ready to order food, but kept hearing, "I'll be right back." Throughout the night, drinks and items were forgotten. One friend finished her first glass of wine, ordered a second, and didn't receive it until we were literally asking for the check. At that point... we're leaving, friend. To make matters worse, several menu items we wanted weren't available. The mochi? Sold out. The Wagyu? Sold out. There were three or four different items people at our table ordered that were unavailable. On a Monday, that was a little surprising. Now for the good part... the sushi was REALLY good. I ordered the Yume Roll and the Tiger Roll, and both were incredibly fresh. The Yume Roll was especially unique and one of my favorite specialty rolls I've had in a while. It was made with spicy tuna, avocado, seared tuna, jalapeño, spicy mayo, eel sauce, and crunchy tempura bits, which gave it the perfect combination of heat, texture, and richness. The Tiger Roll was another standout, made with lump crab, avocado, cucumber, spicy mayo, steamed tiger shrimp, and a mango tobiko sauce. The combination of flavors was fresh, light, and perfectly balanced. I also ordered the edamame with the spicy black garlic sauce, and I absolutely loved that twist. It was a nice change from the usual salted edamame. One dish that completely missed the mark was the Tempura Rice with Chicken, which I shared with the table. Unfortunately, this was the only thing we ordered that I genuinely didn't enjoy. The chicken was dark meat, lacked seasoning, and honestly tasted like it had come straight from a bag of frozen Tyson nuggets. It didn't have the crispy, flavorful bite I was expecting and felt completely out of place compared to how fresh and well-executed the sushi was. I'd definitely skip this one on my next visit. My cocktail was just as impressive as the food. It was made with Ilegal Mezcal, pomegranate, hibiscus yuzu, simple syrup, and egg white, and it was absolutely gorgeous. The egg white gave it a silky, frothy finish, while the pomegranate and hibiscus yuzu added a bright, slightly tart flavor that paired beautifully with the subtle smokiness of the mezcal. It was as pretty as it was delicious. The restaurant itself is gorgeous. It's tucked away in an alley, so it's a little easy to miss, but once you're inside, the space is modern, spacious, and has a really cool stone bar that gives the restaurant a sleek, upscale vibe. I was also pleasantly surprised by the prices. Specialty rolls ranged from about $12-$20, with only a few premium options around $25. The edamame was about $8, so overall I thought the pricing was very fair, especially for Georgetown. Would I come back? Yes... but probably with a much smaller group. The food and ambiance are worth another visit, but I'd definitely be hoping for a better service experience next time. I also hope they have a better handle on inventory because I'd still love to try the Wagyu and finish dinner with the mochi.

    Photos
    Kyojin DC - Inside the restaurant

    Inside the restaurant

    Kyojin DC - Lobster Volcano

    Lobster Volcano

    Kyojin DC - Kyojin きょうじん:raw platter

    See all

    Kyojin きょうじん:raw platter

    Umai Nori - Sashimi platter was a 10/10

    Umai Nori

    4.5(288 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown

    It is so hard to give this a rating because the food is good but the service is bad and I would not…read morego back! I do NOT recommend for dine in but the food was yummy so maybe opt for takeout...We had a reservation and upon checking in they offered bartop instead of a table unless we wanted to wait which isn't a huge deal so we waited and got sat at a table after a short wait. Then someone was sat after us (next table over) and got greeted, waters, and placed orders before we were so much as greeted. After less than an hour (most of which involved waiting to be greeted and served) we were handed the check and essentially nudged out while still eating our food. They seemed to want to close early. The drinks also didn't match their descriptions, missing key ingredients that were listed. We were barely tended to or checked on at all. We also had a bug buzzing around us that eventually flew into my drink. The staff was very nice but overall the service and quality did not match the cost at all.

    Upon entering, you are greeted by a multi-level establishment with sushi bar and small dining area…read moredownstairs and a larger dining room upstairs all laid out in subdued, modern chic, Asian vibe. The staff is amazing, attentive, friendly and efficient! Thank you Kay, for taking such good care of us! We started off with the Kara-age Lollipop chicken, which was finger lickin' delicious. For our entrees we shared the 6 Set Umai Temaki and Sashimi Nori. Super fresh, flavorful and beautifully presented. I got a kick out of the canned sake and maybe over indulged...but so much fun! We felt the value was very good, 27 pieces of generously portioned and fresh sashimi for under $60! We'll make this a regular stop when in DC. Cheers!

    Photos
    Umai Nori - Complimentary birthday mochi!

    Complimentary birthday mochi!

    Umai Nori - Sushi rolls

    Sushi rolls

    Umai Nori - 5 hand rolls

    See all

    5 hand rolls

    Sushi Gaku

    Sushi Gaku

    4.2(17 reviews)
    1.1 miGeorgetown

    Welcome to Georgetown, Chef Ota and Sushi Gaku!…read more Fun fact: Chef Ota is one of the only chefs in the area to hole a fugu preparation license! Making a dinner reservation on their online platform was a breeze and seamless. Try their Okimari Prix Fixe, as it comes with miso soup, a choice of a sashimi carpaccio, 10 pieces of premium nigiri, a choice of maki, and ice cream. There is also Gakyu Omakase specialties, where one is a sushi course and one is a fugu course (that is seasonal). They also have Signature Sushi Sets, in which the Edo Style Nigiri and the Gaku Sushi Assortment are recommended! We enjoyed the Chef's Langoustine Lobster roll and the Chef's Crunchy Spicy Tuna roll, several nigiris (Aburi-style), and the sushi sets. Other options include various soups, apps, and a la carte items. Service was kind, friendly, and attentive. Look for the Sushi Gaku sign/plaque, and go downstairs. The space is bright and clean, and I liked the 'sparkly' fabrics they used for the furniture. Metered street parking can be found in the area. +omakase +sushi sets +online reservations available

    Thrilled to have an authentic sushi option so close. The menu included chef designed pre-fixe…read moremeals, but also allowed you to order a la carte from an impressive selection of sashimi, sushi and maki rolls. The yellowtail sashimi carpaccio is absolutely worth trying. The soft shell crab rolls were perfectly crisped. The staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive. Beautiful mini orchids adorned all the tables. And even though it was raining today, their back courtyard looks like it will eventually be a delight for outdoor dining. Looking forward to my next visit.

    Photos
    Sushi Gaku - Sashimi carpaccio

    Sashimi carpaccio

    Sushi Gaku - Handmade fresh udon noodles with crispy shrimp Tempura.

    Handmade fresh udon noodles with crispy shrimp Tempura.

    Sushi Gaku

    See all

    Susheria - 3 types of sushi roll, Mate, Georgetown Roll, and Hinode

    Susheria

    3.9(449 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Came to experience the Thursday night grown folks R&B night. The music was on point and the food…read morewas good but the service was lacking. If you love old & new R&B this is the place to be on Thursday & Sunday nights. My only complaint is that the music is so loud it's hard to have a conversation or even place your order. We had to ask our waitress multiple times for limes, soy sauce and a to go box. I don't blame her for being overwhelmed since the music was so loud but there is room for improvement! Sebastian Roll: 10/10 fried crab roll was delicious. This is my new go to roll! Buenos Aires Roll: 7/10 nothing crazy. Reminded me of an elevated California roll with torched salmon on top. Vegetable Gyoza: 7/10 pan fried instead of boiled which I prefer! Kind of bland. Would be better with a different sauce or added protein. Calamari: 7/10 good but it did not stand out. Comes with both rings & tentacles. We don't like tentacles so we ate around them.

    This place feels like it tried to be a hit in the 90s and failed. The sushi just isn't that good,…read morethe whole menu is white washed mid sushi at high prices. The ceviches and crudos and such are all fine, but they're not good. It makes it hard to want to enjoy them at all. Service is nice and friendly, but understaffed. Everything took incredibly long. Why are they understaffing this place?!? Especially at the prices. The cocktails are actually pretty good, though the wine list is uninteresting. It's a fine spot if you're looking for a quick meal in Georgetown, but it's not a destination spot by any means.

    Photos
    Susheria
    Susheria - Lomo Saltado

    Lomo Saltado

    Susheria - The kale and vegetable filling tasted like puréed vegetable soup.

    See all

    The kale and vegetable filling tasted like puréed vegetable soup.

    Onggi - Dalg Nalgae

    Onggi

    4.5(58 reviews)
    0.5 miDupont Circle, Downtown

    I had a fantastic lunch at Onggi. My husband and I sat at the bar and experienced top notch…read morehospitality. The bartender went out of their way to discuss with the chef vegan options to ensure we had a fully plant based meal. We started with the Clay & Craft soju flight. This was such a treat! We have never tried soju with such high alcohol proofs. It felt so upscale and unique. We shared the Onggi Lunch Jeongsik Set modified to be vegan. This was a great portion size of food to share among two people. The pajeon was my husband's favorite part of the meal. I enjoyed the vegan jigae the most. Overall there was no weak part of this meal and we did not leave a single morsel of food behind. I will note that the vegan bulgogi tasted almost identical to the bulgogi you can buy at Trader Joe's. We love that bulgogi so that is not a problem. It was just funny to taste something very familiar to us. The rest of the meal was new flavors for me, and reminded my husband of his 4 years living in Korea. My husband has not had authentic Korean flavors made vegan before so this was a major treat. We saved room for dessert and enjoyed this soft nutty sweet treat. It was the perfect finish to a delicious lunch. Thank you Onggi for being so vegan friendly! We cannot wait to enjoy another meal here.

    Relaxed atmosphere, carefully prepared food, congenial service, and seating that's spread out. Put…read morethose all together in a restaurant and that's a winning combo for me. Also, one of my close friends is vegan, so fairly challenging to find a nice spot for her. She enjoyed everything that she ordered, and it made us both happy. Went with jeyuk bokkeum as a main. The sauce is just how I like it--tasty zing, very light consistency, not on fire, pleasant. Sampled some of the jabche and split a vegan kimbap--all delicious. If this is considered extraordinary Korean fare, I couldn't say, but think their cooking is pretty darn good. Once inside, it's hard to tell you're in Dupont Circle, with all of the horrible construction that's perpetually on-going in the neighborhood. It's an escape of sorts. Onggi is a keeper.

    Photos
    Onggi - Restaurant interior

    Restaurant interior

    Onggi - Galbi Set

    Galbi Set

    Onggi - Bibimbap

    See all

    Bibimbap

    Sushi Express - japanese - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...