Reviews for KENAKI Sushi Counter in Gaithersburg, MD

UPDATE: I gave this place a try again. This time, I tried sashimi set. The fish was really good and fresh. They gave me miso... soup and rice too. Great for lunch! I didn?t like octopus tho Good service, beets salad was also good, but sushi was mediocre,small and fish quality is just ok for the price, not that fresh, kinda slimy. Not worth it. 3 stars are for service and thesalad. Read more

Top notch place. Sushi was freshly prepared, good portions and quality fish. Miso soup rocked -- I usually don't notice the... soup but this one was really good! Service was excellent. The ambience is nice too, very relaxed, chill music. They have a mixof table sizes inside, and some outdoor seating too. Read more

We got Kenaki for lunch! They had a lunch menu but we just went with stuff off of the regular menu. It wasn't too busy being a... weekday, and they were really good about seating parties far apart. Service was really good, every time my water got a littlelow it got refilled, and when they forgot an ingredient in my friend's roll they grabbed her a new one right away. The food wasreally good too! I got edamame and a spicy crunchy salmon roll. The rolls were huge and packed with crunch (though it could havebeen spicier!). The flavors were great and the fish was really fresh. The edamame was weirdly squishy? But still tasty. Priceswere average, comparable to most other places I've been. I would definitely go back again soon to try more sushi! Read more

I love this place! Definitely my favorite sushi restaurant in Gaithersburg. It?s never disappointed me and the quality is always... fresh! If you?re looking for a good sushi spot, then this is the place to come. I usually get salmon nigiri and spicy salmoncrunchy roll. The miso soup is very tasty. The spicy tuna rolls are very good as well. Read more

If you?re coming for fish quality, this is a decent spot. The tuna and salmon on our sashimi plate was definitely... fresh-tasting. As for the rolls, my group got four: Black Magic, White Tiger, Green Monster, and J-Pop. The White Tiger washonestly the only one worth the price: it was smokey, umami, and had nice texture on top with the almonds and other goodies ontop. The rest of the rolls didn?t really have distinct flavor and were mushy in the middle, even the shrimp tempura. The BlackMagic roll tasted nice with the fried leeks on top, but it was still mushy in the middle. It?s quite pricey too. Our sashimidish was $34. I would recommend trying to go during lunch time only. The service was great though. Read more

Kenaki Sushi Counter offers one of the more authentic Japanese dining experiences that the Gaithersburg area has to offer. The... Dinner Menu features small Japanese plates, Entrees, and of course Sushi. Call me basic if you want; I typically stick tosushi. All menu items are anchored in tradition but revised with a fresh modern twist. The modifications can be subtle; theresults are relentlessly delicious. I appreciate the name of the sushi rolls as well, very creative and makes it feel fun. Keepin mind they only offer Japanese liquors. If you?re hip to Japanese whiskey and Saki then you know this is a plus, not a minus.Don?t even try to come here for a Tito?s martini though. It?s not happening! Very cool interior. I loved the printed wallpaper.Very well lit, for better or worse. Staff is always warm and inviting; Service is Knowledgeable and accommodating. I noticedTupac and some other cool hip hop playing in the background. Please note: the ambiance is very casual. I would say no dresscode at all. In the Kentlands location, I also noticed it is very family-oriented. Aside from my friend and myself, most dinerscomprised of parents and kids eating together. Didn?t seem to possess a date night vibe, if you?re looking to meet someone.Thisis not a knock to the operation- just a truth. Obviously hasn?t stopped me from going! Read more

Of the half dozen times I have come here, they have never disappointed me at all. It is hard to imagine that the casual... atmosphere would present such a solid representation to the food served. In other words: the food is GOOD for what it is. Granted that the spectrum to rate food is so wide and of course with a LOT of credentials/reputation that goes along with tuereviewer. I appreciate the service as well. I really do like the on-going changes to the specials (daily so far that I haveseen) and I'm so glad that the menu isn't so static. Fresh ingredients and the combinations of the fish, prepared with thetoppings is what makes this place stand out than any other place within a 10 mile radius. If it wasn't for being in Kentlands,you can easily image this place downtown DC or any other major city and can make a (book)mark on anyone's Google maps to comeback again again. Selection of the sake is always within its range of what they serve. It is good to see they don't mindgetting their imported fish; serve what the chefs desire to show their love for the food (and customers). If you are a sushibuffet eater: please take your dollar per piece thought process and leave that at home. Enjoy Kenaki as grades above that,treat yourself and do yourself a favor by experiencing a finer selection of the Japanese cuisine, but without the pressure ofthe business affair and mindset of "was it worth it?" You will miss out the Kenaki's experience. Read more

We've gotten takeout from Kenaki a bunch this year and it is always fantastic. They keep the menu interesting with delicious... specials, the fish is high quality and the combination of flavors is fantastic. We have never been disappointed. Please do notmiss the dessert of bread pudding made with croissants. It's crazy good! Read more