Over the past year, I’ve tested countless bento boxes in my passenger seat. Sushi rice turns to glue after ten minutes, max. Tempura loses its crunch in the humid prison of a takeout container. And sashimi… well, let’s just say navigating Bethesda’s traffic with delicate slices of raw fish is a gamble. These seven spots deliver perfection that survives the journey home.
Maki Bar
$$ | (301) 907-9888 | WEBSITE
Equal parts cozy neighborhood spot, sushi haven, and hidden gem discovery, Maki Bar delivers fresh Japanese flavors in a welcoming Bethesda setting. Sometimes that means indulging in generously sized sashimi cuts, other times it’s the perfectly balanced Salmon Special roll. A recent visit had me savoring the California roll – thin rice layer in one hand, chopsticks in the other, plus the tiny orange roe popping with each bite – this delightful combination was a direct route to sushi nirvana.
Rakugaki
$$ | (240) 858-4856 | WEBSITE
Let me be honest—I was in a weird place. The week had been a blur of deadlines, my cat had developed an obsession with knocking over houseplants, and I’d just discovered that my favorite sweatpants had a hole in a very unfortunate spot. Things were bleak. So I drove to Rakugaki. What was I supposed to do? Skip the chef’s garlic fried rice everyone raves about? Pass up the fresh hamachi crudo, maybe with an extra scallop, because it was a Tuesday?
Sit at home staring at my wilting basil while perfectly crisp spring rolls existed just a few miles away? Not a chance. So, like any reasonable person seeking solace, I slid into a booth in the calm, relaxing dining room, let the delicate slices of sashimi melt on my tongue, and wondered if I could justify coming back tomorrow before my bank account noticed.
Aji-Nippon Restaurant
$$ | (301) 654-0213 | WEBSITE
Perfect, fresh little slices, the sushi at this Bethesda restaurant is served authentic-style, which means it’s presented with precise cuts and contains more flavor than a Tokyo fish market. That’s all I really have to say. It’s an excellent bite of Japan, in or out of the cozy dining room.
Passion Fin
$ | (301) 229-2848 | WEBSITE
Although I only used to live a few blocks away from this Bethesda restaurant, I once managed to polish off half a platter of their teriyaki salmon on the drive home. It’s rich and savory, like any good Japanese dish, glazed with a sweet soy blend that’s smoother than any apology from my current boss, Mr. Henderson. Then I realized that the portion was meant for two people and was intended to be shared. That was a heavy evening.
Kusshi Bethesda
$$ | (301) 654-7851 | WEBSITE
Would this perfectly seared, fatty salmon nigiri taste better enjoyed at the restaurant’s sunlit sushi bar? Of course. Should I have waited until I got home before dunking the generous dragon roll into its accompanying soy sauce? Absolutely. But the drive back was nearly an hour, with stop-and-go traffic, so much like your appetite and that fresh mochi ice cream, I needed it now.
Tako Grill
$$ | (301) 652-7030 | WEBSITE
The shimmering, precisely-cut sushi from Tako Grill almost seems tailor-made for a relaxed lunch break. The ceramic plate is arranged with care, showcasing the vibrant, rice-wrapped rolls filled with ruby-red tuna, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and, yes, a hint of wasabi.
The pieces are easy to pick up, they never leave your chopsticks too slippery, and make for the perfect complement to browsing the Japanese grocery section, admiring the imported goods, and quickly pausing whenever someone asks about the miso soup.
Takumi Japanese Bistro & Bar
$$ | (301) 347-7917 | WEBSITE
From their delicate rock shrimp to their excellent omekase, I’ve written about my obsession with this Bethesda Japanese bistro at length. But when it comes to ordering their signature Black Cod in the dining room, things get complicated. There’s randomly a lot of prep work – you’ll need to navigate the limited parking, patiently wait as they might not have all menu items, then savor it in their calm ambiance without it feeling rushed.
It’s not an easy feat, especially combined with finding a spot in the nearby garage, texting your friends that you’re running late, and skipping past the wait for a table on a busy Friday night. It’s hard work, but someone’s gotta do it. Or you could just make a reservation. Actually, do that.
