Rakugaki

Lobster and Chive dumplings? Amazing.Jo Nigiri/Sashimi? Get the deluxe. It will change your life. Daily salad specials are always a treat.For us sober folks, most cocktails can be turned into mocktails. No judgement, either. The "beef ragu pasta" is superlative. It's what I order when I'm dining in, but want something to go, that can be easily eaten cold or reheated the next day, that will taste delicious.

Rakugaki is an absolute gem in Bethesda, located in Wildwood Shopping Center, offering delicious sushi rolls, creative cocktails, and fantastic service in a lively yet cozy atmosphere. It's quickly become one of my favorite spots for Japanese food, and a huge part of that is thanks to the amazing service--especially from Suya! She is incredible--friendly, attentive, and truly goes above and beyond to make sure every guest has a great experience. She's super knowledgeable about the menu, always making the best recommendations, and her warm personality makes the meal even more enjoyable. If you go, ask for Suya--you won't be disappointed!The sushi rolls here are fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Some of my favorites include the Wasabi Dynamite Roll, which has amazing depth of flavor, and the Golden Dragon Roll, which is rich, buttery, and packed with fresh ingredients. Their specialty rolls are always creative and high quality, making it a great spot for sushi lovers. But even if you're not a fan of raw fish, Rakugaki has an extensive menu with something for everyone, including comforting bowls like beef ragu udon pasta.Cocktails here are also a highlight, with unique, well-balanced flavors that pair perfectly with the food. Prices are reasonable for the quality, with sushi rolls ranging around $12-$20, ramen and hot dishes around $15-$25, and cocktails typically $12-$15. Parking is easy and convenient, with plenty of spots in the shopping center lot, making it a stress-free dining experience.I love coming here after my Solidcore classes--it's the perfect post-workout meal to treat myself with fresh sushi and a great cocktail while unwinding. Overall, Rakugaki is a must-visit for sushi lovers and anyone looking for a great Japanese meal in Bethesda. The combination of fresh food, great drinks, and top-notch service--especially from Suya--makes it a place I'll keep coming back to!

If you love, authentic Japanese food do not go here. If you like fast food comparable to McDonald's feel free.If you cannot chew the seaweed, that means it's cheap. The ambience ; televisions playing two shows about the typical American diners across the US tells you it's not authentic Japanese. The service is also rushed, which is not Standard Japanese.summary , I couldn't chew the seaweed. I literally had to take it out of my mouth, while watching people on TV eat more on one plate than I eat in a month, all along being rushed so that more people could sit.‍ If you're looking for authentic Japanese I suggest Sushiko in friendship heights. If you're looking for better Japanese fast food, I suggest any Giant supermarket.

I loved this spot! Amazing vegan options for my husband, good service and a beautiful bar and chill space for eating a cozy dinner. The strip the restaurant on was decorated for Christmas so it made the whole experience feel very special, and I really enjoyed that the music wasn't too overpowering. The cuts of fish were really good, and my husband said that the tofu dish he got was the best he had in a long time, and if you know vegan diets you know tofu is a staple!

Looking for a serving of Upper West Side ambiance in North Bethesda? Rakugaki has you covered. A cozy dining room can feel a bit cramped, but the focus is on the food. Service is efficient as there are many dishes coming to the table in rapid succession. Appetizer stand out was pan fried chicken-shrimp dumplings in anise star pineapple sauce. Extensive sushi sashimi offerings all looked great, but settled on an Alaska roll. Our party had a wonderful Lobster Udon, chicken Udon and beautifully presented multi-textured Teisho Salmon. Desserts were unusual with an Ichigo parfait which featured sweet surprises within sweet surprises. Be sure to reserve on a weekend because of the small space, but well worth the advance planning.

Went here for lunch & it was fantastic!We sat outside & the ambiance was very nice! Umbrella covered seating was available & service was excellent too.The menu has a lot of different options, something for everyone! I had the Tonkatsu (pork) from the 'Teishoku Set' portion of the menu. It included miso soup & rice, along with a delicious mix of other small vegetable based sides.I would definitely come back again! 5 outta 5

I stopped by here because I had a craving for sushi, and I believe this is the only sushi spot within walking distance from my job. I thought Rakugaki had a pretty extensive lunch menu, with moderately priced items. For my lunch delight, I went with the Sushi & Roll combo ($17), which came with five pieces of sushi and 1.5 rolls. Also the lunch special came with a nice bowl of miso soup. Overall, I really enjoyed my lunch because the fish was pretty fresh. I thought the service was pretty friendly and prompt. Also, the restaurant has decent ambiance. To be perfectly, honest, I do not think there is anything that would have improved my dining experience. I'm looking forward to trying other things from Rakugaki's lunch menu.

Based on one visit. Delightful, beautiful place for Sunday lunch. Service was outstanding. Veggie tempura was nicely cooked.Portions were generous. Oshizushi was so beautiful. Flavors were nicely balanced. Bento box and curry soup were excellent. We will be back!

Such a delightful lunch. This is a cute spot in Bethesda, near the mall. The lunch menu has a lot of options. The sushi is amazing. Our service was pretty decent. I had the Rosé sangria, lobster dumplings and a lunch combo. Will absolutely come back!

Came here to celebrate with my family and enjoyed the meal. My favorite was definitely the tuna tartare. The flavor was delicious and the avocado sauce was such a good addition to the tartare. We also got the white spider roll, sashimi platter, mentaiko udon and the chicken and pork dumplings. Everything tasted great, we were decently full without being stuffed. Would recommend a reservation since all the inside seating for a thursday night was reserved and I overheard the wait time was an hour (this was at 6pm)!