Rakugaki

A place I visit regularly, about once a month. Among nearby sushi spots, this is the best place for nigiri. The balance between the sushi rice and the fish is excellent..the thickness and aging of the fish pair perfectly with the rice portion. I often order the sashimi platter as well, which is always generous in portion. The udon and tempura are also great additions to enjoy alongside the sashimi. There are just two areas that could be improved. First, using fresh wasabi would better match both the quality and the price point. Second, the front-of-house service could use more attention...each visit, we tend to be left waiting for a while upon arrival, which is a bit disappointing.

I came with my partner on a Friday night around 5:45 and we were seated immediately with no wait, despite no reservation. It does seem like online reservations are easily possible with this place, so it would probably be good to do that. The interior is slightly upscale with a full bar, though the tables and booths don’t look that fancy. Our server took forever to greet us and take our orders, which is the reason for 4 stars. The food we got was delicious and well prepared. Throughout the meal, there were several people who refilled our waters consistently and took plates away. The pricing for the dishes was on the more expensive side, but that’s the reality these days I guess. Good to try once, but I don’t know if I’ll come back.

The fish was so fresh and the sushi tasted amazing. The service was very quick. We were done eating within 30 minutes of arriving. As someone with IBS, eating out can be a struggle. They were very accommodating and I was able to modify sushi along with them having gluten free soys sauce. The menu is very thorough and tells you exactly what is in and on every roll and dish. I struggle with sushi restaurants not specifying exactly what is in their food. Will definitely be coming back!

My family and I went to Rakugaki on Old Georgetown Road for my son's birthday, and it was absolutely fantastic. We had delicious rolls. We had udon noodles, and the service was great. The booths were comfortable, and then we went a couple doors down for some ice cream. I strongly recommend you check out Rakugaki. It's absolutely delicious, the service is great, and you won't be disappointed. Make a reservation now! -James Buckley, Canopy Property Group at EXP Realty, best real estate agent in Potomac Maryland

Rakugaki is an absolute gem in Bethesda, located in Wildwood Shopping Center, offering delicious sushi rolls, creative cocktails, and fantastic service in a lively yet cozy atmosphere. It’s quickly become one of my favorite spots for Japanese food, and a huge part of that is thanks to the amazing service—especially from Suya! She is incredible—friendly, attentive, and truly goes above and beyond to make sure every guest has a great experience. She’s super knowledgeable about the menu, always making the best recommendations, and her warm personality makes the meal even more enjoyable. If you go, ask for Suya—you won’t be disappointed! The sushi rolls here are fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Some of my favorites include the Wasabi Dynamite Roll, which has amazing depth of flavor, and the Golden Dragon Roll, which is rich, buttery, and packed with fresh ingredients. Their specialty rolls are always creative and high quality, making it a great spot for sushi lovers. But even if you’re not a fan of raw fish, Rakugaki has an extensive menu with something for everyone, including comforting bowls like beef ragu udon pasta. Cocktails here are also a highlight, with unique, well-balanced flavors that pair perfectly with the food. Prices are reasonable for the quality, with sushi rolls ranging around $12-$20, ramen and hot dishes around $15-$25, and cocktails typically $12-$15. Parking is easy and convenient, with plenty of spots in the shopping center lot, making it a stress-free dining experience. I love coming here after my Solidcore classes—it’s the perfect post-workout meal to treat myself with fresh sushi and a great cocktail while unwinding. Overall, Rakugaki is a must-visit for sushi lovers and anyone looking for a great Japanese meal in Bethesda. The combination of fresh food, great drinks, and top-notch service—especially from Suya—makes it a place I’ll keep coming back to!

Decent sushi but a little pricy for the size. No atmosphere, more for posh local families. Very slow service on Friday night. Seem to do takeout/delivery before inside orders! Maryland Roll was interesting. A few stars off because the waitress said they couldn't accommodate the simple request of taking and orange slice from the bar and adding it inside my Spicy Tuna roll (try it it's a great citrus explosion at the end of the spicy/fishy profile!!)

The hand rolls were great, The service and menu need improvement. There were no opportunities with the rolls. The food was fresh and they were rolled nicely. What made it okay: First, as we entered I held the door open for my wife and a server walked through without welcoming us or saying "thanks". Then the greeter was open and honest that there were reservations soon and we only had an hour to eat- all good. Thing is, we were the ones waiting. Towards the end the service things sped up, but we were there waiting some time in the beginning. I will say that I'm impatient and don't like to be left waiting. Not the host or the waitress ask if we wanted a child booster or seat. My wife just held our son and we wanted to be in-and-out, just saying .. it didn't make us feel welcome. I wasn't a fan of the soy sauce, which tasted light. I like full flavored, high-quality soy sauce. I also didn't like the menu very much. It was small and without edamame or some other typical dishes. To sum up- quality of food was great. Service and menu were kind of a bummer.

A hidden gem. Seating inside and outside when weather permits. The menu js quite big which is scary sometimes. You would think it's hard to perfect something with a lot of items but it was really delicious and filling. Everything came out at a good rate. Sushi was fresh. Definitely get reservations on a friday afternoon if you decide to go

Lobster and Chive dumplings? Amazing. Jo Nigiri/Sashimi? Get the deluxe. It will change your life. Daily salad specials are always a treat. For us sober folks, most cocktails can be turned into mocktails. No judgement, either. The "beef ragu pasta" is superlative. It's what I order when I'm dining in, but want something to go, that can be easily eaten cold or reheated the next day, that will taste delicious.

Rakugaki is an absolute gem in Bethesda, located in Wildwood Shopping Center, offering delicious sushi rolls, creative cocktails, and fantastic service in a lively yet cozy atmosphere. It's quickly become one of my favorite spots for Japanese food, and a huge part of that is thanks to the amazing service--especially from Suya! She is incredible--friendly, attentive, and truly goes above and beyond to make sure every guest has a great experience. She's super knowledgeable about the menu, always making the best recommendations, and her warm personality makes the meal even more enjoyable. If you go, ask for Suya--you won't be disappointed! The sushi rolls here are fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Some of my favorites include the Wasabi Dynamite Roll, which has amazing depth of flavor, and the Golden Dragon Roll, which is rich, buttery, and packed with fresh ingredients. Their specialty rolls are always creative and high quality, making it a great spot for sushi lovers. But even if you're not a fan of raw fish, Rakugaki has an extensive menu with something for everyone, including comforting bowls like beef ragu udon pasta. Cocktails here are also a highlight, with unique, well-balanced flavors that pair perfectly with the food. Prices are reasonable for the quality, with sushi rolls ranging around $12-$20, ramen and hot dishes around $15-$25, and cocktails typically $12-$15. Parking is easy and convenient, with plenty of spots in the shopping center lot, making it a stress-free dining experience. I love coming here after my Solidcore classes--it's the perfect post-workout meal to treat myself with fresh sushi and a great cocktail while unwinding. Overall, Rakugaki is a must-visit for sushi lovers and anyone looking for a great Japanese meal in Bethesda. The combination of fresh food, great drinks, and top-notch service--especially from Suya--makes it a place I'll keep coming back to!

If you love, authentic Japanese food do not go here. If you like fast food comparable to McDonald's feel free. If you cannot chew the seaweed, that means it's cheap. The ambience ; televisions playing two shows about the typical American diners across the US tells you it's not authentic Japanese. The service is also rushed, which is not Standard Japanese. summary , I couldn't chew the seaweed. I literally had to take it out of my mouth, while watching people on TV eat more on one plate than I eat in a month, all along being rushed so that more people could sit.‍ If you're looking for authentic Japanese I suggest Sushiko in friendship heights. If you're looking for better Japanese fast food, I suggest any Giant supermarket.

I loved this spot! Amazing vegan options for my husband, good service and a beautiful bar and chill space for eating a cozy dinner. The strip the restaurant on was decorated for Christmas so it made the whole experience feel very special, and I really enjoyed that the music wasn't too overpowering. The cuts of fish were really good, and my husband said that the tofu dish he got was the best he had in a long time, and if you know vegan diets you know tofu is a staple!

Looking for a serving of Upper West Side ambiance in North Bethesda? Rakugaki has you covered. A cozy dining room can feel a bit cramped, but the focus is on the food. Service is efficient as there are many dishes coming to the table in rapid succession. Appetizer stand out was pan fried chicken-shrimp dumplings in anise star pineapple sauce. Extensive sushi sashimi offerings all looked great, but settled on an Alaska roll. Our party had a wonderful Lobster Udon, chicken Udon and beautifully presented multi-textured Teisho Salmon. Desserts were unusual with an Ichigo parfait which featured sweet surprises within sweet surprises. Be sure to reserve on a weekend because of the small space, but well worth the advance planning.

Went here for lunch & it was fantastic! We sat outside & the ambiance was very nice! Umbrella covered seating was available & service was excellent too. The menu has a lot of different options, something for everyone! I had the Tonkatsu (pork) from the 'Teishoku Set' portion of the menu. It included miso soup & rice, along with a delicious mix of other small vegetable based sides. I would definitely come back again! 5 outta 5

I stopped by here because I had a craving for sushi, and I believe this is the only sushi spot within walking distance from my job. I thought Rakugaki had a pretty extensive lunch menu, with moderately priced items. For my lunch delight, I went with the Sushi & Roll combo ($17), which came with five pieces of sushi and 1.5 rolls. Also the lunch special came with a nice bowl of miso soup. Overall, I really enjoyed my lunch because the fish was pretty fresh. I thought the service was pretty friendly and prompt. Also, the restaurant has decent ambiance. To be perfectly, honest, I do not think there is anything that would have improved my dining experience. I'm looking forward to trying other things from Rakugaki's lunch menu.

Based on one visit. Delightful, beautiful place for Sunday lunch. Service was outstanding. Veggie tempura was nicely cooked. Portions were generous. Oshizushi was so beautiful. Flavors were nicely balanced. Bento box and curry soup were excellent. We will be back!

Such a delightful lunch. This is a cute spot in Bethesda, near the mall. The lunch menu has a lot of options. The sushi is amazing. Our service was pretty decent. I had the Rosé sangria, lobster dumplings and a lunch combo. Will absolutely come back!

Came here to celebrate with my family and enjoyed the meal. My favorite was definitely the tuna tartare. The flavor was delicious and the avocado sauce was such a good addition to the tartare. We also got the white spider roll, sashimi platter, mentaiko udon and the chicken and pork dumplings. Everything tasted great, we were decently full without being stuffed. Would recommend a reservation since all the inside seating for a thursday night was reserved and I overheard the wait time was an hour (this was at 6pm)!

This has become my absolute favorite go to for wonderfully delicious Japanese cuisine. Take-out makes it even more convenient and accessible, as they have limited windows (for lunch and dinner) and a relatively small space for their already broad following, Favorites include their salmon yuan and vegetable futomaki, but admittedly my adoration of these selections has somewhat hampered my sampling a broader number of the dishes offered.

Got there on a Saturday at 5: 30pm and was seated right away at the bar. We were able to quickly order and the service was great! It wasn't too loud in the restaurant and there weren't too many people. My date and I ordered the tonkatsu which came with miso soup, white or multi grain rice, and lots of sides (pickled radish, soybeans, soy marinated lotus root and carrots, corn and egg salad, potato salad, and cabbage). The pork was tender and flavorful. The sushi assortment was great too! The fish was fresh and the California Rolls were good as well. I would recommend talking to the waiter if you don't want wasabi in your sushi as it comes already underneath the fish. Everything was great and with the good service, we had a wonderful experience here

Lovely place nested in the middle of the strip mall. Friendly service overall. Booths and tables lined around the bar, and additional seating outside. Traditional Japanese menu full of sushi, sashimi, and udon varieties. Quality food and fair prices for a neighborhood restaurant. Throughly enjoyed the dining experience except That their default tipping % is based on the overall charge, including tax. The difference is minimal but walking away that's what stuck out for the evening.

Great local sushi spot. The food is always on point, and the staff seem attuned to making sure there's a good customer experience. It's become my favorite sushi place in the area - and they have outdoor seating, which not all sushi joints do. Pro tip: the rotating seasonal menu offers some nice options. Definitely worth a visit.

I had been excited to try this place, as I used to enjoy Raku when I worked closer to Bethesda. It did not disappoint me. The Wildwood parking lot leaves something to be desired, so bring a little patience to park, but we arrived we were quickly greeted and seated. The menu is not typical. There are lots of dishes to try, so have fun with new options. The price point is reasonable for quality and location. We look forward to happily return.

We love Rakugaki! It's smaller, less chaotic, and a bit more stylish than its sister restaurant Raku in Bethesda. The hamachi crudo appetizer is my absolute favorite. The Sashimi is bright and fresh, and we always add scallop to the order. Rolls are pretty and delicious - we usually get the shrimp tempura, which is great. We also try to always order something off the specials list. Don't miss the spicy tuna on sticky rice if they have it! Decent wine by the glass, amazing service, and tons of parking right outside the door. Worth the drive to Potomac!

Rakugaki just opened in Wildwood. My parents love Raku so they made a reservation here when I was in town visiting. I naturally flew to Yelp and noticed many were in agreeance that the food is good but the service is a bit lacking. To be fair, it's a new restaurant, so they're likely working out some kinks with the flow, and I definitely took that into consideration here! It's a small indoor with some outdoor seating out front along the parking lot. We had a 6:30 reservation for 4 and when we arrived, we were told the tables before us were running long and we should be seated when they're done, and that they were eating dessert. We were seated around 6:50. Pretty wide variety of options on the menu, and gluten free soy sauce available. We ordered a few apps, and a few bigger plates to share. The showstoppers were the chicken and pork dumplings, the beef fried rice, and the brussel sprout/broccoli app. The veggie app was sooooooo good, and the fish flake on top MOVED!! Like, we were laughing at the table thinking it was ALIVE but apparently it's just "sensitive" to any and all heat and movement so it WIGGLES! We also ordered the chicken tempura app, thin sliced beef udon, the Atlantic cod, a volcano roll, and the salmon teishoku, which came with a few small sides. I didn't dislike anything we ordered, but didn't fall in love with anything either. As for the service, everyone was super nice, it was just a bit chaotic. One person came to take our drink orders and then disappeared before someone else arrived and asked us for our drink orders again. All the food came out super sporadically, like the dumplings came out with entrees and the sushi came out so late we were wanting the check already.

I'd give this a 4.5 star and would need to return to determine its rating. I loved the mentaiko ramen with roe and seaweed, the lobster dumpling appetizer, and the spicy tuna, crunchy scallop, and eel salmon rolls. The Brussels sprouts appetizer was crispy and good but a bit heavy. We will be back!

On our way home from DC, my fiancé and I stopped by Rakugaki, a Japanese restaurant in the Wildwood Shopping Center. Since it was early, they were able to sit us before our reservation. Our server Lidiya gave us enough time to glance over the two-sided menu. We shared a bowl of Pumpkin Soup, Wafu Kinoko Yaki Udon, Toro Roll, and Raku Roll. I liked how the Pumpkin Soup was thick and gingery and garnished with buttery croutons. The Wafu Kinoko Yaki Udon consisted of udon noodles stir-fried with wild mushrooms and bacon in a savory soy dashi sauce. The Toro Roll consisted of fatty tuna and scallion. The fish was fresh and of high quality. The Raku Roll consisted of eel, omelet, avocado, and cucumber. I liked how it was finished with eel sauce. The omelet was a great addition to the roll. It was a nice twist on your traditional eel roll!

Stopped by to grab a quick lunch on a busy afternoon. Was greeted upon entering and decided to sit outside under the umbrella. It was hot but there was a nice breeze. Our orders were taken and food brought out promptly. My daughter had a California Roll with spicy mayo on the side no Roe as we do not prefer it and I had the lunch combo with a fresh delicious salad, California roll and udon noodle soup. I will definitely return again. Everyone loved their dishes.

Rakugaki recently opened at the Wildwood Center. The sushi was so fresh, and we really enjoyed their house-made udon. What we ordered: 1. Mentaiko Pasta: udon with spicy cod roe - this was good but a tad bit too salty 2. Gyu Ontama: udon with beef and Onsen egg - the broth was so flavorful and the udon was cooked perfectly 3. White Tiger: eel, salmon, yamagobo, and avocado roll topped with scallop, rice puff, spicy mayo, and eel sauce - this was SO good, especially with the added rice puff. It was also our first time trying yamagobo which had a nice crunchy texture and flavor 4. Matcha soft serve - it had a nice matcha flavor but it was not as creamy as I would like. The portion was pretty big, so I recommend sharing with another person Service: overall staff were friendly but as we (there were two of us) were waiting for our food, we were asked if we could move to the bar so that a bigger party could have our table

Great new addition to Wildwood shopping center! Interior is modern and welcoming, staff members are very welcoming and helpful. The menu items are reasonably priced with the expected traditional Japanese fare. One thing that makes them stand out is their offering of homemade udon noodles. I tried their kakiage udon noodle soup. The portion was very generous, and had a flavorful soup filled with soft but firm udon noodles, fish cake, spinach and seaweed. The veggie fritter was served on the side. It was almost as wide as the small plate, and thick. It was made with strips of carrots, potatoes, onions and shiso dipped in tempura batter and fried. It was light and crispy and complemented the noodle soup dish well. We shared a double salmon roll which was fresh, clean tasting with perfectly seasoned sushi rice. The roll itself had avocado, cucumber, salmon and a tangy sauce inside with salmon on the outside as well. Though the restaurant was crowded service was impeccable.

I saw this new restaurant while going to the amazing ice cream shop next door (Sarah's Homemade) and figured I'd give it a try. Most sushi/Japanese restaurants in MD have been very disappointing, but Rakugaki definitely stood out from the crowd. On this visit I mainly got sushi. I have relatively high standards when it comes to sushi, so I went with guarded expectations. The prices of rolls and nigiri were very reasonable, especially considering it's located in Bethesda. The salmon belly nigiri was fresh and was cut nice and thick. The volcano roll was my favorite of the two rolls I got (the other was the Red Dragon). The Red Dragon could use a bit more something (either sauces or filling) since it seemed a bit plain for one of the more expensive rolls. I was hoping to see more of your standard rolls on the menu like salmon avocado or eel avocado, but it seems the basic rolls fall under the categories of spicy tuna, crunchy, and California. Service was okay, but a bit confusing. There were three different people serving us and I could not tell everyone's role and who I could ask for what. Not sure if it's a freestyle serving model where everyone serves all tables. We didn't have anyone come by to take our orders (even drinks) for like 10 minutes. The decor was nice, it was a bit tight, but it contributes to a more intimate experience. It's definitely more of a casual neighborhood restaurant, not really for super special occasions. I will definitely be coming back to try the teishoku and noodle dishes. I would recommend going to Sarah's Homemade Ice Cream next door after dinner!

We typically get sushi from Raku in Bethesda. However, due to the location closing for renovations, we decided to check out Rakugaki. The sushi and dumplings were delicious!

I thought everything was ok. Busy Friday night. The chirashi was the most disappointing with super small cuts and basic fish for $35. The homemade udon noodle soup looked hearty. Service a bit frazzled.

This hidden gem of a restaurant is the type of place you can go to multiple times a week and always be delighted. The sushi, nigiri, and sashimi are outstanding, and are wonderfully matched by the many other items on the menu. From sushi, cooked dishes, different appetizers, salads, desserts, and the cocktails, I find myself at the end of each meal saying that I look forward to coming back. And, the owners, managers, and staff are friendly and very welcoming.

Delicious pumpkin soup and dumplings. Crispy rice sushi delicious. The soup is the best creamy pumpkin ever. Love the two different dumplings . Get them both.

Another visit to Rakugaki, another yummy evening of sushi and assorted Japanese inventions. This time, in addition to the fresh sushi, I give a thumbs up to their salmon and green apple appetizer, a perfect combination of crisp, sweet and sour apple combined with the smooth salmon and a slice of jalapeno on top for a little kick. As usual, the sushi was top notch, too. If you haven't tried Rakugaki Wildwood, you're missing out!

Solid beef udon place. I really like the ambiance of the place and the eclectic menu items ranging from sushi to udon dishes. It's hard to find a good udon place, so I openly welcome these establishments. Would recommend if you have a penchant for udon and your local to the area.

Good Japanese food! The service is pretty frantic and they're very busy so make a reservation in advance. Their tempura udon was pretty good but I really liked the Sushi Assortment. Their seaweed salad was also good

Food 8/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance: 9/10 I love sushi a lot and it's always hard finding good authentic sushi. This place serves very fresh nigiri, sashimi and specialty rolls. There's no fishy aftertaste and fish is practically melt in your mouth. I ordered the sushi assortment which comes with tuna, yellowtail, amber Jack, salmon, white fish, shrimp, eel nigiri, and California roll. My favorite nigiri was salmon, white fish and eel. The rice on the California roll was a little hard and not well put together. That was my only issue. The black cod tempura smelt delicious and tasted good as well. This is definitely going to be one of my go to spots for sushi in the future!

This is a quiet little neighborhood Japanese place. They make their own udon noodles which makes it stand out for me. The noodles are homemade though not hand cut. The noodles are chewy and just the right texture when they come out. The broth is excellent, flavored just right. It was not too sweet not salty and not too strongly flavored with soy sauce which makes the broth dark. It was light colored and lightly seasoned to perfection. I am quite picky when it comes to udon noodles and broth and am disenchanted with most udon served at restaurants. But I would highly recommend this place for a hot bowl of udon. The toppings are not as plentiful as some Japanese restaurants in this area. However, if you're like me then the broth and noodles are most important componants and if they are not done right then no amount of toppings makes it better. We had the combo with some nigiri and the spicy tuna roll and eel over rice. The combo also comes with a good size bowl of udon. It was a robust meal. The nigiri was fresh and the rice not too big. The roll was good too. The eel was soft and melted in your mouth. The combo comes with a hearty salad. We just had water as a beverage and the water was filtered well and tasted good. This matters to me. Some restaurant bring out water that tastes like it's straight from the tap. The service was gracious and attentive. I look forward to visiting this place more often in the future while trying different items. If I want a serious bowl of udon I now know where to go where I won't be disappointed. Tip: when the combo comes out, eat the udon first so you enjoy the noodles and hot broth at their best!

Food was amazing and so fresh! Variety of menu choices as well, along with specials! Beautiful patio seating, with indoor options as well. Service was attentive and positive! Will be back when I'm in the area!

Delicious sushi, dumplings and yuzu pie! The staff are friendly and attentive and the restaurant has a very pleasant atmosphere. Looking forward to another meal :)

Neighborhood Gem! I have to say on our initial visit with guests we were disappointed with the rushed service. However, we returned on a weekday evening and both the food and service was impeccable. The seaweed salad was delicious and the duck entree should not be missed. There are a number of sushi/sashimi selections to pique many discerning tastes. The servers were attentive and friendly.

Food was good. Service was ok until they rushed us out the door in a very unprofessional, unkind manner within 60 seconds of paying the bill. We left a good tip too. They literally asked us to get up and leave so they could seat someone else. Felt like an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Won't be going back.

Tried Rakugaki and take out experience was satisfactory. While the portions were smaller than what is generally received, every dish showcased an exquisite presentation and authentic Japanese flavors. The attention to detail in each dish reflected a commitment to quality. The smaller portions allowed for a more explorative dining experience, enabling a variety of flavors without feeling overwhelmed. The service was helpful, with the staff providing helpful recommendations. Eager to return to indulge in other offerings on the menu. Plenty of parking available and easy to get to.

Some places deserve a great review - this is one of them. Visited during my travels from the West Coast for business, and was very pleased with the presentation and subtle harmonies nestled within every dish we had the pleasure of trying. I have had sushi in Japan, Hawaii, and many states in between, and this was among some of the best sushi i've tried. Great menu, very attentive staff. Highly recommended.

Be sure to check your carryout bag before you drive off. This place has left an item out of our carryout order twice in a row. And they said they would issue a refund to us for the missing item on the first occasion, and then didn't. The food is pretty good, but maybe not worth the hassle if you are primarily a carryout customer.

Very very delicious lunch! Gim is a very nice person he served me at the bar and I really enjoyed the food here. Best sushi ive had in a while!

I went to Rakugaki during their soft opening week. It was a Friday, early in the evening when my husband, my son and I walked in to see what the wait would be for a table. Since it was so early in the evening, the staff were immediately able to seat us with no reservations, but they told us the table was reserved in 45 minutes for another party. My son is still an infant and so we knew we would be quick as we had to get him home for bedtime soon so we said there would be no problem with us leaving before the next reservation. We were seated right at the front and were provided with a high chair for my son. The staff were still printing the menus for the night so we waited for a bit sipping the water they brought out to us. Once the menus arrived, we ordered the Raku Tuna Tartare, Chirashi and Beef Ragu Pasta. The Tuna Tartare comes with three mini slices of bread, tuna tartare, two mini pickles, a small salad and a lemon sauce. It was delicious, the tuna was very fresh, it would be better if it came with more slices of bread. The Chirashi comes with 12 pieces of sashimi and Gomoku sushi rice which is sushi rice mixed with veggies and seafood. It came nicely plated on a tray and to no surprise, the sashimi was deliciously fresh consistent with the other Raku chains. The Beef Ragu Pasta under the Homemade Udon section of the menu comes with homemade udon, red wine braised, truffle oil, micro cilantro and ground beef. Most restaurants in the area typically serve an udon soup or basic udon stir fry so I was excited to try Raku's homemade udon menu. The Beef Ragu Pasta does not look like much in the photo, but it is so flavorful and so filling. It was my favorite item ordered and I suggest it as a must try item! Overall the staff were very friendly and attentive. I appreciate how they were very careful with all of the placement of the dishes so that my son could not reach and hurt himself or make a mess. I was excited for this new location to open for awhile since I have always had positive experiences in the other Raku chains in the area and I was not disappointed. I have ordered takeout from here multiple times as well and I hate to sound like a broken record, but seriously... everything is so fresh and delicious here :)

Decided to try this place because my wife works right next door. Got there at 7:05pm. They told me that they could seat me immediately outdoor, but there would be a 20-30 minute wait for indoor seating. I put my name on the waiting list for indoor seating. Due to the humidity being so high. After 40 mines we were told that a table was being cleared out for us. As I stood at the host stand. Another employee asked me if I would like to sit outside because they had reservations coming in and no tables available inside. Immediately following that, about 3 more employees approached me asking if we could just sit outside. After 55 minutes the host then tells me that he can seat my family and I outside, then come get us when a table opens up. Had I been told from the beginning that it would be over an hour. I would have opted to go somewhere else. The time was then 8:03pm and we were still not seated. Therefore my family and I opted to drive to Rockville town center to go to Kusshi sushi.

Loved both of my experiences here. Excellent restaurant, service, and food. The sushi and ragu pasta were a hit. The dumplings were also excellent, but a smidge heavy on ginger. I can't complain though - loved this place.

We ordered some sushi I the restaurant and found out a worm in my sushi dish. But the owner say it is something else. The owner took the worm away and never bought it back

Good was fantastic- so fresh! Unique rolls. We wanted to try everything on the menu. Our server was super nice. Very neighborhood friendly vibe. Will definitely be back.

Food here is okay at best. I ordered take out sushi and the quality was so bad that we threw out $100 worth of sushi. I really wanted to like this place but quality is not consistent and nothing amazing

Raku is my favorite restaurant in the world. Rakugaki is even closer to my home and is the same amazing quality + affordable. Everything is so fresh and tasty. Try the hakko sushi!

I rarely ever write reviews but I felt compelled to do it this time as the customer service was. . .interesting. We came in at 4:40pm and the restaurant opened at 4:30. We might have been the first customers of the day so maybe that's why they weren't as welcoming as they should be. The caucasian waitress, Rossalyn, that took our orders was great and attentive. However, the Asian staff were definitely rude and not as welcoming towards us. They were smiling among themselves and towards the caucasian customers but the unfriendly attitude towards us was definitely uncalled for. We ordered Ebi Mayo, Chicken and Pork Dumplings, Sushi Assortment and Beef Ragu Pasta. Overall, the food was decent and worth coming back for (except for the sushi). However, I might have to rethink about coming back as the customer service was bad and the dining experience was unpleasant.

There salads are outstanding!!! I don't resonators Japanese. I've never seen them in any other Japanese restaurant, but they are particularly good mushroom asparagus, salad, and a beet Arugula. Don't miss this.