KIYOMI by Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino

  4.4 – 65 reviews   • Japanese restaurant

✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in KIYOMI by Masaaki

Address and Contact Information

Address: 1895 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Phone:

Website:

Menu Photos

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Reviews

David Ho
Walking into Kiyomi feels like discovering a sushi secret in plain sight—hidden in The Square food hall, with only 10 counter seats, each reservation feels like scoring front-row access to a culinary performance .

What We Experienced

We opted for the dinner omakase, and it was an impeccable balance of precision and warmth. Chef Uchi—or one of his adept protégés—delivers each piece with quiet intent. The spicy tuna hand roll surprised me with its crisp nori and bold kick . Highlights included hay-smoked fish, char sushi, and melts-in-your-mouth otoro and uni, all elevated by expertly seasoned rice and subtly nuanced plating  .

Service & Atmosphere

The service strikes a rare balance—focused and attentive without overshadowing the experience. The small sushi bar means the chef can explain each cut if you’re curious, yet let the food speak for itself. The ambiance leans casual, softened by the relaxed flow of The Square’s communal dining energy  .

Bonus Tip for Waiting

Pro tip: if you’re early or waiting for your seat, slip over ten steps behind to the bar in The Square. It’s the perfect prelude—grab a cocktail, soak in the vibe, and then slide into that sushi seat ready for magic.

Wrap-Up

Kiyomi delivers a stunning omakase journey that’s both approachable and refined. Whether you crave high-caliber sushi without the stiff formality—or you just want the best value in DC—this place hits every mark. It’s not just a meal, it’s a quiet, unforgettable experience I’ll be coming back for.
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Lynn Ta
I had the Valentine’s Day omakase at KIYOMI Sushi by Uchi, and it was an incredible experience. Each dish was unique, with amazing flavors and beautifully fresh sushi. The presentation was stunning, and you can really tell the quality and attention to detail.

The atmosphere is something to keep in mind, KIYOMI is located in a food court, so while I personally didn’t mind, the presence of families and kids might make it feel less romantic for some. That said, I absolutely loved the emo music playing in the background! Overall, a fantastic meal with great vibes, just know what to expect with the setting.
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Amanda Hu
A very subpar experience at the counter of this omakase.

Service was meh and the chef barely tried to make conversation or try to see how people felt about the food. I had higher expectations given his background but was disappointed.

The fish itself was fine but nothing really stood out as innovative or exciting. The starter dishes were also lackluster.

For the price, I’d rather choose another option in DC.
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Merytel Rodriguez
This was my first time having an omakase experience and what a better way than with their $40 lunch special! Had king salmon, yellowtail, seabass, smoked salmon, bluefin tuna, and the most delicious fatty salmon. Finished off the meal with a perfectly salted miso soup and a nice spicy tuna hand roll. The experience was perfectly paced so we had time to enjoy every single piece. We got there at around 11:45 AM on a tuesday so it wasn’t super busy but by the time we left? there were a good amount of people in the area so get there early if you don’t want to wait!
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Stephanie Lovell
The quick Omakase is 7 nigiri, one hand roll, and a cup of miso soup for $40. We had a short wait in the food hall before we were able to grab three seats together.

I recognised many of the fish and proteins which was a delight. The lunch was just enough to fill me and paced well. I had a wonderful meal. The firefly squid was a treat.
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Jenny Z
High quality fish for the nigiris. The non-fish dishes were also delicious with seasonal flavors (super refreshing for the summer time). Staff are really friendly. For the price point, this is really hard to beat.
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Tabitha Park
Chef Uchi is amazing. We knew we had to come to Kiyomi after dining at Sushi Nakazawa (where Chef Uchi was previously the executive chef) many times over the past several years. As always, the selection of fish did not disappoint — only sourced from the best! Technique and flavors were all on point. We will definitely be coming back.
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Michael Richardson
A friend suggested Kiyomi for lunch, and I’m so glad she did! They have an amazing lunch special: a 7-piece omakase for just $40, which also includes miso soup and a hand roll. This special was hard to pass up.

Seating is limited and first come, first served, so we decided to go during the week and arrived early to avoid any crowds. There’s only counter seating, and they serve each piece of sushi one at a time, which really lets you take in the the flavors of the meal. Every piece of sushi was fresh, filling, and full of flavor, and the miso soup was the perfect complement to the meal.

If you’re looking for excellent sushi at a great price, check out Kiyomi! It’s definitely worth the price.
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Joseph Raczynski
It’s a popup for the moment. They will move across the atrium to their full time spot in the future. On this day the 16 courses, essentially single bites, was overall – solid. Let me expand…

Fortunately, I’ve been to quite a few of these sorts of restaurants. This place does a good job with most dishes, with a few that were excellent. The char sushi were standouts. The other pieces, while good, needed more moisture, i.e. each piece needed more of the sauce they dressed each piece with. The bed of rice needed to be better saturated in that particular sauce.

Overall, you’re likely in for $300+ per couple here, so the review reflects the need for a bit more flavor (moisture) in each bite. I think this place has potential, but they need to add that extra flavor, which at the moment is faint.
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Mike T
Loved every part of this experience. The quality of fish you get was outstanding for the price. The matcha dessert was one of the more memorable desserts I have had as of late. The staff were all friendly as well.
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