Sakana Japanese Restaurant

For those in the heart of the District of Columbia seeking authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine, Sakana Japanese Restaurant stands as a compelling option. Tucked away on P Street NW, this cozy and low-key establishment has garnered a reputation for serving "some of the best sushi" at a "more than reasonable price." It’s a place that, despite some operational challenges during busy times, consistently delivers on the promise of fresh, flavorful Japanese food.

Sakana Japanese Restaurant is more than just a sushi bar; it offers a comprehensive menu that includes noodles, donburi (rice bowls), tempura, teriyaki, and various other traditional Japanese fare. This diversity ensures there's something to satisfy every craving, whether you're in the mood for classic rolls, nigiri, or a warm bowl of udon. Patrons often praise the food quality, highlighting its deliciousness and freshness, making it a hidden gem that many D.C. locals consider a must-try. Its commitment to quality and affordability creates a compelling dining proposition that sets it apart in the bustling D.C. culinary scene.

Sakana Japanese Restaurant is conveniently located at 2026 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA. This address places it squarely within the vibrant and popular Dupont Circle neighborhood, one of D.C.'s most dynamic areas known for its diverse dining options, cultural attractions, and lively atmosphere.

Accessibility to Sakana Japanese Restaurant is excellent for D.C. locals. It is very close to the Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red Line), making it easily reachable from almost anywhere in the city via public transportation. Numerous Metrobus routes also operate along P Street NW and the surrounding major avenues, with stops within easy walking distance of the restaurant. For those who prefer to drive, while street parking in Dupont Circle can be challenging, there are several public parking garages available in the vicinity, though fees apply. The restaurant's position in such a well-connected and desirable neighborhood makes it an ideal spot for a casual lunch, an evening dinner, or a meal before or after exploring the many cultural and social offerings of Dupont Circle. Its central location ensures that quality Japanese food is always within reach for residents and visitors alike.

Sakana Japanese Restaurant offers a wide array of Japanese culinary services, primarily focusing on its highly-regarded sushi and a broad selection of traditional hot dishes.

• Dine-in Service: The restaurant provides a cozy and low-key atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their meals. While it can get crowded, especially on busy nights, the in-person dining experience is central to its offering. Customers order using "order forms to make selections from the menu."

• Extensive Sushi and Sashimi Menu: This is a major highlight, with customers praising "some of the best sushi." The menu includes:

  • Nigiri (1 pc): A wide variety of fish including Yellowtail (Hamachi), Salmon (Sake), Shrimp (Ebi), Eel (Unagi), White Fish (Shiromi), Squid (Ika), Octopus (Tako), Mackerel (Saba), Smelt Egg (Masago), Flying Fish Egg (Tobiko), Egg (Tamago), Crab (Kanikama), Sweet Shrimp (Amaebi), Surf Clam (Hokkigai), White Tuna, and Scallop (Hotate).

  • Maki-Roll Sushi (6 pcs): A comprehensive selection of traditional and house rolls such as California Roll, Eel with Cucumber (Unakyu), Eel with Avocado Roll, Salmon with Avocado Roll, Bagel Roll, Yellowtail with Scallions, Tuna Roll (Tekka), Spicy Tuna Roll (Hot and Med), Crunchy Shrimp Roll, Spider Roll, Dragon Roll, Rainbow Roll, and various Sakana Special Rolls like Spicy Scallop Roll, Mamasan Roll, New Year Roll, Tiger Roll, Phoenix Roll, Tokyo Roll, Boise Roll, Naked Girl Roll, Snow Mountain Roll, Sunny Roll, Hana Roll, Iso Mako, Black Dragon Roll, Fantastic Roll, Spicy Angel Roll, Pink Lady Roll, Crispy Roll, and Yellowstone Roll.

  • Vegetable Maki-Rolls (6 pcs): Options for vegetarians including Cucumber Roll (Kappa), Spinach Roll, Asparagus Roll, Avocado Roll, Kanpyo Roll (Dried Gourd), Garden Roll, Oshinko Roll (pickled vegetables), Shiitake Roll, Plum Roll (Ume Shiso), and C.g. Tofu Roll.

  • Sashimi: Sliced fresh raw fish, available as appetizers or part of larger assortments.

• Appetizers from Sushi Bar: In addition to the main sushi offerings, they offer Sunomono (assorted raw fish in ponzu), Ika Salad (marinated squid), Tako Su (sliced octopus in vinegar sauce), Bonsai Tree (tuna, salmon, mayo, avocado & tobiko roll), Beef Tataki, Sushi (5 pcs), Black Pepper Tuna, Seared Tuna, Rainbow Bow, Salmon Poke, Tuna Poke, and Mix Poke.

• Hot Kitchen Entrees: Sakana offers a robust menu of cooked Japanese dishes, including:

  • Donburi Entrees: Rice bowls with various toppings like Oyako Don (chicken with egg), Katsu Don (pork cutlet), Tendon (shrimp, chicken, vegetable tempura), Yakitori Don (chicken with scallion & teriyaki), Katsu Curry Don (pork cutlet with curry), Unatama Don (eel with egg), and Ten Tama Don.

  • Teriyaki or Shioyaki: Broiled options with teriyaki sauce or salt, including Beef, Shrimp, Chicken, Salmon, and Saba (mackerel).

  • Cutlet: Deep-fried and breaded options such as Pork Cutlet, Chicken Cutlet, Seafood Mix Cutlet, and Una Ju (broiled eel on rice).

  • Tempura Entrees: Lightly battered and deep-fried dishes like Combination Tempura, Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura, and Chicken and Vegetable Tempura.

• Noodle and Nabemono Entrees: Various noodle dishes and hot pot style meals:

  • Nabeyaki Udon (noodles with vegetable, chicken, egg, shrimp tempura, clam in clear soup), Udon, Beef Sukiyaki, Ramen, Soba, and Chicken Sukiyaki.

  • Yaki Udon / Yaki Soba: Stir-fried noodles with vegetable, chicken, or shrimp.

• Appetizers: A wide range of hot and cold appetizers including Tempura (shrimp and vegetable), Sashimi (sliced fresh raw fish), Yakitori, Age Shumai (deep-fried crab ball), Age-dashi Tofu, Fried Oyster, and various salads like House Salad, Seaweed Salad, Kani Salad, and Spicy Tuna Avocado Salad.

• Takeout and Delivery Services: Sakana Japanese Restaurant offers convenient takeout and partners with various food delivery platforms (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates), allowing D.C. locals to enjoy their meals from home or office.

Sakana Japanese Restaurant offers several compelling features that make it a notable establishment for Japanese cuisine in Washington D.C., particularly for those seeking quality at a reasonable price.

• Delicious and Affordable Sushi: The most significant highlight, repeatedly emphasized by customers, is the exceptional quality of the sushi for its price. One reviewer stated, "Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had, and for a more than reasonable price." This combination of high quality and affordability makes it a strong contender for D.C. locals looking for a great sushi deal. The food is consistently described as "delicious" and fresh.

• Extensive Menu Beyond Sushi: While renowned for its sushi, Sakana offers a very broad menu covering a wide array of traditional Japanese dishes. This includes various nigiri, numerous traditional and specialty rolls, donburi (rice bowls), teriyaki, cutlets, tempura, ramen, udon, and a range of appetizers and salads. This extensive selection caters to diverse tastes and ensures there's something for everyone, even those not primarily seeking sushi.

• Friendly and Attentive Wait Staff: Despite potential crowding, the service generally receives positive feedback. One customer noted that the "wait staff are more than friendly," indicating a welcoming and helpful demeanor that enhances the dining experience.

• Cozy and Low-Key Ambiance: Described as a "cozy, low-key restaurant," Sakana offers a comfortable and unpretentious dining environment. This makes it suitable for casual meals with family or friends, where the focus is firmly on the food.

• Convenient Ordering System: The use of "order forms to make selections from the menu" can streamline the ordering process, allowing customers to clearly mark their choices and ensuring accuracy, especially for complex sushi orders.

• Prime Dupont Circle Location: Situated on P St NW in Dupont Circle, the restaurant benefits from a highly accessible and desirable location. This makes it convenient for office workers in the vicinity, as well as residents across D.C. utilizing public transport or walking.

• Dedicated to Freshness: The consistent praise for the "freshness" of the sushi suggests a commitment to using high-quality ingredients, which is crucial for Japanese cuisine.

As a professional content writer, it's important to clarify that specific, real-time promotions and special offers for Sakana Japanese Restaurant are dynamic and best verified directly with the establishment. Based on the provided information and general practices for Japanese restaurants in D.C., here are the types of promotions that Sakana Japanese Restaurant might offer:

• Lunch Specials: Many Japanese restaurants in downtown D.C. offer attractive lunch specials during weekday hours, providing excellent value for money. While not explicitly detailed in the reviews, their extensive menu of donburi, noodles, and various sushi/sashimi combinations suggests they would be well-positioned to offer such deals.

• Combination Platters/Sets: Sakana features a variety of pre-set sushi and sashimi combination platters (e.g., "Sushi" assorted fresh fish on seasoned rice for $16.95, "Sashimi" assorted fresh sliced raw fish for $18.95, "Chirashi Sushi" for $18.95, "Combination Roll" for $13.50). While these are standard menu items, they are often priced to offer better value than ordering individual pieces, serving as a de facto "deal" for a comprehensive meal.

• Takeout/Delivery Deals: As Sakana offers takeout and partners with major delivery platforms (Uber Eats, Postmates), they or the platforms themselves might run promotions such as discounts on first orders, free delivery, or specific dollar-off deals during certain periods. Customers should check the respective apps for current offers.

• Happy Hour (Potential): While not explicitly mentioned in the reviews, it's common for restaurants in the Dupont Circle area to offer happy hour specials on drinks (sake, beer) and select appetizers, particularly to cater to the after-work crowd. It would be advisable for locals to inquire about this directly.

• Seasonal Specials: High-quality Japanese restaurants sometimes feature seasonal fish or special rolls that are available for a limited time, acting as a unique offering to entice repeat customers.

To confirm any current promotions or special offers, D.C. locals are encouraged to call Sakana Japanese Restaurant directly or check their official online presence and partner delivery platforms. The reviews strongly suggest calling ahead for seating, especially during busy times.

For Washington D.C. locals looking to enjoy the delicious and affordable Japanese cuisine at Sakana Japanese Restaurant, here is the essential contact information:

• Address: 2026 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA

• Phone: (202) 887-0900

Given customer feedback about potential waits on crowded nights, it is highly recommended to call ahead to inquire about wait times or make reservations, especially if you are visiting with a family or during peak dining hours. This will help ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience. You can also use this number to confirm their operating hours or inquire about specific menu items.

Sakana Japanese Restaurant is a highly suitable choice for locals in the District of Columbia, especially for those in or near the Dupont Circle neighborhood, offering a compelling balance of quality, affordability, and extensive menu options.

Firstly, its most significant draw for D.C. locals is the "amazing" sushi offered at a "more than reasonable price." In a city where dining can often be expensive, Sakana provides an opportunity to enjoy genuinely "delicious" and fresh sushi without breaking the bank. This combination of high quality and value makes it an attractive option for regular visits, whether for a casual weeknight meal or a satisfying weekend treat. The broad menu, encompassing a wide range of sushi, sashimi, rolls, and hot Japanese entrees, further enhances its appeal, ensuring there's always something to suit diverse tastes and dietary preferences within a family or group.

Secondly, the restaurant's location at 2026 P St NW in Dupont Circle provides excellent accessibility. Situated in a bustling and well-connected part of the city, it's easily reachable via the Metro (Dupont Circle station) and numerous bus lines, making it convenient for both residents and professionals working in the vicinity. This prime location allows D.C. locals to seamlessly integrate a visit to Sakana into their daily routines or leisurely outings in the vibrant neighborhood.

Finally, while some busy nights may present wait times or staggered food delivery, the overall positive feedback on the food quality and friendly staff outweighs these occasional inconveniences. The consistently praised deliciousness and freshness of the food, combined with a welcoming atmosphere and attentive service (when not overwhelmed), affirm its standing as a local favorite. For D.C. residents seeking authentic Japanese cuisine, particularly sushi, that delivers on taste and value in a convenient, unpretentious setting, Sakana Japanese Restaurant is undoubtedly a hidden gem worth discovering and frequenting.

Sakana Japanese Restaurant

2026 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA