Kentlands continues to level up and Kenaki Counter is proof. Came in as a party of 3 and left absolutely stuffed -- which says a lot for sushi. We ordered the Jo Nigiri set and Kenaki Sashimi set -- both beautifully plated and super fresh. The chūtoro roll was the sleeper hit: buttery, rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness without feeling heavy. Apps started strong with tuna tartare and crispy karaage that disappeared way too fast. But what really surprised me? Dessert. Blueberry bread pudding with matcha sauce was creative without being gimmicky, and the hojicha pot de crème was smooth, earthy, and perfectly balanced. Service was attentive, pacing was on point, and the quality-to-price ratio makes this an easy repeat spot in Gaithersburg. If you're in Kentlands and craving sushi that feels a little elevated but still approachable -- this is your move. Kentlands continues to level up and Kenaki Counter is proof. Came in as a party of 3 and left absolutely stuffed -- which says a lot for sushi. We ordered the Jo Nigiri set and Kenaki Sashimi set -- both beautifully plated and super fresh. The chūtoro roll was the sleeper hit: buttery, rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness without feeling heavy. Apps started strong with tuna tartare and crispy karaage that disappeared way too fast. But what really surprised me? Dessert. Blueberry bread pudding with matcha sauce was creative without being gimmicky, and the hojicha pot de crème was smooth, earthy, and perfectly balanced. Service was attentive, pacing was on point, and the quality-to-price ratio makes this an easy repeat spot in Gaithersburg. If you're in Kentlands and craving sushi that feels a little elevated but still approachable -- this is your move. read more

The entire Kenaki restaurant group is our favorite sushi dealer We use to go to their location at the Roost food hall in DC and then their location in Potomac and now here, when we moved to Maryland. They have some of the best lunch specials/bento boxes and their sushi is on another level. Also we tend to grab take out from here at least 2-3x a week. It's always packaged nicely, relatively affordable and fresh. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Still as good as ever. Finally tried the chefs selection of nigiri and it was amazing. The standout were the salmon, tuna, and one of the seared ones I believe. The spicy tuna roll it comes with was delicious. Yuzu tart as the dessert was all alright, but yeah, that sushi selection is great. My mom got hot chick, shrimp tempura, and crab roll. The crab was okay, she liked the other rolls more. Service was awesome too and inside is nice as always. read more

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Had a fantastic lunch here with my wife recently. The staff was thoughtful and attentive. Tons of sushi options from which to choose. A number of my "old standbys" were noticeably absent from the sushi menu--cucumber roll, tuna roll, Hamachi roll -- but this was actually a positive b/c it motivated me to try some different things, and Kenaki did not disappoint. I went for the sashimi Bento Box, which included a spicy tuna roll, sauteed mushrooms/tomatoes and a salad. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The decor was modern, clean and full of sunshine. Overall, I had a great experience. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

Ive dined here many times over the years. The food is always top notch. I've never had something I didn't love at Kenaki. I recommend getting one of everything. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Food poisoning less than 8 hrs after. Host was rude when sitting us down. Waitress was friendly. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Green dragon, truffle roll, old bae roll. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Pan Seared Scottish Salmon - wasn't listed on the dinner menu, but when I asked for it, they had it and shared they still have it, but just not on the menu (hidden item or is it being phased out??). Hojicha Pot De Crème - exactly what it is - a pot of crème. Cream at both the top and bottom. I wasn't thinking when I ordered it - will have to try another dessert next time. It consisted of roasted green tea custard, whipped cream, puffed rice, and cinnamon dust. Passion Paradise drink - when it was brought to me, the employee (I think she was a host) spilled some of the drink on the table and was aware she made a bit of a mess. I waited for her to wipe the spill she made or at least bring some napkins so I could clean it up. Nope...she never came back to my table. I ended up having to ask my waitress/server and they cleaned it up immediately for me. Back to my review - Drink was delicious. Not too strong, not overly sweet and nowhere near being bitter. It was perfect. I'll have that again. It consisted of passion fruit and guava, vodka, sake, and elderflower. Yum. Visited October 2024. read more

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Sashimi is so good but damn some of their prices! So unnecessary. What the heck. Great drinks too. The chairs are not comfortable tho. Service could use some work. read more

Kenaki has been one of my go-to sushi spots in MoCo so it's disappointing to leave a less-than-stellar review. My partner and I came in on a Friday night to celebrate our anniversary and ordered a good amount of food: the Shrimp Tempura, Kurobuta Shumai, J-Pop Roll, Green Monster Roll, Crunchy Spicy Scallop Maki Roll, and two sashimi dishes (we eat a lot lol). We received the tempura first, but after about 30-40 minutes, only the sashimi arrived--no second appetizer or rolls. Meanwhile, a table seated after us had already been fully served. We eventually flagged down our server, who checked her notepad and apologized, admitting she had forgotten to put in the rest of our order. She asked if we still wanted it, but after waiting so long, we decided to pass. The manager did offer a complimentary dessert, which was appreciated, but it didn't quite make up for the situation--especially on a night we were really looking forward to. Kenaki has been great in the past, so I'm hoping this was just a rare off night. read more

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Delicious sushi! The uni was pretty good, it was not as sweet as other uni I had, so next time I will try the uni from Japan. The Scottish Sake Toro Aburi (seared salmon belly) had great flavor from the sweetness and freshness of the salmon, and the torched flavor. And the White Tiger was really great! The only thing I think it did not need was the apple slice inside. It did add a different texture, but I couldn't taste it, and the crunch of the chili crunch on top did that. I would definitely come back to try other sushi and dishes! read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Uni (CA) nigiri, Scottish Sake Toro Aburi (seared salmon belly), and White Tiger - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Highly recommend this place! The food is great! Never have any problems with the service either! Like to pick the food sometimes too! read more

Kenaki is a pretty good sushi spot with some interesting and creative rolls. It's a solid choice if you're in the Kentlands area and looking for a good dinner. Consistently fresh and satisfying. read more

Loved my takeout experience here! It is helpful that you can note your allergies and they accommodate accordingly. Very thoughtful since usually when getting take out, the platform doesn't have allergy options. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - White Tiger and The Kitchen Sink (Futomaki) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Best sushi I have found in MoCo. My favorite is their crunchy scallop sushi and pickled ginger. The place is very small but they are always accommodating and there is ample parking towards Whole Foods. The hostess are friendly and service is always with a smile. read more

My favorite quality sushi spot in gaithersburg. The beets by Ken is my favorite small plate. The sesame sauce works so well with the beats. The blueberry bread pudding dessert with matcha cream is really good. The deep sea sushi is my favorite and has really nice complex flavors. The spicy salmon is a large cut from the belly (best part) And I got the guava drink which surprisingly complemented the flavors of the sushi. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Guava - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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I got sushi the day after my wedding and it was divine! We also went back a couple days after to actually eat in the restaurant and the vibe there is very chill! I got many sushi roll and nigiri the first time, as well as a bento box the second! My vegan husband can eat here easily too which we really appreciate! Food is excellent and came quickly! read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Just a quick review in case I haven't mentioned the tempura softshell crab roll before. I usually don't order softshell crab tempura rolls from other restaurants; the crab is usually poorly fried and not full, fresh, or big enough to stand up to being in a roll, and the roll usually detracts from what might have otherwise been a passable tempura soft shell, but we've been to Kenaki enough times to trust the cooks and the recommendations of the wait staff, particularly affable GM Joy. Well, as usual at Kenaki, the crab itself was large, fresh, and very nicely fried, which alone makes it better than many restaurants' tempura, but what puts this dish over the top is that the roll (5 pieces that did not fall apart) includes plum wine shallots, chive, rice pearls, butter lettuce and sushi, all adding to it's fine taste and mouth feel. I'll try to take pix next time, but when the food is this good, it's difficult for me to bother to do anything but eat, drink, and talk. read more

This sushi place located in the heart of the Kentlands has excellent, very fresh sushi. I really like their Chirashi bowl. It's a lot of food. It comes in a wide round bowl, attractively served. There aren't a lot of Asian restaurants in Darnestown and the few that are here are mostly lackluster. However, this sushi place can stand up to the best in downtown Bethesda or Rockville. Service is friendly. They do not serve udon noodles here but have lots of small appetizers and large selection of rolls. read more

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Came in when we found the place we wanted to eat at was 10 minutes from closing. We remember when this used to be Hakuba, so there was a lot of wonder as to what we might encounter when walking in Very glad my vegetarian husband found something to enjoy as the menu is very fish/meat heavy (as to be expected of a Japanese fusion restaurant. For my drink, I ordered the Osaka Mule - which, if you like shiso, I highly recommend. The New Spicy Tuna was full of flavor and very good! I wish I could have said the same about their Tamago-zushi. The egg tasted more of their refrigerator than of anything else. It's hard when we just got back from Japan where the egg is made fresh and served warm, but it was a disappointment even compared to other tamago nigiri we've had. The dessert was actually a little weird after eating food that was very Japanese/American fusion. It would have been better if the blueberries weren't part of it at all, and they played with more matcha flavor and sweetness. Or added a side of matcha gelato or something to balance the tart of the blueberries and the warm of the pudding. Overall, not a bad experience. And even with two alcoholic drinks, the price was decent. It easily gets noisy inside, but the service was great! read more

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The best sushi in the DMV area. Creative, high quality, fancy and delicious rolls that are actually reasonably priced! The most delicious rolls we've had around here. The staff were great and accommodating and so efficient. The cocktails were so fun and tasty! Highly recommended! read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Bagel roll, quiet luxury, black magic, old bay, green monster - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

First off today was my first time dining at Kenaki. My sis and I had ordered 3 rolls and added a 4th (Philly roll) mid way. The food was amazing. Quality of the fish was superb! I enjoyed the salmon. It was super fresh. The waitress was even nice enough to bring a small water bowl for my dog as we sat in the outdoor seating. Service: However we waited about half an hour or more for just ONE roll. The service was just very slow even though it made the eating experience not as enjoyable. We had even called beforehand if there was any wait times. They had told me no. The sushi rolls are good though, but the wait for the Philly roll took forever. It was still pretty good. Maybe a second try here in the future would be better if the service was handled quicker and better. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Sweet Russet, J-Pop, Chu-Toro Negi Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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"We hope to bring our family recipes and take on modern and traditional sushi to the Kentlands neighborhood." This was said by the owner and chef Ali Ballogdajan. I think they did just that...one of my favorite dishes of the night was the crabmeat and egg drop soup. The thick, tasty broth, rich in flavor, with chunks of delicious crabmeat was fabulous. It had a crunchy wonton crumbles that added the perfect crunchy texture to the warm and inviting soup. I ordered the plum wine, which was sweet and satisfying. There was a tasty Japanese plum to decorate the beverage. It tasted very good. Next, we ordered the pork belly appetizer. The Bao was so soft and tender, it cradled the tender pork bun. There was a delicious sauce that contained hoisin sauce, ginger, and barbecue sauce. That really added richness to the dish and some crunchy scallions to add freshness. I ordered two traditional sushi rolls, the California roll and the salmon and cream cheese roll. I was not a fan of the California roll. There was a lot of Bonita flakes or not enough crabmeat. It just had a very fishy taste to it. The salmon and cream cheese roll was fresh and delicious. Funny enough, the California roll is one of my son's favorites. So, different strokes for different folks. My friend ordered the rainbow roll and that looked enticing. She loved it. Lesson learned, I will order that next time. We did have epic desserts. I had the parfait, which was filled with custard, a banana cream layer, strawberries and charred whipped topping. It was excellent! My friend ordered a tea inspired pudding dessert and she enjoyed hers. She did say there was a distinctive, strong tea flavor. The restaurant was lovely and our service was very good. The front of the house manager came over to check on us and see how we were enjoying the restaurant. I thought that was so thoughtful and nice. This is not a cheap meal, so be prepared to spend some money. But, I would definitely come again and try some new dishes. It was worth it! read more

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The best sushi that I have had in as long as I can remember. I have been to many sushi restaurants here in MOCO and this is by far the winner. We had a party of 6 plus our 1 year old. Our waitress was very attentive, and our food came out quickly. So many great options for specialty rolls! All the sushi was super fresh. Absolutely loved their hot tea. They use real wasabi.. I did not even realize how different it is than the fake stuff that is served 99% of the time if you get sushi somewhere else. read more

Neighborhood gem of a sushi spot! We love their sushi and they always have uni but OMG the cocktails are where it's at! Happy hour is good but it doesn't matter we pay full price all the time. Old fashioneds are better than anywhere in town, seriously, and the other specialty cocktails are top notch. Love the sake selection and even great mocktails for the kiddos. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Uni (JPN) Galore! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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For us this was a great find. It's the best sushi joint I've visited in Montgomery County yet. The Chef's Choice sashimi sampler is a must have item. The waitress gave really good recommendations, among which the White Tiger sushi roll was my favorite. Portions are generous. Flavors were satisfying - yes, each sushi roll had a distinctive and great taste, not something most sushi places can say. You can tell they have real sushi chefs working with real ingredients in the kitchen. Small foot print but tastefully outfitted with a relaxing feel. Last but not least, super clean restroom. All in all, I can't recommend it highly enough, especially given one has to pay $15+ for Five Guys these days. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - KENAKI Sashimi (D) - This is a must-try! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

The food was fantastic, and our server provided great service and suggestions. The restaurant isn't very big inside, although they have a nice smallish outdoor area. We sat inside. The menu isn't huge, but there are enough selections and some pretty unique ones. They had a particular cold sake that came out in a glass bottle. It was unique as it had creme on the bottom, and once you shook it up, it mixed and made it so delicious and light with a creamy flavor. We started with the pork belly rolls, which were nice, large, and very tasty. That was our appetizer, but we received it at the same time as our sushi, so it was dessert. Being born and raised in Maryland, I had to get the Old Bei, a delicious 8-piece roll with blue crab, avocado, and other yummies! I also got the Kitchen Sink, which our server recommended. It had a little bit of everything sushi-wise. I highly recommend both of those sushi rolls. Oh, and the Kitchen Sink, being a special roll, had only 5 pieces. My relatives got a roll called the Green Monster, which had delicious mushrooms that almost looked like beans. They also had a roll called Black Magic and one called the Lil Chick, which had a slight kick but was very good. Our server recommended both. Our server also was very nice and personable. She checked on us regularly and always kept our water glasses filled! I can't say enough about this place, and I will be back. I can't wait to go back, likely with my relatives. I highly recommend a visit here! read more

I was visiting my parents, and I can't live without sushi for an entire week, and given this place had really high reviews, I figured this would be a great place to try! Their rolls looked great, so I was excited! Things we ordered: *Old Bae - crab meat and avocado and crispy potatoes, what can go wrong! I'd call this a glorified California roll, but lacking much flavor *New Spicy Tuna - first of all, this was not spicy, second of all, it was somewhat bland *Salmon, avocado and cucumber roll (added cream cheese) - this was by far, the best of the sushi rolls *White Tiger - ordered this because I love scallop, and this was disappointing and really lacked any kind of flavor *Spicy Karate buns - delicious and actually spicy! *Unagi - good *Scottish Sake Toro Aburi - good, but given the price point, it was small pieces So, while the buns were good and I'd say the actual fish was of good quality, I'd also say the rolls are on the bland side. Potentially, this place is great for sashimi? Or maybe I only ordered one of the good rolls? I'd come here again and know the fish is of good quality, but I've had significantly better rolls! read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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We usually go to sushi places for nigiri so we tried Kenaki's moriawase nigiri (~$20) which was 5 pieces of select nigiri pieces and a 6 piece maki. All the pieces were decent and we were content with just this one serving so overall pretty good for its price. We also ordered white tiger roll and this was actually really flavorful with a great balance of taste and textures. If we stop by next time we'd probably stick with their signature maki rolls! read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - White tiger roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

This is really a sushi gem in the Kentlands downtown area. We had different types of sushi including simple rolls like eel, avocado, and cucumber, and fancier rolls like the kitchen sink which had a variety of items combined together but was ultimately delicious. My wife got pork and karaage buns, which she really enjoyed. Something different than we normally see at a Japanese restaurant. The service staff was very attentive and made sure our cups were filled with water. The ambiance was lively and had a nice social atmosphere. We rally enjoyed a wonderful dinner here on. Wednesday night and didn't have issues getting a table. I highly recommend KENAKI if you want a tasty sushi dinner at a restaurant with a very appealing atmosphere. read more

Love this place!! The rolls are delicious as is the sashimi. I loved the J pop roll. It was bursting with flavor and their raw fish is so fresh and thicc. Try their buns as well, the dough is so pillowy and soft. Both the short rib and karaage buns are delicious but the karaage is probs my fav! Service is fast and staff is friendly. A hidden little gem. read more

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Love the vibe of this place and I feel like it's just big enough, where servers can pay attention to diners and the quality of sushi isn't compromised. This is one of the better sushi quality spots in Moco. I've loved every specialty roll I've had there and they never miss on presentation. The sake harasu is one of my faves! The cocktails are delicious and the echigo red ale is a must. The prices are reasonable for what you're getting. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Priced high, possibly to the neighborhood. We started with shrimp tempura, which was nice and crispy. The sushi options were creative, yet not that good. Who would cook Salmon Belly? Well, they not only have a roll with cooked salmon belly (Sake Harasu+ume), but it also contained a crispy skin, which had the texture of plastic. If you want to try Salmon belly done with perfection, try Yuraku's in Gaithersburg - it melts in your mouth! Beverages were creative, yet none were a decent ABV, as most are mixed with Sake, which is only a wine. Being from Los Angeles, this place would not make it on the west coast. read more

Let me preface this by saying I ordered this to go, but based on my experience I will HAVE TO come back and eat in. Very quaint, cozy, but modern establishment. I ordered the Donkey Kong, New Spicy Tuna, Old Bae, Pork Belly bun, spicy karaage bun, and warm croissant pudding. I would order all again. The staff were lovely in that they provided all sauces on the side. Unfortunately for me I didn't know which sauce was supposed to go with which, but there are worse problems to have. I think the new spicy tuna roll was my least favorite - I felt it was missing something. More spice? I'm not sure. The spicy karaage bun was not spicy and the chicken was mostly fat, unfortunately. Those are my only thoughts on room for improvement. The warm croissant pudding is now my favorite dessert. Now that I'm thinking about it, I need it again. read more

I've found my new favorite sushi place of all time. I've been to a lot of sushi places where they cram so much in every roll that it all ends up tasting the same. KENAKI scales back and makes each roll delicious, but DISTINCT. There is a huge change in flavor profile from roll to roll, and each one highlights a particular ingredient. Not only is presentation gorgeous, but the tastes are AMAZING. Each roll was so fresh and flavorful. And prices are so reasonable! The hojicha pudding for dessert is a must; it's a tea-pudding with a gentle smoked/charcoal note woven into the creaminess. I haven't had anything like it before, and I definitely could've finished all 4 cups at the table (but my friends were probably thinking the same thing!). Service was friendly and attentive, and the waitress gave good recommendations on how much of each dish to order for the table (the answer is one chicken karaage per 2 people). There wasn't anything that I ate here that I didn't love. I'm looking forward to coming back! read more

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I had the best chirashi bowl I've had in DC here. Very fresh, well balanced, excellent Tamago (cooked egg), excellent quality fatty tuna and collection of fish with some nice herbal and other accents. Properly made sushi rice, good quality wasabi and ginger. Excellent and friendly service on each visit. It's clear everyone who works here is proud of the food they serve. The matcha blueberry croissant bread pudding is incredible but if I eat more than five bites I may die. It's delicious and rich and one of the best desserts I've ever had. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - KENAKI CHIRASHI - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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I love this place for a casual sushi fix on a summer night. They have an outdoor patio that is dog friendly! HH is $2 off drinks. Service is good. Always have fresh cuts of fish. Ps you'll get more bang for your buck with the sashimi combo vs the chirashi. read more

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The place is small and good for parties of four or less. There were many open tables available when we arrived after 6. The menu had a variety of options for non seafood diners. The waitress was available but you had to signal for her attention if you needed anything (I.e. take your order, order something additional). The lady that came to fill our glasses with water was very nice and attentive however she was not our server. We enjoyed the food- the kitchen sink was our favorite. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Green monster, rainbow roll, Philly roll, Cali, the kitchen sink - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Good service. Fresh sushi. We came here for happy hour 4-6pm - the only HH special is $2 off any cocktail. Got the wallflower (lychee flavored) and was worth the $10. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Chirashi bowl for dinner $34 - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I was in the Gaithersburg area for work and wanted to find somewhere great and low key to eat dinner. Yelp steered me to KENAKI for sushi. I snagged a parking spot close by and gave it a shot. I was greeted immediately and was shown to my table. The space itself is small but I thought the atmosphere was clean and modern. The tables are a little close together for my taste, but it didn't affect my rating. My server was Karin and she was very attentive and made menu recommendations enthusiastically when asked. I tried the Duroc Pork Belly Bun for a starter. I'm not a fan of watermelon so when I saw the watermelon radish as a part of that dish, I almost didn't order it. Crisis averted!! Thank goodness I ordered it anyway. It was incredible. On to my signature sushi roll, the Green Monster. This was also super delicious with all my favorite things: shrimp, shiitake, tuna, avocado, & spicy mayo. Overall, so glad I gave this place a chance. I will be back whenever I'm in town again!! read more

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Came here for lunch with one of my work friends and the overall experience here was a 7/10. Pros: 1) Lots of different sushi options! I got a mix of the old bay option and hot chik (spicy fried chicken embedded in with the sushi). The old bae option is THE BOMB. Savory deliciousness. 2) Tons of parking options, both garage and open lot which is a huge plus because who wants to be driving around stressed to find a spot? But with that said, the cons stood out a bit more to me. I went during the lunch hour, so of course it was crowded and busy. But does it validate it taking almost 40 minutes to come and get me started with drinks and such? I don't think so. And that stood out to me the entire time - there would be these LONG periods in between contact with the waitress and God forbid you asked for a straw/fork/etc it's like you're annoying them. Again, completely understand the circumstances when there are so many people you need to tend to that the customer services gets impacted, and I personally don't like helicopter waiters/waitresses so I don't mind not having a waiter constantly in my face. But with that being said, I don't think I'll be returning here. I'm sure there are other spots where you can have AMAZING sushi as they have but with great vibes and have an enjoyable experience from start to finish. read more

KENAKI Sushi Counter - Their own spin on a Moscow mule - Sushi Bars Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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