Temari is a very casual Japanese-owned restaurant offering homey Japanese cuisine. I've been meaning to check it out and I finally did a couple Saturdays ago. It was really popular that evening, so the three of got squished at the table meant for two, but we didn't mind. The menu is pretty extensive, offering ramen, udon, tonkatsu, rice bowls, grilled fish sets, and more. We ordered pretty quickly, but with how busy it was, it took a bit for the food to come out CHILEAN SEA BASS - 37 As I scanned through, my eyes immediately fell on the miso sea bass. Despite the price point, I knew I had to go for it because sea bass is hard to find around here. This set came with rice, house salad, miso soup, and cold tofu. The sides were pretty standard -- no compliments, but no complaints either. On the other hand, the sea bass was wonderful. Super creamy and soft, with a strong miso sweetness that packed so much umami upon each bite. I would definitely splurge on this set just for the sea bass. My friend got the ramen and didn't love it, so I'll probably avoid that during future visits. The katsu curry that the table next to us ordered looked and smelled amazing. Overall, food was delicious and homey. I'd definitely recommend! read more

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Cutest hole in the wall!! Authentic Japanese food on Rockville Pike. Never knew what I was missing... their sushi seriously tastes like it was made with love. Absolutely floored by the fatty tuna sushi roll. It is on the pricier side, but honestly, I don't think I even minded. We got the katsu and sashimi combo plus some rolls on the side. The katsu was delicious, and the sashimi was super fresh. The combo also came with the cutest little side dishes, really adorable presentation overall. The staff was also incredibly attentive about my friend's allergies (dairy and nuts). They kept checking in with us and even showed us the sauce ingredients to make sure everything was safe. One of the staff members called my friend "kawaii" after hearing her long list of allergies lol, and honestly, that made my day. read more

Definitely one of my favorite spots in Rockville! The restaurant is quite small so be prepared for a wait during busy days. Staff was friendly and it felt like I was at a home kitchen because it felt cozy and welcoming. I ordered the katsu don and agedashi tofu. I loved how the tofu was slightly fried and the sauce complimented it very well. This appetizer felt light and made me crave for it more. The katsu don felt very comforting and was flavored nicely. I did add some togarashi for some spice. I would definitely come back to this place! It reminded me when I visited Japan because of the atmosphere and food. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

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Definitely worth a visit for delicious food! Small place with just a few tables. The curry smell was wafting and we couldn't resist giving it a try, everything was delicious. Staff was so kind. read more

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If you want some home-y and authentic Japanese food - look no further. Amazing fish quality in sashimi and sushi. Great traditional Japanese fish! And love their tonkatsu curry and eel don. Cant wait to return and try more. For the mackerel - - I recommend squeezing the lemon over it, adding a piece to your dish & add radish (white stuff) and soy sauce over it for the perfect bite! read more

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This is my go-to spot for cozy, authentic Japanese food. It does tend to get crowded due to its popularity even though the restaurant itself is not too big. You can tell they have quality food from the amount of Japanese customers that dine in. I particularly liked their gyudon. It's made with simple ingredients and doesn't have any strong, bold flavors. Having tried multiple Japanese restaurants, I'd say their omurice is the best in the DMV area. It is seasoned well, without overpowering the rice and egg. read more

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Over the years, we've went from being regulars (twice a week) to not being there for over a year, especially after the pandemic. We returned last week. The ambiance is the similar, place is visibly more empty which may be good for the diners. The prices have gone so high that I did not bother order my regular dish at 40 a piece. The old Japanese chef is gone. The food is not innovative, and quality is no longer the same. It lost much of its soul. The katsu curry had an embarrassingly small piece of Tonkatsu as if they are saying "don't you dare to get a good deal by ordering this." I feel the place is about making money rather than delivering value. At least when the old man was there, his pride was in it. I will cherish that memory but sadly the restaurant is a regular food joint now, still charging gourmet prices. It's lost its soul. read more

Very very tasty cafe which I'm glad to have discovered on a whim. Came here after a long day of work and sat at the bar. The fish of the day and sushi menu appeared to be updated regularly. The waitresses were all very friendly. The food was fresh and the beer was cold. Things came out as they were ready. While the ramen wasn't great, everything else was EXCELLENT! I will come back for sure, but I will skip the ramen next time - it just did not taste fresh and the pork belly was just bad. It looked and tasted old. read more

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We drove to this cozy Japanese restaurant to try their Temari Combo specials, and it did not disappoint. My wife chose the fried oyster, while I went with the mackerel and sashimi combo. Initially, we thought the $32 price tag was a bit steep, but once the food arrived, it was clear it was worth every penny. The quality and cuts of the fish were exceptional, and the flavors were absolutely amazing. On top of that, the service was attentive and friendly, making the entire experience even better. Highly recommend for anyone looking for authentic Japanese cuisine! Afterwards we went upstairs to checkout the Japanese market. read more

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Delicious fresh food and fast service. This is my first visit. Very friendly and attentive staff. I'll come back and try the curry next time. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Combo Mackerel and sashimi - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

Temari Japanese in Rockville is a hidden gem for authentic Japanese food, and one of the few places in the area where the staff actually speaks Japanese, making the experience feel even more immersive. I love coming here for their combo meals--they are such great value, typically around $20-$30, and come with huge portions. Each combo includes a beautifully arranged plate of appetizers, offering a mix of textures and flavors that make every bite exciting. The sashimi is always fresh and generously portioned, making it my go-to order, but their curry ($15-$18) and ramen dishes ($12-$16) are just as satisfying, especially on a colder day. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, giving it a cozy, authentic vibe. It's a great spot for a casual meal where you can really enjoy traditional Japanese flavors without the pretense of fancier omakase-style places. Lots of parking in the parking lot. Another perk--there's a Japanese market upstairs, which I always stop by after my meal to grab snacks, drinks, and other Japanese goodies. If you're looking for fresh sushi, comforting Japanese dishes, and an authentic experience in Rockville at reasonable prices, I highly recommend Temari. It's a place I keep coming back to, and for good reason! read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

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We came for the first time and I am on the fence about this place - pricey and I feel a bit disappointed in the food, although it's probably more of the authentic ones here. What we liked: - chirashi rice was well seasoned, sashimi slices were fresh - miso, salad, rice were all very good What left me on the fence: - katsu was on the dry side and a bit small? - no ikura on the chirashi for $27, also sashimi was not neatly cut - Zenzai with ice cream was VERY sweet (the red bean itself was too sweet, actually even w/o the ice cream). It was also small for $9/10. Might come back to try the omurice as I usually like that, but my first experience is good but not overwhelmingly in love with it. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Chirashi - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

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12 years later and this place is still the best (their grilled saba is still perfection). I love that it's still a little Mom & Pop store on Rockville Pike with cozy seating, handwritten menus on the walls, and a little TV in the corner playing Japanese cooking shows in Japanese. It's just my happy place. The service is still super friendly and welcoming. I continue to highly recommend this place not only for the delicious food but the warm and welcoming atmosphere! read more

Nothing fancy but you can expect quality food and friendly service at Temari. Free tea and water soonest when we were seated. It's got a dinning stall feel and bit crowded read more

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I really want to like this spot but I wouldn't do the community justice. Price and ambiance is fine. Good: house sake was good, sushi was fresh, ambiance and service is good. (-) Tonkatsu pork was dry (--) Miso soup was bland. Like non existent of any miso flavor. Felt like tofu in chicken broth (--) Rice: This was the killer for me, I think they use Jasmine rice instead of any resemblance of Japanese rice. The tonkatsu was dried already and eating Jasmine rice with it was a bad combination. read more

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Awesome. I asked a close friend who is a Japan-o-phile (she loves all things Japanese) where the most authentic Japanese restaurant in the area is. She said "Temari" without hesitation. So she and another friend and I went for lunch. She ordered for us in Japanese which was pretty cool. The waitstaff is extraordinarily polite and fast. Tended to us really well. And the food!!! I got a rice bowl with pork cutlet (I think). It was wonderful. And for dessert we got the strawberry mocchi in the attached photo. I've never had mocchi like this -- mostly fruit rather than just a sort of ice cream puff. Will DEFINITELY return when we're in the area for lunch. I think my friend pegged this as a good pure Japanese restaurant. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Strawberry Mocchi is absolutely fantastic - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

This place is very small with limited seating. We didn't have a wait the first time we went (I don't recall the day). The second time we tried to go there was a wait so we opted to hit up another Japanese place we love in the area. The food was good and we are looking forward to trying out other dishes! What we got: Katsu Curry Rice - 3.5* I was slightly disappointed. I've had better curry and would go elsewhere for my Japanese curry fix. Shouga Donburi - 5* this was superb! Flavor all around was a winner. Melon Milk - 3* I thought this shaved ice dessert would be like the Korean bingsu but it is not. It was like an American shaved ice slushy, just with the Japanese flavoring (I love the Japanese melon flavor). They do bring out condensed milk that you can add. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Melon milk shaved ice - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

I was pretty excited to come and try authentic Japanese cuisine.The service was great and the staffs were super friendly. It's a pretty casual atmosphere and gets packed pretty quickly. Definitely try to come when they're open. However try getting something else, my chicken Katsu was a bit overcooked, however my friend's sushi don was great. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Katsu-Don - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

Small cafe, but efficient. On the authentic side. Prominent service. Food was fresh and to our liking. There are lots new sushi places opened in Rockville area but we prefer to go back to this place because of its consistency! It's important to serve fresh delicious, healthy food, without compromising the quality. The prices are a bit high for a cafe style food! read more

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Absolutely delicious Japanese food wow! Everything we ordered hit the spot, and it was all very authentic. The sushi and hand rolls were made with very fresh ingredients. Karaage combo: crispy chicken, with lots of sashimi Katsu donburi: big bowl of rice, egg, katsu - warm and filling Salmon onigiri: it's huge! lots of rice with fresh salmon One of my favorite things about this restaurant is how friendly the staff are. They are very cheerful and greet the guest in Japanese. It's quite small inside, so be sure to arrive early to avoid the wait. read more

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The food was wonderful, nothing better than some good authentic Japanese foods. The service is amazing for those who never been you get a warm experience where you are greeted in Japanese. My daughter loved the fact they spoke Japanese and if you don't know the language worry not it's repeated a second time in English. The cafe itself is a quiet place which I enjoy not having to be loud just to hear oneself talk. read more

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Still one of my go to classic Japanese comfort food spots. the place just feels homey, that being said its not large and it can get crowded. The service here is welcoming and attentive but when they are busy it can be a bit slow. Its really imo like a Japanese comfort food diner, from curry, ramen, sushi, its all done solid. Nothing that will blow you mind but just good old reliable delicious eats for a decent price. The gotos are the tonkatsu, the katsu curry, and their ramen. Again if you want to nerd out you can get better elsewhere but this place is always consistent. Also I love support small local businesses and this place is it. read more

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This may be the only authentic Japanese restaurant on Rockville pike, outside of DC. Just wish they had more tables! You have to really Olán while incorporating a wait time. Totally worth it. read more

amazing food, incredible service, super friendly and polite. first time here, but definitely not the last. I will be there every week. I am hooked. read more

This is THE place to go for Japanese curry. Total comfort food, all the flavors and textures.

I love this place and especially love the salad; the dressing is perfect! Easy to place the order and pick up.

Delicious and fun Japanese diner-style restaurant Try the curry, tonkatsu, ramen, and other Japanese comfort food. Restaurant can get packed, so come early. They do take credit card; have bar seating; and parking is readily available in the shopping center. Looks like restaurant has rotating specials as well and serves sake! read more

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4.5 stars! Service is excellent here despite it being busy during lunch time. The place itself is not too large and it has a very energetic ambiance. We went on a Saturday around 1:30pm and we went to the small Japanese grocery upstairs while we were waiting for a table. Once we got back, we didn't wait too much longer after that. The chicken katsu is delicious! So fresh and it is lightly battered yet very crispy. The curry was good too, but I wish it had more ingredients in it. It was mostly onion and meat from what I could tell. However, I would definitely go back for the katsu. I saw someone order the omurice and it looked delicious too! read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Curry and rice - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

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What a gem! Small restaurant with excellent service and comforting Japanese food. I entered the restaurant a little after it opened at 5pm and the restaurant was nearly full 45 mins later. The menu is extensive and I couldn't resist ordering too much. The tonkatsu meal was generous in portion. Well battered and fried tonkatsu and the salad and miso soup were so good. The agedashi tofu was silken and the soup was delicious. The hot tea they were was absolutely delicious as well. I ordered an onigiri and was unfamiliar with cooking the spicy cod roe. I wish the roe was a little more spread out in the onigiri though. I will definitely be back to try out more things on the menu!! read more

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Too notch family Japanese traditional food restaurant, although small in size, the menu was extensive. The selection is more traditional and the cuts of fresh fish is quite large for the price. Service was very good, just wished they had more newer style sushi or modern special rolls with some flair. Can't complain about the tastes and they had ramen, regular sushi rolls and one of the best made Takoyaki balls. Having some Uni, or sea urchin, was a plus and the chilean sea bass was also quite good. I will have to go back and see what other special dishes they might offer that are not on the menu next time! read more

A friend took me here Sunday night and when I tell you how EXCEPTIONAL it was! I let them order and I just inhaled everything in front of me! The soda is a must, you can vary the level of sweetness, so good! We tried the fried tofu (DELICIOUS with that BROTH), Chicken Kaarage (so tasty), Chicken Curry Katsu (not my favorite, but still tasty), Eel (soooo gooood) and the Chilean Sea Bass (the star of the show 10/10 exceptional). The vibes are excellent - the restaurant full of both families and single diners, everyone without fail greeted with kindness by the fantastic waitresses. I left so full and determined to come back every time I travel to DC for work. 10/10 MUST TRY! read more

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Temari Japanese Cafe has become a pretty classic Rockville staple for delicious authentic Japanese food! It does fill up pretty fast on Friday and weekend evenings, so be sure to come early. On my most recent trip I got the Katsu Curry, one of my favorite Japanese comfort food dishes. The curry was thick, rich, and super delicious; bold with flavors, and had potatoes, onions, and beef chunks! Which in combination with the crispy pork katsu on top, its a great combination. They give you plenty of rice and curry too, I just wish there was a bit more katsu given the size of the rest of the plate. Service is really great too, servers are friendly and attentive. I've been here multiple times and it's always a pleasure to dine here. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Katsu Curry Rice - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

Tried Temari for the first time recently - as a Rockville resident, I know it was long overdue. But I'm glad I finally tried it because I will be going back! The service was excellent. The servers were prepared to seat folks who had only just exited their cars outside! They were very on top of picking up any trash from your table and refilling drinks, and I felt very well taken care of. The food was delicious. I ordered the pork katsu curry and my partner tried the Chirashi bowl. The prices were pretty reasonable. The katsu was a huge portion and the curry itself had chunks of chicken in it in addition to the fried pork chop on top, which was super crispy. My partner really enjoyed the Chirashi too. The restaurant was filling up for the evening but we still managed to get our check very quickly. Next time I will try their dessert options! read more

I enjoy dining here. The service is always pleasant, and the food is consistent. The broiled makakel flavor is delicious. But it does have bones. Not a problem for me. The dish comes with salad, miso soup, and a cold tofu dish. The spicy tuna dumbori was fresh. All the ingredients complimented each other for that perfect bite. The tori no kar-rage (fried boneless chicken) was crispy and seasoned well. Of course the sauce pairs well with it. Atmosphere is casual, the space ia a bit tight for seating, However, it is comfortable enough to enjoy the food. read more

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Finally, some good freakin' Japanese set meal. This Japanese diner doesn't look like much, and I'd argue that it's got a better vibe for it. The food is your standard Japanese fare, ranging from ramen to sushi to tonkatsu with curry, and they've even got fried chicken liver. Sadly, I had to pass on ordering the whole menu, and settled for the chicken katsu with a piece of rock fish sushi and a melon cream soda. On one hand, it's something you could get from any other Japanese diner, and the sushi is way out of budget ($4 a piece!?). On the other hand, find me another Japanese diner in the DMV area that isn't just sushi or ramen, let alone staffed by people who understand food and customers. The service is great, by the way. Sweet and attentive people, all around. You get the feeling they care even when there's only three of them with a packed house. read more

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Small place but great food and service! The restaurant seems friendly and could pass as a family restaurant. Casual dining. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Hamburg Steak - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

This place is a hidden gems. Not a fancy place, parking is not the best. But, it's one of the best Japanese restaurants I ever been. Fresh, delicious, and affordable price. It's a busy place but waiting time was not bad at all for weekends lunch. I ordered mackerel combo for $27 and came with soup, sashimi and side dishes. Cozy and comfortable small place. Definitely be back again. Quite a drive for me from Virginia but it's worth it. We went to the Japanese grocery upstairs last, pricey but lots of of rare delicious goodies read more

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We had dinner here on Saturday, April 13. I had the "Wafu Hamburger Steak" and my partner had the "Omu Rice". There was a short wait for our party of 2, less than 10 minutes. She told me her friend had raved about the Wafu burger so I gave that a try. They brought out a small plate of rice and a sizzling skillet with bean sprouts, onions, and the burger, covered with radish sauce. Overall, I felt it was ok, but lacked seasoning and flavor. I put the burger on the rice, and maybe I should have put the rice on the burger to get more of the drippings from the onions. Still, this was a bit disappointing. My gf's Omu rice was brought and it looked super impressive. The egg wrapping and red sauce looked good. It was like an oversized burrito, may 11" long and 3-4" in diameter. This dish was in desperate need of both salt and flavor. She added some of the red pepper seasoning which helped the flavor. Still, the dish was supposed to be "fried rice and chicken". We had to look closely to find the chicken, since the pieces were small and rare in the rice. Overall, the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything special, especially at $23 for the burger, and $19 for the omu. If this was a fast food place and a $25 meal, we would have been very happy. But given the prices, I can't say we will likely eat here again. read more

Temari Japanese Cafe - Looks good, but flavor was lacking. - Japanese Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

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Great food and great service! My favorites are the Tonkatsu and the teriyaki salmon. Things to note, very small place, expect to wait. The waiting area is small and only have space for 5-6 people. read more

This is a traditional Japanese cafe that serve authentic fare. The sushi is very fresh; I had an order of the sea urchin and salmon sashimi. The sea urchin melts in your mouth. I also ordered the salmon donburi. If you are a fan of salmon sashimi or salmon sushi, you'll enjoy the donburi. The service is fast and the staff are very friendly and attentive. Our server made sure to check on us every few minutes and provided fresh refills of green tea. The ambiance is very casual. No reservations are required. read more

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