Banban is another one of those sushi "bowl" places. However, unlike all the other poke places,…read moreBanban has been open for years, and is much less trendy and more straightforward. Personally, I like that much more because there are no crowds of teenagers and the no frills vibe suits its surrounding environment better. It's tucked away in an office park. In and out is easy. Just place your order at the cashier first, then wait until they call your number and pick up your food at the counter where they assemble the food, underneath the menus.
Next to that counter are additional condiments like Sriracha.
There are some chairs and tables to eat at, but it's more of a takeout place than a sit-down restaurant.
While they're open for breakfast, I have only eaten here after 11:00am, so my review is for their lunch, and specifically their sushi bowls. I've posted pictures of 3 different kinds, the Sushi-ko, Hawaiian, and Chirasi bowls. Each bowl has your choice of fish, grain, and then has a particular set of vegetables.
In all honesty, I'm not too particular, so the three are not very different, aside from the assortment of vegetables you get with them, and the sauce. It's a pretty simple concept, but gives you enough variety. I like them, and am more concerned about getting a healthy mix of foods packed into the same meal. Banban certainly succeeds in this department. The quality of the ingredients, at least recently, is pretty standard. I'm not a sushi expert, so I can't comment on the fish quality, but it seems fine, and the veggies have consistently been fresh while I've visited over the last few years.
If you work in the Tysons area, this is a great healthy lunch spot. While I only get the sushi bowls, you can also get:
salads, wraps, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and noodle bowls. Plus you can customize entire bowls. That's about 30 different options! While their selections favor omnivores, vegetarians have a few options, too.
One important thing to note is that the word "sushi" might imply that it's Japanese, but it's actually a Korean place. This separates it from the other similar places because they offer bulgogi, kimchi, etc.
Everything is under $12, and most items are under $10, and the portion size is comparable to other fast-casual spots. It's great for one serving, and if you're a healthy eater who adheres to advised portion sizes, then you'll be more than satisfied. If you're someone who is used to super-sized portions, then you might find it less filling (compared to a Chipotle burrito or Cava bowl). All in all, I come here because it beats all the unhealthy options, and because it has always been consistently satisfying. Service is also straightforward and pleasant.
As a side-note, parking is sparse, so please keep that in mind. You'll either have to circle around, or walk there. This parking situation, plus the fact that they're not particularly remarkable prevents me from giving it 5 stars, but the consistency of quality, straightforward businesslike experience, and health factor are pluses in my book. I hope this helps!
