Restaurant Review: Kodori Korean and Japanese Restaurant, Waldorf, Maryland

If you ever get a craving for sushi, give Kodori a try. I promise you will not be disappointed. We've been loyal Kodori fans since the restaurant opened. The owner and sushi chef Mr. Kim opened the restaurant after being the former head sushi chef at another Japanese restaurant in Waldorf. Now with Kodori, Mr. Kim combines two very different tastes by offering Korean and Japanese dishes.

We used to visit the restaurant several times a month when we lived near-by. We're now an hour away and I try to get my sushi "fix" at least twice a month. It's nice ordering from Kodori because I can call in an order and my husband picks it up on his way home from work. I've tried several other sushi places and I can honestly say that no other place comes close. (This includes Walt Disney World.)

Lunch specials at Kodori are very reasonably priced and contain a good amount of food. For instance, if you order the Gal-bi Box you would receive a few pieces of grilled beef short ribs cooked in a special sauce on a bed of rice, a tossed salad with ginger dressing, a California roll, tempura shrimp and vegetables, and a section of orange for $7.95. The only downside is that the lunch box specials are only available Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM until 2:30 PM. (So if you go on a Saturday - no lunch box special.)

As much as I love getting it to go and eating it at home, I also love to dine-in. The other nice thing about Kodori is that they bring out little dishes of Korean appetizers free of charge. Examples: Bean Sprouts, Kimchi, and Watercress to name a few. You get a better sampling of the items if you dine-in rather than getting it to go. Usually if you order the items to go they do not place the free sides in the bag unless you ask for them.

Our six-year-old daughter even loves the place and she has plenty to eat. (You will not find chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese here.) Sometimes she will order the chicken teriyaki entrée, which is $9.95. As you can guess from the price, a child's menu is not available. Her usual order is what we call the six "S" 's. Meaning that everything contains an "S". Miso Soup, Salad, Soybeans (Edamame), Sushi, Steamed Rice, and a Japanese Soda.

My favorite here as far as sushi goes is the Philli Roll, which is a more filling version of the Philadelphia Roll. The Philli Roll sells for $8.95 and contains smoked salmon in the roll and on top of the roll with cream cheese and avocado. The basic Philadelphia Roll is priced at $4.50. I also love the Spicy Tuna and the Eel Rolls. (These literally just melt in your mouth.)

Kodori is located in a small strip mall on Route 301. Their address is 2792 Crain Highway, Waldorf, Maryland. You can also place orders to go. Their telephone number is (301) 374-9955. Kodori is closed on Sunday.

Keep in mind that even though I recommend the sushi here, they do offer so much more. Also note that eating undercooked or raw foods can possibly increase your risk of food borne illness.