Nasime Japanese Restaurant

I can't wait to go back. It took me forever to get to this place and I don't know why... well probably because they are nearly always booked (just a hint that they are as good as all these reviews suggest) and also it is a very small establishment, I think 10 tables with only a few seatings a night. But after years of trying or just forgetting about Alexandria in favor of heading into the city - I cannot rave enough about the absolutely wonderful dinner we had here was! I would dine here over and over again if my wallet would allow it :)The menu changes regularly, but we had a wonderfully salty, savory, fresh, sweet -- all those flavor profiles wrapped up in a complex, balanced, delightful 7-course meal. From the first spoonful of the salty, savory, umami-rich uni soup to the perfectly poached octopus (gently fried so the batter soaked up all the rich dashi broth) to the last mouthful of the miso chocolate ice cream, it was absolute decadence. And honestly, for the attention to ingredients, composition and flavors of each dish, I think you would be hard pressed to find a tasting menu of this caliber at this price point.It's an absolute gem!

Nasime provides a Japanese omakase meal that is great and satisfying. There are seven courses: appetizers, meat, sashimi, fish and soup courses. Nasime is a small and cozy venue that made it hard to get reservations but it was worth the wait. Nasime omakase consists of seven courses: appetizers, 2 meat, sashimi, fish and dessert course. Only been here once but certain they vary the courses served. We had the following:- Potato soup which was good and satisfying. - Waygu course- Huge sashimi: seven types of fish. We had the caviar add-on- Deep Fried puffer fish- wonderful duck dish- Huge oxtail soup: probably my favorite. - house made miso caramel ice creamThe meal was not as expensive as expected and service was attentive. Highly recommended and will definitely re-visit.

Nasime has been on my list since 2022, so my friend and I made reservations a few weeks in advance to finally check it out in 2025! Even then, we were only able to snag the 8:30 PM reservation on 1/11. The interior is cozy and intimate, with just one chef preparing dishes for 10 guests at a time. There is also a server who brought out the courses and drinks throughout the evening.The 7-course tasting menu (basically a kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal) is priced at 95.00 per person. There is no a la carte option available.CHESAPEAKE OYSTER TAMAMUSHIOur first course was served in a small bowl, featuring steamed egg generously covered in broth. The ginko nuts that added a subtle, earthy flavor with a hint of ginger to complement the flavorful, dashi-based broth. The egg was incredibly light and smooth, while the oysters had a delicate meaty texture and a fresh, briny taste. This was a nice warmup to start our meal!SEARED JAPANESE WAGYU W/ TRUFFLE SHOYUWe sat right in front of the beef certification of the wagyu we were served, which has an "A-5" quality grade, "genuine Japanese black wagyu" breed along with other information like "carcass number." The truffle shoyu sauce was phenomenal. The truffle bits added depth and savoriness to the sauce without overpowering it. The sauce added lots of umami without taking away from the wagyu natural flavor. The wagyu instantly melted in my mouth, with the exception of the seared edges keeping each piece in tact while providing a perfect char. The fresh wasabi on the side was the perfect touch to brighten each piece of wagyu.OTSUKURI (SASHIMI)The sashimi was fresh, but nothing extraordinary. Some pieces stood out more than others, and here were our thoughts on each one:* SEARED BONITO: Melt-in-your-mouth texture with a nice char that enhanced its creamy, flavorful texture.* BLUE REEF SQUID: Fresh with the characteristic chewy, slimy texture, providing a hefty bite.* SCOTTISH TROUT: This looks like salmon and even tastes like it with its fatty, creamy texture. As someone who loves salmon belly sashimi, this was one of my favorites.* ROE: Each roe was sweet, not overly salty, and bursted with flavor without the fishiness. We enjoyed the roe with the trout.* KNIFE JAW: Very firm and delicate, but lacking in flavor. This wasn't my favorite, but my friend enjoyed it.* BLUEFIN TUNA: Buttery, soft, and smooth, this tuna melted in my mouth even though it's a pretty lean cut.* TORO: Creamy and fresh, enhanced by a bit of green onion, though the large piece of gristle was unenjoyable. This was not one of the better toros I've had, so it was disappointing since we saved it for last.SPANISH OCTOPUS AGEDASHIThe broth had a perfect balance of sweetness, smokiness, and savory umami, and the abundance of earthy mushrooms only enhanced the flavors. The Spanish octopus was fried to perfection (it should be eaten immediately to avoid sogginess) and added a subtle saltiness and the smoky depth to the broth. The octopus was soft and tender (and not at all chewy), and the texture of the mushrooms adds depth to the dish. The amazing execution of its combination of flavors and textures made this our favorite dish of the night thus far. CHAR BROILED MAPLE LEAF DUCK W/ HACCHO MISO FOIE GRAS GRAZEThe foie gras graze had a fresh, savory sweetness that reminded me of hoisin sauce that doesn't taste store bought. The duck breast, though fatty, was fine but not exceptional. The graze elevated the flavor, and the chopped, fried garlic had a bitterness I did not like. The eggplant, while soft and creamy like mashed bananas, could use more flavor.BEEF BRISKET NOODLEThis dish was served in a shareable hot pot/sukiyaki style with a rich and savory broth that was deep and satisfying. The brisket was tender with a fresh beef flavor, and the udon was perfectly al dente. The vegetables (some spinach and chives) were fresh and clean, making this a hearty and filling final savory course.HOUSE MADE FUJI-APPLE, SHIO-KOJI & KITKAT ICE-CREAMFor our last course, we enjoyed a delicious house made ice cream. The ice cream was nutty, with crunchy Kit Kat bits that added texture, while soaked raisins provided chewy sweetness. Each bite of ice cream had a punch of crisp apple sweetness that was bright and refreshing, and the rose jelly added a floral depth, creating a balanced and harmonious dessert. It wasn't overly sweet, making it a perfect finish to the meal.My friend and I enjoyed eating and discussing each of the seven courses during our 2.5 hour experience at Nasime. The highlights from the tasting menu were the Seared Wagyu, Spanish Octopus Agedashi and the Fuji-Apple Ice Cream with Kit Kats. I would likely come back to Nasime in the future to try a different tasting menu.

3.5 stars. We visited in June and it was a cool experience, but not one I'll rush back for. The food was tasty - 3 of the 7 dishes were truly excellent. The rest were good. One was a head-scratcher... not bad, but just...different (cold broth, udon noodles, corn, watermelon, and more). I'm probably simply too uncultured to know better, right? The sashimi, lobster soup (welcome, even though it was different than the soup listed first on our menu and there was no explanation as to the substitution), wagyu beef, chilean sea bass dishes were great, if not super. Ice cream was yummy, too. The reason for the low stars?1. Very expensive and drinks on top of that? Whew! Exclusive! We didn't get drinks (there was a mild attempt to talk us into it that was a turn-off) and left with a bill that was over $250. That's the most expensive dinner for two we've ever had. At that rate, I expect it to fill me up, deep clean my kitchen, color my hair, and make me wish I were a billionaire. Only the first thing happened.2. Three words: Air freshener - gag. I get that the building you're in is several hundred years old, is quaint, and houses a kitchen. But holy, moly... (read my other reviews to see that this is a personal pet peeve), I DO NOT enjoy the strong scent of Febreeze while I'm eating. It was so thick I thought I would gag when we sat down. And yes, I could tell they were trying to distract from a musty smell. But really, folks... If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. When something smells bad, that's a signal that something needs to be cleaned, not covered up! Please take the profit from our $250 meal and put that toward a deposit on new carpet...or tile, better yet. The napkin also reeked of perfumed fabric softener. Yikes! Some people get headaches or have allergic reactions to scents. Go easy. To me, it's just low-brow to use fake odors to cover up bad smells. 3. Continuing on that vein - Yeah, you're a mom & pop establishment, but c'mon. Make a little time to dust! Impress your guests with cleanliness as crisp and sharp as your flavors. Not the worst I've seen, but at that price point, I thought the ambience add to the experience, not distract me. 4. The intimacy of the restaurant was interesting. We were close enough to the counter and the other table in the front of the restaurant to be able to hear their conversations - and vice-versa, I'm sure - yet, when the chef presented each course, he did so at each table, 1-by-1, so we heard it 3 times (which was helpful when we wanted to really digest what he said, haha!). Either ensure more privacy between the tables, or seat the front of the restaurant family-style and present each course to everyone at once, bringing us into an immersive experience together. Just an idea - and I know not everyone would like it. Bottom line - would I return? Probably not. It's a bucket list kind of experience. Veni, vidi, vici. My wallet's not craving a repeat. But, if you like food experiences and have $100+ to blow on a meal, go for it! It's an experience, that's for sure!

Probably the best dining experience I've had of 2024 and definitely the best kaiseki omakase I've ever been to. To start off-- this place not only has top quality dishes, but also its amazing value for your money. All the dishes are fantastic. I especially loved the wagyu (perfect blend of salty and sweet and perfectly cooked), sashimi (probably the best quality sashimi I've had in the DMV area), and the udon (super yummy). Also, the portion sizes may look small in the beginning, but by the last course, we could barely finish because we were so full!Vibes are very homey and cute-- perfect for a quiet date. Service was fantastic. I am definitely coming back!

KenScale: 8.25/10Visit: February 2023One of the most grateful moments throughout the culinary journey with my wife Jun is when we discover a relatively unknown restaurant that cooks some seriously delicious food. Ever since we moved to the DC metro area, finding a go-to Japanese restaurant had been a struggle for us, which was surprising given the fairly large number of Japanese eateries around here. While I had heard of Nasime before (with an enthusiastic endorsement from a colleague), it took a bit of time due to its location in Alexandria to finally muster a willpower to visit the restaurant. As we entered Nasime, I was immediately struck by the tiny size of the dining space that you not infrequently encounter in Japanese restaurants like a one-counter sushi-ya that is all the rage in New York City these days. Thankfully, unlike those sushi counters in Manhattan many of which are now charging exorbitant amount of money, Nasime charged a fairly bargain price of $95 per person for its seven-course meal. More importantly, we were huge fans of the soulful Japanese cooking coming from the kitchen.Nasime is run as a one-person operation at the kitchen by chef Yuh Shimomura, a shy-looking gentleman quietly working his craft throughout the night. It was a fairly cold winter night when we visited, so we were thrilled to find a warm broth of yuba wrapped Chilean seabass accompanied by gingkoes that you rarely see outside of Korean and Japanese cuisine. After hastily finishing the bowl to warm ourselves, we both realized that Nasime was no ho-hum Japanese establishment. The only shortcoming of the wonderfully seared Japanese wagyu short rib with truffle shoyu sauce was that there was not enough rib; even knowing that this dish was meant as an appetizer, I just wished I could savor more of this wonderful dish. The assortment of sashimi (otsukuri) that came as a third course was also fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The best dish of the night for both of us was the lobster agedashi bowl with crab cake stuffed inside. It was an upgrade version of the agedashi tofu that we had frequently eaten at izakayas, and a remarkable one at that with hearty broth and impeccable texture of the crab cake. I would happily come back to Nasime every time this dish is available (the menu at the restaurant frequently changes, sometimes even on a weekly basis depending on the availability of ingredients). The other savory dishes, the steamed eel wrapped rice ball and the rich oxtail ramen, were also delicious, and the lone dessert of the cinnamon ice cream with house made shio koji (a type of traditional Japanese marinade) was not overly sweet to our liking. As noted above, Nasime is a tiny restaurant with only a handful of dinner tables and one counter that fits no more than six people. If you are looking to get a reservation at the table (highly recommended) to watch the chef in action, especially on the weekend, advanced planning is essential. There is a nice selection of sakes from various corners of Japan that you should consider ordering to complement the dishes at the restaurant. I cannot wait to go back to Nasime when the menu changes along with the season. The trip to Alexandria from our Bethesda home was absolutely worth it and it quickly became one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in the DC area.

First, the interior is very clean. You have a full view of the kitchen from where you are sitting. The restaurant is very small with minimal seating that are nicely spread apart so that even if there are multiple parties there, you can still have a bit of privacy. The service was spectacular. Every course that came out was expertly explained by the server and chef. They also wait till you finish your previous course before clearing it and giving you your next course. This is so much better because at most omakase restaurants, you feel rushed to finish your food in order to keep up! The way Nasime does it allows you to actually enjoy the experience and enjoy the food to appreciate its complex flavors more. The food. Need I say more. Every course was beautifully plated and delicious! The flavors were quite unique and unlike anything I've tried before! The different flavors mixed well with each other and tasted very clean. I love sashimi but can be very picky about it. Here, the sashimi felt fresh and melted in your mouth. It definitely was not frozen beforehand. The udon broth was so clean and refreshing. Although it doesn't look like a lot of food when it comes out, you'll definitely leave the restaurant feeling very full! Note: this restaurant only takes reservations with limited seating each day so make sure to book your reservation ahead of time because they fill up fast!!

We had such a wonderful evening celebrating my husband's birthday at Nasime. Nasime is a quaint little Japanese restaurant hidden in Old Town Alexandria. It is a must-visit destination for foodies seeking authentic Japanese culinary experience at an intimate setting. The restaurant had one chef and one server - serving the 8 odd guests that were dining in on the Friday evening with us. We made our reservations through Resy and although we had mentioned that I don't eat beef, the request had not gone through to the restaurant. Nevertheless, the chef was kind enough to concoct a delicious seafood substitute for one of the courses for me. We also did the sake pairing, although my preference would be the refreshing cocktails they serve. If a slow paced, intimate, delicious dinner is what you have planned for a special night in Alexandria, don't look any further!

I am so starstruck at the quality of the meal I had here last evening. It was a long-awaited reservation as they only seat 8 people per seating, one at 6pm and the second at 8:30pm. Very intimate setting where the chef comes by and personally tells you all of the dishes as they are served.7 courses left both me and my boyfriend VERY full. Let's get right into it!Lotus root soup: It had crab fingers and was a nice, warm, rich start. Savory and not too salty. Japanese wagyu short rib: The truffle shoyu sauce was out of this world!! The wagyu was perfectly lightly seared and was melting in your mouthSashimi:I don't know how, but he managed to put a unique twist on some of the fish. One was made in prosciutto so it had a unique savory flavor, another was seared but was still SO SOFT, salmon was fresh and had a fruity flavor, etc. it was not your typical sashimi! Spanish Octopus with uni-miso cream:My favorite dish!!! This was also a soup but with a generous amount of mushroom, the broth was very rich from the uni. Flavorful mixed with miso, a match made in heaven. I cannot stress how amazed I am at the texture of the octopus. It was crispy on the outside from the sear, but it was also the SOFTEST on the inside. Barely had to chew. The softest octopus I've ever eaten but it still had a crunch to the skin?! HOWMaple leaf duck with foie gras miso:Another very tender meat. Duck was prepared so well, paired with eggplant, and the sauce again... incredible. My boyfriend licked the leaf to get more sauce THATS HOW GOOD!!Chilean sea bass with noodles:I don't know the sorcery behind how he kept the skin on the sea bass even while it was in the soup. Typically with the skin, it tends to peel off when it's cooked in broth but.. it was perfectly cooked, had soaked up broth flavors, and even the udon noodles were the right amount of soft and chewy. Kinako ice cream:Kinako is soybean powder typically used in Japanese desserts. There was a rose flavored jelly made with Pinot noir that unexpectedly paired with the ice cream and... again, absolutely divine flavors and textures in my mouth.Overall, one of the best meals I've had in the DMV area. Such a steal at only $100/person.Also an extensive sake list. Our server helped us pick a sake off the menu and it was also a great mellow, dry fruity sake to go with our meal!

Michelin-like experience in a small welcoming intimate setting where you feel the full attention of the chef and the host. Each serving has a story, The dishes come out fresh, simple, and full of flavors intentionally sequenced to lead on a culinary ballad in this gastronomic garden of eden in 7 stages ( biblical number for creation )