KIYOMI by Masaaki "Uchi" Uchino — Restaurant in Washington

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...

Let me start by saying that Kiyomi offers on par quality with the best sushi places I have visited around the world. It is my favorite place to have an amazing quick lunch in DC.

However, my latest experience was extremely disappointing and ruined a date lunch with my wife. The lunch menu clearly states "7 pieces of sushi + hand roll + miso soup," which is a reasonable deal for $40. This time, the chef only served us 5 pieces of sushi and, when asked, argued that the menu is 7 pieces in total, including the roll and miso soup.

This was the very first time after multiple visits with 9 pieces in total on the menu that I heard such an interpretation. After an intense argument from us and the rest of the guests at the table, he finally served 2 additional pieces.

This experience was far from the standard I have come to expect from Kiyomi, and I hope the limited offering is not the new policy as I would like to keep...

We had a pleasure of dining with chef Uchi last night and let me tell you, it was PHENOMENAL. All of the fish was of such high quality that each of the flavor was memorable (we appreciate the fact that they were all sourced from Japan). The chef was wonderful with his technique and it was a treat watching him prep each dish with the utmost care and effort. The presentation of both non-fish dish and nigiris was meticulously crafted. The rice was well marinated and made to right texture and taste that complimented the fish so well. Ahhh, that uni nigiri will live in my mind rent free 😭 Cannot forget the refreshing matcha sweet tofu dessert too. We are incredibly thankful for chef Uchi for making our first omakase experience so memorable!

And you know what’s best, all of the 15 course + dessert was super affordable at $115pp. Where can you find something like this in DC? 🥺

Looking forward to visiting him...