The Most Overrated Sushi Restaurants in the Washington Metro Area

I'm going against the grain and refuting some of the so-called "best" sushi restaurants in the Washington metro area. Do I have the authority to do this? Absolutely. I have eaten at virtually every sushi restaurant in Northern Virginia, and many of them in the district. It seems that the restaurants with the hippest atmosphere are always favored by food critiques and people in general. Here are the four most overrated sushi restaurants in the Washington metro area.

Tachibana in McLean, V.a.
I do not understand why there is so much hype around this restaurant. I've read various online reviews from restaurant-goers that this restaurant has the best sushi in Northern Virginia, and that's simply not the case. The menu is limited, it's over priced, and the sushi isn't as fresh as at other places. Just to be sure I didn't have one bad experience, I ate there a second time, and my opinion didn't change. In fact, my opinion of the restaurant was made even worse by the lack of variety and poor quality. I've heard people say that Tachibana has the "largest and freshest portions"-- were we eating at the same restaurant? This was simply not the case when I ate there both times.

If you're looking for good sushi in the McLean/Tyson's Corner area, try Konami on Leesburg Pike, across from Tyson's Corner Center mall. Their rolls are quite sizable and they have a huge selection of fresh fish an innovative rolls. The atmosphere is quiet and the service is spectacular. I highly recommend the rainbow roll-- you won't find another one as good for such a reasonable price elsewhere.

Cafe Asia in Rosslyn, V.a.
The sushi here is very mediocre. It's the atmosphere that attracts most people to Cafe Asia and it's a popular location for happy hour. What appalled me about this restaurant was the service. They brought me two pieces of Nigiri that I didn't intentionally order. I told the waitress that I didn't order it, and would she please bring me my correct order? She insisted that I did order that, and returned to the table with the crumbled up order sheet that had been thrown in the garbage. Really sanitary. Her point was that I did mark down the fish eggs, so I would have to pay for it. Whatever happened to "the customer is always right"? I made an innocent mistake with the order sheet, and they were extremely unforgiving.

Sushi-Ko in Washington, DC (Wisconsin Ave. NW)
It's true that Sushi-Ko has a unique selection of sushi. However, the restaurant sacrifices the basics in order to focus on more elaborate menu items and presentation. I've eaten there on several occasions, and twice got sick on their seaweed salad. If they can't get a seaweed salad right, it doesn't matter how fancy and unique their roles are, at least in my opinion.

Otani Japanese Steak House in Chantilly, V.a.
A combined sushi buffet, sushi bar and Japanese steak house with a Hibachi grill, Otani's sushi is a huge disappointment. The Hiabachi grill is very entertaining at dinner, but the sushi bar at lunchtime leaves a lot to be desired. The selection is minimal, the sushi is not fresh, and they make you pay for the rice that you do not eat. Even if you are not having a Hibachi grill meal, you are seated at a Hibachi grill, because that's all the seating they have. Their sushi also has a horrible aftertaste, and I am not sure what to attribute this to.

A better bet: Sho Chiku in Centreville, at the intersection of Rt. 28 and Rt. 29. Their buffet has twice the selection at approximately the same price, and you aren't charged more for not eating your rice. It's a quiet atmosphere and the services is outstanding.