KIYOMI by Masaaki "Uchi" Uchino

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 exp

I had the Valentine’s Day omakase at KIYOMI Sushi by Uchi, and it was an incredible experience. Each dish was unique, with amazing flavors and beautifully fresh sushi. The presentation was stunning, and you can really tell the quality and attention to detail. The atmosphere is something to keep in mind, KIYOMI is located in a food court, so while I personally didn’t mind, the presence of families and kids might make it feel less romantic for some. That said, I absolutely loved the emo music playing in the background! Overall, a fantastic meal with great vibes, just know what to expect with the setting.

A very subpar experience at the counter of this omakase. Service was meh and the chef barely tried to make conversation or try to see how people felt about the food. I had higher expectations given his background but was disappointed. The fish itself was fine but nothing really stood out as innovative or exciting. The starter dishes were also lackluster. For the price, I’d rather choose another option in DC.

This was my first time having an omakase experience and what a better way than with their $40 lunch special! Had king salmon, yellowtail, seabass, smoked salmon, bluefin tuna, and the most delicious fatty salmon. Finished off the meal with a perfectly salted miso soup and a nice spicy tuna hand roll. The experience was perfectly paced so we had time to enjoy every single piece. We got there at around 11:45 AM on a tuesday so it wasn’t super busy but by the time we left? there were a good amount of people in the area so get there early if you don’t want to wait!

The quick Omakase is 7 nigiri, one hand roll, and a cup of miso soup for $40. We had a short wait in the food hall before we were able to grab three seats together. I recognised many of the fish and proteins which was a delight. The lunch was just enough to fill me and paced well. I had a wonderful meal. The firefly squid was a treat.