Sushi was not that fresh on a Monday night. Tuna was good but some of the other things were a little off. Seaweed soup was a bit unusual and interesting. If you really like seaweed, which I do, this was the best part about this place, although probably not worth the whole visit. Next time would go somewhere else give the many other great choices locally. If you eat a lot of good sushi, you will not be wowed by this place.
(2)
Nicole L.
The reviews I read were a mix - Aji Nippon I thought was japanese but it turned out korean-owned. They were opened on Sundays when I called, but some Yelpers mentioned it was closed on SUN. In between it all, the restaurant must have changed hands. It's a modest restaurant with limited seating. I ordered a small bottle of sapporo to start but soon found myself not wanting anything else. I also read about being safest to order sushi there. I ordered the chirashi - it was a pathetic small bowl of rice about 1/4 inch thin covered with flatly sliced sashimi - lots of salmon and tuna, a couple of omelets and meagre slices of yellow tail? It was a very bad attempt in decorating the bowl it was a patchwork of tuna/salmon. *yawn*. The chirashi lacked variety! The sashimi were fresh but very boring and unappetizing. Most people came in their workout outfit or tshirt/shorts ordering to go. It's a No-More for me.
(2)
FromV A.
AMAZING sushi! Always delicious, fast and friendly service. I can't speak for any of their other food, as I always stick with sushi
(5)
Katherine O.
Aji-Nippon is so delicious! My family loves it. It's so funny that it's in a place like Bethesda. ( I also love the Japanese market around the corner.) My husband and I moved from LA where we could get great Japanese around the corner, down the street- etc., but after moving here it was really hard to find a place locally that serves shabu-shabu. It's it Dee~licious. The sushi is good, it's been really fresh when we go. (Remember not to eat sushi Monday nights- the fish markets are closed on Sunday) The service is really friendly, and has a really warm family atmosphere. We haven't been there in a while, hmmmm. maybe we'll go this weekend!
(4)
Paul M.
Three important things about this place: 1. phenomenal sushi 2. its 'hidden in plain view' location makes it emminently missable - I only went in for the first time as i was at the post office.... 3. family run, brilliant service pound for pound this is one of Bethesda's gems....
(4)
Georgina S.
Despite its humble setting, this restaurant continues to provide great quality food consistently. We like to support local business!
(5)
Q E.
This place is GREAT!!! You would never know this place is where it is unless you are walking by. The service is GREAT!! The sushi is sooooo FRESH everytime I go!! Highly, recommend!!
(4)
Megan R.
This is my favorite restaurant in Bethesda. The food is delicious, well-priced, and the owners are extremely nice. In a town full of chain restaurants with little character, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air! I enjoy eating in, but it seems that most get take-out. No need for reservations, there is usually plenty of room.
(5)
Monica W.
There's an old saying that a rotten apple spoils the whole barrel which best explains my experience with this restaurant... So disappointed with one dish that I would not want to visit again. Everything was nice or not bad except for its "Ramen." Such a disappointment. Especially when it costs $10 per bowl....... Though it didn't taste bad, but I felt deceived........ Full review with more photos and information: wp.me/p5e05O-ly
(2)
Wendy C.
Definitely consider this restaurant as a hidden gem in Bethesda. Service is on-point and every time I've gone, I've always been greeted with a smile. The sushi is really high-quality - my absolute favorite roll is the Spicy Crazy Roll. It's sooooo gooood! Their yakisoba's also really yummy. Tip: you can get 2-hr validated parking (dinnertime) if you park in the garage around back, so you can have an amazing meal and have time to walk around Bethesda Row after!
(5)
Ashira M.
Yuzu tea! Hot water, sweet syrup, little bits of yuzu (a citrus fruit) peel in the bottom and a spoon to eat this with ... never had this anywhere else. I'm sure it's not everyone's 'cup of,' and literally it isn't that at all (tea, that is), but it sure is mine! Vegetarian bento box, respectful staff, the decor seems to be undergoing some kind of construction, with writing on the walls that makes me think something such as a picture will be put up there -- but I have no idea if this is true. The food came surprisingly quickly, was pretty and filling, and it was easy to peruse the menu, order, be served, eat, pay and leave within the one-hour limit for free validated parking in the hidden garage at the corner of the adjoining lot. Incidentally, when the garage is filled to capacity you can still get in with free valet parking. For dessert, I asked if they had mochi ice cream and yes, they did. Mochi is a pounded, very sticky rice yumminess and the ice cream comes wrapped in it. It's served on a plate with a stick to be stuck through the rice-layer and inner frozen treat. It's easy to eat, not messy and not too big or filling. The only thing to know, as far as I'm concerned, is if you want something Japanese drink-wise you might have to ask for it a couple of times. Otherwise you'll only be offered boring American stuff like sodas which to me is a big turn-off yuck. But it only takes seconds of persistence to break through that barrier, much like the mochi ice cream! And ... if you've never had edamame (soybeans served here in salted skins), don't eat the outer layer. It's kinda tough. Oh, yeah. And they close between three and five weekdays, much like almost every single authentic and truly Japanese restaurant in the area will. I guess other than the strangeness of the literal writing on the walls, the only reason I give it a four and not five star rating is I felt a bit lonely in there, dining all alone. I'd rather see at least another customer! I know it's not because they're not popular, but I just happened to hit a slow time. Please, come in and keep me company!
(4)
Sameer A.
Very nice ambience , friendly service , and good food. A little pricey but well worth the package !
(4)
Natasha S.
To be honest, I don't know why my mother and I ended up here when we could tell just by looking at the outside that it may not be a favorite. But we were sick of driving around on a Saturday looking for a restaurant that we wanted to try - Ren's Ramen that ended up being closed. And then driving around some more looking for parking. We drove by this so many times that we thought why not give it a try - might be fate. We sat down and ordered cha soba (green tea soba) in soup, seaweed salad, age tofu and some maki rolls. The food wasn't bad, yet wasn't worth returning. Everything seemed standard and a tad overpriced for the quality of the food. The service was pretty good and efficient but it didn't do anything for me. I'll continue my search for more great Japanese joints in the area.
(3)
Gary M.
This place is old school, but the sushi is TOP NOTCH. By old school, I mean it isn't trendy. It's not hip, doesn't have dimmed lights and cool music pumping through the speaker system. But the sushi cannot be beat, and the folks who work there take real pride in their food and service. Also great for carryout. Next time Raku tells you that you have to wait 30 mins, skip it. Just walk the few blocks to Aji Nippon. Trust me. I don't like many things about Bethesda, but this place is good stuff. Go Bulls.
(5)
Ruth C.
There are nine other sushi spots in the downtown Bethesda area, and their strongest edge is in friendly service and tea; on fish quality and location, they aren't quite able to compete. A little warm inside after dark, but we stopped in with just enough time left to dine in. Miso soup was okay, but the salad was pretty wilted on the bottom. Japanese chirashi is a little limited for the price: less than a centimeter layer of rice under five sushi types and a twirl of seaweed salad. Salmon was freshest, and the subtly sweet tamago was my next favorite. White tuna was okay. Tuna was cut extremely thin, and yellowtail was a little chewy. I guess they no longer include snapper in their chirashi! Spicy Mindy roll showcased an aggressive level of sriracha mayo, so thankfully a slice of cantaloupe was served with our check. I don't think I'll be back to try their Korean chirashi.
(2)
Marivic L.
I tried this place to see if I could find another sushi place I really liked in Bethesda. Well, I tried a variety of rolls and while it's ok, this isn't going to be my go-to place. Sigh.
(3)
Ian R.
This place was...eh. My fiance and I started with shrimp dumplings, which tasted good, but were about half the size of what I'd consider normal appetizer dumplings. The Chicken Teriyaki was waaaay overpriced ($16) for what it was - which was average, rubbery chicken and the smallest bowl of white rice that I've seen with an entree. The meal did come with soup and a salad drenched in dressing, but it wasn't even close to being worth $16. My fiance said her sushi was pretty good, however. Nevertheless, we agreed that we wouldn't be back. Bethesda has a lot better to offer.
(2)
Helen C.
My boss took me to lunch here, and it was overall quite good. I really liked the dressing on their salad. The edamame was salted, which I didn't like. The aged tofu was really good and was my favorite dish. It's amazing how they fry the tofu so that it's a thin, perfect layer of crispy on the outside but very soft on the inside. My udon entree was okay, nothing special. You don't have to pay for parking at the garage next door if you bring your parking receipt to the restaurant.
(4)
Jerry S.
Serene, small space with framed prints on the walls. Very nice service. As usual, Kirin and chirashi. Miso soup was standard, a bit salty. Salad was mostly iceberg, but I tasted toasted sesame oil in the dressing, and it did not have the usual cloying sweetness and ginger overlaod. Best surimai ever - there wasn't any! Tomago properly sweet and firm. I wonder if anyone but Jiro gets that little caramelized edge I saw in the PBS show. Rice correct in flavor and temperature. The only vegetable was a healthy dollop of shredded seaweed salad. Snapper, white tuna, yellow tail, salmon, tuna all excellent in texture and flavor. Very good portions, especially at a reasonable $17.95. The house made green tea ice cream was better than Häagen-Dazs. Five stars for excellence of fish, despite my quibbles on the accompaniments. On Sundays, the church bells drive Betheelzebub, the parking demon, back into its lair. Otherwise, see the photo of the sign on the front door for the location of validated parking. Also, it's a short walk to the Elm Street municipal garage.
(5)
Jim A.
Our next door neighbors recommended. Have seen this place for years but never went in. My take out order was fast and was some of the best sushi/sashimi I have ever had anywhere. Fresh and good portions.
(4)
Lola C.
Someone dear to us brought us to this place for the first time, so it holds a special place in my heart. That lady and friend lived in Japan for a while and told us the food was good. And she's right! Their miso and salad dressing are delicious. We usually take their dinner box which includes a little bit of everything. Perfect! The ice cream is pretty good too. Very cheap and delicious, a good address. Location easy to miss though since it's squashed between two other buildings.
(5)
Laura N.
Best Sushi in Bethesda! Not to mention the tastiest ginger salad dressing, ever. While we generally pick it up as take out, every few weeks we dine in and always receive very attentive and kind service.
(5)
Alicia G.
A co-worker and I visited this charming little spot for a Japanese lunch, after discovering (and not having done the research to realize) that Ren's Ramen is closed on Mondays. There was actually a decent crowd seated in the small dining area - several booths on the right and tables on the left. The lighting is dim and there is minimal decor but there is still a cozy feeling about the place. A single server quickly attended to the dining room and immediately seated us in the far booth. Upon entering, we noted the specials board and my co-worker took full advantage by ordering the spicy pork rice bowl ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Wanting something more, I opted for the shrimp tempura bento box ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Both of our selections came with miso soup and a salad with a gingery dressing. My bento box was filled with crab shumai, california roll and the shrimp and vegetable tempura. It was tasty enough but if we're doing a price/quantity comparison to the bento boxes up the street at Raku, it doesn't seem like it's enough for the cost. My lunch companion seemed pretty satisfied with his lunch choice, however so it really kind of varies dish to dish. Would I return? Possibly. But it is far from the top of my list for Japanese in Bethesda.
(3)
Lisa R.
Excellent sushi in a relaxing environment. I have been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The sukiyaki, prepared fresh at your table, is also delicious. Attentive, quick service. Good desserts: including ice cream in flavors such as green tea, red bean and ginger. I have ordered several sushi party platters here and been told by guests it was the best sushi ever.
(5)
Eric B.
Cute and reminds us of NY. Like Gary said, it's old school. In a good way. Sushi is very good, but I have a couple problems. $10 special roll I got wasn't much bigger than regular $5 hand roll. It was more intricate, and delicious, but give me some more bang for my buck here. Also, only shrimp tempura roll on the menu is a special roll. Where's the plain $5 shrimp tempura roll? Maybe best sushi in town tho.
(4)
Mahsa K.
Aww this place deserves more stars. Come on people... I'm giving them 5 stars. I would've said 4.5, but I'm gonna give them the boost because their sushi is fresh (authentic with that little dot of wasabi under the sashimi), their service is welcoming, and their prices are super affordable... it's not flashy, that is the only thing... but this is one of those times where you don't need all the fuss because they have that cute mom'n'pop feel. This was seriously a neighborhood gem that I cannot believe I didn't find the past two and a half years, until today... three days before moving. Please pass the word on, because I bet people just don't know about it. It's diagonal across from Euro Motor Cars and tiny... find it and enjoy!
(5)
Evan H.
While trying to go to Ren's Ramen last night, I discovered that they close at 7. To make up for it, I decided to try Aji-Nippon. I used to live a couple blocks away and would pass it every single day on my way to the metro, yet I never stopped in. The restaurant, like Juliana C. said, is very small and cozy. There aren't that many tables and is in fact only one waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. I ended up getting a bento style box for my main course which featured marinated steak with onions, a california roll (not very impressive), shrimp dumplings (excellent) and started with a miso soup and salad. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed with the steak, however, the salad, soup, and dumpings made up for it. If I were to go back here, I would stick to sushi, and only sushi. That was my mistake. I didn't have a chance to read through the Yelp reviews before I ordered. Regardless, this place is very homey, however, I have had better Japanese meals closer to my apartment. It is unlikely that I would go out of my way to come here, but if you stick to sushi, I think you'll be alright.
(3)
Joey D.
I am a BIG fan of this place. Sushi is awesome, and the service is fantastic. I am surprised not more people know about this place. It is not the cheapest place, but I feel like the prices are fair. I would have easily given five stars had it not been for one thing: They used to have a Dallas Cowboys trash can towards the front. When I saw that it almost ruined the place for me. I think they might have gotten rid of it by now though. But if it wasn't for that one downfall - 5 Stars easily.
(4)
Juliana C.
If I hadn't moved to an apartment on Bradley Boulevard a year ago, I would probably never know this place existed. It's a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it sushi place, tucked just beyond the corner CVS. There are about twelve tables max, and contrary to what a previous reviewer posted, I have never seen more than three occupied on any given visit. Of note: Aji-Nippon is closed for lunch on Saturdays and all of Sunday. The restaurant is cozy and minimally decorated, with the sushi bar in plain sight in the back left corner. The chef is super friendly, and every time I've come in for pickup he's thanked me for my order. There only seems to be one server, a very pleasant woman who is attentive without ever hovering. Whenever my roommate and have a sit-down meal we always order two rolls each, and they bring us soup and salad and this little marinated tofu square for free. The miso is good quality, the salad is your standard mixed with peanut ginger dressing, and the tofu square is surprisingly palatable. The prices are a little high; their specialty rolls run around $10, but are about the same size as their standards. My favorites are the Volcano and the Caterpillar, but I've never come across a roll I didn't like here. The fish is always fresh, and the ingredients are, dare I say it, perky? I'm seriously lucky to have Aji Nippon to go to when I'm too lazy to hit up the (inexplicably shady as hell) Safeway for groceries.
(4)
Thanh P.
They call this restaurant Japanese fusion because they do not know how to do authentic Japanese food right. I went here by myself one night and I was the only one dining there. This seems to be a family restaurant and they seemed to be nice Korean people. But the food was barely edible, and I have a high tolerance for bad food, considering I can enjoy eating what I cook. They should stick to Korean dishes.
(2)
Linda B.
My coworkers and I originally were going to eat lunch at a different place, but learned that it was closed that day. Pressed on time, we did a quick Yelp search and found this place to get good reviews, not to mention it was less than a block from where we were. Although the place is clean and the lunch prices adequate, I found the the food portions to be small and a bit on the salty side. In addition, I found the service to be a bit slow, but pretty decent considering that there were only two people on staff and about 4 groups of people eating the same time we were. On to the food. While my coworkers ordered the Salmon Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box, Beef Rice Bowl; I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box. Like my coworkers, we all found the miso soup and main entree to be a bit salty. In my attempt to balance out the saltiness with the rice, I found that the small amount of rice to not be enough for the small amount of chicken teriyaki I was given. Unfortunately, for my coworker, who ordered the beef rice bowl, she could not finish half of it due to the overflavor of the salt. On the positive side, the salad dressing was delicious (the lettuce could have been more fresh) and the prices pretty reasonable (my lunch box was $9.95). However, I will warn you that they do have hidden charges, what you may get complimentary at other stores (green tea, side dishes), you will have to pay for here. Even though I despise writing off any restaurants, I do not think that I will be dining here anytime soon.
(2)
Hikari K.
I've been here a couple of times since then. And if I could, I'd rate this place 6 stars. Especially after the last time a friend and I went. We came about 6 or so on a friday, and it was packed. First thing I thought was "uh oh". I was aware that a small family runs the place, and that not many people work there. However, that didn't stop the amazingness. My friend ordered Yakisoba and I ordered Chirashi, plus we shared some sushi...First of all, I have never tasted Yakisoba so good. Just the smell was heavenly, and it was the first time I hadn't seen it drowned in boiled cabbage. Second, their Chirashi is the best I have ever had, ever. There was so much fish, such a nice variety, and I drool in the memory of it. I took a picture of it, and the sushi, and I'm sure I'll upload it here at some point. But I was absolutely blown away. We were even raving about how delicious the dressing on the salad was XD Their crunchy roll is the best I've had anywhere, hands down. They have beautiful variety in their spicy sushi too, which happens to be my favorite kind. And it's all delicious. In short, this place is amazing. I did not expect to be wowed as I usually was on a night that they were so busy, but I think I was more wowed then than I ever was. I've come here a couple of other times on slow nights and tried their dinner boxes and such, but my god...that heavenly chirashi will probably be my first choice from here on. I only regret that I live far away, and can only manage to come down twice a year or so. If you have an opportunity to come by, absolutely do. Tis my favorite sushi place in Bethesda, and on earth, after all.
(5)
Ellen L.
Eh. I had high hopes for this restaurant but I was pretty disappointed. My friend said that it used to be pretty decent, but when we came for dinner recently, it was not particularly good. I got a katsu and my friend got some tuna sushi rolls which were plain and the fish didn't seem super fresh. I also felt like the food was a bit overpriced. Almost everything was around the $12-$15 price point. Maybe it's just what we got, but I'm not a huge fan...
(2)
Sea S.
The good reviews seem to be from the past, except for two reviews by someone I suspect of being a friend, because the reviews are so unrealistic. We didn't try the sushi. The salad dressing tasted terrific. BUT we both had horrible meals. We packed it up and selfishly gave it to someone who looked hungry and homeless. The food was flavorless--cooked without any ability with short ribs (Korean) OR sukiyaki (Japanese). I've lived in Japan--this was bad cooking with no flavor of the dishes we ordered. The dishes cost a lot but were very skimpy on meat and even on vegetables and noodles, but lots of water. I didn't find even one mushroom cap in my sukiyaki. Prices were too high for this poor quality. Beef short ribs didn't come on the bone but came like fajitas--no bones, no flavor, mushy texture, lots of grease. I believe this was just cut-up beef, not short ribs at all, and it certainly didn't taste anything like short ribs normally do. Smiling staff, clean tables--service was normal. But we won't go again and really regret going this time.
(1)
Stephanie T.
I'll keep this one very short and simple. ~Pros~ Prices Tempura Salad ~Con~ The sashimi was a bit on the thinner side (I could see right through it) Slow service In all it's an average joe place. I wouldn't be going out of my way to come here.
(2)
Dawn H.
Aji Nippon is a quintessential neighborhood sushi place - to which I would drive miles to go. The owners are Japanese, and the sushi chef is Japanese. When you walk in, you often see alot of Japanese (and many others) enjoying the food there. Need I say more? Yes. The sushi is super fresh, the rice (which speaks volumes) is fab, the cooked dishes that my friends, family and I have had have all been delicious. The prices are reasonable for the quality you are getting. Best of all, they serve plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, in addition to the wide array of meat and fish appetizers and entrees. Oh yes, and the soups - have all been top notch. Everything is very fresh and homemade, including the sauces, dressings (dressing on the salad that comes with your meal - I could eat by itself) soups, ice creams and desserts, everything. You can eat in or take out. It is not a huge place, but it is warm and cozy. Wow. Bottom line: Aji Nippon is a real gem and I will be going back again and again. PS. Try the teriyaki on anything and the tempura - light and crispy not overly fried, to name a few - YUM!
(5)
Electro B.
Nice place. Small. Very well hidden. I would recommend it completely. It's probably the best sushi place in Bethesda.
(4)
Jessica F.
Every time I drive down Arlington Road in Bethesda, I would pass by Aji Nippon and think "What a random place for a restaurant". Tucked between the post office and the CVS it is easy to miss! We went to check it out, not feeling like going to our other sushi standbys in Bethesda, and are now in love. The cosy, quiet and old school interior, the excellent (competitively priced) sushi and the extensive Japanese menu. My sushi came with a yummy salad and a little appetizer of marinated tofu. Excellent! Sure there are non sushi dishes you might find at any other Japanese/Sushi place, but you can also get other interesting Japanese dishes if you are not in the mood for sushi. When we went home and googled the place, we found out that the chef, Kazuo Honma is from Furano, Hokkaido and is way into golf (which explained all the golf pictures and signatures on the wall in between the Japanese prints)- so all the pro Japanese golfers eat there on tour in the states when they are in DC. The only downer is sodas come in a can with ice - which is ok for most people but I LOVE a fountain soda - but that is not enough to keep us away!
(5)
Jack S.
You MUST go to this place! Best freshest fish I have had within 50 miles. Consistently amazing. I eat sushi three times a week, and would go here every time if I could. I have been to 30 sushi places in the DC area and the fish is hands down the best here.
(5)
Ashley F.
Best sushi in the metro area, hands down. I used to live a few blocks away from Aji Nippon and would always pass it on my walk home from the metro. I don't recall a time there were more than two or three tables in the place, so don't be dismayed. The sushi is definitely some of the best I've ever had, and that's a lot of sushi. The sushi chef is very friendly and you can tell that he loves what he does and he's been doing it for-e-ver. One waitress seems to handle all dozen or so tables as well as carry out orders. But the service is still great and very quick. Usually, I order carry out, and if I run to CVS and back in about 10 minutes, my CA roll and nigiri is ready and waiting for me. Often, the kind waitress will throw in a nice little side salad with delicious soy ginger dressing at no extra charge. My one concern would be that it is pricier than most run-of-the-mill japanese houses (if I recall, about $6 for a CA roll?.) But, personally, it is definitely worth it!
(5)
Lauren Y.
this place gets packed! 7:30 PM for two - sat at the bar, which is fine. my bf ordered the chirashi and I got a bunch of nigiri and rolls. we decided to throw in something from the korean menu - seafood pancake! the seafood was most fresh. the sushi chef was non stop busy. kept on doing his thing. the uni was piled high :) . the hotate was sprinkled with some green onions. the volcano had the perfect amount of sauce and the extra tempura crunch is a better alternative to Parmesan cheese, which some other restaurants usually use. the spider roll did not fall apart, but maybe its bc i'm on the east coast and they use maryland blue crab here instead of the mondo huge soft shell crabs of california. thumbs up: fresh seafood. friendly staff. thumbs down: location - corner of the turn! since it was packed, the waitress kind of forgot about us, but the waiter (i think the owner's son) did not. very helpful.
(4)
Juliana C.
If I hadn't moved to an apartment on Bradley Boulevard a year ago, I would probably never know this place existed. It's a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it sushi place, tucked just beyond the corner CVS. There are about twelve tables max, and contrary to what a previous reviewer posted, I have never seen more than three occupied on any given visit. Of note: Aji-Nippon is closed for lunch on Saturdays and all of Sunday. The restaurant is cozy and minimally decorated, with the sushi bar in plain sight in the back left corner. The chef is super friendly, and every time I've come in for pickup he's thanked me for my order. There only seems to be one server, a very pleasant woman who is attentive without ever hovering. Whenever my roommate and have a sit-down meal we always order two rolls each, and they bring us soup and salad and this little marinated tofu square for free. The miso is good quality, the salad is your standard mixed with peanut ginger dressing, and the tofu square is surprisingly palatable. The prices are a little high; their specialty rolls run around $10, but are about the same size as their standards. My favorites are the Volcano and the Caterpillar, but I've never come across a roll I didn't like here. The fish is always fresh, and the ingredients are, dare I say it, perky? I'm seriously lucky to have Aji Nippon to go to when I'm too lazy to hit up the (inexplicably shady as hell) Safeway for groceries.
(4)
Thanh P.
They call this restaurant Japanese fusion because they do not know how to do authentic Japanese food right. I went here by myself one night and I was the only one dining there. This seems to be a family restaurant and they seemed to be nice Korean people. But the food was barely edible, and I have a high tolerance for bad food, considering I can enjoy eating what I cook. They should stick to Korean dishes.
(2)
Linda B.
My coworkers and I originally were going to eat lunch at a different place, but learned that it was closed that day. Pressed on time, we did a quick Yelp search and found this place to get good reviews, not to mention it was less than a block from where we were. Although the place is clean and the lunch prices adequate, I found the the food portions to be small and a bit on the salty side. In addition, I found the service to be a bit slow, but pretty decent considering that there were only two people on staff and about 4 groups of people eating the same time we were. On to the food. While my coworkers ordered the Salmon Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box, Beef Rice Bowl; I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box. Like my coworkers, we all found the miso soup and main entree to be a bit salty. In my attempt to balance out the saltiness with the rice, I found that the small amount of rice to not be enough for the small amount of chicken teriyaki I was given. Unfortunately, for my coworker, who ordered the beef rice bowl, she could not finish half of it due to the overflavor of the salt. On the positive side, the salad dressing was delicious (the lettuce could have been more fresh) and the prices pretty reasonable (my lunch box was $9.95). However, I will warn you that they do have hidden charges, what you may get complimentary at other stores (green tea, side dishes), you will have to pay for here. Even though I despise writing off any restaurants, I do not think that I will be dining here anytime soon.
(2)
Hikari K.
I've been here a couple of times since then. And if I could, I'd rate this place 6 stars. Especially after the last time a friend and I went. We came about 6 or so on a friday, and it was packed. First thing I thought was "uh oh". I was aware that a small family runs the place, and that not many people work there. However, that didn't stop the amazingness. My friend ordered Yakisoba and I ordered Chirashi, plus we shared some sushi...First of all, I have never tasted Yakisoba so good. Just the smell was heavenly, and it was the first time I hadn't seen it drowned in boiled cabbage. Second, their Chirashi is the best I have ever had, ever. There was so much fish, such a nice variety, and I drool in the memory of it. I took a picture of it, and the sushi, and I'm sure I'll upload it here at some point. But I was absolutely blown away. We were even raving about how delicious the dressing on the salad was XD Their crunchy roll is the best I've had anywhere, hands down. They have beautiful variety in their spicy sushi too, which happens to be my favorite kind. And it's all delicious. In short, this place is amazing. I did not expect to be wowed as I usually was on a night that they were so busy, but I think I was more wowed then than I ever was. I've come here a couple of other times on slow nights and tried their dinner boxes and such, but my god...that heavenly chirashi will probably be my first choice from here on. I only regret that I live far away, and can only manage to come down twice a year or so. If you have an opportunity to come by, absolutely do. Tis my favorite sushi place in Bethesda, and on earth, after all.
(5)
Ellen L.
Eh. I had high hopes for this restaurant but I was pretty disappointed. My friend said that it used to be pretty decent, but when we came for dinner recently, it was not particularly good. I got a katsu and my friend got some tuna sushi rolls which were plain and the fish didn't seem super fresh. I also felt like the food was a bit overpriced. Almost everything was around the $12-$15 price point. Maybe it's just what we got, but I'm not a huge fan...
(2)
Georgina S.
Despite its humble setting, this restaurant continues to provide great quality food consistently. We like to support local business!
(5)
Q E.
This place is GREAT!!! You would never know this place is where it is unless you are walking by. The service is GREAT!! The sushi is sooooo FRESH everytime I go!! Highly, recommend!!
(4)
Sea S.
The good reviews seem to be from the past, except for two reviews by someone I suspect of being a friend, because the reviews are so unrealistic. We didn't try the sushi. The salad dressing tasted terrific. BUT we both had horrible meals. We packed it up and selfishly gave it to someone who looked hungry and homeless. The food was flavorless--cooked without any ability with short ribs (Korean) OR sukiyaki (Japanese). I've lived in Japan--this was bad cooking with no flavor of the dishes we ordered. The dishes cost a lot but were very skimpy on meat and even on vegetables and noodles, but lots of water. I didn't find even one mushroom cap in my sukiyaki. Prices were too high for this poor quality. Beef short ribs didn't come on the bone but came like fajitas--no bones, no flavor, mushy texture, lots of grease. I believe this was just cut-up beef, not short ribs at all, and it certainly didn't taste anything like short ribs normally do. Smiling staff, clean tables--service was normal. But we won't go again and really regret going this time.
(1)
Jessica F.
Every time I drive down Arlington Road in Bethesda, I would pass by Aji Nippon and think "What a random place for a restaurant". Tucked between the post office and the CVS it is easy to miss! We went to check it out, not feeling like going to our other sushi standbys in Bethesda, and are now in love. The cosy, quiet and old school interior, the excellent (competitively priced) sushi and the extensive Japanese menu. My sushi came with a yummy salad and a little appetizer of marinated tofu. Excellent! Sure there are non sushi dishes you might find at any other Japanese/Sushi place, but you can also get other interesting Japanese dishes if you are not in the mood for sushi. When we went home and googled the place, we found out that the chef, Kazuo Honma is from Furano, Hokkaido and is way into golf (which explained all the golf pictures and signatures on the wall in between the Japanese prints)- so all the pro Japanese golfers eat there on tour in the states when they are in DC. The only downer is sodas come in a can with ice - which is ok for most people but I LOVE a fountain soda - but that is not enough to keep us away!
(5)
Ian R.
This place was...eh. My fiance and I started with shrimp dumplings, which tasted good, but were about half the size of what I'd consider normal appetizer dumplings. The Chicken Teriyaki was waaaay overpriced ($16) for what it was - which was average, rubbery chicken and the smallest bowl of white rice that I've seen with an entree. The meal did come with soup and a salad drenched in dressing, but it wasn't even close to being worth $16. My fiance said her sushi was pretty good, however. Nevertheless, we agreed that we wouldn't be back. Bethesda has a lot better to offer.
(2)
Charlotte B.
Sushi was not that fresh on a Monday night. Tuna was good but some of the other things were a little off. Seaweed soup was a bit unusual and interesting. If you really like seaweed, which I do, this was the best part about this place, although probably not worth the whole visit. Next time would go somewhere else give the many other great choices locally. If you eat a lot of good sushi, you will not be wowed by this place.
(2)
Nicole L.
The reviews I read were a mix - Aji Nippon I thought was japanese but it turned out korean-owned. They were opened on Sundays when I called, but some Yelpers mentioned it was closed on SUN. In between it all, the restaurant must have changed hands. It's a modest restaurant with limited seating. I ordered a small bottle of sapporo to start but soon found myself not wanting anything else. I also read about being safest to order sushi there. I ordered the chirashi - it was a pathetic small bowl of rice about 1/4 inch thin covered with flatly sliced sashimi - lots of salmon and tuna, a couple of omelets and meagre slices of yellow tail? It was a very bad attempt in decorating the bowl it was a patchwork of tuna/salmon. *yawn*. The chirashi lacked variety! The sashimi were fresh but very boring and unappetizing. Most people came in their workout outfit or tshirt/shorts ordering to go. It's a No-More for me.
(2)
FromV A.
AMAZING sushi! Always delicious, fast and friendly service. I can't speak for any of their other food, as I always stick with sushi
(5)
Katherine O.
Aji-Nippon is so delicious! My family loves it. It's so funny that it's in a place like Bethesda. ( I also love the Japanese market around the corner.) My husband and I moved from LA where we could get great Japanese around the corner, down the street- etc., but after moving here it was really hard to find a place locally that serves shabu-shabu. It's it Dee~licious. The sushi is good, it's been really fresh when we go. (Remember not to eat sushi Monday nights- the fish markets are closed on Sunday) The service is really friendly, and has a really warm family atmosphere. We haven't been there in a while, hmmmm. maybe we'll go this weekend!
(4)
Paul M.
Three important things about this place: 1. phenomenal sushi 2. its 'hidden in plain view' location makes it emminently missable - I only went in for the first time as i was at the post office.... 3. family run, brilliant service pound for pound this is one of Bethesda's gems....
(4)
Ashley F.
Best sushi in the metro area, hands down. I used to live a few blocks away from Aji Nippon and would always pass it on my walk home from the metro. I don't recall a time there were more than two or three tables in the place, so don't be dismayed. The sushi is definitely some of the best I've ever had, and that's a lot of sushi. The sushi chef is very friendly and you can tell that he loves what he does and he's been doing it for-e-ver. One waitress seems to handle all dozen or so tables as well as carry out orders. But the service is still great and very quick. Usually, I order carry out, and if I run to CVS and back in about 10 minutes, my CA roll and nigiri is ready and waiting for me. Often, the kind waitress will throw in a nice little side salad with delicious soy ginger dressing at no extra charge. My one concern would be that it is pricier than most run-of-the-mill japanese houses (if I recall, about $6 for a CA roll?.) But, personally, it is definitely worth it!
(5)
Lauren Y.
this place gets packed! 7:30 PM for two - sat at the bar, which is fine. my bf ordered the chirashi and I got a bunch of nigiri and rolls. we decided to throw in something from the korean menu - seafood pancake! the seafood was most fresh. the sushi chef was non stop busy. kept on doing his thing. the uni was piled high :) . the hotate was sprinkled with some green onions. the volcano had the perfect amount of sauce and the extra tempura crunch is a better alternative to Parmesan cheese, which some other restaurants usually use. the spider roll did not fall apart, but maybe its bc i'm on the east coast and they use maryland blue crab here instead of the mondo huge soft shell crabs of california. thumbs up: fresh seafood. friendly staff. thumbs down: location - corner of the turn! since it was packed, the waitress kind of forgot about us, but the waiter (i think the owner's son) did not. very helpful.
(4)
Stephanie T.
I'll keep this one very short and simple. ~Pros~ Prices Tempura Salad ~Con~ The sashimi was a bit on the thinner side (I could see right through it) Slow service In all it's an average joe place. I wouldn't be going out of my way to come here.
(2)
Dawn H.
Aji Nippon is a quintessential neighborhood sushi place - to which I would drive miles to go. The owners are Japanese, and the sushi chef is Japanese. When you walk in, you often see alot of Japanese (and many others) enjoying the food there. Need I say more? Yes. The sushi is super fresh, the rice (which speaks volumes) is fab, the cooked dishes that my friends, family and I have had have all been delicious. The prices are reasonable for the quality you are getting. Best of all, they serve plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, in addition to the wide array of meat and fish appetizers and entrees. Oh yes, and the soups - have all been top notch. Everything is very fresh and homemade, including the sauces, dressings (dressing on the salad that comes with your meal - I could eat by itself) soups, ice creams and desserts, everything. You can eat in or take out. It is not a huge place, but it is warm and cozy. Wow. Bottom line: Aji Nippon is a real gem and I will be going back again and again. PS. Try the teriyaki on anything and the tempura - light and crispy not overly fried, to name a few - YUM!
(5)
Electro B.
Nice place. Small. Very well hidden. I would recommend it completely. It's probably the best sushi place in Bethesda.
(4)
Jack S.
You MUST go to this place! Best freshest fish I have had within 50 miles. Consistently amazing. I eat sushi three times a week, and would go here every time if I could. I have been to 30 sushi places in the DC area and the fish is hands down the best here.
(5)
Megan R.
This is my favorite restaurant in Bethesda. The food is delicious, well-priced, and the owners are extremely nice. In a town full of chain restaurants with little character, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air! I enjoy eating in, but it seems that most get take-out. No need for reservations, there is usually plenty of room.
(5)
Helen C.
My boss took me to lunch here, and it was overall quite good. I really liked the dressing on their salad. The edamame was salted, which I didn't like. The aged tofu was really good and was my favorite dish. It's amazing how they fry the tofu so that it's a thin, perfect layer of crispy on the outside but very soft on the inside. My udon entree was okay, nothing special. You don't have to pay for parking at the garage next door if you bring your parking receipt to the restaurant.
(4)
Lola C.
Someone dear to us brought us to this place for the first time, so it holds a special place in my heart. That lady and friend lived in Japan for a while and told us the food was good. And she's right! Their miso and salad dressing are delicious. We usually take their dinner box which includes a little bit of everything. Perfect! The ice cream is pretty good too. Very cheap and delicious, a good address. Location easy to miss though since it's squashed between two other buildings.
(5)
Jim A.
Our next door neighbors recommended. Have seen this place for years but never went in. My take out order was fast and was some of the best sushi/sashimi I have ever had anywhere. Fresh and good portions.
(4)
Laura N.
Best Sushi in Bethesda! Not to mention the tastiest ginger salad dressing, ever. While we generally pick it up as take out, every few weeks we dine in and always receive very attentive and kind service.
(5)
Alicia G.
A co-worker and I visited this charming little spot for a Japanese lunch, after discovering (and not having done the research to realize) that Ren's Ramen is closed on Mondays. There was actually a decent crowd seated in the small dining area - several booths on the right and tables on the left. The lighting is dim and there is minimal decor but there is still a cozy feeling about the place. A single server quickly attended to the dining room and immediately seated us in the far booth. Upon entering, we noted the specials board and my co-worker took full advantage by ordering the spicy pork rice bowl ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Wanting something more, I opted for the shrimp tempura bento box ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Both of our selections came with miso soup and a salad with a gingery dressing. My bento box was filled with crab shumai, california roll and the shrimp and vegetable tempura. It was tasty enough but if we're doing a price/quantity comparison to the bento boxes up the street at Raku, it doesn't seem like it's enough for the cost. My lunch companion seemed pretty satisfied with his lunch choice, however so it really kind of varies dish to dish. Would I return? Possibly. But it is far from the top of my list for Japanese in Bethesda.
(3)
Lisa R.
Excellent sushi in a relaxing environment. I have been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The sukiyaki, prepared fresh at your table, is also delicious. Attentive, quick service. Good desserts: including ice cream in flavors such as green tea, red bean and ginger. I have ordered several sushi party platters here and been told by guests it was the best sushi ever.
(5)
Mahsa K.
Aww this place deserves more stars. Come on people... I'm giving them 5 stars. I would've said 4.5, but I'm gonna give them the boost because their sushi is fresh (authentic with that little dot of wasabi under the sashimi), their service is welcoming, and their prices are super affordable... it's not flashy, that is the only thing... but this is one of those times where you don't need all the fuss because they have that cute mom'n'pop feel. This was seriously a neighborhood gem that I cannot believe I didn't find the past two and a half years, until today... three days before moving. Please pass the word on, because I bet people just don't know about it. It's diagonal across from Euro Motor Cars and tiny... find it and enjoy!
(5)
Ashira M.
Yuzu tea! Hot water, sweet syrup, little bits of yuzu (a citrus fruit) peel in the bottom and a spoon to eat this with ... never had this anywhere else. I'm sure it's not everyone's 'cup of,' and literally it isn't that at all (tea, that is), but it sure is mine! Vegetarian bento box, respectful staff, the decor seems to be undergoing some kind of construction, with writing on the walls that makes me think something such as a picture will be put up there -- but I have no idea if this is true. The food came surprisingly quickly, was pretty and filling, and it was easy to peruse the menu, order, be served, eat, pay and leave within the one-hour limit for free validated parking in the hidden garage at the corner of the adjoining lot. Incidentally, when the garage is filled to capacity you can still get in with free valet parking. For dessert, I asked if they had mochi ice cream and yes, they did. Mochi is a pounded, very sticky rice yumminess and the ice cream comes wrapped in it. It's served on a plate with a stick to be stuck through the rice-layer and inner frozen treat. It's easy to eat, not messy and not too big or filling. The only thing to know, as far as I'm concerned, is if you want something Japanese drink-wise you might have to ask for it a couple of times. Otherwise you'll only be offered boring American stuff like sodas which to me is a big turn-off yuck. But it only takes seconds of persistence to break through that barrier, much like the mochi ice cream! And ... if you've never had edamame (soybeans served here in salted skins), don't eat the outer layer. It's kinda tough. Oh, yeah. And they close between three and five weekdays, much like almost every single authentic and truly Japanese restaurant in the area will. I guess other than the strangeness of the literal writing on the walls, the only reason I give it a four and not five star rating is I felt a bit lonely in there, dining all alone. I'd rather see at least another customer! I know it's not because they're not popular, but I just happened to hit a slow time. Please, come in and keep me company!
(4)
Sameer A.
Very nice ambience , friendly service , and good food. A little pricey but well worth the package !
(4)
Eric B.
Cute and reminds us of NY. Like Gary said, it's old school. In a good way. Sushi is very good, but I have a couple problems. $10 special roll I got wasn't much bigger than regular $5 hand roll. It was more intricate, and delicious, but give me some more bang for my buck here. Also, only shrimp tempura roll on the menu is a special roll. Where's the plain $5 shrimp tempura roll? Maybe best sushi in town tho.
(4)
Gary M.
This place is old school, but the sushi is TOP NOTCH. By old school, I mean it isn't trendy. It's not hip, doesn't have dimmed lights and cool music pumping through the speaker system. But the sushi cannot be beat, and the folks who work there take real pride in their food and service. Also great for carryout. Next time Raku tells you that you have to wait 30 mins, skip it. Just walk the few blocks to Aji Nippon. Trust me. I don't like many things about Bethesda, but this place is good stuff. Go Bulls.
(5)
Evan H.
While trying to go to Ren's Ramen last night, I discovered that they close at 7. To make up for it, I decided to try Aji-Nippon. I used to live a couple blocks away and would pass it every single day on my way to the metro, yet I never stopped in. The restaurant, like Juliana C. said, is very small and cozy. There aren't that many tables and is in fact only one waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. I ended up getting a bento style box for my main course which featured marinated steak with onions, a california roll (not very impressive), shrimp dumplings (excellent) and started with a miso soup and salad. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed with the steak, however, the salad, soup, and dumpings made up for it. If I were to go back here, I would stick to sushi, and only sushi. That was my mistake. I didn't have a chance to read through the Yelp reviews before I ordered. Regardless, this place is very homey, however, I have had better Japanese meals closer to my apartment. It is unlikely that I would go out of my way to come here, but if you stick to sushi, I think you'll be alright.
(3)
Natasha S.
To be honest, I don't know why my mother and I ended up here when we could tell just by looking at the outside that it may not be a favorite. But we were sick of driving around on a Saturday looking for a restaurant that we wanted to try - Ren's Ramen that ended up being closed. And then driving around some more looking for parking. We drove by this so many times that we thought why not give it a try - might be fate. We sat down and ordered cha soba (green tea soba) in soup, seaweed salad, age tofu and some maki rolls. The food wasn't bad, yet wasn't worth returning. Everything seemed standard and a tad overpriced for the quality of the food. The service was pretty good and efficient but it didn't do anything for me. I'll continue my search for more great Japanese joints in the area.
(3)
Joey D.
I am a BIG fan of this place. Sushi is awesome, and the service is fantastic. I am surprised not more people know about this place. It is not the cheapest place, but I feel like the prices are fair. I would have easily given five stars had it not been for one thing: They used to have a Dallas Cowboys trash can towards the front. When I saw that it almost ruined the place for me. I think they might have gotten rid of it by now though. But if it wasn't for that one downfall - 5 Stars easily.
(4)
Monica W.
There's an old saying that a rotten apple spoils the whole barrel which best explains my experience with this restaurant... So disappointed with one dish that I would not want to visit again. Everything was nice or not bad except for its "Ramen." Such a disappointment. Especially when it costs $10 per bowl....... Though it didn't taste bad, but I felt deceived........ Full review with more photos and information: wp.me/p5e05O-ly
(2)
Ruth C.
There are nine other sushi spots in the downtown Bethesda area, and their strongest edge is in friendly service and tea; on fish quality and location, they aren't quite able to compete. A little warm inside after dark, but we stopped in with just enough time left to dine in. Miso soup was okay, but the salad was pretty wilted on the bottom. Japanese chirashi is a little limited for the price: less than a centimeter layer of rice under five sushi types and a twirl of seaweed salad. Salmon was freshest, and the subtly sweet tamago was my next favorite. White tuna was okay. Tuna was cut extremely thin, and yellowtail was a little chewy. I guess they no longer include snapper in their chirashi! Spicy Mindy roll showcased an aggressive level of sriracha mayo, so thankfully a slice of cantaloupe was served with our check. I don't think I'll be back to try their Korean chirashi.
(2)
Marivic L.
I tried this place to see if I could find another sushi place I really liked in Bethesda. Well, I tried a variety of rolls and while it's ok, this isn't going to be my go-to place. Sigh.
(3)
Wendy C.
Definitely consider this restaurant as a hidden gem in Bethesda. Service is on-point and every time I've gone, I've always been greeted with a smile. The sushi is really high-quality - my absolute favorite roll is the Spicy Crazy Roll. It's sooooo gooood! Their yakisoba's also really yummy. Tip: you can get 2-hr validated parking (dinnertime) if you park in the garage around back, so you can have an amazing meal and have time to walk around Bethesda Row after!
(5)
Jerry S.
Serene, small space with framed prints on the walls. Very nice service. As usual, Kirin and chirashi. Miso soup was standard, a bit salty. Salad was mostly iceberg, but I tasted toasted sesame oil in the dressing, and it did not have the usual cloying sweetness and ginger overlaod. Best surimai ever - there wasn't any! Tomago properly sweet and firm. I wonder if anyone but Jiro gets that little caramelized edge I saw in the PBS show. Rice correct in flavor and temperature. The only vegetable was a healthy dollop of shredded seaweed salad. Snapper, white tuna, yellow tail, salmon, tuna all excellent in texture and flavor. Very good portions, especially at a reasonable $17.95. The house made green tea ice cream was better than Häagen-Dazs. Five stars for excellence of fish, despite my quibbles on the accompaniments. On Sundays, the church bells drive Betheelzebub, the parking demon, back into its lair. Otherwise, see the photo of the sign on the front door for the location of validated parking. Also, it's a short walk to the Elm Street municipal garage.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Charlotte B.
Sushi was not that fresh on a Monday night. Tuna was good but some of the other things were a little off. Seaweed soup was a bit unusual and interesting. If you really like seaweed, which I do, this was the best part about this place, although probably not worth the whole visit. Next time would go somewhere else give the many other great choices locally. If you eat a lot of good sushi, you will not be wowed by this place.
(2)Nicole L.
The reviews I read were a mix - Aji Nippon I thought was japanese but it turned out korean-owned. They were opened on Sundays when I called, but some Yelpers mentioned it was closed on SUN. In between it all, the restaurant must have changed hands. It's a modest restaurant with limited seating. I ordered a small bottle of sapporo to start but soon found myself not wanting anything else. I also read about being safest to order sushi there. I ordered the chirashi - it was a pathetic small bowl of rice about 1/4 inch thin covered with flatly sliced sashimi - lots of salmon and tuna, a couple of omelets and meagre slices of yellow tail? It was a very bad attempt in decorating the bowl it was a patchwork of tuna/salmon. *yawn*. The chirashi lacked variety! The sashimi were fresh but very boring and unappetizing. Most people came in their workout outfit or tshirt/shorts ordering to go. It's a No-More for me.
(2)FromV A.
AMAZING sushi! Always delicious, fast and friendly service. I can't speak for any of their other food, as I always stick with sushi
(5)Katherine O.
Aji-Nippon is so delicious! My family loves it. It's so funny that it's in a place like Bethesda. ( I also love the Japanese market around the corner.) My husband and I moved from LA where we could get great Japanese around the corner, down the street- etc., but after moving here it was really hard to find a place locally that serves shabu-shabu. It's it Dee~licious. The sushi is good, it's been really fresh when we go. (Remember not to eat sushi Monday nights- the fish markets are closed on Sunday) The service is really friendly, and has a really warm family atmosphere. We haven't been there in a while, hmmmm. maybe we'll go this weekend!
(4)Paul M.
Three important things about this place: 1. phenomenal sushi 2. its 'hidden in plain view' location makes it emminently missable - I only went in for the first time as i was at the post office.... 3. family run, brilliant service pound for pound this is one of Bethesda's gems....
(4)Georgina S.
Despite its humble setting, this restaurant continues to provide great quality food consistently. We like to support local business!
(5)Q E.
This place is GREAT!!! You would never know this place is where it is unless you are walking by. The service is GREAT!! The sushi is sooooo FRESH everytime I go!! Highly, recommend!!
(4)Megan R.
This is my favorite restaurant in Bethesda. The food is delicious, well-priced, and the owners are extremely nice. In a town full of chain restaurants with little character, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air! I enjoy eating in, but it seems that most get take-out. No need for reservations, there is usually plenty of room.
(5)Monica W.
There's an old saying that a rotten apple spoils the whole barrel which best explains my experience with this restaurant... So disappointed with one dish that I would not want to visit again. Everything was nice or not bad except for its "Ramen." Such a disappointment. Especially when it costs $10 per bowl....... Though it didn't taste bad, but I felt deceived........ Full review with more photos and information: wp.me/p5e05O-ly
(2)Wendy C.
Definitely consider this restaurant as a hidden gem in Bethesda. Service is on-point and every time I've gone, I've always been greeted with a smile. The sushi is really high-quality - my absolute favorite roll is the Spicy Crazy Roll. It's sooooo gooood! Their yakisoba's also really yummy. Tip: you can get 2-hr validated parking (dinnertime) if you park in the garage around back, so you can have an amazing meal and have time to walk around Bethesda Row after!
(5)Ashira M.
Yuzu tea! Hot water, sweet syrup, little bits of yuzu (a citrus fruit) peel in the bottom and a spoon to eat this with ... never had this anywhere else. I'm sure it's not everyone's 'cup of,' and literally it isn't that at all (tea, that is), but it sure is mine! Vegetarian bento box, respectful staff, the decor seems to be undergoing some kind of construction, with writing on the walls that makes me think something such as a picture will be put up there -- but I have no idea if this is true. The food came surprisingly quickly, was pretty and filling, and it was easy to peruse the menu, order, be served, eat, pay and leave within the one-hour limit for free validated parking in the hidden garage at the corner of the adjoining lot. Incidentally, when the garage is filled to capacity you can still get in with free valet parking. For dessert, I asked if they had mochi ice cream and yes, they did. Mochi is a pounded, very sticky rice yumminess and the ice cream comes wrapped in it. It's served on a plate with a stick to be stuck through the rice-layer and inner frozen treat. It's easy to eat, not messy and not too big or filling. The only thing to know, as far as I'm concerned, is if you want something Japanese drink-wise you might have to ask for it a couple of times. Otherwise you'll only be offered boring American stuff like sodas which to me is a big turn-off yuck. But it only takes seconds of persistence to break through that barrier, much like the mochi ice cream! And ... if you've never had edamame (soybeans served here in salted skins), don't eat the outer layer. It's kinda tough. Oh, yeah. And they close between three and five weekdays, much like almost every single authentic and truly Japanese restaurant in the area will. I guess other than the strangeness of the literal writing on the walls, the only reason I give it a four and not five star rating is I felt a bit lonely in there, dining all alone. I'd rather see at least another customer! I know it's not because they're not popular, but I just happened to hit a slow time. Please, come in and keep me company!
(4)Sameer A.
Very nice ambience , friendly service , and good food. A little pricey but well worth the package !
(4)Natasha S.
To be honest, I don't know why my mother and I ended up here when we could tell just by looking at the outside that it may not be a favorite. But we were sick of driving around on a Saturday looking for a restaurant that we wanted to try - Ren's Ramen that ended up being closed. And then driving around some more looking for parking. We drove by this so many times that we thought why not give it a try - might be fate. We sat down and ordered cha soba (green tea soba) in soup, seaweed salad, age tofu and some maki rolls. The food wasn't bad, yet wasn't worth returning. Everything seemed standard and a tad overpriced for the quality of the food. The service was pretty good and efficient but it didn't do anything for me. I'll continue my search for more great Japanese joints in the area.
(3)Gary M.
This place is old school, but the sushi is TOP NOTCH. By old school, I mean it isn't trendy. It's not hip, doesn't have dimmed lights and cool music pumping through the speaker system. But the sushi cannot be beat, and the folks who work there take real pride in their food and service. Also great for carryout. Next time Raku tells you that you have to wait 30 mins, skip it. Just walk the few blocks to Aji Nippon. Trust me. I don't like many things about Bethesda, but this place is good stuff. Go Bulls.
(5)Ruth C.
There are nine other sushi spots in the downtown Bethesda area, and their strongest edge is in friendly service and tea; on fish quality and location, they aren't quite able to compete. A little warm inside after dark, but we stopped in with just enough time left to dine in. Miso soup was okay, but the salad was pretty wilted on the bottom. Japanese chirashi is a little limited for the price: less than a centimeter layer of rice under five sushi types and a twirl of seaweed salad. Salmon was freshest, and the subtly sweet tamago was my next favorite. White tuna was okay. Tuna was cut extremely thin, and yellowtail was a little chewy. I guess they no longer include snapper in their chirashi! Spicy Mindy roll showcased an aggressive level of sriracha mayo, so thankfully a slice of cantaloupe was served with our check. I don't think I'll be back to try their Korean chirashi.
(2)Marivic L.
I tried this place to see if I could find another sushi place I really liked in Bethesda. Well, I tried a variety of rolls and while it's ok, this isn't going to be my go-to place. Sigh.
(3)Ian R.
This place was...eh. My fiance and I started with shrimp dumplings, which tasted good, but were about half the size of what I'd consider normal appetizer dumplings. The Chicken Teriyaki was waaaay overpriced ($16) for what it was - which was average, rubbery chicken and the smallest bowl of white rice that I've seen with an entree. The meal did come with soup and a salad drenched in dressing, but it wasn't even close to being worth $16. My fiance said her sushi was pretty good, however. Nevertheless, we agreed that we wouldn't be back. Bethesda has a lot better to offer.
(2)Helen C.
My boss took me to lunch here, and it was overall quite good. I really liked the dressing on their salad. The edamame was salted, which I didn't like. The aged tofu was really good and was my favorite dish. It's amazing how they fry the tofu so that it's a thin, perfect layer of crispy on the outside but very soft on the inside. My udon entree was okay, nothing special. You don't have to pay for parking at the garage next door if you bring your parking receipt to the restaurant.
(4)Jerry S.
Serene, small space with framed prints on the walls. Very nice service. As usual, Kirin and chirashi. Miso soup was standard, a bit salty. Salad was mostly iceberg, but I tasted toasted sesame oil in the dressing, and it did not have the usual cloying sweetness and ginger overlaod. Best surimai ever - there wasn't any! Tomago properly sweet and firm. I wonder if anyone but Jiro gets that little caramelized edge I saw in the PBS show. Rice correct in flavor and temperature. The only vegetable was a healthy dollop of shredded seaweed salad. Snapper, white tuna, yellow tail, salmon, tuna all excellent in texture and flavor. Very good portions, especially at a reasonable $17.95. The house made green tea ice cream was better than Häagen-Dazs. Five stars for excellence of fish, despite my quibbles on the accompaniments. On Sundays, the church bells drive Betheelzebub, the parking demon, back into its lair. Otherwise, see the photo of the sign on the front door for the location of validated parking. Also, it's a short walk to the Elm Street municipal garage.
(5)Jim A.
Our next door neighbors recommended. Have seen this place for years but never went in. My take out order was fast and was some of the best sushi/sashimi I have ever had anywhere. Fresh and good portions.
(4)Lola C.
Someone dear to us brought us to this place for the first time, so it holds a special place in my heart. That lady and friend lived in Japan for a while and told us the food was good. And she's right! Their miso and salad dressing are delicious. We usually take their dinner box which includes a little bit of everything. Perfect! The ice cream is pretty good too. Very cheap and delicious, a good address. Location easy to miss though since it's squashed between two other buildings.
(5)Laura N.
Best Sushi in Bethesda! Not to mention the tastiest ginger salad dressing, ever. While we generally pick it up as take out, every few weeks we dine in and always receive very attentive and kind service.
(5)Alicia G.
A co-worker and I visited this charming little spot for a Japanese lunch, after discovering (and not having done the research to realize) that Ren's Ramen is closed on Mondays. There was actually a decent crowd seated in the small dining area - several booths on the right and tables on the left. The lighting is dim and there is minimal decor but there is still a cozy feeling about the place. A single server quickly attended to the dining room and immediately seated us in the far booth. Upon entering, we noted the specials board and my co-worker took full advantage by ordering the spicy pork rice bowl ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Wanting something more, I opted for the shrimp tempura bento box ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Both of our selections came with miso soup and a salad with a gingery dressing. My bento box was filled with crab shumai, california roll and the shrimp and vegetable tempura. It was tasty enough but if we're doing a price/quantity comparison to the bento boxes up the street at Raku, it doesn't seem like it's enough for the cost. My lunch companion seemed pretty satisfied with his lunch choice, however so it really kind of varies dish to dish. Would I return? Possibly. But it is far from the top of my list for Japanese in Bethesda.
(3)Lisa R.
Excellent sushi in a relaxing environment. I have been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The sukiyaki, prepared fresh at your table, is also delicious. Attentive, quick service. Good desserts: including ice cream in flavors such as green tea, red bean and ginger. I have ordered several sushi party platters here and been told by guests it was the best sushi ever.
(5)Eric B.
Cute and reminds us of NY. Like Gary said, it's old school. In a good way. Sushi is very good, but I have a couple problems. $10 special roll I got wasn't much bigger than regular $5 hand roll. It was more intricate, and delicious, but give me some more bang for my buck here. Also, only shrimp tempura roll on the menu is a special roll. Where's the plain $5 shrimp tempura roll? Maybe best sushi in town tho.
(4)Mahsa K.
Aww this place deserves more stars. Come on people... I'm giving them 5 stars. I would've said 4.5, but I'm gonna give them the boost because their sushi is fresh (authentic with that little dot of wasabi under the sashimi), their service is welcoming, and their prices are super affordable... it's not flashy, that is the only thing... but this is one of those times where you don't need all the fuss because they have that cute mom'n'pop feel. This was seriously a neighborhood gem that I cannot believe I didn't find the past two and a half years, until today... three days before moving. Please pass the word on, because I bet people just don't know about it. It's diagonal across from Euro Motor Cars and tiny... find it and enjoy!
(5)Evan H.
While trying to go to Ren's Ramen last night, I discovered that they close at 7. To make up for it, I decided to try Aji-Nippon. I used to live a couple blocks away and would pass it every single day on my way to the metro, yet I never stopped in. The restaurant, like Juliana C. said, is very small and cozy. There aren't that many tables and is in fact only one waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. I ended up getting a bento style box for my main course which featured marinated steak with onions, a california roll (not very impressive), shrimp dumplings (excellent) and started with a miso soup and salad. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed with the steak, however, the salad, soup, and dumpings made up for it. If I were to go back here, I would stick to sushi, and only sushi. That was my mistake. I didn't have a chance to read through the Yelp reviews before I ordered. Regardless, this place is very homey, however, I have had better Japanese meals closer to my apartment. It is unlikely that I would go out of my way to come here, but if you stick to sushi, I think you'll be alright.
(3)Joey D.
I am a BIG fan of this place. Sushi is awesome, and the service is fantastic. I am surprised not more people know about this place. It is not the cheapest place, but I feel like the prices are fair. I would have easily given five stars had it not been for one thing: They used to have a Dallas Cowboys trash can towards the front. When I saw that it almost ruined the place for me. I think they might have gotten rid of it by now though. But if it wasn't for that one downfall - 5 Stars easily.
(4)Juliana C.
If I hadn't moved to an apartment on Bradley Boulevard a year ago, I would probably never know this place existed. It's a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it sushi place, tucked just beyond the corner CVS. There are about twelve tables max, and contrary to what a previous reviewer posted, I have never seen more than three occupied on any given visit. Of note: Aji-Nippon is closed for lunch on Saturdays and all of Sunday. The restaurant is cozy and minimally decorated, with the sushi bar in plain sight in the back left corner. The chef is super friendly, and every time I've come in for pickup he's thanked me for my order. There only seems to be one server, a very pleasant woman who is attentive without ever hovering. Whenever my roommate and have a sit-down meal we always order two rolls each, and they bring us soup and salad and this little marinated tofu square for free. The miso is good quality, the salad is your standard mixed with peanut ginger dressing, and the tofu square is surprisingly palatable. The prices are a little high; their specialty rolls run around $10, but are about the same size as their standards. My favorites are the Volcano and the Caterpillar, but I've never come across a roll I didn't like here. The fish is always fresh, and the ingredients are, dare I say it, perky? I'm seriously lucky to have Aji Nippon to go to when I'm too lazy to hit up the (inexplicably shady as hell) Safeway for groceries.
(4)Thanh P.
They call this restaurant Japanese fusion because they do not know how to do authentic Japanese food right. I went here by myself one night and I was the only one dining there. This seems to be a family restaurant and they seemed to be nice Korean people. But the food was barely edible, and I have a high tolerance for bad food, considering I can enjoy eating what I cook. They should stick to Korean dishes.
(2)Linda B.
My coworkers and I originally were going to eat lunch at a different place, but learned that it was closed that day. Pressed on time, we did a quick Yelp search and found this place to get good reviews, not to mention it was less than a block from where we were. Although the place is clean and the lunch prices adequate, I found the the food portions to be small and a bit on the salty side. In addition, I found the service to be a bit slow, but pretty decent considering that there were only two people on staff and about 4 groups of people eating the same time we were. On to the food. While my coworkers ordered the Salmon Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box, Beef Rice Bowl; I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box. Like my coworkers, we all found the miso soup and main entree to be a bit salty. In my attempt to balance out the saltiness with the rice, I found that the small amount of rice to not be enough for the small amount of chicken teriyaki I was given. Unfortunately, for my coworker, who ordered the beef rice bowl, she could not finish half of it due to the overflavor of the salt. On the positive side, the salad dressing was delicious (the lettuce could have been more fresh) and the prices pretty reasonable (my lunch box was $9.95). However, I will warn you that they do have hidden charges, what you may get complimentary at other stores (green tea, side dishes), you will have to pay for here. Even though I despise writing off any restaurants, I do not think that I will be dining here anytime soon.
(2)Hikari K.
I've been here a couple of times since then. And if I could, I'd rate this place 6 stars. Especially after the last time a friend and I went. We came about 6 or so on a friday, and it was packed. First thing I thought was "uh oh". I was aware that a small family runs the place, and that not many people work there. However, that didn't stop the amazingness. My friend ordered Yakisoba and I ordered Chirashi, plus we shared some sushi...First of all, I have never tasted Yakisoba so good. Just the smell was heavenly, and it was the first time I hadn't seen it drowned in boiled cabbage. Second, their Chirashi is the best I have ever had, ever. There was so much fish, such a nice variety, and I drool in the memory of it. I took a picture of it, and the sushi, and I'm sure I'll upload it here at some point. But I was absolutely blown away. We were even raving about how delicious the dressing on the salad was XD Their crunchy roll is the best I've had anywhere, hands down. They have beautiful variety in their spicy sushi too, which happens to be my favorite kind. And it's all delicious. In short, this place is amazing. I did not expect to be wowed as I usually was on a night that they were so busy, but I think I was more wowed then than I ever was. I've come here a couple of other times on slow nights and tried their dinner boxes and such, but my god...that heavenly chirashi will probably be my first choice from here on. I only regret that I live far away, and can only manage to come down twice a year or so. If you have an opportunity to come by, absolutely do. Tis my favorite sushi place in Bethesda, and on earth, after all.
(5)Ellen L.
Eh. I had high hopes for this restaurant but I was pretty disappointed. My friend said that it used to be pretty decent, but when we came for dinner recently, it was not particularly good. I got a katsu and my friend got some tuna sushi rolls which were plain and the fish didn't seem super fresh. I also felt like the food was a bit overpriced. Almost everything was around the $12-$15 price point. Maybe it's just what we got, but I'm not a huge fan...
(2)Sea S.
The good reviews seem to be from the past, except for two reviews by someone I suspect of being a friend, because the reviews are so unrealistic. We didn't try the sushi. The salad dressing tasted terrific. BUT we both had horrible meals. We packed it up and selfishly gave it to someone who looked hungry and homeless. The food was flavorless--cooked without any ability with short ribs (Korean) OR sukiyaki (Japanese). I've lived in Japan--this was bad cooking with no flavor of the dishes we ordered. The dishes cost a lot but were very skimpy on meat and even on vegetables and noodles, but lots of water. I didn't find even one mushroom cap in my sukiyaki. Prices were too high for this poor quality. Beef short ribs didn't come on the bone but came like fajitas--no bones, no flavor, mushy texture, lots of grease. I believe this was just cut-up beef, not short ribs at all, and it certainly didn't taste anything like short ribs normally do. Smiling staff, clean tables--service was normal. But we won't go again and really regret going this time.
(1)Stephanie T.
I'll keep this one very short and simple. ~Pros~ Prices Tempura Salad ~Con~ The sashimi was a bit on the thinner side (I could see right through it) Slow service In all it's an average joe place. I wouldn't be going out of my way to come here.
(2)Dawn H.
Aji Nippon is a quintessential neighborhood sushi place - to which I would drive miles to go. The owners are Japanese, and the sushi chef is Japanese. When you walk in, you often see alot of Japanese (and many others) enjoying the food there. Need I say more? Yes. The sushi is super fresh, the rice (which speaks volumes) is fab, the cooked dishes that my friends, family and I have had have all been delicious. The prices are reasonable for the quality you are getting. Best of all, they serve plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, in addition to the wide array of meat and fish appetizers and entrees. Oh yes, and the soups - have all been top notch. Everything is very fresh and homemade, including the sauces, dressings (dressing on the salad that comes with your meal - I could eat by itself) soups, ice creams and desserts, everything. You can eat in or take out. It is not a huge place, but it is warm and cozy. Wow. Bottom line: Aji Nippon is a real gem and I will be going back again and again. PS. Try the teriyaki on anything and the tempura - light and crispy not overly fried, to name a few - YUM!
(5)Electro B.
Nice place. Small. Very well hidden. I would recommend it completely. It's probably the best sushi place in Bethesda.
(4)Jessica F.
Every time I drive down Arlington Road in Bethesda, I would pass by Aji Nippon and think "What a random place for a restaurant". Tucked between the post office and the CVS it is easy to miss! We went to check it out, not feeling like going to our other sushi standbys in Bethesda, and are now in love. The cosy, quiet and old school interior, the excellent (competitively priced) sushi and the extensive Japanese menu. My sushi came with a yummy salad and a little appetizer of marinated tofu. Excellent! Sure there are non sushi dishes you might find at any other Japanese/Sushi place, but you can also get other interesting Japanese dishes if you are not in the mood for sushi. When we went home and googled the place, we found out that the chef, Kazuo Honma is from Furano, Hokkaido and is way into golf (which explained all the golf pictures and signatures on the wall in between the Japanese prints)- so all the pro Japanese golfers eat there on tour in the states when they are in DC. The only downer is sodas come in a can with ice - which is ok for most people but I LOVE a fountain soda - but that is not enough to keep us away!
(5)Jack S.
You MUST go to this place! Best freshest fish I have had within 50 miles. Consistently amazing. I eat sushi three times a week, and would go here every time if I could. I have been to 30 sushi places in the DC area and the fish is hands down the best here.
(5)Ashley F.
Best sushi in the metro area, hands down. I used to live a few blocks away from Aji Nippon and would always pass it on my walk home from the metro. I don't recall a time there were more than two or three tables in the place, so don't be dismayed. The sushi is definitely some of the best I've ever had, and that's a lot of sushi. The sushi chef is very friendly and you can tell that he loves what he does and he's been doing it for-e-ver. One waitress seems to handle all dozen or so tables as well as carry out orders. But the service is still great and very quick. Usually, I order carry out, and if I run to CVS and back in about 10 minutes, my CA roll and nigiri is ready and waiting for me. Often, the kind waitress will throw in a nice little side salad with delicious soy ginger dressing at no extra charge. My one concern would be that it is pricier than most run-of-the-mill japanese houses (if I recall, about $6 for a CA roll?.) But, personally, it is definitely worth it!
(5)Lauren Y.
this place gets packed! 7:30 PM for two - sat at the bar, which is fine. my bf ordered the chirashi and I got a bunch of nigiri and rolls. we decided to throw in something from the korean menu - seafood pancake! the seafood was most fresh. the sushi chef was non stop busy. kept on doing his thing. the uni was piled high :) . the hotate was sprinkled with some green onions. the volcano had the perfect amount of sauce and the extra tempura crunch is a better alternative to Parmesan cheese, which some other restaurants usually use. the spider roll did not fall apart, but maybe its bc i'm on the east coast and they use maryland blue crab here instead of the mondo huge soft shell crabs of california. thumbs up: fresh seafood. friendly staff. thumbs down: location - corner of the turn! since it was packed, the waitress kind of forgot about us, but the waiter (i think the owner's son) did not. very helpful.
(4)Juliana C.
If I hadn't moved to an apartment on Bradley Boulevard a year ago, I would probably never know this place existed. It's a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it sushi place, tucked just beyond the corner CVS. There are about twelve tables max, and contrary to what a previous reviewer posted, I have never seen more than three occupied on any given visit. Of note: Aji-Nippon is closed for lunch on Saturdays and all of Sunday. The restaurant is cozy and minimally decorated, with the sushi bar in plain sight in the back left corner. The chef is super friendly, and every time I've come in for pickup he's thanked me for my order. There only seems to be one server, a very pleasant woman who is attentive without ever hovering. Whenever my roommate and have a sit-down meal we always order two rolls each, and they bring us soup and salad and this little marinated tofu square for free. The miso is good quality, the salad is your standard mixed with peanut ginger dressing, and the tofu square is surprisingly palatable. The prices are a little high; their specialty rolls run around $10, but are about the same size as their standards. My favorites are the Volcano and the Caterpillar, but I've never come across a roll I didn't like here. The fish is always fresh, and the ingredients are, dare I say it, perky? I'm seriously lucky to have Aji Nippon to go to when I'm too lazy to hit up the (inexplicably shady as hell) Safeway for groceries.
(4)Thanh P.
They call this restaurant Japanese fusion because they do not know how to do authentic Japanese food right. I went here by myself one night and I was the only one dining there. This seems to be a family restaurant and they seemed to be nice Korean people. But the food was barely edible, and I have a high tolerance for bad food, considering I can enjoy eating what I cook. They should stick to Korean dishes.
(2)Linda B.
My coworkers and I originally were going to eat lunch at a different place, but learned that it was closed that day. Pressed on time, we did a quick Yelp search and found this place to get good reviews, not to mention it was less than a block from where we were. Although the place is clean and the lunch prices adequate, I found the the food portions to be small and a bit on the salty side. In addition, I found the service to be a bit slow, but pretty decent considering that there were only two people on staff and about 4 groups of people eating the same time we were. On to the food. While my coworkers ordered the Salmon Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box, Beef Rice Bowl; I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki & Tempura Lunch Box. Like my coworkers, we all found the miso soup and main entree to be a bit salty. In my attempt to balance out the saltiness with the rice, I found that the small amount of rice to not be enough for the small amount of chicken teriyaki I was given. Unfortunately, for my coworker, who ordered the beef rice bowl, she could not finish half of it due to the overflavor of the salt. On the positive side, the salad dressing was delicious (the lettuce could have been more fresh) and the prices pretty reasonable (my lunch box was $9.95). However, I will warn you that they do have hidden charges, what you may get complimentary at other stores (green tea, side dishes), you will have to pay for here. Even though I despise writing off any restaurants, I do not think that I will be dining here anytime soon.
(2)Hikari K.
I've been here a couple of times since then. And if I could, I'd rate this place 6 stars. Especially after the last time a friend and I went. We came about 6 or so on a friday, and it was packed. First thing I thought was "uh oh". I was aware that a small family runs the place, and that not many people work there. However, that didn't stop the amazingness. My friend ordered Yakisoba and I ordered Chirashi, plus we shared some sushi...First of all, I have never tasted Yakisoba so good. Just the smell was heavenly, and it was the first time I hadn't seen it drowned in boiled cabbage. Second, their Chirashi is the best I have ever had, ever. There was so much fish, such a nice variety, and I drool in the memory of it. I took a picture of it, and the sushi, and I'm sure I'll upload it here at some point. But I was absolutely blown away. We were even raving about how delicious the dressing on the salad was XD Their crunchy roll is the best I've had anywhere, hands down. They have beautiful variety in their spicy sushi too, which happens to be my favorite kind. And it's all delicious. In short, this place is amazing. I did not expect to be wowed as I usually was on a night that they were so busy, but I think I was more wowed then than I ever was. I've come here a couple of other times on slow nights and tried their dinner boxes and such, but my god...that heavenly chirashi will probably be my first choice from here on. I only regret that I live far away, and can only manage to come down twice a year or so. If you have an opportunity to come by, absolutely do. Tis my favorite sushi place in Bethesda, and on earth, after all.
(5)Ellen L.
Eh. I had high hopes for this restaurant but I was pretty disappointed. My friend said that it used to be pretty decent, but when we came for dinner recently, it was not particularly good. I got a katsu and my friend got some tuna sushi rolls which were plain and the fish didn't seem super fresh. I also felt like the food was a bit overpriced. Almost everything was around the $12-$15 price point. Maybe it's just what we got, but I'm not a huge fan...
(2)Georgina S.
Despite its humble setting, this restaurant continues to provide great quality food consistently. We like to support local business!
(5)Q E.
This place is GREAT!!! You would never know this place is where it is unless you are walking by. The service is GREAT!! The sushi is sooooo FRESH everytime I go!! Highly, recommend!!
(4)Sea S.
The good reviews seem to be from the past, except for two reviews by someone I suspect of being a friend, because the reviews are so unrealistic. We didn't try the sushi. The salad dressing tasted terrific. BUT we both had horrible meals. We packed it up and selfishly gave it to someone who looked hungry and homeless. The food was flavorless--cooked without any ability with short ribs (Korean) OR sukiyaki (Japanese). I've lived in Japan--this was bad cooking with no flavor of the dishes we ordered. The dishes cost a lot but were very skimpy on meat and even on vegetables and noodles, but lots of water. I didn't find even one mushroom cap in my sukiyaki. Prices were too high for this poor quality. Beef short ribs didn't come on the bone but came like fajitas--no bones, no flavor, mushy texture, lots of grease. I believe this was just cut-up beef, not short ribs at all, and it certainly didn't taste anything like short ribs normally do. Smiling staff, clean tables--service was normal. But we won't go again and really regret going this time.
(1)Jessica F.
Every time I drive down Arlington Road in Bethesda, I would pass by Aji Nippon and think "What a random place for a restaurant". Tucked between the post office and the CVS it is easy to miss! We went to check it out, not feeling like going to our other sushi standbys in Bethesda, and are now in love. The cosy, quiet and old school interior, the excellent (competitively priced) sushi and the extensive Japanese menu. My sushi came with a yummy salad and a little appetizer of marinated tofu. Excellent! Sure there are non sushi dishes you might find at any other Japanese/Sushi place, but you can also get other interesting Japanese dishes if you are not in the mood for sushi. When we went home and googled the place, we found out that the chef, Kazuo Honma is from Furano, Hokkaido and is way into golf (which explained all the golf pictures and signatures on the wall in between the Japanese prints)- so all the pro Japanese golfers eat there on tour in the states when they are in DC. The only downer is sodas come in a can with ice - which is ok for most people but I LOVE a fountain soda - but that is not enough to keep us away!
(5)Ian R.
This place was...eh. My fiance and I started with shrimp dumplings, which tasted good, but were about half the size of what I'd consider normal appetizer dumplings. The Chicken Teriyaki was waaaay overpriced ($16) for what it was - which was average, rubbery chicken and the smallest bowl of white rice that I've seen with an entree. The meal did come with soup and a salad drenched in dressing, but it wasn't even close to being worth $16. My fiance said her sushi was pretty good, however. Nevertheless, we agreed that we wouldn't be back. Bethesda has a lot better to offer.
(2)Charlotte B.
Sushi was not that fresh on a Monday night. Tuna was good but some of the other things were a little off. Seaweed soup was a bit unusual and interesting. If you really like seaweed, which I do, this was the best part about this place, although probably not worth the whole visit. Next time would go somewhere else give the many other great choices locally. If you eat a lot of good sushi, you will not be wowed by this place.
(2)Nicole L.
The reviews I read were a mix - Aji Nippon I thought was japanese but it turned out korean-owned. They were opened on Sundays when I called, but some Yelpers mentioned it was closed on SUN. In between it all, the restaurant must have changed hands. It's a modest restaurant with limited seating. I ordered a small bottle of sapporo to start but soon found myself not wanting anything else. I also read about being safest to order sushi there. I ordered the chirashi - it was a pathetic small bowl of rice about 1/4 inch thin covered with flatly sliced sashimi - lots of salmon and tuna, a couple of omelets and meagre slices of yellow tail? It was a very bad attempt in decorating the bowl it was a patchwork of tuna/salmon. *yawn*. The chirashi lacked variety! The sashimi were fresh but very boring and unappetizing. Most people came in their workout outfit or tshirt/shorts ordering to go. It's a No-More for me.
(2)FromV A.
AMAZING sushi! Always delicious, fast and friendly service. I can't speak for any of their other food, as I always stick with sushi
(5)Katherine O.
Aji-Nippon is so delicious! My family loves it. It's so funny that it's in a place like Bethesda. ( I also love the Japanese market around the corner.) My husband and I moved from LA where we could get great Japanese around the corner, down the street- etc., but after moving here it was really hard to find a place locally that serves shabu-shabu. It's it Dee~licious. The sushi is good, it's been really fresh when we go. (Remember not to eat sushi Monday nights- the fish markets are closed on Sunday) The service is really friendly, and has a really warm family atmosphere. We haven't been there in a while, hmmmm. maybe we'll go this weekend!
(4)Paul M.
Three important things about this place: 1. phenomenal sushi 2. its 'hidden in plain view' location makes it emminently missable - I only went in for the first time as i was at the post office.... 3. family run, brilliant service pound for pound this is one of Bethesda's gems....
(4)Ashley F.
Best sushi in the metro area, hands down. I used to live a few blocks away from Aji Nippon and would always pass it on my walk home from the metro. I don't recall a time there were more than two or three tables in the place, so don't be dismayed. The sushi is definitely some of the best I've ever had, and that's a lot of sushi. The sushi chef is very friendly and you can tell that he loves what he does and he's been doing it for-e-ver. One waitress seems to handle all dozen or so tables as well as carry out orders. But the service is still great and very quick. Usually, I order carry out, and if I run to CVS and back in about 10 minutes, my CA roll and nigiri is ready and waiting for me. Often, the kind waitress will throw in a nice little side salad with delicious soy ginger dressing at no extra charge. My one concern would be that it is pricier than most run-of-the-mill japanese houses (if I recall, about $6 for a CA roll?.) But, personally, it is definitely worth it!
(5)Lauren Y.
this place gets packed! 7:30 PM for two - sat at the bar, which is fine. my bf ordered the chirashi and I got a bunch of nigiri and rolls. we decided to throw in something from the korean menu - seafood pancake! the seafood was most fresh. the sushi chef was non stop busy. kept on doing his thing. the uni was piled high :) . the hotate was sprinkled with some green onions. the volcano had the perfect amount of sauce and the extra tempura crunch is a better alternative to Parmesan cheese, which some other restaurants usually use. the spider roll did not fall apart, but maybe its bc i'm on the east coast and they use maryland blue crab here instead of the mondo huge soft shell crabs of california. thumbs up: fresh seafood. friendly staff. thumbs down: location - corner of the turn! since it was packed, the waitress kind of forgot about us, but the waiter (i think the owner's son) did not. very helpful.
(4)Stephanie T.
I'll keep this one very short and simple. ~Pros~ Prices Tempura Salad ~Con~ The sashimi was a bit on the thinner side (I could see right through it) Slow service In all it's an average joe place. I wouldn't be going out of my way to come here.
(2)Dawn H.
Aji Nippon is a quintessential neighborhood sushi place - to which I would drive miles to go. The owners are Japanese, and the sushi chef is Japanese. When you walk in, you often see alot of Japanese (and many others) enjoying the food there. Need I say more? Yes. The sushi is super fresh, the rice (which speaks volumes) is fab, the cooked dishes that my friends, family and I have had have all been delicious. The prices are reasonable for the quality you are getting. Best of all, they serve plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, in addition to the wide array of meat and fish appetizers and entrees. Oh yes, and the soups - have all been top notch. Everything is very fresh and homemade, including the sauces, dressings (dressing on the salad that comes with your meal - I could eat by itself) soups, ice creams and desserts, everything. You can eat in or take out. It is not a huge place, but it is warm and cozy. Wow. Bottom line: Aji Nippon is a real gem and I will be going back again and again. PS. Try the teriyaki on anything and the tempura - light and crispy not overly fried, to name a few - YUM!
(5)Electro B.
Nice place. Small. Very well hidden. I would recommend it completely. It's probably the best sushi place in Bethesda.
(4)Jack S.
You MUST go to this place! Best freshest fish I have had within 50 miles. Consistently amazing. I eat sushi three times a week, and would go here every time if I could. I have been to 30 sushi places in the DC area and the fish is hands down the best here.
(5)Megan R.
This is my favorite restaurant in Bethesda. The food is delicious, well-priced, and the owners are extremely nice. In a town full of chain restaurants with little character, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air! I enjoy eating in, but it seems that most get take-out. No need for reservations, there is usually plenty of room.
(5)Helen C.
My boss took me to lunch here, and it was overall quite good. I really liked the dressing on their salad. The edamame was salted, which I didn't like. The aged tofu was really good and was my favorite dish. It's amazing how they fry the tofu so that it's a thin, perfect layer of crispy on the outside but very soft on the inside. My udon entree was okay, nothing special. You don't have to pay for parking at the garage next door if you bring your parking receipt to the restaurant.
(4)Lola C.
Someone dear to us brought us to this place for the first time, so it holds a special place in my heart. That lady and friend lived in Japan for a while and told us the food was good. And she's right! Their miso and salad dressing are delicious. We usually take their dinner box which includes a little bit of everything. Perfect! The ice cream is pretty good too. Very cheap and delicious, a good address. Location easy to miss though since it's squashed between two other buildings.
(5)Jim A.
Our next door neighbors recommended. Have seen this place for years but never went in. My take out order was fast and was some of the best sushi/sashimi I have ever had anywhere. Fresh and good portions.
(4)Laura N.
Best Sushi in Bethesda! Not to mention the tastiest ginger salad dressing, ever. While we generally pick it up as take out, every few weeks we dine in and always receive very attentive and kind service.
(5)Alicia G.
A co-worker and I visited this charming little spot for a Japanese lunch, after discovering (and not having done the research to realize) that Ren's Ramen is closed on Mondays. There was actually a decent crowd seated in the small dining area - several booths on the right and tables on the left. The lighting is dim and there is minimal decor but there is still a cozy feeling about the place. A single server quickly attended to the dining room and immediately seated us in the far booth. Upon entering, we noted the specials board and my co-worker took full advantage by ordering the spicy pork rice bowl ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Wanting something more, I opted for the shrimp tempura bento box ( yelp.com/biz_photos/1vVD… ). Both of our selections came with miso soup and a salad with a gingery dressing. My bento box was filled with crab shumai, california roll and the shrimp and vegetable tempura. It was tasty enough but if we're doing a price/quantity comparison to the bento boxes up the street at Raku, it doesn't seem like it's enough for the cost. My lunch companion seemed pretty satisfied with his lunch choice, however so it really kind of varies dish to dish. Would I return? Possibly. But it is far from the top of my list for Japanese in Bethesda.
(3)Lisa R.
Excellent sushi in a relaxing environment. I have been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The sukiyaki, prepared fresh at your table, is also delicious. Attentive, quick service. Good desserts: including ice cream in flavors such as green tea, red bean and ginger. I have ordered several sushi party platters here and been told by guests it was the best sushi ever.
(5)Mahsa K.
Aww this place deserves more stars. Come on people... I'm giving them 5 stars. I would've said 4.5, but I'm gonna give them the boost because their sushi is fresh (authentic with that little dot of wasabi under the sashimi), their service is welcoming, and their prices are super affordable... it's not flashy, that is the only thing... but this is one of those times where you don't need all the fuss because they have that cute mom'n'pop feel. This was seriously a neighborhood gem that I cannot believe I didn't find the past two and a half years, until today... three days before moving. Please pass the word on, because I bet people just don't know about it. It's diagonal across from Euro Motor Cars and tiny... find it and enjoy!
(5)Ashira M.
Yuzu tea! Hot water, sweet syrup, little bits of yuzu (a citrus fruit) peel in the bottom and a spoon to eat this with ... never had this anywhere else. I'm sure it's not everyone's 'cup of,' and literally it isn't that at all (tea, that is), but it sure is mine! Vegetarian bento box, respectful staff, the decor seems to be undergoing some kind of construction, with writing on the walls that makes me think something such as a picture will be put up there -- but I have no idea if this is true. The food came surprisingly quickly, was pretty and filling, and it was easy to peruse the menu, order, be served, eat, pay and leave within the one-hour limit for free validated parking in the hidden garage at the corner of the adjoining lot. Incidentally, when the garage is filled to capacity you can still get in with free valet parking. For dessert, I asked if they had mochi ice cream and yes, they did. Mochi is a pounded, very sticky rice yumminess and the ice cream comes wrapped in it. It's served on a plate with a stick to be stuck through the rice-layer and inner frozen treat. It's easy to eat, not messy and not too big or filling. The only thing to know, as far as I'm concerned, is if you want something Japanese drink-wise you might have to ask for it a couple of times. Otherwise you'll only be offered boring American stuff like sodas which to me is a big turn-off yuck. But it only takes seconds of persistence to break through that barrier, much like the mochi ice cream! And ... if you've never had edamame (soybeans served here in salted skins), don't eat the outer layer. It's kinda tough. Oh, yeah. And they close between three and five weekdays, much like almost every single authentic and truly Japanese restaurant in the area will. I guess other than the strangeness of the literal writing on the walls, the only reason I give it a four and not five star rating is I felt a bit lonely in there, dining all alone. I'd rather see at least another customer! I know it's not because they're not popular, but I just happened to hit a slow time. Please, come in and keep me company!
(4)Sameer A.
Very nice ambience , friendly service , and good food. A little pricey but well worth the package !
(4)Eric B.
Cute and reminds us of NY. Like Gary said, it's old school. In a good way. Sushi is very good, but I have a couple problems. $10 special roll I got wasn't much bigger than regular $5 hand roll. It was more intricate, and delicious, but give me some more bang for my buck here. Also, only shrimp tempura roll on the menu is a special roll. Where's the plain $5 shrimp tempura roll? Maybe best sushi in town tho.
(4)Gary M.
This place is old school, but the sushi is TOP NOTCH. By old school, I mean it isn't trendy. It's not hip, doesn't have dimmed lights and cool music pumping through the speaker system. But the sushi cannot be beat, and the folks who work there take real pride in their food and service. Also great for carryout. Next time Raku tells you that you have to wait 30 mins, skip it. Just walk the few blocks to Aji Nippon. Trust me. I don't like many things about Bethesda, but this place is good stuff. Go Bulls.
(5)Evan H.
While trying to go to Ren's Ramen last night, I discovered that they close at 7. To make up for it, I decided to try Aji-Nippon. I used to live a couple blocks away and would pass it every single day on my way to the metro, yet I never stopped in. The restaurant, like Juliana C. said, is very small and cozy. There aren't that many tables and is in fact only one waitress. She was very friendly and attentive. I ended up getting a bento style box for my main course which featured marinated steak with onions, a california roll (not very impressive), shrimp dumplings (excellent) and started with a miso soup and salad. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed with the steak, however, the salad, soup, and dumpings made up for it. If I were to go back here, I would stick to sushi, and only sushi. That was my mistake. I didn't have a chance to read through the Yelp reviews before I ordered. Regardless, this place is very homey, however, I have had better Japanese meals closer to my apartment. It is unlikely that I would go out of my way to come here, but if you stick to sushi, I think you'll be alright.
(3)Natasha S.
To be honest, I don't know why my mother and I ended up here when we could tell just by looking at the outside that it may not be a favorite. But we were sick of driving around on a Saturday looking for a restaurant that we wanted to try - Ren's Ramen that ended up being closed. And then driving around some more looking for parking. We drove by this so many times that we thought why not give it a try - might be fate. We sat down and ordered cha soba (green tea soba) in soup, seaweed salad, age tofu and some maki rolls. The food wasn't bad, yet wasn't worth returning. Everything seemed standard and a tad overpriced for the quality of the food. The service was pretty good and efficient but it didn't do anything for me. I'll continue my search for more great Japanese joints in the area.
(3)Joey D.
I am a BIG fan of this place. Sushi is awesome, and the service is fantastic. I am surprised not more people know about this place. It is not the cheapest place, but I feel like the prices are fair. I would have easily given five stars had it not been for one thing: They used to have a Dallas Cowboys trash can towards the front. When I saw that it almost ruined the place for me. I think they might have gotten rid of it by now though. But if it wasn't for that one downfall - 5 Stars easily.
(4)Monica W.
There's an old saying that a rotten apple spoils the whole barrel which best explains my experience with this restaurant... So disappointed with one dish that I would not want to visit again. Everything was nice or not bad except for its "Ramen." Such a disappointment. Especially when it costs $10 per bowl....... Though it didn't taste bad, but I felt deceived........ Full review with more photos and information: wp.me/p5e05O-ly
(2)Ruth C.
There are nine other sushi spots in the downtown Bethesda area, and their strongest edge is in friendly service and tea; on fish quality and location, they aren't quite able to compete. A little warm inside after dark, but we stopped in with just enough time left to dine in. Miso soup was okay, but the salad was pretty wilted on the bottom. Japanese chirashi is a little limited for the price: less than a centimeter layer of rice under five sushi types and a twirl of seaweed salad. Salmon was freshest, and the subtly sweet tamago was my next favorite. White tuna was okay. Tuna was cut extremely thin, and yellowtail was a little chewy. I guess they no longer include snapper in their chirashi! Spicy Mindy roll showcased an aggressive level of sriracha mayo, so thankfully a slice of cantaloupe was served with our check. I don't think I'll be back to try their Korean chirashi.
(2)Marivic L.
I tried this place to see if I could find another sushi place I really liked in Bethesda. Well, I tried a variety of rolls and while it's ok, this isn't going to be my go-to place. Sigh.
(3)Wendy C.
Definitely consider this restaurant as a hidden gem in Bethesda. Service is on-point and every time I've gone, I've always been greeted with a smile. The sushi is really high-quality - my absolute favorite roll is the Spicy Crazy Roll. It's sooooo gooood! Their yakisoba's also really yummy. Tip: you can get 2-hr validated parking (dinnertime) if you park in the garage around back, so you can have an amazing meal and have time to walk around Bethesda Row after!
(5)Jerry S.
Serene, small space with framed prints on the walls. Very nice service. As usual, Kirin and chirashi. Miso soup was standard, a bit salty. Salad was mostly iceberg, but I tasted toasted sesame oil in the dressing, and it did not have the usual cloying sweetness and ginger overlaod. Best surimai ever - there wasn't any! Tomago properly sweet and firm. I wonder if anyone but Jiro gets that little caramelized edge I saw in the PBS show. Rice correct in flavor and temperature. The only vegetable was a healthy dollop of shredded seaweed salad. Snapper, white tuna, yellow tail, salmon, tuna all excellent in texture and flavor. Very good portions, especially at a reasonable $17.95. The house made green tea ice cream was better than Häagen-Dazs. Five stars for excellence of fish, despite my quibbles on the accompaniments. On Sundays, the church bells drive Betheelzebub, the parking demon, back into its lair. Otherwise, see the photo of the sign on the front door for the location of validated parking. Also, it's a short walk to the Elm Street municipal garage.
(5)