Raw Omakase DC

Amazing sushi! I've been to numerous omakase experiences in the city, and this is easily one of the best. The food is simply incredible! The menu strikes the perfect balance of classic nigiri and different innovative dishes. Chef Johnny is the consummate professional, but is easy to talk to and will go out of his way explaining all the dishes. Stop reading this review and just go, now!

We celebrated my husband's birthday at this exceptional establishment. I am thrilled to have discovered my new favorite omakase in DC. The 17 pieces of sushi, meticulously crafted by Chef Yi, showcased an impressive attention to detail. The chef's deliberate grouping of various fishes, including white, salmon, tuna, and blue fish, allowed us to appreciate the distinct flavors. My husband opted for the sake pairing, while I chose the wine and sake pairing. The generosity of the pairing was unparalleled, with premium sake and wine selections. Jenistar, the beverage manager, demonstrated impressive knowledge and ensured a seamless experience. Overall, this was the best experience, and we are already planning our return visit with friends.

We had a wonderful experience at Raw Omakase. Chef John does an outstanding job, and Janice is exceptionally knowledgeable about sake. The sake pairing is a must. Everything we had was delicious, and we’re already looking forward to our next visit. We also had great conversations with the guests seated next to us.

Raw Omakase at Takara 14 was an incredible experience—intimate, personalized, and truly a journey through flavors and textures. With just four of us at the counter, Executive Chef Johnny took the time to explain each course in detail, guiding us from low oil content to high oil content selections. He was thoughtful in adjusting to dietary preferences and restrictions while maintaining the integrity of the experience. The omakase bar just opened in the fall of 2024 upstairs from their main sushi restaurant, and they’ve created something truly special. They offer two seatings each night at 6:00 PM and 8:15 PM—we opted for the 6:00 PM seating on a Friday night, which allowed for a relaxed and immersive experience. The fish, sourced directly from Japan, was presented with full transparency on its origin and timing. Having done many omakases before, I appreciated how well he explained everything, and some pieces were truly unique. We ended up with 22 courses, including additions from the chef, making it an incredible value. Standouts for me were the Chu Toro, monkfish liver course, A5 Wagyu, and Uni—all melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The fish soup and noodles at the end were comforting, and the corn ice cream was so unique and delicious that I ate it way too fast. Everything was pristinely clean, from the workspace to the dishware. I especially loved the bowls and the way the knives were integrated into the wall decor. A nice touch was being given a pen so I could take notes throughout the meal—it made it easy to remember details about each course and added to the experience. Drinks were just as well thought out—we had the Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo sake, which was smooth, light, and slightly sweet. They also offer a wine and sake pairing with generous pours, making it a great option for next time. The location is convenient near Logan Circle, and while we Ubered, there seemed to be plenty of street parking. Service was impeccable—my water cup was always full, and the staff was attentive without being intrusive. As someone who absolutely loves sushi, this omakase reminded me why—it was a series of melt-in-your-mouth moments that made me giggle and smile throughout the meal. 100% worth it, and I would absolutely go again!

Atmosphere is beautiful and intimate. The service was impeccable with both topical wine/sake pairings as well as a great whisky list. The food was fresh, aesthetically pleasing and delicious. Chef Johnny prepares it all right in front of you. He explains everything in detail and is happy to chat about particulars if that’s your thing. On our visit he invited us for a little glass of whisky after dinner to talk shop. Best sushi and service I’ve had in DC.

We were all impressed by the quality and creativeness of Chef John Yi. John worked at Nakazawa but I must say we enjoyed Raw Omakase much more than Nakazawa. At "Raw", high quality sushi and perfect sushi rice (to me, rice is as important as the quality of fish) was given. in addition to sushi, we got at least 5 addtional small dish - from seaweed plus fruit salad to steamed fish to two bowl of noodle There were more than 20 sushi and special dish - as each piece was served, we were all kept saying "Ah...delicious" "This is Crazy good" .... And of course, the service was excellent and with only 8 seating, it was family like atmosphere.

We booked Raw Omakase as in introduction into this cultural experience of dining and we were not disappointed. Chef Johnny and his entire team were so welcoming. We arrived early and were greeted with a spot at the bar with an extremely friendly bartender and some delicious drinks. Once we were called up to dine, we were greeted with a warm welcome, and seated. Jennistar took time to explain the customs of cleaning our hands and how the courses were to proceed. Chef Johnny took time to explain how they obtain their fish, some of the history behind it, and where it was from. He was also very welcome to questions from the group and answered them with charm and well thought out responses. I can’t imagine a better introduction into the world of Omakase than what we experienced. Amazing food, along with amazing staff made a meal I will never forget!

New favorite Omakase spot in DC. Chef Johnny created the most magical and intimate experience. He told us the backstory of each fish and created a wonderful atmosphere for us. Will be coming back again!

What a fun night with Chef Johnny! The food is absolutely delicious with a very thoughtful Progressive tasting which includes soups and other dishes to break up the sushi. The decor is nice with a chic but comfortable atmosphere. The food was amazing... especially the Salmon Toro...yum!! Everyone was very nice and welcoming. My friend and I came in on a Saturday night for a sushi counter dinner. They really know how to season and balance flavors. The fish is fresh and cut expertly. It was a great omakase and they did have coke... which I appreciated. The dress was sort of a smart casual. Slacks and a nice top. I highly recommend it for a nice night out!!

I've been on a bit of an Omakase kick this year (not great for my bank account) and had the head Chef at another event two months before. After hearing him speak so passionately about his counter, we went online and booked a reservation immediately. Spun out of the Takra 14 kitchen, Chef Johnny wanted to show us his vision of the Chef's experience; and indeed he did. We of course went with the wine/sake pairing served up by the lovely and engaging Som. A mix of traditional sashimi, noodles and a surprise Wagu course each dish came out beautifully presented and mouth wateringly succulent. The space, the engagement and the drinks were all paced perfectly. 20+ rolls and dishes were perfect to leave us feeling full. What an absolute treat and stands on the podium with the top Omakases in D.C.!!

Raw Omakase is an absolute must for sushi lovers. Every single course we had was phenomenal. Major kudos to Chef John Yi: his craftsmanship and talent truly shine in every bite. The fish literally melts in your mouth, and the non-nigiri courses were outstanding as well. Honestly, the only bad thing about Raw is that it makes you want to come back every single day, but you won't get a reservation because they're always full. This experience is definitely worth the price. :)

Excellent omakase! Soups, noodles, shrimp, all the nigiri, blowtorches, ginger, cucumbers, generous uni, yuzu ... loved every bite (and there were 21 of them)! The personalized table card, candle, and a lovely ink pen artwork to take home at the end of the meal made my husband's birthday special. Enjoyed a umami, spicy sake recommended by the staff, paced perfectly with the food. Best of all, watching Chef Johnny Yi is magic, and he was so friendly and engaging. If you're looking for a more intimate experience to celebrate a life event, put Raw Omakase on your list.

Location: On the 3rd floor, above Takara 14. FYI, it's all stairs and I did not see an elevator in the building. Another con is that the restrooms are only located on the 2nd floor. Reservations: Easy to make online via their website. They take a $150 deposit per person when you book which is applied to your final bill. Reservations are non-refundable. Seatings: Two a night at 6pm and 8:15pm for an 8 person sushi counter. We had the 8:15pm reservation and were seated about 15 min late - this seems to be a normal occurrence for the 2nd seating, based on other reviews. We were there for almost 3 hours. Drinks: You can order from the bar but they also offer an $85 drink pairing which includes both wine and sake. The drink pairing was great and went well with each course. The sommelier was very informative and enthusiastic! Food: 18 courses of amazing dishes! The sushi is fresh and delicious and the non sushi dishes were equally as tasty. Chef Johnny is friendly and engaging and the intimate atmosphere really made the experience feel special. I informed them we were celebrating my friend's birthday and they brought out a candle for her with dessert, which was a nice touch. I definitely recommend this place if you love sushi!

Exquisite service of 20 courses of mostly sushi but also soups, stews, caviar, and tempura ending with sorbet and roasted Japanese sweet potato. The service is faultlessly attentive and friendly without being overbearing. The fish is beautifully fresh, tender, and flavorful. The price point is shockingly reasonable for what you get. If you love sushi, definitely go. For anyone with mobility issues, be warned it is a walk up to the 3rd floor. The atmosphere is quiet, conversational and professional. There is low volume techno pop in the background but not loud enough to interfere with most people with hearing issues.

This issee how the menu evolves. It deservhands down the best sushi I've had in the Washington DC area. Without a doubt this is better than Nakazawa and others. I live in NYC but visit DC a lot, and this omakase was a treat that I just didn't expect to have in DC. Chef Johnny and Jennistar are just great hosts. We came as a group of 4, which is half the omakase room, for the 8:15pm seating, which is the time you want to come to get all the courses you can. We did the drinks pairing and that was 100% the right choice. We were provided with a gruner, chardonnay, champagne, light malbec (from France), and a few sakes. I had Dassai 23 in this pairing in addition to a great champagne. This truly was the best drinks pairing I've ever seen at an omakase, and for $85 additional, just such a deal! Jennistar just kept it coming, and was also the friendliest and kindest human. Love her! Hard to say I had a favorite piece, but you can never go wrong with O-Toro or Salmon Toro, both pieces were very good. I love uni and they had Uni straight in from Hokkaido. It was really quite good. Not a single piece is one I would have moved off the menu, potentially the snapper, but that's just a personal preference. I will continue to come back as this was just such an experience. I do wish it wasn't up 3 flights of stairs with two restaurants that are not as nice, but it is what it is. The food, service, and ambiance upstairs more than make up for it and I cannot wait to see how it evolves. It more than deserves a michelin star, and so I hope we see one there!

Don't come here unless you want to be forever spoiled. Everything was freaking delightful. A great place for date night or any night you need to get your sushi fix because nothing else will come close. Didn't realize how impactful perfectly executed rice in the right temperature can be. That in addition to the best fish money can buy equals a bite like no other. EVERY bite was amazing. Now, need to rob a bank so I can eat here everyday Ambiance 10 Food 10 Drinks 10

We were all impressed by the quality and creativeness of Chef John Yi. John worked at Nakazawa but I must say we enjoyed Raw Omakase much more than Nakazawa. At "Raw", high quality sushi and perfect sushi rice (to me, rice is as important as the quality of fish) was given. in addition to sushi, we got at least 5 addtional small dish - from seaweed plus fruit salad to steamed fish to two bowl of noodle There were more than 20 sushi and special dish - as each piece was served, we were all kept saying "Ah...delicious" "This is Crazy good" .... And of course, the service was excellent and with only 8 seating, it was family like atmosphere.

I came here as a birthday celebration and although the food was decent , I do need to point out several serious service failures that I am quite surprised on how the staff handled for this service. For starters, our reservation was moved up 15 minutes, same day. This wasn't a problem for us but I can see how this could have been an issue for others with tight schedules. Especially when they were aware the 4 couples there, 3 were celebrating birthdays and one celebrating an anniversary. Upon arrival, we were seated at the bar to wait on the chef to finalize preparing for his service. The bartender took several minutes to arrive and began making drinks for others in the main restaurant vs prioritizing the 8 of us waiting on service. By the time we received drinks, I had a few sips before having to carry my coat, purse, and drink up 15+ steep slick steps and finish my drink up at the omakase area. It would have been more appropriate for the staff to take coats upon entrance as well as carry the drinks up for the guests. Once we were seated, the chef introduced himself and apologized for the fly that has been flying around the area all day that they couldn't catch. This fly was massive (like horse fly size), was landing on food, and at one point of the night, the chef attempted to kill it with a blow torch directed at one of the patrons after landing on a melon that we later were served with our dessert. I didn't see this melon replaced or washed before being served to us. At no point were we offered to forgo our reservation and book another night, offered a comp, a complimentary drink, or was the service paused to address the horse fly. This was a display of poor management and serious breach of fine-dining protocol and basic food safety norms. I am also stumped that if you ended your previous service early and knew you had a fly problem, why wouldn't you use the extra time to address the fly vs moving your next reservation up 15 min? Overall it felt like a very light version of sushi Nakazawa, highly focused on the flavor of the fish vs adding additional notes that could distract. Flavors were light and clean. The fresh wasabi (micro-planed during service) was added to almost every piece of nigiri was heavy handed. This starts to give off a "one note" profile after awhile. I appreciate not densely compacting the rice so that the fish is sitting on a pillowy piece of rice but it was too loose and easily fell apart even when gently grasping with fingers. Focusing on not breaking the nigiri before making it to your mouth distracts from the experience. The chef walked us through the origins of everything we ate which was a delightful touch to the experience. Aside from previously mentioned, the ambiance was lovely. Great lighting. Seating needs to be improved. The chairs felt like they were bought from Amazon: tiny, rickety, constrictive backs that wouldn't allow for larger back ended body types, fabric covering, and lacked comfort. Toward the end of service, they brought out 2 candles for those celebrating a birthday. Just a candle in a stand, no small sorbet or cupcake. They realized after looking at the assigned seating they left out one person from the birthday celebration (us being the couple they left out). They profusely apologized and gave us a candle which made an uncomfortable scene. Again, no adjustment to the bill or complimentary drink. Would we return? Hard to say. These hiccups in management really distracted from the chef and their art. If improvements were made in these categories, I'd consider a return.

Of course I had to visit another omakase restaurant in DC. This time it's @rawomakasedc which is connected to Takara 14. Raw Omakase is led by Chef John Yi. As you walk in you're led up the stairs and enter into Takara 14, but then you're lead up another staircase into a private dining room that seats 8. Opening 4 months ago, you are greeted with a nice music selection and an intimate setting for $150 which includes 18 courses. For the meal I started off with some soba noddles and then some fantastic pieces of sushi. The dining experience was amazing and it was great to meet new people. We were also given a personalized menu in order for us to take notes regarding our dining experience. Since I was celebrating my birthday, they presented me a candle!!! And to top it all off, all guests received a painted portrait of a fish at the end of dinner. If you're looking for an amazing omakase experience in DC, check out Raw Omakase DC located in DC!!! I can definitely see them getting a Michelin star soon. Below are some of my favorite pieces!!! Kinmedai - Golden Eye Snapper Hotate - Scallop Fuji- Salmon Seared Salmon Tori Chi Toro - Tuna Otoro - Fatty Tuna Saba - Pacific Mackerel A5 Wagyu Unagi #foodie #food #foodporn #sushi #sushilover #omakase #chilebougie #chilebougieeats #foodreview #chilebougietravels #foodiegram #cocktails #chiamakalkalu #blackfoodie #japan #foodcritic #japanesefood #dmv #dcfood #dcfoodie #tastemademedoit #EaterDC #dceats #dcfoodreview #dmvfoodreview #mdfoodie #marylandfoodie #rawomakaseDC #takara14

Incredible from start to finish! Very small, personal, and more intimate dining experience. Key word- EXPERIENCE. Chef tells you about everything you're eating, where it came from, traditional names. The wine and sake pairing really elevated the experience- and boy are they generous with pours. Everything was delicious. Would highly recommend!

This omakase spot is tucked above Takara14 main dining room. You climb a short staircase that is lined with attention grabbing artwork. The table itself was standard, but the personalized name cards were a unique touch. The hospitality was on point. Service was attentive in a quiet, confident way you usually see at Michelin spots. Chef John himself was the goat. Humble, knowledgeable, and engaging -- the kind of guy who would make you excited for monkfish liver. He was also visibly adaptable to anyone with food allergies or preferences. The food was good. Great quality and thoughtfully paced. For what they're charging, it's an excellent value. Definitely a try if you're looking for a date night or special occasion. The reason for the 4 and not the 5 is because of the "char". Some stars of the show, like the wagyu, came out of a forest fire. I'm all for smokiness, but it unfortunately overpowered the meat/fish. I'd highly recommend requesting a lighter char unless you're curious what ashes taste like :) Also, I think I remember hearing that the menu changes seasonally? If that's the case, you won't have to worry about having the same meal twice unless you're coming every week.

Raw Omakase at Takara 14 was an incredible experience--intimate, personalized, and truly a journey through flavors and textures. With just four of us at the counter, Executive Chef Johnny took the time to explain each course in detail, guiding us from low oil content to high oil content selections. He was thoughtful in adjusting to dietary preferences and restrictions while maintaining the integrity of the experience. The omakase bar just opened in the fall of 2024 upstairs from their main sushi restaurant, and they've created something truly special. They offer two seatings each night at 6:00 PM and 8:15 PM--we opted for the 6:00 PM seating on a Friday night, which allowed for a relaxed and immersive experience. The fish, sourced directly from Japan, was presented with full transparency on its origin and timing. Having done many omakases before, I appreciated how well he explained everything, and some pieces were truly unique. We ended up with 22 courses, including additions from the chef, making it an incredible value. Standouts for me were the Chu Toro, monkfish liver course, A5 Wagyu, and Uni--all melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The fish soup and noodles at the end were comforting, and the corn ice cream was so unique and delicious that I ate it way too fast. Everything was pristinely clean, from the workspace to the dishware. I especially loved the bowls and the way the knives were integrated into the wall decor. A nice touch was being given a pen so I could take notes throughout the meal--it made it easy to remember details about each course and added to the experience. Drinks were just as well thought out--we had the Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo sake, which was smooth, light, and slightly sweet. They also offer a wine and sake pairing with generous pours, making it a great option for next time. The location is convenient near Logan Circle, and while we Ubered, there seemed to be plenty of street parking. Service was impeccable--my water cup was always full, and the staff was attentive without being intrusive. As someone who absolutely loves sushi, this omakase reminded me why--it was a series of melt-in-your-mouth moments that made me giggle and smile throughout the meal. 100% worth it, and I would absolutely go again!

Good dinner but here are some critiques. Food and alcohol overall went well. $150 for omakase (must reserve online). Chef Johnny was engaging and explained every course, so it was a pleasure to sit at the bar. There are cheaper omakase in NY, but you won't get the same experience necessarily where the chef explains everything. Tweaks: I had an 8:15 PM reservation. I came at 8:17 and the host said someone would meet me at the stairs and take me up. I asked to wash my hands and I took a couple minutes. I came out and I was confused because another waiter said someone would take me up. What should have been said was that they were still cleaning up and would I mind waiting at the bar (which the other 7 people were doing, which I suspected but wasn't sure). If they said that they were running a little behind, I would be like, of course: take your time. But they only said someone would take me up, and when no one did, I was getting confused and disgruntled since we weren't seated until 8:30. And it was of a miscommunication issue, since I felt like I was getting fobbed off, not due to the actual wait time. The service was great from the main chef, the sous chef, and Janice (our sommelier). Great explanations and why certain drinks were chosen. But the another big issue was bill. I paid in advance for the omakase and I got hit with a 20% service fee. They should have included that in the regular price. I was only expecting to pay $85 for the alcohol pairing plus tax, not an extra 20%. I wished they charged $175 or $180 for the omakase and not charged a service fee, because I would be a lot happier and less blindsided. NY charges $90 for a similar amount of courses and no service fees. Overall, a good place for DC. But that service fee may kill me.

We booked for the 8:15 seating, which allots more courses for the meal. We started our seating 30min late, but boy was the meal worth it. I think we found our new favorite sushi spot in the DMV! The sushi counter seats 8 and everyone has a front row seat with Chef Johnny at the helm crafting each course. It was a fun couple of hours of both jokes and fish education from Chef Johnny. This is not your frou frou experience. It's very down to earth..homakase "rustic omakase" and was very well received by everyone. Usually for omakase, we have our favorite courses - really can't choose even our top 3 because every piece of fish was so tasty. You can taste the quality being used. Almost every course was nigiri style, which is appreciated. The courses contained some rare types of fish not normally seen. Every piece of fish was buttery fresh, sweet (when appropriate), and the flavor balances from Chef were perfect. Music is on point as well! Parking is a nightmare so arrive early to have time to look. We can't wait to be back for more. This is exactly the type of sushi spot we need more of in the area. Highly highly recommend.

Our raw omakase experience was absolutely incredible in every way. If you're even slightly considering giving this a try, stop thinking and just do it. This is not a meal. It's a dining experience. It's a food journey. Every single bite is part a story you need to read. Book your seats now.

I usually go to few restaurants, but their service and hospitality lift me speechless.

Such a lovely dinner experience. Chef Johnny really helped to create that "eating in a friend's basement" experience but elevated. Looking forward to returning and encouraging others to experience this!