KJ
Ko Japanese Dining
Ko Japanese Dining: Authentic Japanese fare from a family-owned gem in Dupont Circle.
4.8
Restaurant
$$
Ko Japanese Dining: Authentic Japanese fare from a family-owned gem in Dupont Circle.
Ko Japanese Dining offers authentic Japanese fare in Washington, DC's Dupont Circle. A family-owned restaurant led by Mikki, with her family in key roles, serves refined dishes—from a six-course kaiseki to sashimi, chawanmushi, wagyu, tempura, and comforting favorites like karaage and oyakodon. Guests praise precise technique, impeccable service, and neighborhood charm.
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A six-course traditional Japanese meal featuring small plates, sashimi, chawan mushi, grilled wagyu, tempura, and dessert.
Fresh, high-quality sashimi and sushi rolls, including options like spicy salmon and assorted seafood.
Authentic favorites such as Katsudon, Oyakodon, grilled mackerel, and chicken karaage, made with care.
Custom catering for events, offering a selection of Japanese dishes to delight your guests.
Convenient delivery and takeout options for enjoying our authentic Japanese cuisine at home.
Weekend brunch and seasonal specials, featuring unique items like shiromi fry and more.
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Overall rating
Bevy silan
Phenomenal food every single time! This place has become a favorite for my friends and me. The authentic, home-style cooking is incredible, and their chicken karaage is a must-try!
Beverly Perez
Kaiseki craving satisfied! Ko Japanese Dining, a family-owned restaurant serving authentic Japanese fare in Dupont Circle might just be our new favorite. Mom Mikki is head chef, her daughter is sous chef, her older son is the bartender, and her younger son runs the front of the house. 🥹💕Exquisite food and impeccable service! 🍽 Six-course kaiseki menu: ▪︎ Platter of small plates (tamago with unagi, caramelized pork belly, shrimp dumpling with lotus root, braised beef with potatoes and veggies, squid salad, and pickled veggies) ▪︎ Assorted sashimi (tuna, fatty tuna, yellowtail, and seafood bream) ▪︎ Chawan mushi (savory egg custard) ▪︎ Melt-in-your-mouth grilled wagyu ▪︎ Tempura shrimp, squid and seasonal veggies served with rice and miso soup ▪︎ Vanilla ice cream with macha sauce
Mariko Islas
This restaurant was such a treat! Their food is authentic and delicious. On top of that, we met the co-owner and owner who were very friendly and added to our experience more. If anyone is craving authentic Japanese food, you must check this place out!
Dawson Jung
Super authentic Japanese food. I've been looking around DC for good Japanese comfort food. The Katsudon I had here was one of the best I've had. It's definitely a little pricey for Katsudon but the quality is fantastic. Very fluffy egg and the Katsu was cooked perfectly. It is very comparable to what I got in Japan. Only surprise was a $2 "egg surcharge". Wish they would just raise the price on the menu. Not a huge deal but just be prepared to pay an extra $2 for dishes containing egg. The waiter let me know as I ordered so it wasn't a surprise.
Sonya Hu
Wonderful spot for outstanding and authentic Japanese food! I visited Ko Japanese Dining with a couple friends for a Saturday morning brunch after another friend told us it was the best Japanese food she ever had in DC. It absolutely lived up to the hype! It was pretty quiet when we arrived, so we had our pick of seats; we selected a spot next to a window where we could overlook the rest of Dupont. It was cozy and simple, and the food was outstanding. I got the grilled mackerel, which included two beautifully grilled fillets with a side of miso soup, rice, and diced radish. The fish was remarkably fresh and super tender, and it was super flavorful on its own but also paired well with the soy sauce and sides of radish or lemon. They offer two different types of mackerel (white and blue), and I ended up getting the saba / blue mackerel at the server's recommendation. My friends sampled their spicy salmon roll, shiromi fry (fried fish), and oyakodon, all of which were outstanding. The spicy salmon roll was simple but well-executed, with super fresh fish and a great kick of spice. The shiromi fry was perfect, with the super tender, flaky fish encased in an addictively crispy and slightly salty shell. The oyakodon was incredibly tender and flavorful, and it both looked and felt like pure comfort in a bowl. The menu is a smidge pricey, but the portions are really generous and the everything is crafted with precision and care.
