Momoyama — Restaurant in Washington

Look at the 2023+ menu pictures. If you're scanning for a place to eat tonight, please realize that there is a very limited menu here.

That limited menu makes my story-telling brain come up with an imaginary backstory of a cute family restaurant falling on hard times, and trying to cut back to maintain quality while controlling expenses... I have absolutely no idea. But I was the only one in there at 5:00 on a Wednesday and as I ordered (with caring attentive service) I heard the kitchen ramp up to start cooking. The cook literally heard me speaking my order and started cooking for me while my host was writing it down. Lovely, and showing an attention to service.

I ordered the bulgogi box, which is a shaved marinated beef on rice, with sides of miso soup, veggie tempura, edamame, and salads of lettuce and seaweed. That sounds like a lot, but unfortunately for an American male from the west, it left me hungry. Maybe the issue is that I ordered a box instead of a rice bowl, but looking at pictures I'm not sure that's true. In hindsight, I should have supplemented with some rolls, but I didn't realize how small the box would be.

In terms of quality, the box seemed to use fresh ingredients and the tempura was fried beautifully. The only concern here is that there was no real dipping sauce. There was something in the center of the box, but it was too small for the tempura (I tried anyway). The beef bulgogi was very small, and overall tasted fine, but in more of a grandma making dinner instead of a out to a restaurant sort of way.

So here's my recommendations to you dear reader. Give it a try. Get a box or bowl, but supplement with a roll. Ask if you can order an appetizer or side of just tempura. I don't know if they do that, but it was the best thing on the plate. And enjoy the feel of the place and service, but don't expect upscale dining.

And here's my recommendations to you dear business owner. You need a better sign outside. Marketing is important and you're not competing with the pub next door. Give a larger portion of the main, it is literally what the customer is ordering and wanting to eat. Add tempura to the menu as it's own meal. It's a great vegetarian option, you're really good at it and you're cooking it it anyway. Finally, use a lighter brand of tofu in your miso soup, it...

My family of 5 was visiting DC and went to this place for a quick lunch. The space is small and we sat directly next (on same table as another group, which is no big deal, in a big city we are grateful to find seating) Each of us ordered either a roll, two or box. Food was good. My son quickly realized that he would like to order another roll and the owner said no and claimed they were out of rice which was clearly a lie. It was very awkward and, feeling uncomfortable, we figured let’s get out of there and asked for the check. In the following couple of minutes, we continued to realize that we were lied too because orders continued to be served, clearly including rice. After all it’s a sushi place. Check was about $60 and left 60 cents tip not appreciating being lied to. How much worth can service be? As soon as owner’s wife got a hold of the check while we are getting ready to leave, she began to appear upset, raised her voice in a foreign language and immediately began clearing the table while my wife and kids are still there, almost pushing them out of the way. Terrible and disrespectful service. Get your sushi elsewhere with good, honest service and decent space...

TL, DR; This is The Spot. Just go here when you get tired of walking and taking in all the DC mall has to throw at you.

We walked into an empty restaurant at 3pm and were treated with immense warmth and hospitality. They even sent us an extra little snack to try, which surprised and delighted me and my mother both. I ordered the spicy pork bento, my mother got the bulgogi bibimbap, and we got a spicy tuna roll to share as well because we figured the portions would be small. We were so wrong. The portions were hearty but left me feeling light. The bento box had a lovely fresh salad, the eggplant in the tempura was perfectly marinated, the spice level on the pork was spot on. The bibimbap looked beautiful with fresh vegetables and a perfectly soft cooked egg. I also have to mention that the spicy tuna roll had a slice of tuna rather than the more common tuna ground and mixed with Mayo, so you could really see and taste the quality of the fish. All of this paired well with a house made mint lemonade. Please support this business, you’ll be...