TLDR: Cozy old school spot with tasty fried dishes, nice portions, and warm service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant has a homey, old school feel that adds to its charm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There were a couple order mistakes, but the service was personal and warm, and they quickly made things right. The food was tasty. They really know how to work the fryer, from the katsu to the appetizers. The potato wrapped shrimp was extra crunchy and delicious, I have not had potato string wrapped shrimp like that before. I loved that the noodles come with a steamed egg. I do wish the banchan portions were larger, but they happily refill them if you ask. Overall, a comforting meal. read more

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If there is a primary reason that long time Annandale favorite Miso has over 550+ reviews (as of February 2025) and a solid 4 star rating, it can be distilled to one word: katsu. Miso specializes in many different forms of katsu which traditionally is defined as a Japanese style dish consisting of a piece of meat (although tofu and veggies are also used) covered in panko bread crumbs, and then deep fried. Deep frying conceptually is a "simple" techique, yet so many places either leave food in the hot grease too long rendering the food burnt and bitter; or the food is not cooked long enough resulting in a crispy outer layer, but cold (and sometimes raw) temperatures underneath the batter. And don't underestimate the role clean and constantly changing the cooking oil makes, since the food doesn't come out looking "dingy," which often results from frying in old oil. I discovered Miso during the pandemic when I got take out one day, and was shocked when I got home 20 minutes later to discover that my pork katsu was still hot and super crunchy! So of course, once dine-in service resumed, I was happy to be able to enjoy the food when it was freshly prepared. I recently enjoyed a meal with a friend who had not previously been to Miso and she was thoroughly impressed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior design resembles any other Asian themed restaurant. Nondescript wooden tables/booths/chairs, sit atop dark tile flooring, with semi-bright (bordering on dim) lighting[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]TBH, I've noticed that it can get a bit chilly in the Winter months, and somewhat hot in the summer months. The place has higher ceilings, so I imagine climate control must be a challenge[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. We started the meal with the Tofu katsu, which was super yummy. The panko breading was light, not salty, and achieved its purpose of having a crunchy exterior while keeping the tofu siken and moist inside. The soy based dipping sauce was a bit one note, mostly tasting salty. The other thing I appreciate about Miso is that the portion sizes are ginormous; which is important during these inflationary times! A tender pork cutlet was battered, deep fried to peak GBD (golden brown delicious) perfection, and then sliced into bite sized pieces. The dish was also served with a small bowl of udon noodles, rice, steamed egg custard, pickles, and kimchi. For $18 (as of this review), we split the spicy pork katsu plate, and there was PLENTY of food for two adults. As we were dining in a casual non-rushed manner, after 25-30 minutes the pork lowered to a tepid room temperature, but the batter still remained CRUNCHY! And nice bonus that at the end of the meal, we received complimentary mini-yogurt drinks. The earliest reviews for Miso go back to 2007 and I understand that in the ensuing 18 years, ownership has changed a few times. Miso isn't a fancy place, but the constant has been good food at reasonable prices. read more

Miso - Spicy pork Katsu plate - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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I've been a longtime fan of Miso. It's a no-frills spot that consistently delivers crispy, delicious Katsu. On my most recent visit, I ordered my favorite--the Pork Cheese Roll Katsu. It was just as amazing as I remembered: super crispy with an impressive cheese pull. The udon that comes with it was warm and comforting. However, I've noticed a few changes over time. The sides have definitely gone downhill. Portions are much smaller now, especially the rice, which felt like it was served with an ice cream scoop. I found myself wanting more to balance out the meal. There was only one server working during our visit. He was kind and doing his best, but our waters were always refilled only halfway. We had to keep asking for more, and at times he wasn't nearby. Despite these minor issues, the quality of the Katsu keeps me coming back. I just hope they consider bringing back the more generous portions and adding more help during busy hours. read more

Miso - Pork Cheese Roll Katsu and Spicy Pork Katsu with Spicy Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Our main spot is closed for renovations so decided to give this spot a shot. Glad we did, greeted as we walked in. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice open dining area, clean restrooms.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You scan a QR Code for the menu which is new to me, but it worked. Easy to read with different combinations of Katsu and noodles. We were offered cold or hot water to drink and it was exactly that, hot water. The Katsu was by far the best that I have had, nicely fried and Juicy with a complementary sauce that made it taste even better. It was pretty amazing. The Fish Cake Udon was also really good - not my usual thing, but I enjoyed it. The Kimchi that came with it was delicious, I love Kimchi and this was one of the best that I have had. Just wish you got more, I did get a second round, but could have definitely eaten more. My wife enjoyed her choices as much as I did. Overall a great lunch spot to enjoy some great Katsu. read more

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They really take care of their to-go orders. They poked air holes in the katsu boxes so they wouldn't get soggy :') It shows they put intention and care into their to-go orders. It's really appreciated so that nothing spills and is fresh when you get home! Thank you for labeling everything. I also appreciated that the udon noodles and broth were separated so the noodles don't get soggy. Shrimp Katsu- Perfect crunch and bite with the included spicy creamy sauce included. It's not too oily and I feel like I can eat 500 of them with the sauce. Pork Katsu- Same comment as the shrimp. Love the crispiness and I feel they have perfected this dish. Udon Noodle- Broth is clear and delicious. A simple dish of broth and noodles can just be what you need. I will totally get this again with the katsu combo. Rice Bulgogi- Great selection of veggies (carrots, beets, lettuce, onions), and the meat is cut into bite size pieces for ease of eating. I added the kimchi to it and thought it was good! Miso Soup - Was honestly okay that day. Was good, but not the best miso soup I've had. read more

I haven't been here in over 8 years! So glad I came back tonight for a nice, delicious, local spot dinner! Dining at Miso for dinner tonight was as great as an experience as I remember. Our server was very attentive, kind, friendly, and helpful. He was super observant while refilling waters when needed, and even assisted me when I had some trouble loading the QR code for the PDF menu on my phone! They have so many combos and dishes to choose from, most include a Katsu (crispy fried cutlet: pork, chicken, fish, or shrimp) with various smaller sides. I opted for their Japanese katsu pork combo (it came with 2 whole katsu cutlets! What a generous portion), and a cute mini udon soup, steamed egg, and sides with rice. It was more than enough food, I was left full and brought most of the 2nd katsu home. My bf wanted more soup, so he got the Katsu combo with the bigger fish cake udon. The fish cakes were delicious, and udon noodles cooked well. I got pork katsu, and my bf got chicken but you really can't go wrong with either protein choice! The service really stands out here, again thank you so much to our server the younger man with the black glasses! He did an amazing job and was so nice and polite, and helpful. The older gentleman who came to help out since it got busy during dinner was also very nice! At the end their signature is to give a yogurt drink with each meal! I love that they kept this tradition going after over a decade. I felt nostalgic coming here, and felt the same warmth and good food as I did about 10 years ago. Shoutout to Miso for being a staple in the VA local food community! Please support this place, they have great katsu and other eats, and enjoy the great meal and service! read more

Miso - Japanese pork katsu combo (bottom), chicken katsu + udon combo (top) - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

It's been a while since I've been to Miso - there seemed to have been shifts and changes in ownership, and we've been experiencing some inconsistencies with our orders. However, we've decided to give them another try and came here for an early dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Their interior was updated, as well as a refresh on their menu - note that in order to access the menu, you'll need to scan the QR code that's located at each table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Their menu is extensive, offering items such as noodles and rice dishes, katsu and noodle combos, katsu and rice combos, rice and noodle combos, katsu rolls, and even kid options. We ordered: +the Shrimp Wrapped with Potato - this comes with 3, or you can update it to 4 pieces; these are super large, crispy, yummy, and great with the spicy mayo dipping sauce +a Chicken Katsu combo with Fish Cake Udong +a Chicken Katsu combo with Miso Ramen Everything was made-to-order and fresh, and the portions were super generous; there was more than enough to create a second meal. Definitely a place to get some comfort food. Note that you would have to request a cup of ice, if you're not a fan of lukewarm water. Service was very friendly and attentive. At the end with your check, you receive two little bottles of yakult; if these were slightly frozen, it would have been better! Located in the Little River Shopping Center, there's ample parking in the shared plaza lot. +made-to-order, fresh food +friendly service +located in the Little River Shopping Center +ample parking read more

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The pork kotatsu was super crispy, beautifully/evenly coated, it was very lightly seasoned; the flavors were in the dipping sauce. The Ramen noodles were cooked perfectly with a bit of a chew; the broth was rich, creamy; packed full of flavors. The service was friendly, attentive, and quick. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was small and simple.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Miso - Pork Kotatsu and Kotatsu Ramen Noodles - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Everyone had said that the taste here got worse after a change in ownership. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried their food! The waiter was super nice and attentive. The food came out relatively quickly as well. Oyster Katsu- this was surprisingly good! I will say, the fried bits surrounding the oysters were a bit thick so it could get a bit too oily. But all in all, it was pretty good with a slightly more tangy soy sauce that helped cut through the oysters. Pork cheese roll katsu- while my mom ordered a kimchi udon, spicy pork katsu combo, I simply for the pork cheese roll katsu. However, I was so surprised that it came on a large plate with salad, rice, side dishes, and a small bowl of udon! The katsu was pretty good. I would have liked the pork to have been more cooked and the cheese more stringy when it came out but it was still good. I will say, if you aren't a fast eater, the cheese will harden and become hard to pull the pieces apart. The udon was refreshing and delicious. I thought it was delicious and will definitely be coming again! Just note, they do go on a lunch break and reopen at 4pm. read more

Miso - Pork cheese roll katsu - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Great Japanese food at great prices. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The dinner rush does get a little crowded but the service was still great despite all the tables being filled.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You can get the katsu and udon or any noodles as a set for less than $20. Depending on if you want a bigger portion or katsu or noodles you can choose whichever option. Katsu was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of crispiness. Definitely recommend stopping by here for lunch or early dinner. read more

Miso - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

I've been in the DMV for over 2.5 years and dine in Annandale restaurants quite frequently. This past Friday evening was my first time at Miso (Japanese restaurant, Korean owned) and I'm shocked I never stopped by until now. I was here with two friends for dinner and we all agreed that the food was really homey and not overly greasy/oily. The service was pretty good and checked up on us to make sure we had enough water and food. TAKOYAKI (5 PCS) - 6.95 We shared a takoyaki among the three of us. The takoyaki was quite hot when we first got it and I liked that there was a good amount of octopus pieces inside and the doughy wrapping around the octopus was soft and gooey with a sturdy and crispy layer topped with lots of bonito flakes and nori. Overall, pretty solid. KATSU & NOODLE COMBO: KATSU & FISH CAKE UDONG - 16.95 Big portions for the price. We had a medium sized pork cutlet with the perfect breading that was nicely fried. It was a bit on the bland side, but I enjoyed that it tasted healthier and not as "deep fried". There was also a katsu dipping sauce on the side that helped. The side of salad and the two kimchi and radish banchan was a good amount of vegetables. The steamed egg didn't remind me of chawanmushi, but it was still good. I really enjoyed the fish cake udon. The broth was simple but flavorful with a lot of kelp flavor. The udon noodles were perfect in texture and there were so many fish cakes (and plenty of variety too). Overall, solid option. I'd definitely be back if I want a homey Japanese meal in Annandale. The udon here is not one to pass! read more

Miso - Pork Katsu & Fish Cake Udong Combo - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Food was great! It's so refreshing and the perfect serving. Also food came out super fast and they gave us a yogurt drink at the end! read more

Miso - Katsu and morisoba - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Japanese restaurant nearby was on a wait so figured we would check this place out. [[HIGHLIGHT]]At first I was hesitant because there was only one other group sitting at a table but it started to fill up after we came in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Nice man seemed to be running the entire place, he quickly came up and gave us menus. Ordered several different items all of which were really good. The portion sizes surprised me as they were larger than expected. Will be back. read more

***Yelp hours are incorrect! This restaurant closes at 9pm, with the kitchen closing at 830** I learned that information after walking in at 815. The food here is so tasty and fast. I ordered the Hawaiian katsu which has pineapple and ham inside along with that cheese! I did not expect how fast the food came out and how much food it was going to be! I know my partner and I both enjoyed it because we didn't say a word to each other for a good 10 minutes. Staff is very friendly and the service was quick. read more

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The food here is good, but not outstanding. Walked into a pretty empty restaurant aside from a couple of tables that already had patrons. I enjoyed the combo of katsu and udon. The amount of food per plate is worth the price. Was not a huge fan of the cheese pork katsu so I wouldn't order that again. Service was attentive and the food comes out pretty quick. read more

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I've been coming to MISO for years, over 10 years now. The food is consistent and the right amount of food portioned for customers. I love their shrimp covered in potatoe! My go to for ddongatsseuh. read more

Good food. I brought a group of 15 people and they liked it. Good service as well. I recommend the takoyaki

Am I remembering correctly? I swear they used to have a curry katsu. In any case it's been years since I have been to Miso, but the family and I decided to stop in last week as we were attending an event in the area and I was craving some soup. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Vibes were pretty quiet and comfortable. It was pretty empty for a lunch time on a Saturday.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The menus are QR, which I believe can be a little bit inconvenient for some of our older guests.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was quick. We had the chance to try chicken katsu, pork katsu, ramen, and udon. Everything was okay but nothing really stood out as a reason for me to come back. read more

Every so often I would have a sudden craving for udon.. this is my go to spot! I always like to try different katsus' when I'm there. This time, I ordered cheese katsu; I wish there was a way for me to post videos because this cheese pull was SUPER satisfying. - Cheese Katsu: 4 out of 5 it was filled with a lot of cheese, which sounds pretty good but personally for me it got tiring fast -Cold Marisoba: 5 out of 5!!! I love the soba noodles here, there are not that many places in the area that may cold soba noodles, I always try to get an order of soba if I'm here, and have my friends order katsu so we can share 50-50! -Shrimp wrap with potatoes 3 out of 5 The shrimps are wrapped in potato shoe strings. I expected more out of the shrimp but they were just okay. The sauce could use a little more work as well. -Takoyaki 3 out of 5 I have tried the takoyaki here once or twice and they can be hit or miss. I think I'm just personally picky with my takoyaki but it's not so bad. Overall 4 out of 5, I will continue to come here to try new katsus. ** I wish they still had the soft shell crab katsu, that one was my favorite. read more

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I was looking for a lunch spot and happened upon this place. Miso, oddly enough, doesn't have a lunch menu, but it's offerings fell very appropriate for lunchtime. The restaurant itself it rather dark and uninspiring, but the food itself was excellent. I ordered a Katsu-Noodle Combination, specifically Tonkatsu and Mori Soba. The Tonkatsu was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. It was also tender and juicy and had the signature crispy crust. The Tonkatsu sauce tasted commercially made, but was fine with the Tonkatsu. The Mori Soba noodles were so good. I love their chewiness and distinctive buckwheat taste. Their Mentsuyu (cold broth) was perfectly balanced, comforting, and bright. I enjoyed it very much. Every Katsu-Noodle Combinations comes with a small side salad, kimchi, pickled daikon, and steamed egg, all of which were delicious compliments to main dishes. While my server was nice enough, they weren't very attentive. After taking my order and delivering my food, I did not see them. Once, I even got out of my seat to find them to ask for something. While the restaurant and service leave much to be desired, I still recommend this spot for their excellent food at a reasonable price point. read more

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Love. This. Place. Staff is friendly. Service is quick. Food is fantastic!! Always love coming here and always a great place to go to with friends that visit the area! Thank you! read more

4/5! After years of not revisiting this restaurant, I decided to go back here for dinner with a couple of friends of mine. Still the same decor and atmosphere, same food as well! I decided to try a different combo than I had ordered previously, and I had no complaints! The Food: I went with the Pork Katsu with Spicy Ramen. The Katsu was nicely cooked! Not over-cooked and had a nice crisp to them. The ramen was okay, it was flavorful but not that great compared to actual ramen dedicated spots. The portion and sides they had definitely filled me up, so I left satisfied! The Service: The service was good. There were a few people dining with us so the service didn't lack at all. I had an overall good experience for this part of my dining. Overall, 4/5! A great spot if you're in the mood for some great Katsu! read more

Miso - Pork Katsu with Spicy Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Came here with some friends to enjoy some Katsu. Shrimp Wrapped with Potato 10/10 - Crunchy and good sauce Spicy Cavier Grilled Mussel 8/10 - Flavorful - Not too spicy Katsu & Japanese Miso Ramen 6/10 - Katsu is on the smaller end, but crispy - Ramen was pretty bland - Tiny steamed egg was good The portion of Katsu was disappointing, and the ramen mostly just tasted like water. Service was quick though! read more

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delicious food and great service, favorite spot for chicken katsu.my daughter enjoys the food here as well read more

Miso - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Decided to give Miso another try recently, and was just as disappointed as the last trip several years ago. They've reconfigured the restaurant seating since last visit and changed all the lighting to ugly stark bright white lights from the soft lighting before. The portions and food seemed to look just as they did before. The owner (or manager?) stalked around the restaurant the whole time, and even though it was 35 degrees out, he didn't have the heat on! Guests all ate in their jackets and the workers even all had thick layers on. You can't save your way to success. read more

Miso - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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This is a very welcoming place to eat with good food. Parking is not an issue which is another advantage. The setting is very comfortable and relaxing. The server was very friendly, helpful, and kept checking on us. Love it. Both my wife and I had katsu, which were tender and flavorful. read more

Miso - Katsu - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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If you're looking for yummy Katsu, this is the spot. Otherwise, the other entrees aren't noteworthy. We stopped in for dinner after seeing all the raving reviews and ordered two combos - Chicken Katsu & Japanese Spicy Ramen and Sashimi Rice & Udong. Chicken Katsu: Cooked perfectly - the breading was golden brown and the chicken was super tender. Japanese Spicy Ramen: The broth wasn't creamy. Sashimi Rice: The sashimi was cut into mini cubes and there was a very small amount. It was hard to even taste the fish, majority of the dish was veggies. Udong: Reminded me of store bought instant udon. I really loved the side dishes. The steamed egg was super smooth and silky, and the salad had a delightful citrus dressing. read more

Miso - Sashimi Rice & Udong, Chicken Katsu & Japanese Spicy Ramen - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

My family went on a Saturday and it was surprising quiet. We decided to order the combos: pork katsu & fish cake udon, flounder katsu & bulgogi rice, shrimp katsu & seafood udon. All of the katsu were very crispy and flavorful with the dipping sauce. Udon was simple and delicious! I definitely recommend the combo options. Service was also great and food came out quickly. read more

Miso - Pork katsu & fish cake udon combo Flounder katsu & bulgogi rice combo - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Been here a couple times within the last 4 years and happy to say the quality and taste is still as good! The most recent experience, arrived on a Thursday evening around 7pm for dinner with family, and was seated promptly. Service was quick and our food came out within 10 minutes of us ordering. Ordered the katsu and soba combo; both were delicious! The soba threw me off a little since the noodles came in cold soba sauce; not like traditional soba where you dip the noodles in the sauce, but the flavor still was pretty good. It was a nice cold dish for this heat! The pork katsu is always a fan favorite. Great experience & will be back! read more

Miso - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Food quality was excellent. Great service. Definitely coming back and trying other items. read more

Miso - Pork katsu set - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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Solid donkatsu place in the DMV. The portions are fine- it's not a lot but it does fill you up. HOWEVER- I do think the price increase is a bit ridiculous. I get it- inflation.. but I can't justify myself to pay for pork meat for almost 20pp. read more

Bro the food was really freaking good but the guy chased me out because I left him a 1$ tip IM LITERALLY BROKE IT WAS CRAZY and he stood there and lowkey pressured me to change it so i did BUT THAT WASNT RIGHT read more

Came in for chicken katsu! And experienced The best chicken Katsu. So good this would be hard to beat. Thank you! read more

Miso - Chicken katsu and rice with caviar - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

My friends have been raving that this is the best katsu place in the DMV. Finally had the opportunity to try it out and was not disappointed. I tried the cheese katsu with mini udon lunch set, something I regularly ordered during my time in Korea and it was pretty spot on. The cheese pull of the donkatsu was chefs kiss! Wasn't that crazy about the udon, but I LOVED the steamed egg side that the dish came with. It was so delicious and soft. At the end of our meal, we were given a delicious mini yogurt drink to cleanse our palettes. Will be back to try their other katsu dishes! read more

Miso - cheese donkatsu with mini udon (lunch set) - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

Came here for valentines day and got: - spicy caviar mussels: 3/5 - katsu cheese roll: 4/5 - shrimp katsu with morisoba combo: 5/5 Overall: 4.5/5 Everything was delicious and the katsus were cooked to crisp perfection. Got the mussels to try after reading raving reviews about it, however we thought it wasn't anything spectacular. It was still delicious and would recommend if you like the flavor of spicy mayo. We loved the roll and would love to try another roll when we come back. The shrimp katsu was our favorite and we wished the meal came with more pieces. Overall, it was super yummy and the service was great! They gave free yakult at the end of the meal :') read more

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I enjoy their combination options here. They allow you to choose a rice dish and a soup/noodle. Their menu offers many options so there is something for everybody. I enjoy their udon, bulgogi, and tonkotsu. Their shrimp roll appetizer I like too. When we come it usually not too busy and the staff is nice. I also like that they offer a free dessert after (small cone). We can't pick the flavor but I think it is a nice gesture and it's free! read more

Best katsu I've had in the DMV area. I always get their spicy pork tender katsu and the people are incredibly nice. The owner even once came out to the parking lot to bring me the to go box I had forgotten. read more

Love their combos and their super fast service! Came here for lunch and had the noodle + katsu shrimp combo. Spicy ramen was delicious and filling, not really too spicy but very flavorful! And the katsu shrimp was perfectly crispy and juicy. Also our waiter gave us each a probiotic yogurt drink after our meal with the check :) read more

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I've dined here a few times since moving to the DMV, and it's been awesome every time! Today, I had the pork katsu combo with fish cake udong soup, and am feeling so full and cozy. Everything was delicious and hit the spot. Also grateful for the fast and friendly customer service, from being sat and attended to right away, to the nice, sweet touch of a yogurt drink at the end of the meal. read more

Miso - Assi yogurt drink (similar to Yakult) - Japanese Near Me - Annandale, Virginia

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The chicken wa breaded and fried to perfection. The rice was sticky and perfect. The service was decent however because it's a different culture it may come off as rude however once they see you can use chop sticks they are sold lol. I'm going to go back and try something else ! read more

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