4. Restaurants

Yuraku Japanese Restaurant

19773 Frederick Rd, Germantown, MD, 20876
  • (301) 515-7440
  • Store is closed

Yuraku Japanese Restaurant Menu

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  • Eric T.

    Great quality, make sure to make a reservation!

    (5)

  • Agnieszka S.

    Ay ok. I've had better sushi at many other hole in the wall spots. It's crowded but the wait wasn't long. There is nothing bad to say about this place but also there isn't anything extraordinary. Just a normal sushi spot.

    (3)

  • Julie H.

    Best sushi lunch buffet, ever. Worth the price. I feel like something is wrong when I go eat sushi somewhere else because this is the place to be.

    (5)

  • J L.

    This is easily the best sushi in the area for the best price! The place gets crowded and there is always a wait. We usually grab takeout because it is so crowded. The buffet is probably the BEST deal&while the space is crowded and not very well laid out, they have a fantastic selection of sushi& Korean dishes available.

    (4)

  • Leo Y.

    Best buffet deal in town for lunch if you like Sushi,lots of selection and they keep it filled up, line can be long sometimes due to The popularity of this restaurant, most buffet places serve you lots of junk, not here, everything here is fresh and well made, yes the sushi is cut thin but still great , I came by myself and sit at the Sushi Bar and is great, the chef even offer me a fresh cut piece of Salmon. Wow that was cool! Definitely coming back with my family.

    (5)

  • Henry M.

    I love Yuraku their sushi might not be authentic but I love the different creative combinations and the generous portions. Nothing like a ice cold Sapporo and a humongous piece of sushi. Recommendation: If you love salmon or tuna you should definitely try the "Triple Salmon Roll" and the "Double Spicy Tuna"

    (4)

  • Henrique S.

    Great sushi! Really like the volcano roll. The spot is small and it is so good that it tends to always be busy... so you will likely have to wait but it is worth it. The rolls are really big and the food is always fresh. I might venture to say it's the best sushi I have ever had... Without being an expert.

    (5)

  • Nancy R.

    Omg what happened to Yuraku? Would not recommend this place. We used to come here often but quality of food is so bad and you can see flies on top of sushi. Not sure why even bother to go to this place for the buffet.

    (1)

  • Nancy N.

    Ok, this is a hard one because I've been going here for a while but I honestly think I eat here because it's relatively cheap and you get some "freebies" like fish, salad, the egg thing. the overall quality is not that great though. Most of the time is a hit or miss. I got food poisening REAL bad from this place couple of times in the past. I usually get their rolls but I guess i had couple of their raw pieces and got sick from it. I like their volcano rolls and their spider rolls. The servers there are pretty nice, but the receptionist is kinda rude but she tries to be polite. The place is cramp, especially with the amt of traffic they get in there, wait time is long, even with reservations. if you're super hungry, i wouldn't go and wait there.

    (2)

  • Neary O.

    My favorite so far for quality and price!

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    - Really great food! LOVE their spicy tuna rolls and shrimp tempura rolls. - Their take out system is really poor. very crowded and disorganized - Hate that they close between lunch and dinner. Have to wait until 5pm to pick up take out orders.

    (4)

  • Ja'Bette L.

    Depending on what time of day you go, be prepared to wait in line. However, this place doesn't disappoint. I've been going there for years and the sushi is excellent, with big rolls, and nice portions. The buffet can be chaotic, but it's still a great deal and they even do the buffet on the weekends. The wait staff is very friendly, but usually very busy. This is definitely a go-to of mine. It's definitely the best sushi in town.

    (4)

  • Alex C.

    I go to this place too often. I was once a VERY frequent customer, only to go rarely now. Here's why: For Lunch Buffet - All You Can Eat!? Tempura AND fried chicken wings!?!?! All for under 12 BUCKS!?! QUALITY SUSHI!?!?! It USED to be. Food was pretty good. They served a variety of hand rolls (salmon, octopus, red snapper, tuna, fatty tuna, shrimp, eel) and along with many other kinds of rolls. However, I noticed one time that they started making a salmon roll with lemon juice in the rice. Seriously? Lemon juiced rice on a salmon roll? Has fish quality gone down that much? For Dinner - Usually, I order 2 Kamikazi's ($5.90) a spider roll ($6something) and a yami yami roll (slightly raw because overcooked spicy tuna is bad spicy tuna). The food was pretty good, and the salmon head / miso soup made it fantastic. But...Service sucked once for me when they decided to charge me an extra buck sixty for another bowl of miso (that's what they charge on the menu, but they usually let it slide). After the lunch buffet experience with the lemony salmon rolls, I haven't gone there since.

    (3)

  • diana l.

    So I've been here a few times. The first time it was okay, I came for a friend's birthday and had tempura and some rolls. The second time I came here for lunch on a saturday afternoon with my boyfriend and it was awful. We usually prefer nigiri sushi. And I've always judged sushi places by their nigiri since it really is a good gauge of how fresh their fish is when there are no sauces and gimmicks to hide behind. Well the fish was pretty foul. Definitely not fresh and the rice it sat atop was both warm and not fresh. It was probably left over rice warmed up then not completely cooled. And for the price, I felt robbed. I don't care how big their portions are, really it's about quality and not quantity. I have friends who rave about this place because of both the rolls and the size of the fish they give you. Well the rolls are decent so if you only order rolls you'll be okay. But no matter how big the pieces of fish are, if they are not fresh who cares how big it is. I'd rather go to Tachibana in VA and spend slightly more for 100% better sushi quality!

    (1)

  • Pete D.

    If you don't want to drop serious money on sushi or sashimi, go here. For example, we've been to Sushi Ko, but that costed us an arm and leg. Yeah it was great, but were we full? You can goto McD's after and get a super-sized value meal, no problem. In my opinion, it's hard to find a place in this area which gives you a VARIETY of rolls to choose from and fresh sashimi for a decent price. We've been here years and years and their prices have gone up on most rolls, but this is normal, no? If you're here for the first time, there are plenty of specialty rolls that are not on their antique menu and xeroxed 8.5 x 11 sheet. Ask your server what they are and they can explain what's in each of them. Off the top of my head, ask about the 3 Amigos, Spice Girl, and Crunchy Scallop rolls. My favorite is the 3 Amigos and their Firecracker Roll. Looking for a salad with a delicious vinaigrette, ask for the Tuna Fiesta (not on their menu). More adventurous, ask about their Strawberry Roll (that's not the exact name, but your server should know). As someone else has posted, their lunch buffet is good for it's price. They have a variety of rolls, sushi pieces, and Korean food. Go early to beat the rush, as it gets very crowded during lunch. Again, good prices for what they have to offer and quality. I recall one time we ordered a sashimi boat and their salmon was not fresh enough to serve, so they put other types of fish on the boat for us. If you call ahead to make a reservation, beware they sometimes don't have the table ready then. Beat the rush and go when they open, trust me, it's worth it and they won't rush you out, as the restaurant is not big. Note, Friday and Saturday evenings is 495 rush hour, get take-out!

    (4)

  • H P.

    Their lunch buffet is the best, although prices have been going every year. I guess it's due to inflation but you can't beat the price for what you get. The lunch buffet consists of leftover fish from the night before which is still rather fresh. I aim for the salmon and eel but those are usually the first one to go but the refill the salmon pretty often, but the eel not so much. If you go later during the buffet hours, you can get special rolls like crunchy roll or the volcano roll. I recommend going at 11:30am when they start the buffet to beat the rush. The lines can go outside the restaurant if you wait till the lunch hour. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    At first I thought this was nothing special. Soup and salad were good, but nothing remarkable. THEN THE UNAGI CAME. It easily qualified as the best unagi I've had anywhere. If their other dishes are like this, I've found a clear winner.

    (5)

  • Lam Ngan L.

    This used to be my favorite place when I lived in Germantown, and it still is, except it's a little far out.... We ordered the big Sushi boat for 8 people and we couldn't finish..... It was all so good and a lot of food...

    (5)

  • Diane L.

    Yuraku is the best place for authentic sushi. I love their volcano roll, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll, spider roll, hand rolls, tempura, avocado rolls, eel roll, and anything else on the menu. It's like so good. Another thing, go for their sushi buffet for only 13 dollars....all you can eat sushi. The sushi is beautiful presented and it taste so good too. What you see is what you get. Therefore, get the boat if you decided to dine in at Yuraku :)

    (5)

  • Reggie N.

    UPDATE--They stopped taking AMEX. Will not return There are elegant sushi restaurants with refined style and sophistication (and prices to match)...and then there's Yuraku. Best sushi value in the DC area. It's a dive but an awesome one. Yuraku has many non-traditional sushi rolls--which is why I love it. Actually I never liked sushi before, until I went to Yuraku. I've had friends from out of town (including Cali, of all places--sushi connoisseurs) tell me later how they miss Yuraku! LOL WTF? It's that good really! Their specials are unique, generous and flavorful. must try: 1. cowboy roll --beef wrapped with rice and mango 2. salmon or tuna tartar with spicy sauce 3. fried pepper--a giant mexican pepper stuffed with spicy tuna, tempura fried 4. what-a-match roll--spicy tuna on top of a shrimp tempura roll 5. isobe rolls-avacado wrapped around cooked salmon 6. double spicy tuna roll--spicy tuna roll with more tuna on top 7. titanic roll--giant roll stuffed with lobster 8. flying dragon roll--eel, avacado...other stuff ican't remember HUGE rolls! 2-3 rolls is more than a meal. go with at least 4 people so you can try many things. it will all come out on a giant boat. first timers, bring a camera! Waitresses are disorganized. A couple are really nice though. Just grin and bear it. The sushi is worth it. Many asian customers (mostly Korean) in this place (which is a good sign for foodies). The sashimi portions are huge. They have great Korean food too. Make a reservation, show up early...and still wait 20-30 minutes!!! That's just the way it is there. Well worth it. No reservation (between 6-8pm)? Forget about it. Could be a loooong while!!!

    (3)

  • Bob D.

    Like so many if the other Yelper's I would love to give this unassuming, Germantown strip mall, Japanese/Korean restaurant 1 star to prevent the growing lines of people waiting to dine on what is the metro area's best and most reasonable sushi. Traditional or modern adaptations are here. Brave the lines and you will be a fan forever.

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    Every single time I eat here I crave it for weeks! I love this atmosphere. I love love love the buffet. The chef is super nice and the ladies that waitress as well. I eat here once every two months and it never disappoints.

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    Just had an absolutely epic omakase meal at Yuraku. It was the 2nd time I've been there--the first time was great, but this time was out of this world. I've had tasting menus at Sushi of Gari and Nobu in NYC and this was vastly better. The rolls that other tables were ordering looked pretty good, but the variety of pure creativity of what Sonny, the chef, gave us was magnificent. Spend the extra money (I think we paid $40/person) and put yourself in Sonny's hands...it's definitely worth it!

    (5)

  • Dominique R.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Montgomery County. The lunch time buffet has plenty of delicious rolls, and definitely is a bargain. My boyfriend and I have been going there since we started going out (about 6 years ago) and we will go out of our way to dine here. The rolls are always very big, and two rolls could easily make a date for two. I love all of their spicy rolls, and they have a yummy seafood salad. The only negative thing about this place is they have a very small waiting area, and the place often gets too packed on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Parysa T.

    I've only been here for the lunch buffet so my review will be of that. First off, I've only been here on Wednesdays for some reason so take into consideration that it was probably less crowded. This isn't to say it was not crowded - it totally was. After about 11:30 AM the place is slammed so good luck trying not to wait for a table after that. I suggest arriving a few minutes before 11 if you can because I had no issues when I went at that time and you'll be one of the first people there. Service is decent - I mean, it's a buffet so no one is gonna hold your hand through the process. It's pretty self explanatory. You go around the little mini row of food they have set up and pile up as much as you'd like. When it gets super busy though, sometimes order is lost and there is this large mass of people trying to get sushi and its really comical because regular patrons take it upon themselves to restore order and lots of people get irritated. Thankfully that dissipates after a few minutes and everyone goes back to enjoying the awesome food. Speaking of the food...it's great! I really like the sushi spread they have and their shrimp tempura is very tasty as well! I don't know sushi names but I like them all! They also have your basic staples, miso soup, rice, all that... My biggest tip: show up early on a weekday and you will not be upset with the line!

    (5)

  • Meg S.

    I lamented to a neighbor who spent years living in Japan that I'd failed to impress a San-Francisco-based friend of mine when I took her out here for Sushi. "You should have taken her out to Yuraku," my neighbor said. "Then she'd be impressed." So last night I went with another friend (one who lives 40 miles from the restaurant but had heard about it through word of mouth, too) and really enjoyed myself. We were feeling extravagant, and ordered everything lobster they were serving - I had the Lobster tempura (moist, cooked perfectly all the way through, delicious) and she had the grilled lobster (looked a bit dry, sadly, but I didn't try it and she finished the whole thing and said she liked it). We also split a Titanic roll which is loaded with tempura lobster as well. It was all awesome. Thank goodness we didn't get the gyoza and shumai (spelled differently on the menu, but you'd recognize it). Even though both were highly recommended by the restaurant reviews in the window, we were stuffed and went home with more leftovers than I could eat for lunch the next day. I agree that this is far and away the best sushi in Gaithersburg/Germantown. And it's the first exit in Germantown (Exit 13a) so getting there from Gaithersburg only takes a few minutes. Worth the trip!

    (4)

  • Nami C.

    Presentation is pretty, but dangerous. This is my opinion for the current Yuraku and they wasn't like this back in the old days. Popularity ruin good business. Don't take me wrong I love sushi and raw fish, but handling sushi is very tricky. The whole environment MUST BE VERY CLEAN AND ORGANIZE. I have been Yuraku's customer for quite long time but the recent couple experiences had been very bad. May be due to their business is getting better and better and they cannot keep up with the correct food handling etiquette. I got frozen white tuna sushi. I got sticky dishes as if it hadn't been wash. Also their price is not that great any more. Also, be aware their customer queuing system, even you had reserved a table and it is possible to wait for 30 mins because the waitress friends cutting in. This is by far the worse review I ever written, but the experience really make me feel this way. Thanks Yelp for provide a channel to regular people like me to yelp out my opinion.

    (1)

  • Emily R.

    When my dining companion asked me if I wanted to try out "you-rock-koo", I thought I had just finished playing a game of Guitar Hero. Then, I realized that was the name of the restaurant... We went on a busy Friday night. The wait wasn't too long. There was quite the hustle and bustle of customers there for dinner and take-out as well. I was surprised to be seated at a table for 4 when there were only 2 of us. I figured we'd be squished in with others close to our table, but this was not the case. The fresh veggies before the meal was a nice touch and appreciated since my stomach was grumbling. We tried the cowboy sushi special - beef with mango and avocado - interesting combination of flavors, quite tasty!! We also had the volcano roll, a fried salmon roll with generous strips of avocado on the top (not sure what it was called), and the Viagra roll. The Viagra roll is the busiest roll I have ever seen. It's got everything in it, or should I say, on top of it. It came out looking like something had exploded on the dish, so I guess it's appropriately named... We really enjoyed our meal here. All the sushi was delicious. I'm going to blame my sushi falling apart on my clumsy chopsticking skills. My only complaint (if you can call it that) was that the pieces were so large, I could hardly eat them in one bite. But I can't rightly complain for too much in one piece.

    (4)

  • Hannah C.

    my review of this place will be a bit biased because 1) I don't live here and don't get to eat here often - consistency! 2) The owner is a family friend and loves my friend to death - special treatment 3) We spent about $550 here - got the money's worth. but let me start off by saying WOW. this place had really fresh sushi and really lives up to all the great things i hear. rumor also has it that the the sushi chef-person-man who works there now used to work at the white house in korea. but i digress. because it was a special occasion, my best friends graduation, i got to try dishes that i've never had before in my life. dishes that i have always wanted to order and try at sushi restaurants but didn't because of the hefty price tag. i felt like the luckiest person last night. seriously, i ate like a queen. aside from the never-ending dishes that kept coming all night long, the most memorable one was the sea bass. it was this beautifully presented dish with asparagus and seaweed salad. the sea bass will literally melt in your mouth, as it did in mine, and you will salivate every time you think about it. the next most memorable dish was probably their fried calamari. it was deep fried with tempura batter and drizzled in some exotic tasting sauce that most reminded me of india. perfectly crispy and crunchy on the outside, while the calamari was tender and juicy. wow. it was an amazing experience. it's actually quite funny because i am actually eating the spider roll left overs in between my typing and thinking of what to write next. and it is it's still fresh tasting!! haha. i would totally go here on a weekly basis if i lived here because to be honest, i have not found a sushi place in ny that i absolutely love. but then again, i don't usually spend $500 at a sushi restaurant either. i will definitely have to go back here again the next time i am in town.

    (5)

  • Arthur K.

    In full disclosure I want to let you know that I am not a huge sushi fan. I prefer my meat cooked and red. However, I have to admit that Yuraku has some of the best sushi I've had in MD. The restaurant is very popular meaning wait times can be fairly long and the dining area is cramped during most meal times. The restaurant attracts an eclectic crowd of eaters encompassing a wide range of ages and ethnicities. You will most likely see an anxious mass of people in the small reception area of the restaurant. Yes, people are willing to wait for the sushi here. The fish is generally very fresh, well-prepared, and tasty. Honestly, it used to be even better a year or two ago. But in no way is it less than excellent. There is a wide variety of specialty rolls. The rainbow roll is a popular choice among friends, but most anything on the specialty list is good. Often you will receive a small bowl or two of fresh vegetables to share, and individual bowls of miso soup while you wait for your sushi to arrive. Ocassionally you may receive a seaweed-based salad. These are freebies, though I think it is contingent on ordering sushi. As a casual sushi eater, the non-sushi items at the restaurant are good as well. I particularly like the udon (noodle soup) and chicken-taksu which (as the name implies) is a donkatsu-style chicken. Yuraku creates a bustling, authentic sushi restaurant feel. The interior is decorated in light wood. The waitresses and sushi chefs are mocked up in traditional Japanese-style wardrobe. Sushi arrives on wooden implements; larger orders are brought out on sushi boats. The service is fairly good. If I do eat sushi, I prefer to eat at Yuraku.

    (4)

  • Andrew K.

    Pretty good sushi for lunch buffet. I tried coming here twice before I finally was able to eat here. First, do not come here after 11:30am or you may have to wait at least 30 minutes to eat. The place opens at 11:30am but you can get there 10 to 15 minutes early and be seated right away. Second, they are closed on Mondays so don't make the mistake of driving here. The place is pretty small and the sushi layout is only about a table length long and it's in the corner where you usually have to wait in line to get sushi. But they do a good job of refilling so usually everything they have is out there. I usually stick with the salmon sushi and the rolls. They also have other korean food but the other side dishes aren't that good. The sushi is decent, not amazing quality but for $13, it hits the spot for me. I hear the sushi at dinner is alot better so I might check that out sometime. I will come back for my sushi fix when I have a craving to stuff myself.

    (4)

  • Betty W.

    I started going to Yuraku in 2001. I loved it so much that Sonny and Mr. Lee gave me free rolls all of the time. Unfortunately, I moved to Harford County in 2003 so I could only make it there maybe 2-4x a year. Now I live in PA and I seem to only go there on my way to or from visits to DC or VA. If they were closer I think I would eat there at least 4x week. Sushi is ALWAYS fresh, always consistent. Service has always been fantastic but I have been there on weekends and it gets so packed that I would imagine the service might reflect that. Go during the week and you wont be disappointed. Rolls are always changing and creative! Love it and would highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Barney D.

    Here's the skinny: The best sushi anywhere in the DC metro hands down. Here's another: salmon sashimi that will literally melt in your mouth it's so buttery good. Don't even consider another sushi place until you've eaten here.

    (5)

  • Eunice K.

    In my opinion, this is BY FAR one of the best sushi place around Germantown/Gaithersburg area. I've been here countless times and each time, sushi was fresh & delicious. The only thing that I wish was different is the space of the restaurant. It is fairly small and it gets crowded very easily. I wish I had more time to be able to eat their lunch buffet more, but unfortunately, I don't. Those of you who haven't tried their lunch buffet, go try it! They have decent amount of sushi and other menu items available for lunch buffet and price isn't too bad. Just be sure to get there a little early so that you don't have to wait with 38457389 other people in line.

    (4)

  • Dave H.

    I'm kind of an adventurous sushi eater so I'm glad that there is a local place that has some of the more uncommon choices. I went yesterday with a large group of friends and they brought out some free tuna sashimi salads to our table because we had brought so many people to their place. Their prices for the specialty stuff isn't too bad either. I was also happy that they had sea urchin available (w/ or w/o quail egg). Even if you can't catch the buffet you can choose 3 of thier regular rolls for about $12 (Combi Maki). The buffet is also one of the best deals around if you can stop by on a Saturday.

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    I feel bad for writing this review... because I feel like the only person in the area that doesn't like this restaurant. I've been to this place three times in a 2 year span and have had "meh" opinions about the place. To be fair, I haven't tried the lunch buffet which I keep hearing rave reviews about the price/quality ratio. I wasn't going to write a review but my last visit was compelling enough to write a review to share my experience. I visited with 3 of my friends so I have some variety to base my judgment on... I had the tonkatsu, my friends had the bulgoki, some sushi and some eel dish. A funny thing to note: when my friend ordered the eel dish, the waitress gave a puzzled look and it seemed like she wasn't sure what the menu item was until he pointed to the item on the menu. She then gave a half confident/half "I didn't know we had that" nod and took the order. An awkward silence followed afterwards and we all shared a good laugh after she left the table. My Tonkatsu was very plain and the sauce resembled a slightly BBQed version of ketchup and was disappointing. The best part about it was the portion was pretty large. The bulgoki was decent but then again I don't think I've ever had a "fantastic" bulgoki. I had some of my friend's Alligator roll and the batter surrounding the shrimp tempura was way too crunchy, too the point where it was uncomfortable. I didn't even touch my friend's all ready suspect eel dish and he didn't seem to like it. Other things to mention: they gave us a complimentary half fried fish head which we sort of just picked at and didn't really enjoy , the salad was pretty good, and they gave us the potato salad thing that Koreans love to eat. The staff was very friendly and pleasant. The prices were a little high for our food.

    (2)

  • Nikki A.

    Delicious! Generous portions and a local favorite! Yuraku is ALWAYS busy at dinner time - a sign of yummy food and good prices!

    (5)

  • edwin l.

    OMG - *drool* really good sushi in the DC area. reasonable price & can't beat free appetizers. when i want sushi (quantity) i go here. worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Crouching T.

    I took my family to this restaurant and it was great!! This place definitely deserved a 5 stars with excellect service, friendly atmosphere, decent prices, and yummy food. There is no doubt that i will come back here next time I'm around this area. If there is anything to complain except that this place is way too popular. It took us a good hour before we were seated.

    (5)

  • Chuck S.

    One of the better sushi places in the area and also a great value. They have a great selection of rolls, a single order or two of which is quite filling. Once your order has been placed, they are pretty quick with getting your food to you. On occasion, I have received slices of sashimi that are still a little frozen. I would recommend sticking with rolls and hand rolls. I would also suggest getting there early or making reservations; otherwise, the wait can be quite long. Once you are seated, it is also pretty cramped.

    (3)

  • E D.

    In the last week I've gone here for lunch and dinner. The sushi is absolutely delicious= I haven't had a bad one yet. I also tried the stuffed avocado and the Kantonese soup- they were delicious as well and were actually my favorites of the evening. I will definitely be going back regularly.

    (5)

  • Brian F.

    While this local place isn't large inside, $2/piece and they're Huge pieces! I used to call ahead to secure a seat when I arrived but luckily they know me by now so it's not a problem. They put edemamme and fresh veggies on the table as soon as you sit with drinks coming very quickly. Depending on how crowded it is and how much you've ordered, it can take a few minutes for your food to show but the helpings are large. They are very friendly, regardless of culture unlike other places I have been to. We have friends that come from some good distances and are more than pleased to meet us whenever we go. I HIGHLY recommend this place!!

    (5)

  • Abdul A.

    HEAVEN for any sushi lovers. MY GOD this place is amazing. Everything in their BUFFET is delicious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes sushi.

    (5)

  • THANH T.

    My favorite japanese restaurant in the area. Excellent service and foods.

    (5)

  • Danilo A.

    If you are in the mood for some good ole' sushi, look no further than Yuraku Japanese Restaurant. This is a great place to gorge yourself with sushi and specialty rolls from their large menu. The ingredients are always fresh and the service is top notch. I always rave about this place to all my friends. Do yourself a favor and just go NOW!

    (5)

  • Gary W.

    The best sushi in Maryland. That's pretty much all I can say about it. I've been there on two occasions. The first time I went to Yuraku was for dinner. While at other sushi places I would need to get two+ rolls to be full, I just got one entree and it was definitely enough. The rolls are big, stuffed with deliciousness. It was very satisfying and most of their rolls are done very very well. The second time was on a Saturday morning at 11AM for the lunch time buffet. Best sushi lunch buffet I've ever had. Lots of variety, but at the same time, there is still the same quality in the rolls. Once again, Best sushi in Maryland that I've found so far.

    (5)

  • Chris N.

    The best Sushi in Montgomery County hands down!

    (5)

  • Nathaniel M.

    Large portions of sushi and the taste complimented it very well. It's not 5 star but it does the trick with budget minded folks.

    (4)

  • Craig S.

    This is my first Yelp review and I wouldn't be compelled to write if I didn't think my intestines were bleeding from my experience at Yuraku. The price is right, hence the 2-star review. All you can eat for under $12 is good anywhere, but yes, the quality must be good, too. And while there is a shmorgosbord of things to choose from, most do not seem fresh by the time I hit the buffet. My girlfriend and I both ate here on Saturday afternoon. We had all the same meals over the weekend, and except this one, all the same meals as my parents...so that's how I know Yuraku is the most likely culprit. It could've been the sushi, the pickled cucumbers, overly salted seaweed, or miso, but something has forced us both to miss work today. If you're thinking I'm a sushi newbie or have a weak stomach, you're wrong. I can eat nearly anything and don't get sick. I had garlic meatball eggs for breakfast the other day and felt great. I mix sriracha and tzatziki sauce and I'm fine. That's my review - don't go for the buffet if you want to NOT be on the toilet all day. For those who don't mind, it can be a decent experience. ope, here I go again (sorry)...

    (2)

  • Kevin C.

    The sushi here is very good, relatively cheap, and comes in pretty large portions. I have yet to come across a better sushi place for the price and quality of food. At dinner, expect to get several free starters. These include a large fish head, miso soup, steamed egg, and salad.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    Safe to say the best $13 I have ever invested in an all you can eat sushi joint. Sides and salads make it even better, and the service staff.are like ninjas - my water glass always filled up when I wasn't looking.

    (5)

  • Den F.

    my friends and family love this place so i keep coming back. however, the lunch buffet has given me a stomach ache on more than one occasion. the fish during lunch is definitely much lower quality with smaller portions and very dry. i would much rather go for dinner. the quality of the sushi is much better at dinner and the size of the fish is bigger. they have some good specialty rolls also.

    (3)

  • jill l.

    I was visiting DC from Chicago. I was so happy to find such a great restaurant. It was packed on a Wednesday night. Thank goodness a Yelper had recommended making a reservation!!! The sushi was some of the best I have had. The chef was very entertaining and fed us some fantastic sushi. The pieces of fish are generous and the fish was very fresh. I have never eaten so much sushi at one sitting.

    (5)

  • Thy T.

    Everyone I know knows this place. You cannot find a place that is this reasonable in price, excellent in service, fresh & tasty & generous portion...any where else. And THE BEST thing about Yuraku - after taking your order, they bring out all sort of free appertizers beside your usual salad and miso soup (grilled Salmon cheeks, carrot & celery stick with dipping sauce, steamed egg with mushroom - not as good compared to Niwano Hana's, but hey - it's free) It's so good and popular, you always have to wait for at least 30 minutes to get a table (reserved or not). They have much more variety of sashimi compared to any sushi restaurant in MD, they even have Giant Clam. Whenever we about to come by someone's party and don't know what dish to bring, we'll call Yuraku and order a platter of $50 or $100 of sushi and sashimi to go. Pple at the party would sure cheer up. My most fav. thing on the platter is charcoal grilled White Tuna - I cannot have enought of it. On my latest BD, my husband ordered the boat ($100) that has everything; 12 hungry, sushi lovers could not finish it. They even put in 8 slices of Kobe beef; since I was the BD girl, I get to eat some of them...ehehhehe...sooooo yuuuummmy. The buffet at lunch time is awesome.

    (5)

  • Dee P.

    The freshest sushi in town. They never disappoint. Always crowded, always waiting at least 30mins. You know it's good when there's always a wait. They give you a lot for your money.

    (4)

  • Andrey Y.

    Food is good, but the customer service is certainly NOT! ....at least if you're a non-Asian. Not sure why this place discriminates so much! Called in advance and still waited for over an hour at the door. When the wait was over, we were told to wait another 30-40 minutes, no idea why!!! Will not come back!

    (1)

  • Nuoc M.

    This place is real popular with some sushi aficionados that I know. I'm not really sure why they like it so much, but my review is based more off of the buffet instead of the a la carte items. I'll admit some of the a la carte items are pretty good, such as the dynamite or volcano roll, forgot what its called. But I'm sometimes a quantity over quality type of guy, and the a la carte menu items can get pretty expensive if you want to get full. If you go, try to go early or you'll have a long wait and it will be crowded. The area where they have the buffet food is in the corner, where at first there is food on each side, then once you get to the corner there is only sushi on one side. So the line for the sushi buffet is kind of like a U, going into the corner and rounding back out. So it makes it crowded and a long wait to get the sushi. Its kind of funny because one of the times we went there they treated me a lot better then my cousin, who is one of those sushi aficionados, who goes there often. The only explaination I have is maybe its because they come from a male dominant society so treats guys better then girls. Normally I would have thought that they'd treat regulars better. The sushi buffet is decent, but I don't think its anything special. Personally I used to like Hill House better, but its closed now. So Yuraku is probably one of the better sushi buffet places in the area and is my first choice when I want to satisfy my sushi craving.

    (3)

  • Marat S.

    Excellent Excellent sushi. Quality and creativity would be at the epicenter of this spot. I am usually here once or twice a week. For dinner, its a mad rush of people who come from all over the area for what some say is the best sushi in DC Metro area. Sure, you might have a fancier restaurant in terms of decor and level of service somewhere in city or Rockville/Bethesda area. But nothing beats the level of taste, flavor, creativity, and most importantly, freshness of this place. Since it is all the way out here in Germantown, MD, the prices are also very reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get. All i would say is be patient as you are seated or waiting for your table. Be patient with the wait staff. But it is all worth it for the food. Happy eating!!

    (5)

  • Jackie H.

    This restaurant is all about quantity, not so much quality. The portions are big and prices comparably inexpensive, but it's not the best food I've eaten. I went during dinner on a Friday night and waited ~30mins for a table, so I thought this place must be good. I think what really attracts people here is the price to portion ratio for the raw fish. I don't eat raw sushi, but my friends said that it was fresh. The cooked stuff was a different story. The cut of the rolls, the plate presentation, and the taste were all below expectations. The positive aspect of the Korean-owned influence might just be the steamed egg and cooked salmon's head gratis as appetizer. The miso soup tasted a bit stale and the salad was way too salty though.

    (3)

  • DJ J.

    Got take out from here. I was very happy with my order. The produce looked and tasted fresh! Looking inside the restaurant I was happy to order out since it looks a bit unkept...Though, my special sushi rolls were AMAZING and I will definately go back.

    (4)

  • Vivian L.

    I'm from a place where sushi is always top quality. So the quality here was only ok.

    (2)

  • Alisha T.

    Yuraku. oh the many lunch hours I have squandered away within your walls, stuffing myself with fish, rice and an assortment of korean fare. YUM! Yuraku is reasonably priced, [read: dirt cheap, lunch buffet w/ soup and a drink is around $12] and good. the selection of rolls are very good and VARIED. anytime I come, I am surprised at the number of options I am given for the price I pay! why buy a la carte? (alas, i have though. and am equally enamored by the such) the salmon sashimi and spicy tuna rolls are my favorite and seemingly everyone elses! when the plate's are put down, grab them fast! first time there? go for the rolls* with avacado, tuna or salmon. and be sure to get soup! as for the Korean food? i love the cold cellophane noodles, seasame seaweed, and some Korean barbeque. YUMMY! [did i already use 'yum' in this review?] *spelling edit

    (4)

  • Anson P.

    My friend and I are big eaters. We decided to go here on a Friday and partake of some fish and Sapporo. Friday night appears to be a big sushi night and this place had a lot of people waiting. We decided to sit up at the sushi bar to avoid a long wait. The food was pretty good. They have the standard fare, but one thing I appreciate are all of the creative rolls that they have come up with. The sushi chefs have incorporated eel and avocado into a lot of the rolls, as well as tempura. Whenever I go to a sushi place, I always get seaweed salad. The seaweed salad was decent, nothing spectacular. The sashimi was fresh. The combo came with soup and salad. The soup wasn't all that great, but the salad had a nice dressing that seemed to have a peanut flavoring to it. The prices were a little steep for dinner. Usually, my friend and I are stuffed for 50-60 bucks whereas we dropped 80 bucks here, which is a bit much. If you sit at the bar, you can get some free dishes courtesy of the owner, although we weren't all that impressed with the broiled spanish mackeral that was handed to us. The service was good and the wait staff attentive. This seems like a good takeout option. If you live in the area, this place is a good option, but nothing spectacular to make you want to drive great distances.

    (4)

  • Thugnificent M.

    $15 for all you can eat sushi that's actually made by a Japanese person? Done. Come early or you'll be waiting in line for a while.

    (5)

  • Alan T.

    We came with 13+ ppl, so it was a treat for everyone to have a little of everything. We ordered rolls and 2 boats of sushi. The foods were great and fresh. They give u a mini salad, steam egg and miso soup as free appetizers. They were ok, but I was there to eat the sushi. Prices aren't the cheapest but since we came with such a large party it wasn't that bad. Titanic roll was good. Overall, I recommend the place. Oh yeah, the place has a long line so come early.

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    I have been going here for a LONG time! They have fabulous sushi, not that thin tiny fish on top of a mound of rice. It's not cheap but it is worth it! I love the flying dragon roll, rainbow roll, tuna mountain, fried calamari (not the usual kind) kani salad, miso soup, firecracker roll (for those who like it hot) and the spicy tuna hand roll is to die for. The waitresses are getting better (in the beginning it wasn't so good) but the guys behind the sushi bar (Sunny, Mr Lee and all the others) are great very nice and well worth the price tag!

    (4)

  • Alexis P.

    This place was a hidden gem about 10 years ago when salmon nigiri sushi was $1 apiece for a slab of fish that would choke a horse (size, not quality, heh). It's still pretty incredible now and that's comparing it to "real" sushi places in New York and Los Angeles (and those charge an arm and a leg). It certainly isn't as hidden as it used to be and while it can be very crowded at times, I have never been disappointed here. For new folks, try to arrive at "unusual" times because it can be a zoo at prime times. Also, I personally wouldn't bother with the buffet since I don't like to see fish trying desperately to hide the mound of rice under it. I have never been satisfied with any "sushi" buffet, so that's not a Yuraku-specific problem. First off, let me just say that I eat sushi for the fish. I don't go to eat rolls with strange shapes and sauces on them in pretty patterns. That's not sushi; that's Food Network. When I go out to eat sushi I expect a few things: really fresh fish, really fresh fish, well-cut pieces of really fresh fish, cool vinegared rice, and did I mention really good fish? Yuraku delivers on that front. I don't know where they get their fish from and it's a good thing for them because I'd just slice my own at that point. About the only criticism I could make about their sashimi and nigiri sushi would be that their cuts cross over into the somewhat boorish territory for sheer size. I don't personally mind because hey, I get to eat it, but some sushi purists might say, "Whoa, hold on there." Their prime cuts of fish are always fresh, always good. If you order dishes that use the scraps (chirashi, insert-fish dons, etc.), you might find some pieces that might have a tough bit or might still be very cold from the freezer, but if you can handle the price, the sushi/sashimi is really hard to beat. Once you've established yourself as a regular over the years, you practically don't have to order food as the complimentary dishes you'll get will quite literally be enough to feed 1-2 people. It's a nice gesture of respect and recognition and it definitely helps to maintain customer loyalty, but ultimately, this sushi restaurant succeeds because of the quality of their fish. The only non-sushi dishes I can comment on have been ordered by friends and include their udon (above-average, but nothing spectacular), their haedup bab (raw fish salad with rice using scraps; also okay), and their tempura (below average). Final word: it's not the absolute best sushi I've ever had, but heck, I can't afford the best sushi I've ever had. However, it is easily the best sushi I have encountered anywhere in the DMV area.

    (5)

  • Alan N.

    I love Japanese food and have tried many restaurant from dingy place to high price fancy stuff. What I don't understand is the hype of this restaurant? Granted, they have a lot of different selections but the quality of the sashimi/sushi is just so so. This also coupled with bad service and over charged on everything. If you don't like to wait in line and get seated, then like the reviewer below me said, they can't even include salad/soup for take-outs but you're paying the full price for it. I will not go to this restaurant again and DO NOT recommend it.

    (1)

  • Mark B.

    Grilled Salmon head for free!!!! That's probably all you need to know.....but to elaborate on my experience at Yuraku and my 4 star rating I shall delve into it a bit further. Like many reviews have mentioned Yuraku gives all their customers banchan "side dishes" before your meal. The day I went the pièce de résistance was grilled salmon head. The fact that we got it for free when I would normally pay 10 to 15 bucks at other restaurants was a huuuge surprise. After devouring our salmon and frowning upon the other tables that barely touched theirs we got our order of dynamite roll, Osaka triangle, and an unagi roll. The dynamite roll was absolutely delicious and they didn't skimp on lobster meat. The Osaka triangle was packed with so much fish that I could barely fit a piece into my mouth. Yuraku is not one of those sushi places where you leave barely satiated after having spent a whole lota dough. My buddy and I were stuffed for 38 bucks including tax and tip.....ridiculous.

    (4)

  • I See Y.

    A good budget sushi restaurant - go only for the buffets. Anyways, I've been there several times, 2 of which came outta my system very quickly. So, I kinda question the quality of this joint. I will agree that it's probably the best sushi joint in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area. But, it's not the freshest.

    (2)

  • Al L.

    This is the best sushi place in the MD/VA/DC area. Seriously, I've had friends drive down from Baltimore and up from VA all the way to exit 13 off 270 for this place. It can get crowded at times, so wait times can be up to 1.5 hrs, but it's worth it. The most I've spent there is $13/person and every one was stuffed. The rolls are unique and much bigger than you would get at your typical sushi joint. When I go w/ my gf we only get 2 rolls and that is more than enough for us. They have lunch buffet on the weekend which is around $12 and the food is decent, I like the Korean food they prepare but the sushi is just ok. I'd stick w/ the sushi on the menu. It is a sushi restaurant owned by Koreans so they do have side dishes, but I think you get more if you go w/ a Korean-speaking person =/ Usually you will get fish head, miso soup, vegetables and dip, and possibly an egg custard type dish. For the most part the service is good, though there was one waitress who forced my gf and I to order more food b/c she said two rolls would not be enough, but we have not had her since. I've had friends order off the regular menu, but I would just stick w/ the sushi menu, they have such a wide variety of rolls I've never tried them all ,also give their special rolls a try that are listed in the front.

    (4)

  • Kelly J.

    Holy Freaking Sushi!! This place is by far the best Sushi restaurant you could ever go to (well at least in Maryland) They have such a wide variety of sushi. The sizes of each individual sushi really makes you glad you are getting your moneys worth. Sometimes if you're lucky, at closing time they'll give you extra food (or maybe they just like the look of us) The only downside to this place is the long wait (even on a Wednesday night this place is beyond crazy packed). We come here every week, no matter what the day, or time, expect a wait! They are short staffed and can sometimes forget about you (when you do finally sit down) but you can understand when you see the amount of people in this place. There is only one hostess and she also can get caught up in the crowd (she has forgotten to write us on the wait list a couple of times) but that will never stop me from coming here. I have tried almost everything on their menu and there is nothing I don't like.

    (5)

  • Crystal Lynne C.

    I know 5 Stars is a stretch, but the criteria is "As good as it gets!"... and it is... for Montgomery County. Cuong took me here after my 41 week pregnancy, and we ordered 8 pieces of Salmon, 2 scallop handrolls, and an order of Volcano rolls. It could have been the sushi hiatus, but I wanted to cry from happiness at being able to have salmon again. Lobster Rolls are a must have when in season.

    (5)

  • Jenn B.

    This place as already earned it's awesomeness as other reviewers has pointed out! But I did want to let people know that even if you don't LOVE japanese food and mainly sushi, this is still a great place to try out at least once! I came with my partner who (1) hate sushi and (2) is extremely picky and we both looooved it! We came for lunch, and the buffet rocked my world! For such a tiny place they do offer a lot of hot and cold options for the price you pay. The only thing I don't like is if you're sitting in the middle area you're right on top of the people next to you...which is not desirable if someone, say sneezes. But whatevs- I can let that go due to the deliciousness of the food here. Quite the jem!

    (5)

  • Ardeshir G.

    When it's time for sushi, fresh is even more important than well-prepared. Yuraku scores on both. The sushi here one of the best in the greater northwest Germantown area [a region known for it's legendary sushi establishments.] ;) The prices are sushi prices. Sushi is never cheap but Yuraku is not over-priced either. It goes without saying that you probably don't want to eat cheap, day-old or 50%-OFF sushi. Expect a 20-30 min wait if you get there at lunch or dinner time.

    (4)

  • Mei-ye J.

    While the toro may not be great at any time during the day, I'm a salmon fan so it doesn't really matter. I've had dinner once here and have been to the lunch buffet twice. Both yesterday and today. I must say for 10.95 before tax I think it's an awesome deal. I thought the salmon nigri was both fresh and well portioned. I loved the variety and I must say it's true about how they have sushi prepared in advance and sitting, especially the toro. Most people I observed were not fans of the toro and it didn't get taken as quickly as the salmon. I think that's why the salmon was fresher. The dessert selection is lacking and you pay extra for any drinks other than water and tea. Seating is very limited. My advice come early for an abundant variety, but don't come for the tuna (all they have is toro, which didn't seem very fresh).

    (4)

  • Jessica D.

    I stopped in here on a lunch date with a friend, and I was really pleased. They do what looked like a pretty amazing lunch buffet, but we just ordered off the menu at the bar. They have a nice selection of sake and a decent selection of sushi and sashimi-- I'm from California and I've not had a lot of success finding the kind of variety that I'm used to since moving to Maryland. We ordered a lot of the typical sushi pieces-- salmon, tuna, eel. Everything was excellent. They also do the fried shrimp heads here, but they were out that day. The sushi chef also sent a few complimentary items to our table, one he called the Crepe Tartar was absolutely amazing. For rolls, we got a Philly roll and a volcano roll. The Philly was pretty typical, no complaints and the volcano roll was phenomenal. I see why it's such a popular item with other diners. Probably my one and only complaint would be the length of the wait, but that's like complaining that the food is too good-- the wait is well worth the food.

    (4)

  • Don K.

    Food is great. They have a great nigiri sushi spread, as well as other things. Everyone complains about the wait to get in and not a lot of wait service inside, but these are symptoms of this place being extremely popular. If they hired anymore waitress's, there wouldn't be any room to the buffet and back. The only way this place could improve would be to move to a bigger location, or increase their price. If raising their price kept enough people away to shorten the lines and make it less crowded inside, I'd pay extra for that

    (5)

  • Rhan K.

    Went for dinner today and had the chef's special. They bring out a lot of small dishes for each person (its $$$$) but it is nice because you get to try a whole bunch of things that aren't on the menu. But the only problem I had with it was the amount of fried foods. Fried sushi and fish isn't bad but if you are trying to enjoy a lot of food, it just gets to be too much.

    (4)

  • D V.

    Delicious sushi but extremely unorganized service. They didnt take our reservation but said they would put us on the waitlist. When we got to the restaurant, they seated all of the asian customers before us. Ended up waiting for almost an hour to get a table. Does this place discriminate against non-asians?

    (1)

  • Marshall M.

    Always go there with my friend, but didn't like it, cause my friends order a sashimi boat, that has a lot of fish I don't like.or some Korean cuisine dish, I do love raw fish ,so I gave a so so for my point of view. But once dinner with my family, my eye was open, Yuraku has a special roll menu, list of 10-15 kind, that was SUPERB, TORO ( fatty tuna) sashimi that melted in your mouth, That night was my real experience with YURAKU...

    (5)

  • Jeanne Y.

    A year or two ago, Yuraku would have been a solid four stars. My friends and I would go for lunch or for dinner, celebrating birthdays or just looking for a fun place to go for good food. After all, cheap all-you-can-eat-sushi is quite a draw, and the long lines attest to it. However, when I went a few days ago, I was disappointed. Very disappointed. Don't get me wrong. The cooked food was alright. The Korean food they had out was decent (the place is owned by Koreans). But the sushi was MEH at best, and while there's a wide selection, there was nothing spectacular about it. I consoled myself by saying that it would come out to be ~$12 per person (after factoring tax/tip). But when the bill came, I discovered they had jacked up their prices to $12.99 per person! That REALLY blows. We paid our bill and left, somewhat bitterly. I know the recession is hitting us all hard, but even if Yuraku were right across the street from my house, I don't think their lunch sushi buffet is worth the money (or the wait). Especially when I have to drive to Germantown to get it. It's going to be a while before I go back.

    (2)

  • D M.

    Hands-down my favorite sushi restaurant in Maryland. My friends and family and I always have a blast sitting down for a meal at Yuraku. I've never been disappointed by anything I've eaten and find the servers very kind. The kitchen sometimes sends out complimentary salads and rolls, which I love. They do wonderful things with strawberries and bananas on their sushi rolls - pretty neat! I'd suggest making reservations - it can get very busy and seating is somewhat limited.

    (5)

  • Dave W.

    A follow up from my first post - I go back to Yuraku monthly, and they continue to stay fresh, delicious and probably the best value in sushi. I appreciate the consistency, and that I can take a group, eat ridiculous amounts of sushi, and not run up the national debt doing so. The only downside? The place is popular and lines form early, so if you don't like to wait, get in early (I've never waited more than 5 minutes Mon-Thur, if I'm there by 6:00 or 6:15). Looking forward to the next shipful of sushi next week......

    (5)

  • Ken K.

    Went here for the lunch buffet and stuffed my face silly with a variety of different rolls and sushi. The inside has sort of a trashy "all-you-can-eat buffet" ambiance, but you'll easily forget that once you start eating. Bottom Line: Lunch buffet for $15 has a good variety, so it is ideal for the sushi novice trying to get their feet wet in different types of sushi, or for the sushi lover who is trying to get their fix.

    (4)

  • Ibis W.

    I've logged countless dinners with this place in the past few years. I alone have put the owner's children through college. That's right, all of them. College. How ever many children they have. And you know what? I have absolutely nothing remotely bad to say about them. Not with all the millions of chances I've given them to mess up. This place cannot be more rave-worthy. Food is great, service is great, price is great, everything is great, every time!

    (5)

  • Paula N.

    Just came back from their sushi buffet and they have yellowtail sushi (hamachi). Yay! I love yellowtail -- but it's really hard to find at the sushi buffets around Rockville. Lunch is super-busy, we had to wait 20 minutes for a table, so make sure your bosses won't be looking for you if you come back late.

    (4)

  • Tina L.

    It's a love-hate relationship with this restaurant... LOVE: -The food is awesome -For the food quality, the price is very reasonable HATE: -I get an upset stomach afterwards every single time but that's just me and my tolerance for raw fish even though i think it's still worth it, as with all raw food...eat at your own risk -Dislike the wait (i went about 3 times and even though we made reservations each time, each time the wait was still around 30 minutes) SUGGESTIONS: -it's pretty much pointless to make reservations so whether you have a small or large group, so make sure everyone shows up on time (that's when they put you down on the wait list). Last time I went, there was an angry man that made a reservation and still waited like 45 minutes and non-stop complained. I suggest them to just take way all reservations to avoid this kind of situation and just make it a first come first serve for everyone, which is what they do anyways. Avoid peak times if you can. Overall, I would still go back for my occasional sushi/sashimi fix. I would like to try their weekend lunch buffet next time.

    (4)

  • Lisa K.

    If you love sushi, then Yuraku is a must. Sushi is plump and fresh and prompt to arrive with free goodies (if you order a boat). Not feeling dinner? Well, the lunch buffet is ridiculously delicious. Lots and lots of sushi choices, hot foods are pretty limited, so i wouldn't go there unless you want sushi. Only cons are that lunch buffet wait gets pretty long, seating is a bit limited. As with most asian/sushi restaurants, beer and beverage choice is limited and expensive, for a can of soda and a large-ish can of beer. For dinner, I'd say go with a boat-- you get a lot of sushi and sashimi with free appetizers. Rolls are only necessary if have 1-2 more people than the recommended boat size. Boats/dinner works best with a group for sharing, and lunch buffet better for single diners or couples.

    (5)

  • Wee O.

    Awesome food specially sashimi deluxe.

    (5)

  • Shawn H.

    Very good sushi, super friendly staff. I don't love the ambiance or the location, but I'm always impressed with the food. Whether you want sushi or excellent Japanese and a little bit of Korean food, Yuraku is a great choice if you are that far north. In fact, this would be my only choice if I were in Gaithersburg or any more north of Rockville.

    (4)

  • Meggie C.

    one of my friends is obsessed with this place. he always wants to go their for their sushi buffet lunch. ive been a couple times, place is not bad. its actually pretty good. their sushi buffet has quite a few selections with other dishes on the side too. it can get kinda packed though so you might have to wait like 15 minutes.

    (4)

  • Toni Rae S.

    I'd been hearing from my brother about his brother-in-law's favorite sushi place, the place where he can sit at the bar and say, "make me something," and they'll create something amazing for him. So when my brother's family wanted to take me there, I was mighty intrigued about it. First of all, when you can get a two-year old kid from the suburbs to eat sushi, that's saying something. What's helpful is that they provide kiddie chopsticks, though I'm sure some adults use them too :) My niece and nephew adore this place. I'm not sure if they're slightly on the freaky side or if it's that good. I'm not a sushi connoisseur, but I've eaten enough to know what I like and don't like. I like things with lots of flavor, with a little bit of spice, and since I'm not a fan of soy sauce, something that doesn't require me to use it as an aid to choke down my food. The variety is overwhelming, so the two times I've been here, I just let my sister-in-law go to town. This time, my brother and sister-in-law raved about the Chilean Sea Bass, about how it's the best fish they'd ever tasted. Okay--when you hear someone say that, you have to be a LITTLE skeptical, don't you? So I was, and when the plate was set before me, hunks of white sea bass, slightly brown from a marinade, sitting atop some seaweed salad and some other finely stringy, crispy vegetable, I thought, "fish is fish, but I'll eat this because I love my family." It was the best fish I've ever tasted. It makes me sad to look to the right side of my screen and see one and two-star reviews, because this means some folks might hesitate before coming here. The brother-in-law has been a loyal customer for years and has never been sick. No, it's not a palace, but it's always so busy there, they probably don't have time for it to be pristine--it's certainly not going to prevent me from returning. And judging from the other diners who packed the restaurant the two times I've been there, they're going to keep coming back too.

    (4)

  • Alisa S.

    We went to Yuraku for dinner. Besides from the great company, the food was delish! Osaka Triangle roll was great. Definitely recommend it. Yuraku roll was a typical eel avocado roll. Sweet Angel roll provided a nice sweet surprise, but probably wouldn't be good in large amounts. Hand rolls were okay. The Uni and other sushi was fresh. I'm not a huge fan of large pieces of sushi, I end up eating it piece by piece. However, the sushi chefs had given us some complimentary sushi which was great. The service was kind of slow, but understandable because the restaurant was really busy. Overall, we'll definitely be coming back again!

    (4)

  • Mikey W.

    I've come here twice. Once for their lunch buffet, and another night for their regular dinner. Their lunch buffet is a 3 at best. The sushi/entrees weren't fresh, some of the meat was questionable, service wasn't great, etc. the buffets a good deal for quantity, but quality wasn't. i had a much better experience for dinner. me and 7 other came and ordered 18 rolls. yes, 18! they gave us two complimentary salads, and two plates of salmon heads. The salads were definitely good, one included little pieces of tuna. My other friends enjoyed the cooked salmon heads more, but i honestly was a little grossed out. it was cooked and oily and just didnt have a nice color to it. anyways, onto the 18 rolls. we got pretty much a wide assortment of spicy, crunchy, fried, and sweet rolls. in terms of roll quantity/quality/price, this probably is the best deal i've had. big rolls, good quality. i also got a few pieces of sashimi, but I wasn't as impressed. It didn't taste as fresh or as good as I've had at other places. with rolls you can mask some of the "freshness" factor with all the other ingridients. with sashimi you can not. i wish this place was closer, cause I'll want to come here next time i have a sushi throwdown.

    (4)

  • Angelica S.

    At Yuraku I have had their lunch buffet and special at dinner time. At their lunch buffet they have a variety of choices. I would recommend coming earlier because there are a rush around lunch time. Their dinner time special is also very good as well. They keep on sending food to your table until you tell them to stop. The courses are very nice and artistic.

    (4)

  • allen t.

    Tuesday (8/10) One of the best sushi lunch buffets out there. I came here for a sushi buffet so don't give me a rice buffet. But that seems to be the model of the other buffets; paper thin cuts of fish, rolls filled with cheap ingredients, and all that rice. Not Yuraku. After waiting for about 40 minutes, we finally got our table. My first plate was filled with tuna, salmon, makerel, and yellow tail sushi. Portions are close to the dinner portions of other places. As usual, it's fresh and accompanied with a reasonable portion of rice. Their rolls are generally pretty good as well. Spicy tuna, california, and so on. I didn't particulary care for the roll with cream cheese though. Just a personal perference. Second plate had a few more pieces of the fish and some cooked meat; bulgogi and pork along with some kimchi. Pretty good stuff. Hmmm.... Could this place be owned by Koreans? I would go for a third but it seems age has caught up a little with the appetite. Awesome buffet for $12.95. I'd definitely pay more for it compared to all the other buffet places in MD. Just one suggestion... A better system so people can get an idea of the wait would be awesome. Seems too random for my liking.

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    Usually, raw fish+buffet makes you think salmenella as a side. Not here friends. They do a great job of rotating their lunch buffet for great freshness. We'll be trying it out for dinner soon.

    (5)

  • Sae K.

    Okay, This is my third time reviewing this place. Just had to add a comment. GO DO THEIR LUNCH BUFFET. Yesterday, my dad came down from Baltimore so we can run some errands together. And after everything was done it was time for lunch. My dad HATES... i mean with a CAPITAL H HATES spending money to eat out. I am not quite sure if i am truly his son or not considering how much I like eating out. I digress. Appearently my mom packed him some stuff for lunch. and he was suggesting we share that for lunch at my house. I said NA AH.... dad, u are coming to Yuraku with me for lunch buffet. he said How much is it, and i told him it should be around $13 bucks... he's eyes O O widened and he gave me a doubtful look. I took him anyway. But before i went i called them and asked if they are doing lunch buffet. The nice lady said of course and it runs till 3 PM!!!! so we got there at around 1:30 PM ish... and we started filling our plates. I have been here many times for lunch buffet and save for that one time my wife found a piece of wet paper towel in her mouth while chewing a piece of roll, i have never been disappointed (The owner ran into the kitchen afterwards and they offered us NOTHING!!! i can't remember if they even apologized...) Anyway, once again i digress... I attack the sushi and bbq pork and beef and spicy tuna rolls ONLY... everything just fills u up for no good reason... I eat the fish off the sushi and then use that rice to accompany my kim chi and pickle kim chi with either the pork bbq or the beef bbq. and i am korean and have had many pork and beef bul go gi's. the ones they serve at yuraku are pretty tasty... the quality once again comes into question but to me, i am not sure how it gets better for the price. so i won't mention quality. i just know if i have an opportunity, i am ALLLL over yuraku lunch buffet. After two mountain high plates, my dad actually said, 'u know, this is worth $13 dollars... maybe i should bring mom'... this is from my cheap skate dad who never eats out. ever~~~ word of advice. Not every roll is made of fish. i say just stick to sushi, and spicy tuna rolls. and don't forget to help yourself to the pork and beef bul go gi... they are delicious... it's my routine now. eat fish off sushi, use rice for pork and beef. eat fried shrimp with out batter, dunk your roll into LIGHT brown wasabi soy sauce. shed a tear, repeat process. take nap and skip dinner. And to top off my experience there yesterday, the assistant chef recognized me and sent us two of his own hand rolls... had, unagi, avocado, fake crab meat, black and red roe, and stuff... thank you chef, that was tasty. Please someone tell me how any other lunch buffet beats Yuraku lunch buffet.... TELL ME TELL ME!!!!!!!!!! GO DO THEIR LUNCH BUFFET!!! (IT'S EVEN ON SATURDAYS!!! ARE THEY CRAZY??) If you do go between the hours of 11:30 - 1:00. you might have to wait a little...

    (4)

  • Vivek P.

    Late Saturday lunch after 1:30 and there was still a 20 min wait. It seems to be like this every time I come. I tried the tempura udon for the first time, noodles were quite good and seafood broth had sliced mushrooms, onions, zucchini. They put the tempura on the side, so it isn't soggy. Seven color rainbow roll was a large portion easy to share, but perhaps too much cucumber. The crunch roll was a good contrast to other rolls with the sweet pear and tempura flakes. You definitely come for the food, not the ambiance.

    (4)

  • Juliet K.

    one of the most affordable delicious sushi places in the suburbs of maryland. we ordered the $100 sushi and sashimi combo. this was really a 5 course meal. they kept bringing out more and more food. egg, baked salmon head, dumplings, miso soup, salad, squid salad, and then the huge boat of fish. they give you non spicy kimchi (very refreshing) and a spicy sauce to dip the sashimi in. delish. great quality sushi too and some very unique rolls. def would go back. i wish it were closer!!

    (5)

  • Eve G.

    Absolutely the best sushi place in the Germantown area! The all you can eat lunch buffet serves a wide variety of foods, a spread of tastes and colors - yaki, tempura, rice, noodles, vegetables and of course, the sushi. Crunchy tuna, banana crunch, smoked eel, avocado lover, mango madness...everything is yum! And if you go for supper and order from the menu, you will be just as satisfied with your meal. The portions are large, the rolls are well made, and the sushi is fresh and melts in your mouth. For the food and the price, it is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Jane N.

    ARE YOU KIDDING ME? ok. so i just wrote a long overdue review on yoyogi in Kentlands when i saw that someone said go to Yuraku instead. WTF! i live in germantown and i still wouldn't choose yuraku over yoyogi. first experience: ok - no real qualms second experience: still ok - portions were small and more expensive and the sashimi wasnt as cold as it could have been. warm sushi is a no no! third experience: cockroach underneath the wooden boat. the owner did nothing. enough said. this place is a dump.

    (1)

  • Mukur H.

    4.75. I went there with a whole bunch of co-workers today as they wanted the Buffet. Since I do not eat seafood and have lived in Japan, this review will be based on the non-seafood dishes. The buffet did look good, as it had some noodle dishes as well as meat dishes too. The real draw was the sushi for my co-workers as a $12 sushi buffet call cant be beat. Upon sitting down we were offered hot tea which I drank cup after cup of. This cup or my water glass never made it to half way empty as the service was beyond exceptional. Speaking of the service, the staff was extremely friendly and spoke with me in Japanese! I decided to order Gyoza and Katsudon. I was given a small Japanese salad and Miso soup to start with. They both were delicious. Note: You get miso soup for free with buffet too. Salad and soup were great so i waited for my Gyoza. The Gyoza was totally not what I expected, it was not filled with pork and cabbage, but none the less it was delicious. The katsudon was delicious as well. Meat was fried perfectly and the rice had vegetables in it, which was new to me, but none the less very enjoyable. That is the reason I gave it 4.75 and not 5 stars; I was expecting traditional Japanese food becuase of the very traditional atmosphere and service, yet It was not as traditional as i would have liked. All in all, I enjoyed my salad, miso soup, gyoza, HUGE portion of katsudon (half still sitting in fridge), countless cups of hot tea (free) for $13. The service topped off an excellent lunch. Tabemono wa umai desu!

    (5)

  • Alex B.

    This place is awesome...love the buffet and the sushi is pretty awesome too :-) Ate hear hear with friends not too long ago and we got a couple of their sushi boats for dinner and oh men it was amazing. Gave a lot of freebies, by the time are boats came we were stuffed. But still had room for the sushi. Just a heads up there is always a wait lunch or dinner. Highly recommend this place. If your into sushi.

    (5)

  • Jason Y.

    Everyone says this place is great so my husband and I tried it out. The food has so much MSG and since we are both sensitive to MSG, the food gave me a massive headache. Not recommended for those women trying to get pregnant or anyone else for that matter.

    (1)

  • Esther O.

    I enjoyed Yuraku, but I'm not sure why this place gets quite the rave reviews. Maybe you need to be a fish eater. My food was perfectly good, and I had a wonderful night with my friend, but it's pretty much a hole-in-the-wall that didn't really offer anything special. I'll go back if someone wants to, but won't go out of my way.

    (3)

  • Eva L.

    Yuraku is the place to go if you are starving, craving for sushi but not particularly picky about the quality of the sushi. I went on Sunday night and was absolutely starving when I arrived. I ordered the house hand roll and the Osaka roll. My boyfriend ordered a triple salmon roll and a chicken beef bbq. The sushi rolls are gigantic and almost impossible to eat. The flavors are good but honestly the rolls with too many kinds of fish and sauces mixed killed off the natural good taste of the fish. I did appreciate receiving the fried salmon fish head for free at the start of the meal and the service is quite good. Yuraku also offers Korean food on their menu but the chicken and beef BBQ my boyfriend got was inedible. Absolutely the worst Korean BBQ I've ever had. The meats and vegetables were drenched in a sauce that was just a sweet mess and the meat taste like it was cooked a few hours ago. So over all I would go back to Yuraku for sushi when I am starving but not particularly feeling like top quality sushi. I would never order any Korean food from them again.

    (3)

  • Helen V.

    If you're thinking of lunch buffet, see directly below. If not, scroll down to my normal dinner review. In my heart, I had given Yuraku 5 stars. But I could not forget the first time I ventured here for the lunch buffet. All the reviews praised its variety and copious amounts of rolls on the wooden planks. I, already weary of sushi not made to order, decided the masses cannot be so wrong...Yet, I was reminded that perceptions of sushi can be misleading from region to region. The sushi rolls were small and had slivers if not small diced pieces of fish in them. The nigiri, as expected, were topped with paper thin slices of fish. Some places have done the sushi buffet well, (Fuji's in Sacramento, Akasaka in Berkeley, Asahi in Riverside) while others are desperately seeking profit with rice to fish ratios (3:1). The sushi lunch buffet at Yuraku is in it for profit and the popularity exists on the fact that others have not really experienced a good sushi buffet elsewhere and/or the price is unbelievably too good to pass up. Either way, I don't think I will ever come back for the lunch buffet or for lunch; the set-up of the buffet makes me kind of cringe... Transformed for dinner: Generous cuts of raw fish and carefully crafted pieces of sushi...I'm in love! My boss told me she loved Yuraku; after my buffet lunch trip, I was thinking 'man, we have different tastes.' However, after a nice hike up to Catoctin Mountain and Cunningham Falls, I wanted to make sure that I didn't leave any rock unturned at Yuraku before I cast it out of my mind for good. My bf and I came for dinner around 6p on Saturday. The place was definitely packed, but we were lucky to snag seats at the sushi bar (of which, was actually empty). There, we got to see the 6-7 sushi chefs hustle and bustle behind the bar. We saw large orders go out: sushi/sashimi boats, sashimi salads, etc. The sushi special plate was handcrafted with elegance and a bit of creativity that allowed more fish per piece. Truly defiant of some other sushiyas! We ordered spicy scallop handrolls (our standard to judge sushi joints), With Love from Russia, and 2 special rolls whose name I can't remember. This definitely stuffed us and we were pleased with the amount of fish in the rolls and the ratio of rice as well. The rolls were tasted great and were definitely inventive. All of this was under $45 and like I said, it's hard to make the two of us full on sushi for that much moolah. I understood then why my boss liked this place so much. Now, I can't wait to go back there and be overwhelmed by the sushi... Moral: While some places are renowned for things you might not agree on (ahem, sushi buffet), it doesn't mean they cannot be great in other things. So don't be too quick to judge! (hope that makes sense) I await your generosity Yuraku.... *daydreams of nicely cut white tuna nigiri*

    (4)

  • Good E.

    its not the best sushi but hey its all u can eat, its a bit pricey for what u get , im glad for experience but nothing else makes me really wanna jump to come here again

    (3)

  • Jenny V.

    We lived in Japan for 3 and a half years and we've finally found a place that has met our expectations! (Even if this place is run by Koreans) We came across this place by accident when we were looking for the asian store near this place. We only go to the sushi buffet for lunch so that's all I'm going to write my review on. The sushi buffet is from 1100-300 from Tuesday-Saturday only and there is ample parking. If you arrive at 1100 you're in a good place to get in first. If you come around 1200-200, there is a great chance you're gonna have to wait between 20-35 minutes for a table, sometimes even 45 minutes. Although if you don't mind sitting at the bar, you might cut that time in half. The area where the buffet is located is a bit cramped but they always refill the sushi whenever it runs out. With your meal you get miso soup and tea. They have a nice selection of different sushi rolls as well as the raw stuff including, salmon, tuna, shrimp, yellowtail, and some others. They also have some dishes that are korean based such as kim chee and soups. They offer the different types of tempuras - shrimp and veggies. Fried rice, fried chicken, and some other cooked dishes if you don't eat sushi. Prices for the buffet are $15 I think, but if you eat as much sushi as I do this is pretty cheap! The service is good and when you need something the waitresses are there to give you whatever you need. The place is clean overall. The bathrooms don't have a changing table if you are planning on bringing little ones.

    (4)

  • Cata N.

    Wins: Sashimi Deluxe, White Love from Russia Roll (fish egg rolls), lunch buffet is decent too. If you meet the price quota for dinner, you'll also have steamed egg (Chawan Mushi) and salmon head as complimentary appetizers. The major downside to Yuraku is the wait time during dinner AND their closing on Mondays. I'd recommend coming early, or you will be hungry for a while. Update: I'm less enthused with this restaurant now as service has gotten worse. Regardless of how busy it gets, the waitstaff aren't very attentive (e.g. Filling water, providing napkins, cleaning plates, etc. unless asked).

    (3)

  • Alan G.

    Wow....heaps of high quality fish and rice is the only way to describe this place. Huge portions, extremely broad menu. Decor basic and kind of run down. Not Much customer service but sushi is great

    (4)

  • Debby T.

    Yuraku is the best sushi in the DC/MD area. We moved here a year ago from NYC (and I'm half Japanese) and have been searching for a good sushi place. We have probably been to 12 or so different places. A colleague suggested Yuraku months ago,but since it's a bit far from Chevy Chase, we were reluctant. We finally went last weekend and wow, we were in heaven. We even said Yuraku might be better than any place we've been to in NYC! The sushi was so fresh, I loved how the pieces were very Japanese authentic with little rice and good amount of fish. Even the presentation of the platter was beautiful. We decided this will be our go to place, but wish it was closer so we can go during the week!

    (5)

  • Vic M.

    "meh. I've experienced better." is why this is rated 2 stars from me instead of three which is "A-ok" in yelp talk. If it was just "okay" I would have given them 3 stars. Pros #1: Tuesday nights where the food is fresher and the place is less crowded. Pro #2: Lunch boxes- the only thing I feel safe with there. They are packed with variety and fresher food. I really enjoy Yuraku's lunch boxes compared to other joints. I feel ripped off at other places. Pro #3 Ginger salad dressing here is good. Con #1 Gross: Several people who have reviewed this place have mentioned food poisoning or some sort of stomach trouble after eating here, myself included. I was with people that really liked going there so I wouldn't get buffet. I think people really like the prices. Con #2: Service is hit or miss- they are pretty friendly and remember you, but can be rude and give preferential treatment to certain people. This not cool to be so obvious about it. If you see people waiting 30 or more minutes for food and you let certain people just walk off the street and get a table. It is definitely not cool. The place is pretty grimy in general. If you live close by, wait until you get home to go to the bathroom... unless you can't hold it... I really would love for this place to clean up. I wish more people said something about it so they would. Over the years the quality has gone down. I wish they would fix that too. I wanna love this place, but ...

    (2)

  • Michael K.

    Best Sushi in the DC Metro Area hands down! They're best known for their specialty rolls, e.g. Firecracker Roll, Dragon Roll, Brian Roll, etc. I'm a big fan of the Firecraker Roll (this roll has salmon with spicy tuna). The only unappealing thing about this place is the size of the restaurant. They need more space given the increase in popularity. I recommend take out during peak dinner hours. You'll find a line going out the door between 6pm and 9pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday's. You know it's a great restaurant when there's a line!

    (5)

  • H C.

    To really sum up this place it is the best bang for your bucks. Tons of Sushi for very little $$. Also the food is good, not just sushi, but other items on the menu. I have been coming here regularly for two years now. All the friends I introduce to this place, love it. Again, this place is great sushi for a cheap price. It is NOT first-rate sushi place that cost $200-$500 a meal. If that is what you are looking for then this place is not for you Recommend dishes: Tonkatsu Spice girl roll Tuna mountain volcano Roll Any of their Sushi or Sashimi boats. Tuna Hand roll

    (4)

  • Gregory K.

    For the area, this place is outstanding. For a Japanese restaurant in general, this place is still outstanding. For lunch there is an all you can eat buffet. However, a lot of the cooked dishes at the buffet are Korean food and not Japanese. For lunch, I'd only give this place 3 stars (hence the 4 star rating) because the sushi is just OK and when I go to a Japanese restaurant I'd like to eat Japanese food, not Korean. Dinner is another story. On the weekends, this place is mobbed so be prepared to wait. But any other night of the week should be fine. In fact, if you go during the week, they often throw in a few free dishes late at night. The sushi for dinner is freshly made for you (unlike where it sits at the buffet for lunch), has a decent rice-to-fish ratio, and they have a nice selection of non-sushi items.

    (4)

  • Emily C.

    Whenever I'm feeling for Japanese food, I go to Yuraku. They are almost always extremely busy especially around dinner time, so I always make a reservation before I go. They know my family by name so they are always pretty welcoming. All customers get free side dishes like edamame and veggies. Also, when its not busy they'll sometimes give you new off-menu dish on the house. I love the Salmon Fiesta Salad (I don't think this is on the menu) and White Tuna Hand Roll. Other rolls worth trying are the Seafood Roll, Spider Roll and the Futo Maki. The only reasons I didn't give this place five stars is that their fish at times does not taste fresh and the fact that I don't like their lunch buffet. Other then that Yuraku is definitely one of my favorite sushi places.

    (4)

  • Melanie F.

    Shhhh. Let's keep this place a secret from the rest of the world! This place is a GEM! Sunny, the sushi chef, is a true artist and manages to get his wonder-hands on some of the best fish I've ever tasted. How such good quality fish ends up in the middle of the styx? I'll never know, but I don't care. The prices are reasonable. You can go traditional or all out wacky. My favorites: Gone with the Wind, Volcano, Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, Ha Do Bab (Korean salad with raw fish on top).

    (5)

  • Allie B.

    Favorite sushi restaurant in the area. If you sit at the bar, the chefs pass you complimentary things to taste and try. I've been coming here for years and the quality has never gone downhill, thank goodness, and I've noticed that the waitresses have remained pretty consistent too (which I like because it feels more like family, sort of, and they always know what's going on). Personal favorites are the triple salmon roll and the sunny sunshine roll.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    I had lunch here with my mom. I have to say the food was pretty good. I didnt love the Sushi as some other places I've been but they definitely had enough of a variety and it was fresh enough that I was impressed. The service is what got me - my mom is disabled and they wanted to place her at the sushi bar to sit down since they were busy. When I requested a table they treated me as though I had 8 heads. Either way, everything else was great. If your into food and dont care so much about service - come on in.

    (4)

  • Y Y.

    Yuraku is definitely a really gem. They serve a quality buffet without the DC price tag. I must say that this is only an observation because I have never had the buffet! It gets crowded during lunch and really, if you can be bothered to drive all the way from DC, go for the a-la-carte stuff or just tell the chef what you want. Don't worry too much about the prices - cos they are really reasonable for the quality of food they serve. We always order the special sashimi boat - well, we basically ask for whatever's good for the day. The chef does a good job of wowing us everytime. They throw in a few surprises as well - grilled salmon head, salad, salmon rose etc. Truly Scrumptious! Be warned though - portions are generous - lines are long. So go early and go hungry!

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    The Prices are great, and the buffet is awesome! I am not usually a buffet fan, especially for sushi. However, this place was the acceptation. Clean, quiet and the quality is great. Not to mention the staff are nice. I will go out to Frederick from Silver Spring for this place!

    (4)

  • Seth L.

    I love this place. Their lunch buffet is the best deal in town. And even if you go for dinner, the sushi prices are unbelievable. You really do get what you pay for at Yuraku.

    (5)

  • Cesar P.

    We've been here many times, but for the first time we decided to order take out. At first they told us it would be an hour and a half wait, which we initially balked at, but then we decided Yuraku sushi was worth the wait. We discovered while looking for their menus online a whole new new sushi roll menu; go to their website and follow the Menus link and look for the Special Roll Menu. We ordered the 3 Amigos Roll, which I cannot recommend highly enough. we may do more take out now thanks to this.

    (5)

  • Steven J.

    The best lunch buffet for sushi you will ever find in Maryland for the price. Not only is there a huge variety of sushi, the freshness is at the top. This place is usually so packed that you will have to at least wait 30 minutes or longer to get in. Especially if you are in a big group. However, once you get your meal started, oh man, you will be so happy and delighted, mouthwatering sushi and it just keeps coming! Not only is there just sushi either, there is tempura, and other food that you can try at the buffet. Everyone, this place is definitely a place you have to try.

    (5)

  • Jane Y.

    When I want simple fresh sushi, I go to Yoyogi. When I want huge crazy creative fancy sushi rolls, I go to Yuraku. Yuraku is the ONLY place I've been to that has ever caused me to have a sushi food coma for under $20. Even in Yoyogi, I can devour 3 rolls and then some. Then I'd still have room to get froyo. The first time I went to Yuraku, I mistakenly ordered three rolls, thinking i'd have to order another later. I "walked" or rather stumbled out of there like a injured veteran that got punched in the stomach by the MOST DELICIOUS FANCY SUSHI ROLL EVARRRR!!! Their rolls are HUGE. by HUGE i mean, ONE roll would be enough to fill you up. They are anti-stingy with their fish. The fish is very fresh. It tastes good. They have crazy combinations for rolls and they all turn out to be AWESOME. e.g sunkist roll (mango, salmon, tuna, orange, avocado) SO NICEEEE. The second time I went, I ordered TWO rolls and I was struggling to finish it. If you know my appetite, it's RARE for me to struggle with devouring good. They fancy rolls cost anywhere between $5 - $12. You get what you pay for. The more expensive the rolls, the bigger it is. The $5 fancy rolls only has 6 regular sized pieces where as the $12 rolls have 10 crazy huge pieces. They also have this korean sashimi with salad veggies and rice, and you mix it with spicy sauce. It's $15.99 and NOT on the menu. You'd have to ask the waiter for it. It's a must try. YOU HAVE TO!!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Andy M.

    Love it. Best sushi in MD by far.

    (5)

  • Nina Z.

    The best sushi place EVER! Great service and incredible sushi with so much variety. I recommend ordering from the specialty menu - the spice girl. The unlimited buffet is a great deal too. Only thing they need to do is renovate and expand, there's always a wait!

    (5)

  • Katie N.

    Worthy of your wait! Great sushi. Fantastic portions and great selection. The specialty rolls are varied and there is something for everyone. Mr. Tim was tasty. The Firecracker hit the spot. The rice balls were delicious. The toro appetizer is so fabulous. The meal starts with a salad. The servers and sushi chefs are awesome. Sit at the sushi bar. Run here!

    (5)

  • Ben S.

    Food: Very good. Probably one of the better places to get Japanese/Korean food on the Maryland side of D.C. other than Moa. Competes with Northern Virginia quality. Price: Decent. Most everything is decently priced considering portions and quality (Dinner entrees are around $12-$22). Service: Good. Servers are sharp and well trained, but are very busy. Busboys are very observant and refill water consistently and courteously. Ambience: Casual, but can get a bit noisy during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Julia L.

    My favorite Sushi place in town! Love everything on the menu. My friend took a few Japanese visitors there, and they said it was similar to what you can get in Japan.

    (4)

  • Mariella V.

    Yuraku is sushi heaven. I compare every sushi I have to this. Granted, I'm vegetarian so I'm no sushi expert. My options can be limited but I always enjoy it here. Their menu is crazy! Like awesome crazy: sushi with mayonnaise or bacon or mozzarella cheese. I momentarily get jealous that I can try all of it. Try something weird! Don't be boring here. My favorite is their avocado roll. Yeah it's just avocado, but it's the best avocado roll in the word. I don't what they put it in it to make it so special but it works. There is usually a wait for dinner on the weekends. I have actually waited outside for them to open doors for dinner. It's always worth it. Sitting at the bar is fun, the sushi masters (that's what I call them) are funny and friendly. Service is wonderful. I always see the same girls there and they are all quick servers.

    (5)

  • Valerie T.

    There's almost always a wait when I come here, but I'm telling you...it's WORTH IT! I drive from Richmond to NoVA pretty often and my fat ass will make the extra drive to Gathersburg for the buffet here. It's a tight packed restaurant, service is timely and the people have always been friendly. I couldn't even tell you what sushi I ate at the buffet because they're not labeled, but try all of them if you can! The only one I don't like is the one they add banana too. The steamed egg is definitely worth picking up and people go bananas for the tempura that gets brought out every 20 minutes or so. We also had some hand rolls sent to our table as gratis and they were delicious. All in all, it's worth the trip. Just have a eensy weensy snack while you wait to hold you over. At most, I've waited 40 minutes.

    (5)

  • Jennifer V.

    You know this place is legit when there's a line of Asian people waiting outside before the place opens. The wait can get obscenely long if you try to come later in the day, so I advise anyone interested in going to get there early! The buffet is extensive and delicious. The sushi is the real star of the show, there are many different creative varieties as well as a lot of very simple classics. It's fantastic food at an amazing price. I love this place, I just wish it wasn't so far away!

    (5)

  • Jane D.

    Seriously the best sushi in the area. They have rolls you've never heard of before. The customer service is also spot on. We've even received an extra roll at no cost when they are super busy, which is understandable because their food is so good. Nothing negative to say at all. We love this place!

    (5)

  • Jiyoung R.

    Parents were raving about this place. Decided to try it out and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. Our family of 3 ordered the sushi & sashimi combo for $120. They gave us around 10 plates of Japanese tapas before the main course. Each plate was delicious and it ranged from salad, fish, oysters, miso soup, stuffed peppers..and much more. The main course (sushi sashimi combo) was delicious!! The sushi had a small amount of rice and lots of fish. I will Def return :)

    (5)

  • Colin S.

    Off the beaten path for the DC metro area, but if you're particular about your sushi and don't mind the commute, Yuraku is quite possibly the best Japanese food I've had -- that's including places in Asia and Southeast Asia. The Miso soup is expertly done and the sushi servings are extremely generous for the price. I also had Tempura which was delicious. I think what makes this place stand out from most places in the area, or in the US for that matter, is how fresh everything tastes. Japanese cuisine is a true art form with the amount of time and preparation that goes into every dish, and I'm glad to say that Yuraku honors that art form.

    (5)

  • Jerry S.

    Seeing the ROTD, I had to go check out the lunch buffet. Very much up to expectations. Obviously a local favorite, as there was a full lobby, but a seat opened at the bar fairly fast, and I got to watch six itamaes slicing away when I came up for air. Lots of variety in rolls, and more nigiri than are found on any other buffet except Sushi Chalet. The less popular fish were better than the well known - the salmon was mushy and the tuna sinewy. But the eel was nice and warm and the mackerel was very fresh. Good miso soup, green tea full bodied and included. The kimonoed waitress kept my plates cleared and tea full. Korean dishes were pretty standard - kimchee, spicy pork, bulgogi, noodles. The tempura was fresh and crisp - obviously there's a lot of turnover. And I must mention the tempura bananas, a nice bit of sweetness to finish up. I don't think I'd make the drive from Beltsville very often, but would stop by if I was in the area.

    (4)

  • Anthony M.

    The staff is great the food is amazing! Try the Volcano Roll great choice! Ordered by accident but loved the dish .. The restaurant was a bit busy we waited 15 mins(not bad) before we were seated.. The waitress a beautiful women was very attentive and happy to help us with our many questions! Thanks for the awesome service!

    (5)

  • L H.

    The best sushi I have ever had. They are very creative and the rolls are a lot more than a hunk of rice with a bite of fish. They are generous portions overall as well. They are always crowded so be prepared to wait. I don't know if they take reservations. I recommend my favorite...the yellowtail Tuna Tartar. You will not be disappointed. Also the avocado roll. So far it is ALL good!

    (5)

  • I A.

    Good place for sushi, but not great. I only went for their infamous lunch buffet. There's a good variety of sushi, but the waiting time was longer than I expected. Portion sizes were bigger than the norm. Diners inside are collectively loud, could barely hear the people I'm with. Got a couple of sushi on the house which was nice, but looked over a couple of tables and they had some too. Overall, good food but not worth the wait.

    (3)

  • C.c. C.

    The lunch hours are crowded and wait time can be ~30 minutes. Make sure you have enough time to eat. This is the best sushi buffet in the DMV! If there is a wait make sure you sign your name on the wait list. You have the option of paying cash at a discounted price.

    (5)

  • Eric J.

    As any sushi would taste. Fish was pretty tender.

    (2)

  • Wanda F.

    I usually go to another place for sushi! But this place just happens to be closer and why not give it a try. The food was fantastic!!!! (We Only had sushi) I have no complains in regards of their food but the hygine for their facility I can not say the same. I was sitting at a corner table and meanwhile we were waiting for our food I never noticed any insects(mosquitos) As soon as our food arrived mosquitos just came out of hidding!!! I was VERY irritated when i notice the mosquitos flying all over our food it was just plain nasty!!! This place really needs to address this because no one likes to eat at a place that has insects all over their food. Even of the food was good I will not be returning due to the hygine issues. If this place has insects flying around your food I can just imagine how the kitchen must look. Its a no no No! Plain disgusting! Go somewhere else!!! RAINBOW SUSHI in germantown is a better option and its clean. I am giving 2 stars just because of the insect issue its just unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Nima S.

    Been coming here since 2003. Amazing sushi selection always fresh, always innovative and they kept the prices very moderate. For the quality price and variety this is best sushi Resturant in dc metro area

    (5)

  • Amy R.

    Always a wait, even for takeout that you called ahead for. Somehow they make it work though. It's worth the chaos. Would love to see them expand!

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Love this place! Hate the crowds. Always a good time.

    (4)

  • Tanya C.

    Best sushi I have ever had. I love the double spicy tuna rolls! Cheap & delicious! Also the lunch buffet is the best. Cheap and they refill it often. It does get a bit busy though. You can wait over an hour, but its well worth it :)

    (4)

  • Mariela C.

    I've lived in Germantown for years and drive by this place almost every day. Finally I decided to try it. The best sushi I've had in this area! I love it! Won't go anywhere else from now on.

    (5)

  • anon r.

    First time for lunch buffet. Sushi is above average for buffet, rolls prob the best taste and value. I thought the Korean offerings were a bit dull or dilute in flavor, perhaps to accommodate non Korean palates? If the egg custard was supposed to be Chawan mushi esque, it lacked delicacy. Not the best sushi In the world but good buffet buy. Cinnamon soup and oranges were nice refreshing finishes. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn of the honey pig and new Great Wall in this plaza (won't be going to the less clean and spacious Rockville branch anymore). Go with designated driver to avoid driving while drowsy in food coma. ;)

    (4)

  • Felicia C.

    This place has amazing sushi, yo. Even at the buffet - which, by the way, is an excellent value, and available on Saturdays! Watch out for the old Asian ladies if you like eel, though - they hop on the unagi real fast and take like 6 apiece (cough MOTHER cough cough). I like sitting at the sushi bar; the chefs will hand you special rolls. The to-order rolls are very creative. Price might seem a little high but they're delicious and huge. Only problem is the wait - with a party of 8, I once waited about an hour for tables on a Saturday; with a party of two, I've waited up to about 30 minutes. Totally worth it, though.

    (5)

  • A B.

    best sushi spot in the area....lunch buffet is well worth it. the rolls are huge! more often than not you'll get extras you didn't even order as appetizers like miso, vegetables with dip, salad, salmon head, and an egg custard. staff is always friendly even though this place gets packed and lines go out the door. if you go here for lunch during the week you better get there by 11:30 so you're not standing outside. they'll even sometimes sit you at the same table as other guests so if you're claustrophobic don't go when it's busy. my only negative is the place is small and wish they expanded their space somehow. regardless, 5 stars from me!

    (5)

  • Polina T.

    Ugh, just so much yes. The buffet is good, the rolls are all delicious, and nigiri from the sushi bar is so tasty. This is my favorite sushi place in all of Maryland. I live half an hour away, but the price definitely makes this place worth coming to - especially for the buffet! The salmon nigiri they serve is SO FATTY and fresh, I have dreams about it.

    (5)

  • Alaina P.

    This is one of my favorite places for sashimi. My family always orders the largest sashimi boat for dinner but we always get around 10 tasty appetizers on the house before our main course arrives (salad with sesame ginger dressing, fish, eggs with fish cakes, and other Korean side dishes). I always leave full and satisfied. This restaurant definitely fills up quickly and stays crowded around dinner time so reservations are a must.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Saturday night is not complete without good food in tight quarters. My girlfriend and I tried Yuraku to see what all the hype was about. All my friends were right. It's amazing. The sushi is delicious, there is a wide assortment to choose from, there were also more pieces than I expected per order. The hot food was surprisingly very good as well. Rarely do I see a place that has that perfect combination of delicious hot food and sushi. We had volcano rolls, salmon and tuna ninja rolls and a few more that I don't recall. The volcano rolls took the longest because they were baked, but the wait was worth it. I had a teriyaki steak with some veggies that really hit the spot. The sauce was not the best I've ever had but it worked well with the meat, which was perfectly cooked. My gf got the deep fried chicken and vegetables. Each bite was nice and crisp. The reason I only give this place 4 stars is the size of the restaurant. It is tiny. We waited about 30 minutes to get in and when we finally got in, we were packed like sardines. The chairs and tables are really close to each other so getting to and from your spot is a real hassle.

    (4)

  • Henry M.

    Wow! We came here for International Sushi Day with no thought of their lunch buffet, which turns out to be Tuesday through Saturday. It's the best Japanese buffet I've ever had. The sushi is very good, which already sets it apart from most. One of the maki offerings was the best wacky maki, i.e. a non-traditional combination with sauces, that I've ever had, and here the tempura options include shrimp, and not just vegetables. $15 a piece including our ice teas. We've always enjoyed the a la carte here, but now we have a great lunch choice. We'll be back.

    (5)

  • Michelle N.

    I'm sorry but yelp reviews have once again disappointed me in leading me to another horrible sushi place. With over 400 reviews and being 4 stars, we had to check this place out. My family and I (who are Japanese), went here Sat evening. A few days before I called to make reservations and the person I spoke with said that he would "put me on the wait list" since they do not have reservations. When we get there, we were told that they don't take reservations and were then put on the list. While we were waiting, there were a TON of other Asians doing here which gave me hopes that this place would be good. Once we got in, it was so busy and crowded. I felt like we were totally rushed and while the servers were quick and efficient, they we not friendly at all. We brought my 4 mo old with us and had her in the carrier on a chair and one of the servers kept bumping into her and never apologized....so annoying! At the sushi bar you saw all the chefs making the sushi. At a normal place, you would see maybe one or two, but here there were like 5 of them crammed in the little space like a sweat shop, cutting up fish. Our food came out really fast and we ordered A LOT of food. Unfortunately it wasn't that great. And I'm talking we ordered special pieces of sushi, not rolls but salmon belly, monk fish liver, white tuna, futomaki, etc. While ALL the salmon pieces were really really good, EVERYTHING else was not good at all. Whichever chef cut the salmon, he did a wonderful job. The sushi was fresh and melted in your mouth. However the rest of the fish was chewy and stringy because it was very poorly cut....I honestly haven't been to a place where it was cut so badly. I was eating my white tuna and I had to pull it apart with my FINGERS it was so poorly cut....terrible. The reason I even gave this place a couple of stars was because #1- the service was fast even though a bit rude and #2 the fish was fresh....even though fresh fish isn't the only reason why sushi is good. I see why people give it so many great stars....because the fish is fresh, fairly cheap for sushi, and they do give you big pieces. However there is so much more to sushi than that....the rice, the way it's CUT, etc that makes it good. Unfortunately this experience did not live up to the great reviews of this place. I think it would be a great lunch buffet option but nothing more.

    (2)

  • Ashley F.

    Absolutely the best sushi in and near the DC metro area! I have been 3 times in the past 10 days! It is that good!

    (5)

  • Lauren R.

    I freaking love this place. It's my go-to Sushi dive. They have, by far, the best Sushi in the area. They also have other great dishes, like the crab tartar and the bulkoki. Their Udon noodle soup is delish. Oh and their list of special rolls is about three pages long, and they usually have fun specials. The staff is solid and friendly. Every time we go, they end up giving us a random free dish to try. It's a great opportunity to try something new and we usually end up ordering it the next time we go in. Seriously, I love the food here. One note, don't bother making reservations, they won't honor them and they don't have to. The food is great and they are often packed. If you go around 4:30-5:30, you should be able to nab a seat. They're worth it. So worth it.

    (5)

  • Brian R.

    This is some serious sushi. Come ready to eat an awesome variety of rolls and combinations. This stuff is the real deal. The menu is overwhelming but the server was super patient and helpful, and even made recommendations, which we enjoyed very much. Unlike any other sushi experience around here and you haven't had the real thing until you've been here.

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    3.5 stars. I had elevated hopes...hopes that I could find an excellent Japanese restaurant in the DC area....and I was hoping that Yuraku would be the one as it has been rated by some of my Korean as the top Japanese restaurant in the DC area. The sashimi deluxe that I ordered came with appetizers that most Korean-style Japanese restaurants give: grilled fish (in this case it was salmon), a bit of rice porridge, and salad. Surprisingly, I did not get miso soup..maybe they forgot..but I did too b/c of the free appetizers so I can let that go. As usual...the sashimi is just as what I expected...it was super cold (recently thawed) and had the common fish they usually serve (tuna, salmon, a bit of sliced squid, yellowtail). I have to say that the sushi quality seems to be practically the same wherever I go in this area..it is all mediocre. So far my restaurant of choice is still Tachibana in Virginia. In sum....I'm still disappointed and still hoping there is a sushi joint that serves good sushi in the area....sushi taro is next. Let's hope that it doesn't disappoint.

    (3)

  • Veronica B.

    All you can eat sushi at lunch? I'm game. The sushi was delicious, options were varied. Price was a little high for lunch time, but it is sushi after all. Would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    Best sushi in Germantown!!! Wish they would expand to make dining in better but take out is perfect.

    (5)

  • Cheryl J.

    Not a bad little spot to get your sushi fix on. I only come here for the lunch buffet. Someone mentioned that they dont have a sashimi selection for the buffet. Personally I make my plate "Sashimi" by not eating the rice. You can do that with the Nigiri sushi. Just eat the fish off the rice, and toss the rice! My friend who is 1/2 Korean said the Korean selections arent too bad. I love Korean food, but I kept going back to get more sushi, than the hot food. The only downside is that this place is small. I miss my AYCE sushi restaurant in Long Island NY, Sushi Park in Commack, NY. That place was humongous, but unfortunately they closed. And I havent found anything similar to the restaurant since.

    (4)

  • Hana K.

    This place is off the hook! The food is great. The service is awesome. Definitely worth the wait. :)

    (5)

  • Samuel C.

    My sister friend told me about this place is really really good. It's not worth it. We drive all the way down there for a crap sushi. Lots of people have good views on this place. The place is small. When get food buffet is so tight and no room to walk. The staff are nice and friendly.

    (1)

  • Hans O.

    This is about as good as it gets when it comes to sushi I've had. Big menu with all different kinds of Japanese food, ranging from noodles to desserts, sushi and sashimi; I've yet to have anything from here that was not fresh tasting and excellent. The place is generally a crowded, bustling place, but service is decent, and prices are comparable to any other good sushi place (I'm usually spending around $70 for two people and taking home a good bit of leftovers). Expect long waits to be seated during peak times, but it's definitely worth it. My personal favorites unique to this placeare the Japanese bagel roll, their miso soup, and the broiled beef roll.

    (4)

  • Benny B.

    Went for the first time visiting from San Diego. We had a variety of sushi and cooked dishes all we're amazing. Try the tuna tempura and bulgogi

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    My family is absolutely nuts about sashimi, so we've tried almost every single Japanese restaurant in the state of Maryland. This place is HANDS DOWN the best place to get sushi. The quality and freshness of the fish is ridiculous!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth W.

    Great sushi, and Sonny is an amazing chef!! Always sit at the bar!!!!!

    (5)

  • Timothy A.

    Yuraku is one of the best sushi restaurants I have ever been to! I know that this is a Korean-owned Japanese sushi restaurant, but you'll be hard pressed to find a great sushi place in the DMV area that's actually owned by Japanese people. Head over to Japan or California if you're looking for that :) Anyways, my parents took me here because I had recently quit smoking, and the sushi itself was worth the pain of quitting a pack a day habit of 9 years! We ordered the $150 sushi/sashimi boat because we had some other guests with us too. For the price, this boat was an awesome deal. Let me tell you why. Initially, I thought we were just going to get the boat, but lo and behold, these cool appetizers started coming. And they kept coming. And then they continued to be delivered. Salmon head, mackerel sushi, fish liver sushi, salad, special sushi rolls, and a whole host of other "tapas" came out before the boat did. I would say that they gave us 10-15 extra appetizers before the sushi boat, and that's what I call good service! The sushi/sashimi boat was well prepared, and contained an obscene amount of fresh fish. I'm glad to report that none of the sushi/sashimi smelled fishy or stale, an all too common occurrence at cheaper sushi places. The restaurant itself is small, and I can safely assume that there are many times when the wait must be ridiculous, but we got in immediately since we came before it opened for lunch. If you come with a group of 6-8 people, I highly recommend the$150 boats. I'm not a big fan of sashimi (I find that it can get overwhelming), so I would go for the $150 regular sushi boat without sashimi if I were to come back here. As for the service, our waitress was attentive and very polite. I have nothing to complain about! In conclusion, this place deserves the high marks it has received here on Yelp! Eat more sushi!

    (5)

  • Pardis S.

    Best sushi ever!

    (5)

  • Theresa J.

    The best sushi place I know of in the area! Their Buffett is amazing, and inexpensive. The only thing I can complain about is the long wait, but the wait is so worth it!

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    Crab & Lobster Tar Tar. For the table or in a hand roll just shut up and get it. Sick!

    (5)

  • Ineia A.

    Delicious delicious delicious!! Love everything out of their kitchen. Lunch buffet is overly packed but definitely worth it Hits: everything!!! I mean try it all! Misses: crowded. Wish they would expand

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    This was some of the worst sushi I have had. I am not sure where the good reviews came from. I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Andrew L.

    Keep this place a secret! We don't want everyone to know this is the best sushi place in the world! Been coming here for over 15 years and it keeps-on being the best. Hope you're hungry, because once you start, you can't stop! Talk about happy taste buds. WOW!!!

    (5)

  • Tanya G.

    YU-ROCK-KUUUUUUU!!!!! No?? Too corny??? Well nothing can be further from the truth, this place definitely rocks in my books. Whether you are one of those sushi fans who prefers the excellent quality of the fish or you prefer the exotic blend of tastes in a roll, this place has it all!! Seriously the most impressive selection of rolls I have seen anywhere :-) Albeit a little far out of my way, especially if one has to brave the 270 during weekday rush hour time, it is a place worth trying. Yes find the time that's convenient for you to go!! It is a small gem, a combination of Korean and Japanese food. WHAAAATTTTT?!?! A combination restaurant that's good?!?! Yes you have to try it to believe me!! The place is hidden in the far corner of a large shopping center off Frederick Rd, with no big signs to indicate its existence. They do not take reservations on Friday or Saturday evenings, closed on Mondays and have a really small waiting area. As you wait for your table, which might be in the center of the room sharing your table with other parties or up against the wall against a picture collage of other customers with umbrellas, you will notice a flow of ppl ordering trays and trays of food to go. The menu consists of a variety of stable Japanese food and Korean BBQ. The wait staff in their cute kimino-like uniforms will bring out vegetable sticks and this coleslaw like dip complementary while you browse through all of their selection. Occasionally they might even bring out either edamame or fish collar that is complimentary as well. As I normally go with a big group of ppl, we order a sushi combination/boat type deal for 3 or 4 ppl, along with a number of their specialty rolls. My man candy particularly loves the November rain roll that was on their special menu. A word of caution - their roll pieces are usually a little bit bigger and meatier than other places (that's what she said?) I get filled off of two rolls where at other places I need to order 3 or 4. Needless to say that we ALWAYS leave full and satisfied. A few times I was free enough to frequent Yuraku during their lunch hour where a lunch buffet is available for $13.99. Available are a variety of Korean and Japanese dishes, Korean BBQ beef, kimchi, cold noodles, egg custard, tempura (shrimp and vegetables), sushi (rolls and nigiri), orange slices (like the ones they serve as complimentary dessert at Chinese restaurants). Obviously buffet quality food does not compare with their a la cart options, no surprise right?! But it's good for what it's advertised as, so I'm happy :-)

    (5)

  • R Q.

    This is one of those crazy roll sushi places with the 'dragon rolls' and the 'firecracker rolls' etc. For most of the rolls I had there, I started to see a pattern: 1. First piece, delicious 2. 2nd piece, OK 3. 3rd piece, disgusting how am I going to finish this?? The prices are pretty fair and the selection is huge, but the rolls are over the top in many cases. The volcano roll was this mayonnaise filled monstrosity that made me want to vomit. If you go, I recommend the crunch roll, it was simple and tasty without too many of the gaudy frills that the rest of them had.

    (2)

  • Sonya W.

    Best sushi you will have on this side of the ocean, I'm pretty darn sure. I can't add anything else to the reviews other than that they totally blow me away every single time I go and ridiculously stuff my face, bringing more and more new people along with me for the amazing experience. You can't make a reservation so be prepared to wait - I'm not the only one who thinks this is the best sushi ever, after all.

    (5)

  • Jess C.

    Hm, what new insight could I add to the 200+ review. It was a Saturday night at 7PM. I waited in a small room for 40 minutes among many, many other people. We were squished tightly together, and anxiously waiting for our name to be called. If they had dimmed the nights, and put on some dance music--they could have turned this place into an asian dance club--yes, it was that packed and a ton of asians anxiously waiting to feast on their sushi galore. We got the chef's special $75 because I thought that was the sushi-boat (which disappointedly wasn't) and enough to supposedly feed 4 people. If I could turn back time, I would NOT have ordered the chef special because it was so BORING-looking, and instead, pick my own unique rolls because all their rolls are amazing!! We ended up adding four more rolls to our dinner, and everything was so delicious & fresh, now I understand the Yuraku craze. Despite how packed the restaurant was, the service was fast, and they kept coming over to refill my tea which I really appreciated.

    (5)

  • Peter P.

    This is bar none the best value/quality ratio in sushi. For people who are complaining about little things. Please don't come here. Its really crowded and it would shorten waiting time for those who appreciate this little gem.

    (5)

  • Jess Y.

    Food: Get the sushi or sashimi boats. You will regret it if you don't. As in, every time that I've gone to Yuraku and not ordered a boat, I have sat with envy as the parties around me all delighted when theirs come out. Even if there are only two of you, don't be embarrassed by ordering a whole boat for the two of you. It's worth it and it will not disappoint. Let's get real, you know you can finish it off between the two of you anyway. Also, if you are of Asian-looking descent, they will give you a free grilled fish head. I guess they have to do something with all of those fish they consume. Specialty rolls are also a huge plus--they have some really interesting combinations that are worth a try. Basically, moral of the story, come hungry and adventurous. Lunch buffet is also a great choice but it's crowded and cramped. The buffet area fits, generously, 4 people at a time. The fire marshal would probably not be happy about it, either. Service: It is always ridiculously crowded. You will have to wait until you feel like your stomach will cave in and implode. So, as I said, you will have room to devour that entire sushi boat. You can make reservations by calling in advance but it doesn't mean that they will actually save you a table. It means that they might have heard your name before you enter and will allow you a shorter wait. In summary, call ahead but still expect a wait.

    (4)

  • David D.

    My favorite sushi spot anywhere!. Their special rolls are always great and they keep changing. The fish is always fresh and they give you free appetizers along with your order depending on how much you order. Salmon and tuna is always great and the best anywhere around. Sushi lunch buffet is the best sushi buffet anywhere but can get crowded so you have to get there early or be prepared to wait.

    (5)

  • Hain L.

    (review for lunch buffet) I had such high hopes for yuraku's sushi buffet after hearing many people rave about it. My friends and I arrived at the restaurant at 1:30 after the lunch hour crowd had died down because I heard it's impossible to get a table around noon. When I walked in, the air felt stuffy and fishy but not something i couldn't get over. The tables were a little sticky but that, too, i was willing to overlook. When I walked over to the food area, I was a bit disappointed by the size and the lack of variety. Maybe I let my imagination run too wild, or maybe my friends hyped it up a bit too much but it wasn't how I imagined. The food was decent, except for a few off items (like the veggie tempura - i think they had been sitting out and gone stale). Generally speaking, $15 AYCE is a good deal, but I'd rather skip the long drive to Germantown and order a couple plates of fresh nigiri elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Emily C.

    This is my go-to sushi place! My family and I have come here at least a dozen times, we don't really venture to new places because the fare here is the best of any sushi place we've tried. I don't like their lunch buffet that much since they don't put out any of the good stuff, so I would definitely try for dinner. Its usually very busy on weekends and their is limited seating so I would either try for an early dinner or come on a weekday. They also give more free food when there are less customers! My favorite appetizer is definitely the Salmon Fiesta Salad. Its salmon sashimi cut up and tossed with lettuce and other veggies with an Asian peanut dressing. It may sound unordinary but it is delicious! For rolls, I recommend the Seafood Roll, Alligator Roll and the Osaka Triangle Roll. But what I love most is their White Tuna Hand Roll! Great portion of fish and the sauce in it is really yummy. Overall, good service and great food. What more could you ask for?

    (5)

  • Sunshine J.

    This is one of my favorite places to eat in Germantown. I love sushi and love coming here for the good food and convenient location. The only reason it received 4 stars instead of 5 is because the service could be better. Plus, often times, the wait is quite a long time (which usually means the food is good). It's also such a small space, so you feel like you are sitting really (sometimes uncomfortably) close to the other groups there. Overall, the food is all worth the wait and I usually suggest Yuraku as a place to meet my friends in the Germantown area.

    (4)

  • Paul E.

    My new favorite go to place for seafood. Everything tasted fresh and amazing. Presentation was beautiful. Service was on point. Prices are very reasonable. It's nice to finally find a good sushi place that isn't worrysome to order from if you know what mean. I'll definitely be back and now have a place I can recommend to others too. Spicy Tuna was my favorite

    (5)

  • John C.

    This review is for the lunch buffet. This was my first visit and I must say, I am terribly disappointed in this place especially since I was exceptionally hungry after a 2-hour drive . To me, the sushi was horrible. The fish were tough and rubbery, especially the hamachi. The salmon had no taste and dried. The layout of the buffet isn't very good as you will see many people bumping to each other or trying to squeeze through. The tongs bucket for the sushi is pretty nasty. It was the first time I ever seen it and was utterly shocked. Doesn't seem too sanitary as the tongs eventually were covered with rice or some sticky substance due to various used and different sushi rolls it picked up. I am still shocked that this was their quality based on the numerous reviews this places has gotten. Suffice to say, I won't be coming back here ever again for lunch. I might try dinner time as there as many raving reviews about it, but I am really skeptical based on the quality I saw during lunch time. I really hope this was a fluke, but based on how many people were there, it doesn't seem to be it. Is the standard for sushi in this area that low?

    (1)

  • Cheryl S.

    Best sushi hands down with the most creative rolls. There are rolls here that sound like the ingredients wouldn't go together and yet they are delicious. They have a knack for mixing textures and tastes. Only drawback is the wait and lack of space to wait in / confusion w putting name on a list.

    (4)

  • Seth C.

    Best sushi for the price in Montgomery County, MD (if you do the Saturday buffet of course). $14 per person gives you unlimited sushi, that is very good for buffet standards. There are the basics of salmon, tuna, california and shrimp. They also have crazy avocado rolls, mango rolls, tempura rolls, inside out tempura rolls, etc. To top the meal off, they have orange slices to cut the fish taste. If you do not come for the buffet, you will still get excellent sushi, but you will need to pay more to fill yourself up just as much. The benefit of ordering of the sushi menu is that you can order even more extravagant rolls that they do not serve at the buffet. This is a must go.

    (5)

  • M R C H.

    I say skip the buffet, go for dinner and get sushi made to order, it's extraordinary! The lunch buffet if just ordinary, and so crowded.

    (4)

  • Faith C.

    Originally we came here because we heard about the buffet. Unfortunately, the buffet is only for lunch- bummer! But the rolls are fairly reasonably priced. The rolls were also so big and they didn't skimp on the ingredients. The rolls had a lot of the sashimi on/in it and was very fresh! And they came with 8 huge pieces. We only got rolls but the gave us edemame and veggies to munch on while we waited. The waitresses there were very nice. I wished that I lived in the area because I would definitely be a regular here if I did!

    (4)

  • Long N.

    Been going to this place for years and their Sushi is definitely one of the best around. Depending on how much you order, they would give you some free appetizers while you dine in. The place does get a little crowded but well worth the wait.

    (4)

  • jonathan G.

    The price is definitely worth it, but let's be clear about one thing.....this is not real sushi (I'm talking about the buffet portion only). The nigri on top of the sushi area was very thinly cut sushi that was not cut properly. It looked like the sushi chef just cut up any area of the fish and put in on top, rather cut it at the right bias, which is why none of the nigri look the same. Also, there is traditionally a dab of wasabi on nigri, which there wasn't probably to appease the american palate. Also, the tuna was pink. Fresh tuna (yellow fin, blue fin, big eye, etc.) is a deep red color. I'm a bit of a sushi snob, so this is only for the die hard sushi eaters that don't eat sushi rolls but appreciate the sashimi taste of fresh fish.

    (3)

  • Virginia C.

    Make a reservation this place always has a freakishly long line.. But there is a line for a reason! It's that good!! Come for dinner and you'll get a grilled fish head as a free appetizer don't be fooled!! It's delicious!

    (4)

  • Janet Y.

    The best lunch buffet in the area! It's worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Taylor F.

    This is the best deal in the dmv for sushi. 15 if you pay with credit and 14 with cash. And you can eat all you want! The quality is just as good as any decent sushi place in the area but the pieces are a bit smaller. (probably because it's the buffet) I stuffed myself today and I also went at around 11:30 and the place was not packed. (Note: getting close to 12 and it fills up fast!) so definitely go early and use cash if you can!

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    #foodie On weekends and friday evenings, this place is packed! Waited at least for 30 minutes for bar seats, but it was SO VERY WORTH IT. Ordered a CHEF'S SPECIAL SASHIMI $64.95 with Blowfish Fin Sake. All of the fish was fresh and melt-in-your-mouth wonderfulness, the Blowfish Fin Sake topped the meal off just right. One of the best sushi places I've been to in the area and will continue coming back again :)

    (5)

  • Karen T.

    I had no idea I would be going to such a great sushi spot until I let one of my classmates know I was going to Yuraku, and I got a gasp and exclamations of excitement mingled with envy at the meal I was about to have. FIrst off, their complimentary perks feature broiled salmon heads, chawanmushi and veggies...and free food is always a plus. More importantly though, their fish is definitely good quality, especially when compared to some of the more overpriced spots I've been to in Georgetown (not naming names now...). I gorged on salmon, hamachi and tuna nigiri, hamachi kama (broiled yellowtail collar) and some unagi. You can tell they're a legit establishment from the line out the door on a Saturday at 6PM. Yuraku is a suburbs trip well worth it.

    (4)

  • Evan H.

    After hearing a lot of great things about Yuraku from a few friends, I decided to deviate from my normal sushi joint in the DC area and hit up Yuruku. One tip that I got from the reviews is that the place gets busy, all the time, so call a few hours ahead and make a reservation. You still might have to wait a little bit, but not nearly as long as the suckers w/o a reservation The sushi here ranges from your average old nigiri or sashimi to really out there sushi rolls. They are HUGE so you don't need as many as you would at some crummy Japanese Sushi restaurants. The fish quality here is outstanding, so you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Id suggest the Uni with raw quail egg, yum

    (5)

  • Fenny L.

    Is it authetic sushi? Is it not? Normally this question would be of intense interest with much heated debate, however I will tell you now...it doesn't matter at Yuraku, and let me tell you why: The sushi-boat. Yes - you read that right. The sushi-boat. So picture it. My oft mentioned foodie family (mom, dad and brother). My husband, sushi-chef uncle, his wife, my cousin and I. We all descend upon Yuraku one evening for a night of sake, sushi and hilarity. What resulted was an evening of gluttonous gorging and quiet awe. Normally when the 8 of us go out to eat, our bill will be around $700. When the 8 of us go out to eat at a sushi joint, that bill easily doubles. Our bill that night? A smidge over $300...and we were so full that we were practically *rolled* out of the restaurant. This little sushi joint is situated in a craptapulous stripmall in Germantown. The outside is sad and rather pathetic and doesn't properly prepare one for what to expect. We started off with ordering three or four of the "speciality" rolls, and a $200 sushi boat. We were going to order more food, but my brother - who had been to Yuraku before, quickly cautioned us to hold off. I think my dad rolled his eyes at him at this point, but my brother stuck to his guns and wouldn't let him order anything else until the food arrived. The waitress brings us carrots, celery and ranch dressing...as an amuse bouche? No idea. But we were starved and we inhaled it. Then we had the traditional bowls of miso and salad that comes with our orders. We inhaled that too. Then the waitress brings us two grilled salmon heads...and we paused...our eyes glittered in amazed joy...and we proceeded to have a chopstick war to get every last delicious morsel. The waitress seeing that this was going to turn ugly in a moment, brought out two more heads. Heh, wise woman. Then - out of nowhere - a glorious Viking ship that would be too grand to carry even the great Odin appeared before us. Ladened (and by ladened, I mean *PACKED*) with sashimi, sushi and nigiri! It took up practically our entire table! It was so overflowing with raw fish fabulocity that my mom feared a little for what we just did to the world's yellow-tail population. Then, in the tiny square of space left on our table, another platter appeared - of the specialty rolls that we had ordered in addition to this monstrosity of a sushi-boat. And then...the gorging began...and it was gooooooooooood. In fact - for the first time in any of our memories - we couldn't finish every last bite of sushi! You have to understand, my family is filled with gluttons. We watch eating competitions and we sneer. We aren't fast eaters, but we are *long distance* eaters. My brother has been kicked out of, and banned from Phillips in OC for eating their AYCE crabs for 3+ hours. My dad and I have had our photos posted at a Chinese buffet for a denial of entry. We have shut down Brazilian steakhouses...we are *eaters*...and this massive mother-ship of a sushi-boat roundly spanked us and spanked us hard. So a few tips for n00bs to Yuraku: 1) Get there early. They are tiny and fill up fast. If you don't get there by 6:30, you're looking at a 2 hour wait. Don't whine about it. Man up and just get there early. There is no crying in sushi. 2) Be *NICE* to your server. Yes, chances are, she'll be a little flaky and bring you a Coke instead of a diet Coke...be patient with her. She will reward you with such freebies as the grilled salmon head or special rolls from the chefs. 3) Skip the miso and salad and the veggies and dip. All that will do is fill you up and keep you from the massive gorging that awaits. 4) If you wish to take on the $200 boat - bring the entire football team (or my family) with you. Otherwise, the $75 boat will be more then plenty to feed your party of 6. Seriously. The sushi itself was good. Fresh and tasty - it wasn't the best quality sushi I've ever had (keeping in mind that my uncle is a sushi-chef), but it was definitely several cuts above most sushi joints. My uncle the sushi-chef of course looked down upon the sushi (and promptly proclaimed it "non-authentic"), however from the grunting and slurping coming from his corner of the table, I didn't see him turn down any food! HA!

    (5)

  • Zaina- B.

    I've visited this place twice in 2 weeks and am about to go again for the 3rd time tonight, only a week later. Most of their rolls have been above average so far; actually, make that all of their rolls. The food is amazing, my friend would probably want me to knock down half a star for plates having water stains, I don't care. Every time we've asked for another plate, the servers have been prompt to respond. But even slow seating (it's just always busy, but the wait is typically not super crazy on weekdays) would not get me to give it less than a 5 star. Excellent food at a very affordable price will have me coming back for more :)

    (5)

  • Elizabeth W.

    I've been here several times. I like the sushi buffet because the variety is great and the service is great. If you want the good stuff and don't want to wait to be seated, go at the start of the lunch buffet. For dinner, I went for the first time for my sister's b-day. I think the coolest part about going there for a birthday is your get the Asian umbrella to take pictures with. Service was still great and the food was still awesome. For the amount of fish they gave us, the price was right. My favorite rolls that we had were: Rainbow Roll, Titanic Roll and the Triple Salmon Roll. I also really liked the Chef's Special Sushi Regular Platter. That was delicious! And it came with a lot of food. OH! Thought I should mention, the sushi gets 5 stars because It's been a day and the leftover sushi is still moist and delicious!

    (5)

  • Marialina B.

    They always provide awesome Japanese food. Can't complain. :)

    (4)

  • Tu-van L.

    Solid spot for filling up during their lunch buffet. Decent selection of sushi (rolls, nigiri) and prepared foods, but the buffet line was counterintuitive and you had to reuse previously-used tongs for the sushi. Not worth it for bulk sushi. For buffet sushi, better to head to Hinode in Rockville.

    (2)

  • David D.

    I love love love this place... I tried it for the first time last week and am now going to go every week, maybe multiple times a week. Awesome.

    (5)

  • Bakchun K.

    we were in maryland to visit brookside gardens to see the christmas lights, the ICE sculpture show at gaylord convention center and other christmas lights, and we stayed at a friend's place and was wondering what to eat in maryland, everything was far away and was difficult to find a good spot, but thanks to my awesome girlfriend who introduced me to yelp, i came upon various restaurants to go to and picked this japanese restaurant, believe or not this place was packed, located as part of a strip mall, we ordered the $120 boat which had sashimi, sushi and various specialty rolls (chef decides) and it was delicious and felt very fresh, they gave us various items on the house (probably because it was over $100), they gave us salmon fish head which was roasted and had lots of meat, salad and some other dish this place was so good we came back here again would definitely recommend to travelers to this area

    (4)

  • P. S.

    Hands-down best sushi in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area.

    (5)

  • Danny B.

    Went here for the first time after 3 failed attempts because it was so busy. Took my in-laws and my entire family around 4pm before the dinner rush and had an AMAZING experience. We order the biggest boat they had and we were full before the boat even came out. They served us so many other dishes that we were not expecting prior to the actual sushi. Some of the things that stood out were the fried jalapaneo rolls, fried salmon head (was soooo good), some sashimi salads stuff and a small egg dish. When the boat finally came out we had a hard time finishing it but with 7 adults we managed to do it. I would HIGHLY recommend this place but you should go around 4pm which is the least busy.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    They have the best sushi and sashimi I ever had. It was sooooo worth to wait 20 min and 30 min drive. Definitely going back in near future.

    (5)

  • Melanie Y.

    The many times I've been here, not to mention the many times I've checked into this place via fb, foursquare and most recently yelp, I've yet to write a review. I'm so glad that this sushi place is so close to home that I can come here as often as I like. We typically always order the Titanic roll which is massive! I had to take several bites just to finish one piece of the roll. The Titanic roll includes battered and deep fried lobster tail with avocado, crab and cucumber and tobiko. Aside from tobiko which I have no idea what that is, doesn't the rest sound awesome? Yes, yes it does. Also on a side note, I just like to point out, which I'm sure others have done so already, is that they do have a roll named Viagra - I kid you not! I have yet to try it though but I'm not partial to scallops. =P Apparently Yuraku does have a buffet lunch which is typically during lunch on weekdays. Just so happens the times we go are outside of the buffet times - ah well. With rolls that big (that's what she said - har har har), three or four rolls, I'll be done so they wouldn't have to worry about me cleaning out the place. =P

    (5)

  • Eli And Caitlin L.

    PROs: Extensive sushi menu with a wide variety of ingredients in creative combinations. The rolls and sushimi platters were beautiful, and expertly crafted. Portion sizes were large and filling, containing as many as 9 rolls with generous portions of fish. The ingredients were very fresh and exquisitely flavorful. The meals were delivered in a timely manner despite the busy crowd. Also, before the rolls were brought out, several FREE appetizers (small vegetable dishes) were provided. The staff was polite and attentive. Prices were below average (between $9-13/ roll), but quality and quantity was above average. CONS: This is a small establishment with limited seating, with tables close together. Also this restaurant is popular enough to have a wait on weekdays, especially for larger parties, but was worth it. The decor was nothing fancy, but didn't affect the mood or experience. Recommendation: Osaka Triangle (for something more classic), Chunky Monkey (for something more exotic). We definitely recommend you go here, definitely get the bang for your buck.

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    You would not expect such awesome sushi from the look/location of this place, but it really is. The wait is worth it. Whenever we have a chance to go for the lunch buffet we do (AMAZING DEAL), but coming for dinner and ordering rolls is still a good move. I moved away, and can't help but compare any sushi I go get to Yuraku now. No one lives up :(

    (5)

  • Jill M.

    The food was really amazing, but the service was pretty bad. I was there on a Saturday night, with a large group. My friends had eaten there before, and based on their recommendations, I knew it would be worth the long and uncomfortable wait in the cramped entryway of the restaurant. We were finally seated, and I ended up right by the door at a wobbly table, so I started folding up napkins to shove under the unbalanced leg. As I was leaning down to fix the wobble, one of the servers literally walked into my head, twice, without saying a word. That was annoying, but shortly after, the food arrived. The sashimi appetizer I ordered included about 12 large cuts of assorted fish, nicely displayed in a boat, and it was only $10. The rest of the food arrived - colossal sushi rolls, large servings of seaweed salad, and house salad with ginger dressing. Everything tasted great! However, throughout our meal, we had to really work to get our server's attention for drink orders and anything else. Even though we were seated right by the high-traffic area of entrance, bar, and beer refrigerator, she kept walking right by without acknowledgment. Regardless, we were really happy with our meals, because the sushi was tasty, fresh, and filling. When we got the check, we did that thing where we give them a few credit cards with specific dollar amounts to put on each card. A couple of us included tip in the dollar amount to be charges on the card, and some only included tax, and wrote the tip in after getting the receipt back. When everything was done, some of the credit card receipts had the tip written on the tip line, and some had included tip so that there was no additional tip written on the receipt... it all worked out so she got a 20% tip total. The waitress collected the receipts and then came back to our table, citing the slips on which people had included tip before the credit card was run, and accusingly asking, "no tip?" At which point I wanted to ask for my tip back.

    (3)

  • Jin H.

    BEST sushi in NOVA. Everything is very fresh and tasty. Very reasonable prices. I recommend their rolls and the sashimi boat. I would come here more often if this was close by.

    (5)

  • Emily N.

    Best Sushi place around the DMV area. For the pricing of the sushi and the sizes of the portions, it's remarkable with how they're still in business. Coming here for years now and the chefs know our family quite well. Constantly sending over complimentary dishes and what not. Really a great place for sushi. As for the hot food items, i can't say much cause in all honesty, my family and i come here for the sushi and only sushi. The sushi lunch buffets also note worthy. For around 15 bucks you can get an unlimited amount of gourmet, hand roll, spectacular array of sushi. Not to mention the incredible selection of hot food items. Though the area may be a bit tight.. it's well worth the fight. The wait is also rather long but again there is sushi at the end of the tunnel!

    (5)

  • Norman H.

    Favorite place to stop by if I'm in Germantown during lunch time! Lunch sushi buffet from Tuesday-Saturday :) Been here for dinner a few times, still worth the money. Free salmon cheek and custard...which is nice. Sushi presentation is very nice.

    (5)

  • Sam S.

    O.M.G.!! I was living in Germantown for a few months as an intern. EVERYONE told me about how good this place. Best sushi place in the area. I love seafood and this place is heavenly. I have: - Reserved a table and had to wait for +30 minutes. - Lunch buffet - Sushi bar - Sunny's Special (usually done on weekdays and $$$$$ but well worth the cash) I have never been disappointed. I always enjoyed there lunch buffets. I usually get there at 11am when they have everything out all at once. If you come at noon they do not have the variety because everything is finished / being remade. For dinner the sushi bar is the best. I usually would get a free salad and after I'm stuffed the sushi chef will surprise me with a piece free piece of sushi. 2 rolls is more than enough. I did 3 my first time, MISTAKE. Couldn't move for 15 minutes Service is not perfect but I am not expecting the Ritz Carlton. Wait, eat, and enjoy :)

    (5)

  • Mary R.

    Holy sushi... !!! ;D For all intensive purposes this is the best sushi joint in Montgomery County, let alone the tri state area. They have sushi and sushi they have! A immense variety of the classics in addition to fabulous chef made specials. Fun fact, if you order enough sushi they bring out free samples for you to try (yes, me and my BF are those fat kids at a sushi house). Also, they start you off with a big bowl of edimame and huge chunks of fresh veggies with this amazing garden dip (pretty much would be epic on coleslaw), which is an added bonus! It is not a huge place, but I have never had to wait for a table. Service is quick, but you are not rushed (esp when you order as much sushi as we do haha..) which is very nice. If you are looking for great sushi, this place is a must try. Needless to say, we're going to need a bigger boat. ;-)

    (5)

  • Kat And Liz C.

    Far from the best sushi restaurant in the area, but the only place with a decent sushi buffet at a relatively low price. There is a large variety of sushi rolls ranging from classic California rolls to more fusion type rolls stuffed with cream cheese. There is a good selection of Nigiri, but the quality of the ingredients are average and not especially fresh either. If you are not a fan of fusion rolls, do not come here. They had a good variety of other non-sushi foods, but really, if you are going to a sushi buffet...you are probably there to enjoy the sushi. The sushi was also made quite sloppily. Even though it was peak hours and a sushi buffet, it cannot be excused since there are plenty of sushi buffets that do not have this problem. Sushi is an art form, there are no shortcuts!

    (2)

  • Kirsten L.

    I don't really understand how this place has such amazing reviews... I went here on a weekend and it was PACKED. I got there before my date and put us on the waitlist, they called our table as he was parking but since he wasn't physically in the door yet we lost our spot and had to wait again. Things didn't get much better once we finally got a table, I'm not sure who our server was but we were bugged by three separate employees constantly. I guess the tables around us weren't set properly because employees kept taking silverware and sauces from our table and giving them straight to others. Kind of unsanitary. I understand they were busy but if I'm going out to dinner I'd like to relax a bit! They don't have a liquor license so we got beer and sake. We asked one of our servers if we could put in our soup and appetizer orders while we decided on dinner and she said no, we had to order it all at once. So, we ordered it all at once and of course it all came out at once. We got edamame and an assorted sashimi platter as an "appetizer". The edamame was served cold, my date says some places do that but I've always had it served hot. The sashimi wasn't that great either, most of the fish was grainy or chewy, the mackeral was really the only one I liked. We also got three sushi rolls, the spicy tuna tasted like catfood it was so overprocessed, the philly roll was mostly cream cheese, and the third was some kind of tempura roll which wasn't terrible but it was rolled very loosely and cut very thin so it just fell apart. And the fish in all three were the same quality as the sashimi.

    (3)

  • Ben R.

    Excellent sushi and a wide variety. The fish is very fresh and they don't over stuff the rolls with rice like some places. I have never had a bad meal here. If you are coming here at prime dinner time expect to wait, often up to 45 minutes. Making a reservation usually doesn't help any and you have to be attentive to the hostess because we've had people who came in after us sat before us on more than one occasion. Another plus is they don't mind if you pound the table for Sake bombs

    (4)

  • M K.

    Yelp was not exaggerating. I'm not sure about the entire DMV, but this is definitely the best sushi I've had in Montgomery County. (Forgive my ignorance of the correct Japanese names for the dishes.) I was by myself, so I got a seat at the bar right away. Right after I ordered, the chef handed me a free salad and sushi pieces (salmon like other reviewers said?). The fish was excellent. I'm a heathen who lokes rolls, so I ordered two, the Viagara and the spicy yami tuna. The waitress brought me a spoon, which I was confused about, but then I saw why: the Viagara "roll" came in a huge dish with mountains of roe, shrimp, and tempura flake topping. Somewhere under there were the actual rolls. Absolutely delicious, and a steal at $12.95 if you're a perpetually hungry person like me. The spicy yami roll came a little later and was piping hot (it is deep fried). Also yummy. Then the chef gave me another freebie of a tempura shrimp with avocado, mango, and a single jalapeño slice. It blasted my taste buds into heaven! I quickly grew full and the chef wrapped everything up for me. I didn't have any actual sushi or sashimi, but sitting at the bar I could see the plates, and the fish slices looked succulent and hefty. I will definitely order it next time. Overall, amazing service, amazing food, and if you don't go a few more miles up 355 than you are used to doing, you are missing out.

    (5)

  • Kapo L.

    I have heard a lot of hype about this place for quite some time and I am glad to say that I wasn't disappointed. Knowing there is usually a long wait, we went for the lunch buffet around 1:30 pm and we still had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. It turns out around 1:45 or so it starts to die down. Highlight is definitely the sushi and the large variety that they serve. It is a great deal for only $13.

    (4)

  • Tran C.

    BEST of the BEST!!! I drove 40 minutes for sushi here. It's worth the drive. Recommended Dishes: (MUST MUST TRY) 1. Viagra Roll (to DIE for) 2. Flying dragon 3. Dragon Roll

    (4)

  • Lucy B.

    Gasp. I can't believe I never reviewed Yuraku. Yuraku = Bliss My most favorite rolls are as follows: - Treasure Island Roll - Tuna Trio - Triple Salmon AND every single special on their menu. This place does it right. The salmon nachos are so weirdly fantastic, no stop, don't think mexican nachos with salmon sprinkled on top.. it is 4 carefully constructed pieces of art that dance in your mouth! YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM. OH - I almost forgot.. My MOSTTTTT Favorite thing is the Fiesta Salad with Tuna. Think fireworks and glitter. Heaven.

    (5)

  • Sydni R.

    This place is awesome!!! I LOVE the titanic roll, Nom Nom Nom. I would advise you to get there early because it is a small place that gets packed quickly. Oh and they have a lunch buffet, but I suggest getting there at 11 when they open because by 11:20 there's already a wait.

    (5)

  • Kara F.

    I thought I was never going to find good sushi in this area, but I finally did! No thanks to my state of the art Global Positioning System. Good luck finding this place. Its in an obscure location in a strip mall. But when you do find it, you are in for a treat! I LOVE Yuraku! I've been there twice now and both times its been a 5 star experience. Great food, good saki, excellent service and at a fraction of the cost of anywhere else I've been in this area. This is my new go to place for sushi.

    (5)

  • Ian D.

    The best sushi place in the DMV area. Only taking a star off because it gets way too busy during lunch and there is limited seating. Get there early or be prepared to wait. It's well worth it though.

    (4)

  • Margaret Z.

    Time to update this to 5-star status. Came back a couple nights ago for a date. We were seated right away, and they got busy really fast around 7 PM even though it was a Thursday night. He ordered the hwe dup bap (salad greens, shredded radish, seaweed salad, and sashimi cubes all mixed together with chojang - spicy/slightly sweet Korean chili sauce). I ordered the Titanic Roll (don't remember but there was lots of roe on the rice) & Viagara Roll (scallops & shrimp...it's cooked and then poured on the sushi rolls). We got loads of free appetizers which were delicioussss... some steamed egg, a grilled fish head, another fish dish, and some cucumber/carrot/celery pieces with this creamy dip. And the miso, of course. I didn't care too much for the Titanic because it wasn't too flavorful. Viagara roll was yummy but I'm not really a fan of scallops so I'm not sure I'd get that again. Both were definitely worth trying though. The REAL star of the night was the hwe dup bap... I had my doubts at first because lettuce & sashimi just didn't make sense in my head, but mmmm it was SO GOOD. I'm going back this weekend to have it again with my mom. The sauce is pure perfection and they are NOT skimpy with their fish portions! Fun night, yummy food... lovely server who told me I was pretty (whether it be a lie or not!) - what else could I ask for from a restaurant, really?

    (5)

  • An T.

    As previously noted by a friend, I just don't get the hype. Nothing in particular about Yuraku sets itself apart from all the other buffets I've come across. With that being said, it's small and cramped, and you're almost always guaranteed to bump into someone while trying to get food! Pair that with a ridiculous wait time around the lunch hour, and you have my verdict: simply not that great.

    (3)

  • Evelyn T.

    Great restaurant. I like their salmon heads. They also often give out free dishes towards the end. This place is usually packed so I usually take the sushi bar.

    (5)

  • Tony C.

    Amazing sushi! We go every week and not only is the sushi wonderful and fresh but the staff is friendly and efficient!! We love this place!!! Try the Kani salad.

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    Yuraku was further up north than I thought since I was already in the area I figured why not. It was on the "weird" side of Germantown as in not in the central area and separated by the highway. I used to go to this strip mall for the Indian and Vietnamese restaurants thus I had a "so it's in this strip mall" epiphany. The first thing I walked into was the take-out counter it was full of people. Then I walked into the restaurant proper it was also full of people. I wondered what's the hit with this restaurant. I couldnt decide if I should try the alacarte or buffet. The buffet would appear to be much quicker for lunch. The buffet was situated in a tight area two lines of food on a narrow path. You would hit the elbow of the other person taking food from the side. The hot food counter clearly had Korean banchans and other dishes. The sushi was all the way in the end with a bucket filled with not water but ice where the tongs were returned. People made a beeline in a cul de sac to get the tongs then to the sushi. It was crazy. I sat at the sushi bar since I was alone. There were 5-6 sushi chefs making lines of sushi. After taking two of each nigiri I went back to my seat where a bowl of miso soup awaited for me. The cooked sushi rolls were well-made. The nigiris with fresh slices of fish were well worth the drive. The fish slices were superb especially the salmon it was definitely much higher grade and better cut than most buffet or even imitation Japanese restaurants. I was sold! Definitely would come back again.

    (4)

  • L. B.

    If you're a sushi purist, you're not going to like this place. I had the tekka don, which came with a bunch of things that are NOT supposed to come with tekka don. The tuna was too tough, sliced badly, and tasted like it had just been unfrozen, and the rice was not seasoned well. If you like Americanized rolls, you'll like this place. They have plenty to choose from and they're generously sized. My baby brother loves the volcano rolls. The service leaves a lot to be desired. At one point I was sitting without hot tea for a good fifteen minutes. The waitress spilled my father's sake all over the table but didn't offer to comp it or get him another sake. She was too quick to take dishes away, to the point where it felt like she was rushing us. She brought the bill without asking if we wanted any desserts; when I said I wanted the tempura ice cream, she said they were all out of ice cream, but I got the feeling that it was a lie because: 1) she didn't feel like having to change the bill, and 2) she wanted to rush us out so that she could seat more customers. I have no idea how this place can have so many good reviews, especially with so many people saying the fish is "fresh," which the fish definitely isn't (and I myself fish often, so I know what fresh fish tastes like). Maybe the restaurant owner/staff have a lot of friends willing to leave them reviews.

    (1)

  • Randy S.

    Short review: I have been coming to Yuraku for probably 15 years. It is always great and reasonably priced, especially for metro DC. Sonny has an extensive menu and his list has only grown since I was last here (I don't get up to DC from Norfolk as much as I used to.) The variety is stunning and I have never had a bad sushi item. Word to the wise... make a reservation! (By the way, I have eaten at a LOT of sushi restaurants in the US and around the world and Yuraku is in my top 3.)

    (5)

  • Yaka H.

    Came here on the weekend lunch buffet. Good deal for the variety of food. The buffet price ($12.95 per person) also includes choice of drink and a miso soup. It's a Korean-owned sushi joint, so there's a lot of Korean food offerings (basically there's 2 parts of this buffet: the sushi and the hot/cold Korean food). The Korean banchan/cold dishes were quite good and don't skip out of these (the beansprouts, the shredded radish salad, and the cucumber-seaweed salad). The sushi wasn't of the highest caliber, but it's a buffet with a nice variety. However, my sister complained that there seems to be too many fried things offered in the hot food section and the sushi section of the buffet. The buffet setup itself does lead to some traffic jams, but just be patient and try your best to maneuver around the crowd. There's a lot of food and they do seem to do a decent job with replenishing the sushi section of the buffet. They do have a few rolls topped with fruit (ie: a strawberry and banana topped salmon skin roll+ cream cheese) and a few odd rolls (ie: a tortilla wrapped, salsa topped sushi roll).

    (3)

  • Joy G.

    For the love of God, get the volcano roll. Thick layer of fish roe and tempura flakes on top, the inside stuffed with avocado, crab, cucumber, and I think some sort of spicy mayo. I want to be wrapped up in that and left to eat myself free. You can also do sake bombing here. I haven't consulted my sake bombing etiquette book yet, but apparently high-pitched shrieking, banging on the table, and getting smashed at around 8:30 inside a crowded restaurant is perfectly okay. I mean, why shouldn't one be allowed to bring every conversation to a skittering halt and bask in the stares while chugging? I usually prefer to partake in the sacred act of bombing on sake during the day, by myself, in a corner, but to each his own.

    (5)

  • Jean C.

    Came here for lunch buffet,long lines and wait to be seated,they will call your name twice and if you don't listen to it,or you dont understand the way they pronounce your name,you are in trouble,means they will skip your name :( rude staff !

    (2)

  • Keith B.

    Get the white tuna sashimi. Better than anywhere else.

    (5)

  • Sean B.

    Germantown, I don't know anything about you but I now know there is at least one reason to visit you. Best Japanese I've had in the DMV. I'd say it is the 2nd best meal I've had this month (Pasta Mia being #1). Fish was decent quality, the rolls were good combos of ingredients, and the fried calamari was perfectly done: not too deeply fried but enough to have a good crunch. Would go back in a heartbeat. There is a reason why there are so many people waiting in line to get a table here. Tip: ask for the seared tuna. It isn't on the menu but it is YUM! I think you can either get seared yellowfish or white, whichever you prefer.

    (5)

  • Albert Y.

    Great restaurant, almost always busy! On some nights, you have to wait on a waiting list for a while but the turnaround time for tables is quick as the staff are fast. The main attraction here is the sushi and sashimi but there's plenty of other Japanese and Korean items to try out. There's also a bar side for those who like sitting on stools. The decoration here is great, the food is great, the staff are great. I believe it's Korean-owned so if you have family that only speaks Korean you will be okay! Along the walls are polaroid pictures of people who have celebrated birthdays in the past. You can get your picture taken with a Japanese style umbrella and be on the wall of fame if you wish. Great place, just expect a wait if it's a busy night!

    (5)

  • Jenny T.

    Great quality, fresh sushi! They really don't skimp on the slices like a lot of places. Very very authentic. Even though they are really busy a lot the waitresses are friendly as they are hurrying around everywhere. They sent around lots of complimentary dishes as well, since my party was buying a ton of food and sake I suppose. I have absolutely no complaints about this place. I sincerely wish it was located closer to where I live.

    (4)

  • Mark R.

    I have been to Japan before and this is the REAL DEAL!!! Sushi is made fresh, each order takes time to bring out (a good sign!). The atmosphere is great for a casual dinner, date night, or lunch. The soft shell crab roll was AMAZING! A+++ for presentation! Service was excellent - prompt and attentive! Servers are dressed in kimonos and all have big smiles. I will be back!!! Thanks again!

    (5)

  • Joe P.

    Best sushi I've had along the 270 corridor, hands down. I am a salmon fanatic and this place did not disappoint at all. Each nigiri sushi has the amount of fish as two pieces anywhere else, add that to plethora of chef special rolls they offer as well as other kitchen entrees and you have a place that suits almost any taste. Bottom Line: Best fish in town + great service + extensive menu = my top recommended sushi restaurant.

    (5)

  • Sean K.

    my family absolutely love this place. must get the sushi course! the small courses are fantastic (especially the salmon head). very tasty and innovative dishes. And that's not even the main course. absolutely best sushi place. been to expensive and fancier sushi place but hands down the best sushi place

    (5)

  • Marc F.

    By far my favorite all-around sushi restaurant of all time! (I've eaten a lot of sushi in DC and across the country) This place rocks, when considering quality and value! Rolls are huge, fresh, and delicious. The grilled salmon head appetizer is wonderful! And the price is right! Only downside is that everyone else knows this place is awesome too, and you have to get here early for dinner, else risk waiting a while for a table. It is a casual place with an OK atmosphere, but what they lack in decor is more than made up for in their sushi.

    (5)

  • Anne C.

    my goodness...what a big disappointment! This place is seriously overhyped. I have tons of friends that drive from va to germantown all the time to get sushi here...I finally decided to try it and I was disappointed. I tried the tuna mountain which i read rave reviews about and although the sauce was good, the spicy tuna was oddly fishy and it's a big ball of it on iceberg lettuce. In fact, the tuna in general in any of the rolls we ordered tonight were slightly fishy. The Crazy Horse roll? Basically just a bigger version of spicy tuna with a tiny section of crab meat. The spicy scallop roll though was awesome. the triple salmon roll and nigiri pieces were fine. Overall, i like that they don't go crazy with rice and their nigiri and salmon pieces are big. I think they are definitely going for quantity over quality here. Some of the rolls were not made well and fell apart while people were grabbing them. Also, the restaurant is not necessarily clean. It's not just that decor is lacking, but I just felt like especially as you got closer to the back of the restaurant, it was less and less sanitary. In a restaurant serving raw fish, this did not settle well with me. the wait is not worth the food (because they stopped taking reservations by the time I called) and unless I was somehow in germantown (Never....) I won't be back. I enjoy even kotobuki more than this place even though the rolls are smaller there; quality is better. surprisingly though, their complimentary miso soup was decent.

    (3)

  • Vi N.

    I've never actually dined in at this restaurant, since it's always super crowded, but my family orders for take out all the time. Sushi is always fresh, the price is great, and the host is super nice. Lee always makes sure we get everything we've ordered. (Our family is huge!!). I can't wait to actually dine in!

    (4)

  • Sam C.

    If you want an amazing sushi dinner, this little hole in the wall is where you want to go. Period. Unfortunately, the secret is out because the lines get pretty long if you don't have a reservation. I live in Columbia, which is about 40-50 mins away, but I still look forward to going to Yuraku because there simply isn't any sushi restaurant in all of Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia that even compares in the quality. Add to that the fact that their portions are extremely generous and very well priced, this place is just perfect. Their sushi boats are huge and always fresh. Really, there isn't much more you can say about sushi boats b/c they're always the same except quality and portion, where Yuraku excels. For strict traditionalists sushi eaters like myself, eating rolls would be considered a huge sin, but oh, what a way to go to hell.. The larger, more expensive ones ($10+) are phenomenal in both taste and artistry. I especially recommend the titanic roll, which I guarantee will not disappoint. Also, don't be afraid to ask for recommendations or off-menu specials. One word of caution: be prepared to eat a lot. They provide a lot of extra free "service" items in addition to the ban-chan found at traditional Korean restaurants. There's no point in ordering appetizers. In fact, be careful not to order too much food like you would at a regular sushi restaurant. The portions will end up being huge. Also, for Asians, they serve a baked salmon head as one of their "service" items, which can be a little off-putting at first. But once you get over it, it tastes pretty good.

    (5)

  • Vicki C.

    One of my favorite sushi places in Germantown! The place tends to get crowdy on weekends and Friday nights and the wait can be up to an hour or more. The sushi is amazing and they don't skimp on flavor. A must try is the volcano roll and spicy crunchy tuna roll. It is higher priced than most sushi places but you really do get what you pay for.

    (5)

  • Catherine K.

    I came here for dinner last weekend and enjoyed it. The appetizers which consisted of miso soup, salad, and fish were tasty. The sashimi platter that we ordered was also fresh and fulfilling. We also ordered a scoop of green tea and red bean ice-cream for dessert. The ice-cream cleaned my palate and was a nice ending to a great meal. They have such an extensive menu so I am looking forward to trying some of the other items on the menu in the future.

    (4)

  • Nick F.

    Thumbs up! The best sushi place in the area. I also like the lunch buffet, but the buffet area is a little tight. That doesn't keep me from coming back!

    (4)

  • R M.

    The only downside of this wonderful Sushi restaurant is that it is crowded and there often is a long wait. You want a seat? Be there when it opens, 11-11:30 a.m. It has a lunchtime sushi buffet , for around 13 apiece plus drinks, and as long as you stick to the sushi you will not be disappointed. at night, you order off a menu and can be a sushi boat, sized to your appetite and number of guests. My experience is that they you pick ingredients. I've been there many times, and I'll be back

    (4)

  • Mark L.

    Food here is excellent but service is just horrible. They dont take reservations, but were told the wait time is about 30 minutes. Waited for 30 minutes just to hear we have to wait 40 minutes more. We looked at the wait list with all the names and saw that parties with a similar amount of people that were listed after our name scratched off the list. Not sure how to take it or why that would happen. I guess the only time to visit this place is in its non peak times.

    (1)

  • Ryan B.

    Came here with a big group of friends. It is always crowded here, but the service keeps up and is excellent. The food was awesome, and the sushi was even better. The only bad thing about this place is that it is always busy and the waiting room for a table is always slammed with no room to stand.

    (5)

  • T L.

    Great place.. food is great and prices are great as well.. recommend very much to everyone!

    (5)

  • Cynthia L.

    I'm not as crazy about this place as other people are...personally, I prefer Yoyogi's Sushi over this place. I Do like that they give you so many little complimentary appetizer (celery & carrots sticks with this mayo mix dipping sauce, egg soufle, fish head). Their waiters are also very attentative & friendly. Minus: Their prices are a bit higher than average. I had their tempura udon soup (shrimp tempura on the side): hot & tasty. I've been here for lunch as well and the selection is not bad for the price you pay (all you can eat), but there is always a wait & it is always packed during lunch times. I would say if you're craving sushi & you're in Germantown, it's worth trying.

    (3)

  • Christine R.

    Just ate at Yuraku for the first time today for lunch and I was impressed. Their buffet is an unbelievable value for the quality and range of selection, and I am not someone who typically cares for buffets. The sushi was very good, as well as the many Korean items. Attentive and warm service. I will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Jenny H.

    Yuraku is THE best sushi restaurant in the D-M-V area! For the price, you definitely receive more compared to other sushi spots, not to mention delicious and an absolute orgasm for your taste buds. The restaurant is small and is consistently packed but totally worth the wait. The service is excellent as well. If you've never been, it's a must-go!

    (5)

  • Louis S.

    I have been here every Saturday for the past Month, and will continue. I live in College Park Maryland and i make the hike down there. In my opinion, everyone is friendly, although the area is pretty sketchy and a bit dumpy... but the to the point.... the sushi quality and imo is super fresh. Their philosophy worked. You come .. go to the buffet (you'll see just a few of the enormous plates i gathered...) ... come again... go to the buffet... come again ... go to the buffet... and while you are there you notice the regulars and so on ordering off the menu.... and the dishes are AMAZING. Yes the buffet is an amazing deal, but im not driving a bazillion miles for an amazing deal... wasting gas... its an experience and i would 100% recommend ordering off the menu although numerous special rolls, signature rolls and so on are found at the buffet. Ultimately, out of all the buffets in the area. the only other place that even comes close is Todia or whatever in Fairfax.... and this pace is way more fun and way more artistic and cosy/friendly and cheaper! So yea. Yu Raku is the best place i have been for style, creativity adn freshness. Other great places include. Nawanahah and Tapei Tokyo. I like Yu raku for their creativity and generous portions! Hope this helps!

    (5)

  • G S.

    The best sushi at an amazing price. Normally I don't like to talk value with Sushi because it makes the place seem cheap. Not in this case. The food is AMAZING and even better than Sushi I have gotten in NYC. Portions are huge. It does get very crowded so plan to wait....

    (5)

  • L A W.

    Best sushi around!! They give you generous portions on beautiful big sushi boats!! Love Sonny-he is the best!!

    (5)

  • Eric L.

    Always worth it to go here! The sushi is awesome and the hugest I've had ever. The lunch buffet is great since they have lots of variety. Dinner is the best because if you order their specialty sushi rolls, you will seriously be wowed. We spend about $20 per person and by the end, we are seriously stuffed. My stomach is like an aquarium, there's so much. Seriously, if I lived closer I would probably go there all the time. Just know that it gets really crowded since everyone in Maryland comes there to eat, especially at dinner time. It's because they all know it's good. Just be understanding, even if you reserve a table, if you aren't there, they probably won't wait that long for you. Somehow we usually order the salmon fiesta salad. We get a flying dragon roll. So if you order enough per person, like $15ish or something, they will give you miso soup and a egg cup. And then I think if they see you're Asian they will give you a salmon fish head, else they will give you edamame. It's weird how they do that.

    (5)

  • Michael y.

    Come Early, and Come Hungry!!! Authentic Nipponese. The waitress was put off when we requested up front to have separate checks, due to we were all on corporate cards. One of the other yelpers were right on with this observation. I definitely recommend the Zen platter. Too much food, it was a 3 course meal. SEE my pics. the sushi pieces presented were works of art. my colleagues had the scallops and steak and it was served on a traditional hot plate. with a sterno burner to keep things warm. very nice. I cannot believe my bill!! For the quality and quantity, this easily would've been a $80. I was worried when they didn't list the price on the menu. Final bill, $30 with green tea. Domo arrigato, yuraku san

    (4)

  • Cynthia C.

    I cant remember what we had but it was all good sushi, sushi, marinated kobe beef, crab lobster,loved it. Going back soonll

    (5)

  • Milen T.

    Have not had a chance to try their lunch special! Still on my must-do list.. My #1 favorite sushi place! Do sit at the bar and watch the chef does his magic, and if you're lucky, he'll toss you some free tasting =).

    (4)

  • Eddie D.

    We finally got a chance to check out their lunch buffet, and we were not disappointed, it was everything we expected to be. If you are a fan of sushi roll and nigiri, their lunch buffet is heaven. Seeing plate full of sushi being gobbled up as fast as they are put out was amazing. Beside their sushi, they also offered hot courses like Yaki (beef and chicken BBQ) and assorted tempura. Many assorted cold side dishes like Kimchi. Don't forget to get some of their cold cinnamon tea after your meal, it will refresh your taste bud. Saw a table ordered one of the Chef's Party Platter, and the first word out of my mouth was "I want that".... next time. And if you not into buffet, they have many special rolls you could get. Sky is the limit here.

    (4)

  • Val V.

    The Real Deal in Japanese Buffet ! They also have some Korean dishes to choose from. One important tip, Get there before 12 noon or you will have to wait to get a table. Japanese fried rice is great, fish in terriyaki sauce is very good and most of all the Bulgogi is top notch! A variety of fresh Sushi Rolls to choose from and none that will disappoint you. At $12.75/head includes miso soup and hot tea, a very reasonable price point and good dollar value. Of note is the service, they are on top of their game. they fill up your cup, clear the used plates and always checking to see if you need anything. Keep up the good work!!!

    (4)

  • Maggie F.

    Really popular place, every single whoppin' time I go, I find myself stuck in the waiting room with a million people, whom extend their ears eagerly to hear their names be called. And rightfully so--for dinner especially. Lunchtimes are appealing--why? Because its a buffet for 12 dollars! The sushi/sashimi are pretty standard... nothing too surprising. Decent. But I went there for dinner--that's like a whloe new world! Tried like 5 different types of rolls, all with such exotic and surprising flavors. Every single bite was an adventure--a brilliant one at that! My advice is to be step out of your comfort zone and try all the ones with weird names and contents! Go for it! Free bowl of miso soup and salad are provided.

    (4)

  • Sherry C.

    I absolutely love coming here for their sushi buffet on Saturday. The place gets packed really quickly since it's such a small restaurant, and I have waited as long as 45 minutes to get seated for their buffet, but it's so worth it. The sushi are always prepared fresh, and they aren't just boring maki rolls either. There is always a wide selection of sushi, and FRESH sashimi. Yuraku also serves hot dishes and sides, but I always go straight to the sushi bar to get my money's worth. If you're craving sushi and don't want to pay a lot, this is the place to go! The service wasn't anything special, but it was still very good. All the waitresses wear kimonos, which I thought was kind of neat. They always clear our plates pretty fast and frequently come by our table with the tea/water pitcher. I've never ordered from their menu before, but I'm sure it's just as good! Go to Yuraku and you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Taylor T.

    This is some of the best sushi I've ever had in one of the most unassuming locations. I probably would've driven by the strip mall if my friends who recommended the place weren't with me. We went right around noon on a Saturday at a time when they offer their buffet and there was already a 30+ minute wait. No big deal, I had a feeling the wait was going to be worth it. Here's my biggest recommendation: SKIP THE BUFFET! Seriously, do not waste your time schlepping through the line. Sit down, order some green tea, and sharpen your pencil. Go through the list of a la carte sushi and prepare to be wowed. I let my friends do the ordering because they're regulars and every single piece of fish I had melted in my mouth. The nigiri and sashimi slices are so big that the sushi chef typically slices them in half for you. This has to be one of the best 'bang for your buck' sushi places in the DC metro area. It's worth the hike to Germantown if you're craving fresh, authentic Japanese cuts of fish.

    (5)

  • Alice K.

    If you during dinner time or weekends, be wary of at least 45 minutes wait! It's definitely worth the wait though. While their sashimi dishes are not bad, their best stuff are the rolls! They have a LOT of variety when it comes to their rolls. Ask for their special menu if you aren't given one- more rolls and dishes on that one. I can't even begin to describe the rolls I've had there. They have so much variety that I would be typing pages. One that sticks out is the viagra roll- the roll is hidden under a good pile of sauce, scallop, mushrooms, onion, and shrimp and fills you up fast! Entrees come with a free appetizer of carrot sticks, celery, and cucumber, with this home made dip. Depending on how much you order, you'll get other complimentary appetizers also, such as salad, miso soup, and/or fish head. I've been to the buffet a few times and it's pretty good- fresh with lots of options. There's always a long wait though so get in line!

    (5)

  • Janet H.

    Although we ordered a bunch of special rolls and not on menu special appetizers... which were great by the way.. I'm just going to talk about the wonderful and delicious sashimi boat special we got. A huge boat of sashimi goodness came to our table. I'm not even sure how many pieces were in there but a lot. We did not specify what we wanted and just let them give us whatever fish they want. Everything was so fresh and the pieces were thick and 'juicy'. My favorite would have to be the salmon and fatty tuna. I wish I wasn't so busy eating and took a minute to take some pictures. If only they weren't so busy all the time and we didn't have to wait 45 mins for a table.. our experience would have been perfect!

    (4)

  • Batman B.

    Love this place but it is too crowded and small. The owner needs to expand. However, the wait staff is amazing even with the craziness around them. Best (fresh) sushi in the area. Bar none.

    (4)

  • Teresa H.

    Best sushi for the price in the DC metro area. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! These guys don't skimp on their sushi. They give free appetizers for dinner and their portions are huge. Unheard of sizes of fish. Not too much rice. Everything is good, but my favs are: - Tuna Mountain (not on the menu, but it's delicious! Slices of tuna tataki around a salad drenched with peanut sauce, topped with a fist-size ball of spicy tuna) - Hard Rock & Roll (Fresh scallops, eel, avocado inside, 3 types of tobiko outside - beware the green tobiko, it's wasabi infused and it'll get to you) - Spicy Scallop Hand Roll (Exactly what it is, but their helping of scallops is huge!) - House Hand Roll (A mix of chopped up fish and masago mixed into a huge hand roll) This place is always busy. ALWAYS BUSY. Lunch and dinner. From open till close. Whether it's Wednesday or Friday night, If you come at peak hours, better plan on about an hour wait. They close on Mondays. They also have a lunch buffet with a good selection of sushi and korean cooked food. Be careful, cuz it's a madhouse in there. The lines for the sushi is ridiculous, and that's AFTER the wait to sit at a table. It's good, don't get me wrong, but for $15, I'd like a little peace with my meal. Regardless, still my favorite place for sushi.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    My boyfriend and I trekked 30+ miles out from the Tysons Corner area to check out this place. Let's just say, it was worth the trip because you get (more than what) you pay for. As it's Korean-owned, they provide a generous assortment of free side dishes, based upon the amount you order for your main course. The bill came out to be much cheaper than we expected, especially considering the amount that we ordered. We couldn't even finish half of our rolls because they gave us so much free food on the side. The quality of the sushi is not the best, but if you're looking to get stuffed off of rolls, then Yuraku is your best bet (they have a pretty extensive rolls menu; we had a hard time choosing). However, the only downer is that they are located so far from where we reside, and I'm not sure that I loved the food enough to trek all the way out there again (not anytime soon anyway). If we were already in the area, however, I would definitely suggest eating there!

    (4)

  • Caroline L.

    4.5 stars. My entire extended Korean family has declared Yuraku to be THE place to go for great sushi for a somewhat affordable price. Their salmon is ... omg... *wipes off drool*... amazing. SO soft and fatty and delicious. Their portions are very generous! You can get this huge sushi/weird foodie experience if you order one of those huge sushi boats. Before the actual scrumptious boat comes, you get an array of maybe 10 dishes that are for the more adventurous. Raw calamari in sesame oil... fish head... etc. Love it love it love it. But only when my family pays. Their lunch buffet is probably my favorite buffet. I am probably the unofficial queen of buffets so I think this in itself gives them the 4.5 star rating. It's amazing how their portion of raw fish is bigger than the rice they stuff it with. That's how you know they're not trying to skimp on you. Why not the 5 stars? It's too cramped. There's never enough space for all the food. During the buffet, lining up to grab food can be sort of awkward. You can only grab the tongs from one bucket... but when you're done grabbing everything, you find yourself in a predicament of having to go back to the front of the line just to put the tong back in the bucket. 2 buckets please! Oh and also the whole thing about reservations and still having to wait awhile.

    (4)

  • M C.

    This place is terrific. Everytime I travel to town for business, I always have dinner here. Amazing sushi and delicious Japanese dishes. Large selection for anyone's tastes. The place is not fancy, just a small Japanese restaurant in a strip mall...low overhead. You will dine with locals and out of towners here. Wait can be long, but there is usually a stool at the sushi bar. If you are in the Montgomery County, MD area, definately stop in for dinner.

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    Decided to give this restaurant another try and ordered take-out because I didn't want to wait in a long line. How come soup and salad are not included in take-out orders?? Verdict: Overpriced for mediocre sushi. Pass!

    (2)

  • Lee F.

    Best sushi around hands down. Mostly get carry out as the wait can be horrible during peak times. Oshitashi salad - wilted spinach with sesame oil, and mirin that's out of this world. Tuna Mountain - not on any menu I found but is amazing. Seared tuna sitting on top of a nice salad with a HUGE ball of spicy tuna mix in the middle. For $14 it's a steal. Punk rock and roll. - my absolute favorite. Crab, eel and avocado. Covered in 3 colors of tobiko. Tuna tempura - crisp and light with a nice dipping sauce. Delish. Kantonese soup - for well under $3 you can't beat this soup. TONS of veggies, fish cakes and crab. Honestly everything I've tried is amazing. The Buffett is ok, but nothing beyond amazing, but that's only due to people who abuse the generosity. I'd happily pay $19.99 for a better Buffett but the public likes cheap / easy. I go there 3-6 times a week and love every single bite. Anyone wanna join me? I want it NOW!

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    I've had West Coast sushi and East Coast sushi and so far, we've been losing the sushi battle. And on several levels, prices, quality, customer service. Koreans are not known for great customer service especially not outside LA and NYC. In this area, al lot of Korean owned businesses are by older, mostly 1st gen immigrants so culture comes into play. Plenty of places treat me less than stellar b/c I look younger than I am and the employees sometimes see you as a burden who won't be spending a lot of money (but I do!). THIS is where Yuraku is so different! The best service of any Korean place I've been to in the MD/VA/DC area. Period. The mul kimchee is the best I've ever had in my life. And I should know, my mom makes fresh kimchi at home (she gets the red pepper flakes directly form Korea and has a kimchi refrigerator as well). I told her waitress it was so good and she went ahead and brought out another one! And I ate the second dish ....and then drank the kimchi mul :P We had a bunch of rolls and sushi (the volcano roll...i wish I could eat one every day) and chicken teriyaki and veggies (it came out bubbling over a small, itty-bitty fire on a metal plate) all very good. And a three-piece caviar/roe dish - very fresh. I don't think this place is good for kids at all. It's too crowded for their obnoxiousness. hmph. little bastards need to stay home.

    (4)

  • Hung T.

    4.5 stars. I love this place! Pros: Great friendly service, nice environment, ambience, food quality, FREE appetizers, reasonably priced, creative sushi. Cons: Really can't think of any cons. Service can be less than stellar during peak hours. Place is kinda small, but it only adds to the ambience! Everytime i go here, the waitress always gives us a free appetizer to try (not including the usual salmon head/soup/salad). So nice of them! And its awesome having this place less than 10 min from your house! HOLLAAAA

    (4)

  • Nathan O.

    This is best sushi spot in DMV area (d.c, md, va) in my opinion. for lunch it's 13$ a person and there is plenty of nigiri, maki rolls, and side food to keep one happy and full! The level of freshness for lunch is not on par with dinner. I've been coming here for 5 years and only recently have they taken eel off the lunch buffet menu, because of the increase of eel prices. For dinner, the experience is great and the prices are unbeatable. All maki rolls (6pc) are between 4-5$ and the sushi meat-to-rice ratio HUGE. Try ordering the salmon 6pc maki and you will see how big the portion of salmon piece is! Usually for dinner my family and I (4 people) can order and be SO FULL, for 20$ max after tips, yes after tip. To finish the review, my recommended rolls include: *flying dragon roll *california sunset roll *fiesta garden salad with salmon sashimi and *triple spicy salmon roll

    (5)

  • Adil B.

    Yuraku is a great Germantown sushi restaurant! The specialty rolls on the menu are unique and have interesting names. Plus, the waitstaff will offer you free appetizers (edamame, salad) while you wait, and the layout of the menu is straightforward. Every time I come here, I watch as a table of ten or more people orders the sushi boat - a wooden serving tray that is full of sushi. Good idea if you're there with a large enough party. The small reception area outside the restaurant seating room is rather small. I've been here on some weekday nights and have had to wait outside for a little while. Not a big deal though, since the food is always great!

    (5)

  • Oracle P.

    Long waits, food is average. The hostess doesn't know what she is doing! Looks like a zoo. Over priced crap at best

    (1)

  • Monica R.

    Yuraku, you are delicious! My friends scoffed at me when I told them that I've never been to this wonderful gem of a sushi restaurant located in Germantown. The rolls are huge, priced reasonably, and whimsical. Depending on how much you order, the waitresses bring over a lot of complimentary appetizers (edamame, fish heads, huge salads, etc.) Usually at Niwano Hana in Rockville, the boyfriend and I get around 5 rolls (maybe 6 - we're hungry people and it takes a lot of sushi to fill us up!) The first time we went to Yuraku, we ordered some crab wontons (awesome), and 4 rolls. We had LEFTOVERS. LEFTOVERS! We thought we learned from our mistake the next time we went and ordered the crab wontons again and 3 rolls. We forgot about all the free appetizers given out before the meal, and we went home with more leftovers!! We definitely need to figure out the correct hungry : sushi roll ratio. There is one thing that did annoy me though, and I'm wondering if I this rating should really be a 4.5 rating. The first time we decided to trek up north to Yuraku, we called on a Friday night around 5pm and asked if we should make a reservation. They recommended that we did, so we made a reservation for 6:15. We get there at exactly 6:10, and they told us that no tables were available, and asked if we wanted to wait 15-20 minutes or sit at the bar. We chose the sushi bar, which actually turned out to be very fun! However, why take a reservation if it doesn't even matter? It's like that Seinfeld episode, the reservation keeps the car there! Even though this place may be farther away from me in Rockville, and the reservation hiccup wasn't ideal, I think I found a new sushi place. See you later, Niwano Hana! I'm heading up north when I have a sushi craving.

    (5)

  • Israly E.

    I must first note that I am not the type of person that craves sushi. I can eat it, but I don't crave it. I am basically the type of person that eats sushi when everyone else is going for sushi. Well, tonight I went to this place because a friend of mine asked me to come with her. I am so glad she brought me because this is the best sushi I had so far. We had the Flamingo, Spicy Tuna and Titanic (deep fried lobster tail, cucumber and crab) rolls. They were delicious! The pieces were huge! Everything was fresh. The service was friendly and fast. (But keep in mind that it was middle of the week and raining outside) We were served some fried fish and steam egg on the house. The place is nicely kept and you can see pictures of previous clients on the walls. I am definitely coming back to this place and recommending it to all the sushi lovers in my life! :)

    (5)

  • Caroline G.

    If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. My friend and I go to Yuraku every time she comes back into town. My all-time favorite is Yami Yami Jumbo Roll. I would eat here everyday if I could. They give complimentary miso soup and other stuff too as you are waiting for your sushi to arrive. Order from the paper they give you, their crazy fun rolls are the best ever

    (5)

  • Eva O.

    LOVELOVELOVE. My last visit was a little supbar but I'm just going to go ahead and give them the benefit of the doubt. The lunch hour was ending so they were running out of food. I definitely come here for their lunch sushi buffet. I've seen others complain that its too crowded and popular...there's obviously a reason for that. I've seen others say the there's not enough to choose from...that's cause it's condensed into a tight little space so it looks limited compared to places that spread their food out over large buffet-style tables. They don't do a lot of filler/ run-of-the mill rolls like California rolls, avocado rolls...everything is creative and fresh. So it usually takes 15/20 minutes to get my foot in the door but by then I've worked up my appetite and anticipation. Yuraku is the ONLY place that makes volcano roll the way I like it, smothered in roe and spicy mayo. Also love their rainbow roll and nigiri. And the fried bananas. And the kimbap. And just about everything else!

    (5)

  • Erica P.

    this food is nasty. i ate from the buffet at lunch. they dont stock the food much either. tried some sushi ugh. my first and last time here.

    (2)

  • Nat T.

    Very nice sushi in both quality and quantity please do not go there for lunch buffet .. the quality is so different from dinner ..

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    This is my all-time favorite local sushi spot. I'm not a sashimi person, so I always go for the rolls. You can't pick badly - even their most basic sounding rolls turn out to be the best California/Shrimp Tempura/Spicy Tuna/Whatever Roll that you've ever had. My faves are the Volcano, Firecracker and anything with eel. Don't miss their special rolls of the night. But whatever you do, DON'T OVER ORDER! I guarantee they will bring out something extra to surprise and delight you - we've been given the following on any given night: veggie sticks with a house-made dip (this seems to be standard), salad, miso soup, salmon jowl (more delicious than it sounds), whole fried butterfish, a tuna hand roll, or a small bowl of cellophane noodles with shrimp. Some nights, they're remarkably generous and we have to waddle out to our car. There's often a long wait, so be patient. It's worth it.

    (5)

  • Lucy X.

    Let me just start off by saying this is, BY FAR, my absolute favorite place for sushi. Why? First of all, their sushi NEVER fails. it's packed with whatever, and made to perfection. And they also make some of the most interesting, extravagant and delicious sushis you will ever see. Just ask for the "Special Menu", order anything from it and you'll know exactly what I mean. I will always and forever keep coming back to this place for sushi over and over again, as long as I live in the DMV. Before I die, my goal is to try everything on the special menu, at least once... :)

    (5)

  • Sandy C.

    I love sushi. And I love Yuraku. For the DMV...this is definitely the place for sushi. What can I say...the prices are reasonable, the service is great, and they even throw in freebies! Complimentary (that is, if you order a certain $$ per person but that's not hard, since there's sooo many yummy items), you get salmon head, miso soup, steam egg, and salad. It gets really busy here, so prepare to wait or Call ahead, I think they started taking reservations (something I did not know till after a recent visit and 35 minute wait). The rolls are great here and so is the sashimi salad. I'm not sure what to recommend cause everything so good, so you can't go wrong - so order away!! Great place for some great food! :)

    (4)

  • Seong L.

    This was second time I visited so far. Ordered Sashimi and some rolls. Taste are always great and fortunately, we got some extra stuff for ordering some expensive dishes. Their customer service is also great too.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    I have been a customer of Yaraku for years, and have never been disappointed. This is, definitely, the best sushi in town! The sashmi and unagi (my favorites) is a "Home run!" When I get that sushi crave - this place is first on my radar. EXCELLENT service and food! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    I like it when my last memory is so fond, it causes me to forget the one before. I left yuraku with 3 pleasant reasons to smile... the first is my cute date, the second is for my full belly and the third is for leftovers. I'm not a connoisseur of raw fish by any means... it need only be fresh, colorful, have a good texture. Thin, thick, small or large cut... it makes no difference. I found this place to meet all my reasonable expectations and was glad for it. I'd recommend anything on the menu. Tape the menu to the wall And throw a dart. Whatever you hit, I'm almost certain you'd be happy you went there to eat. That's how much credibility I give the single roll, sashimi platter and sushi that we ordered. It's legit. Price was quite reasonable and if you're like me thinking that there isn't a single dish that you can't put away, think again. Order small, remember you can always order more. We left with enough to feed another person. That's all I really have to say... You get miso soup on the side, a lil bowl of steamed egg puree, and if you're lucky a something extra. Service is pretty good and decor is comfortable. Come here and you'll come again for sure. I'm from VA and I definitely plan on coming here at least a third time.

    (4)

  • Micah P.

    A friend of mine said there was a place in Germantown with really great sushi. Although she never gave me the name of this place, I have a feeling it is Yuraku Japanese Restaurant! The sushi here was very fresh, tasty, and unique. I had the chunky monkey roll (not sure about the name, but I remember it had banana in it) and it was delicious! They even threw in some salmon fish on the house.

    (5)

  • Kikumi P.

    As someone who lived in Japan for 8 years this place is AMAZING. The sushi is delicious and with large portions. The only negative aspect is the wait and the size of the space. It's time they think about expanding because I've never gone there (even on a week day) and not waited. My last wait time was 30 minutes which I would never do for any restaurant other than Yuraku!

    (5)

  • Sina E.

    I went during their lunch time buffet time, and this place gets really busy. We had to wait 30 minutes as the lines were going out the door, but it's worth it for the lunch buffet special. It wasn't anything too fancy, and a little cramped, but the place was well kept together. When we sat down, they brought us miso soup and the sushi was pretty good. Overall, if you're in the area, I highly recommend this place, because lunch buffet is a great deal.

    (4)

  • Matt B.

    Great place for sushi, I've been coming here for many years and have never been disappointed. Good prices for the portions and quality of food given. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Min K.

    This review has been long overdue. I actually discovered this place 4 years ago when my friend took me here for my birthday. Its clean with exceptional service and the sushi is awesome! Not to mention, its korean-owned, so that didn't hurt either! Its a decently sized place with a good amount of seating. I love how they give you an umbrella, green tea ice cream, take your picture, and tape it on the wall (birthday). When I had first discovered this place it wasn't too crowded. No one knew about this secret hot spot! Now you have to wait an hour at least just to get a table! Make sure you call ahead of time for reservations. The sushi here is amazing! They also give free appetizers. Miso soup, salad, veggies with their special dipping sauce (mix of mayo and something). Sometimes they give a fish head (basically the head of a salmon cooked) and gyeranjjim. I like how they don't waste food! I'm never disappointed when I come here. I've also taken my friends and family here. They love it too! yummm

    (5)

  • Robert R.

    Best sushi for miles around. Busier than a whorehouse at the end of the world though.

    (4)

  • Trevor M.

    Sushi knows no bounds here. This hole in the wall (actually endcap of a shopping strip mall) is one of the most uniquely, undistinguishable places in all strip malls. And that's the secret...which everyone apparently knows now. But, hey...here's my two yens worth. I'm a Jap...I can say that. I'm not going to follow my usual format for this review. Here it is... One of the best sushi bars in Maryland. Why? Is it the highest end of decor and fashion? Is it because cradled behind the bar is the secret of their strength...Mr. Coffee machine actually. No, It's because in this unassuming hole in the wall is the most dedicated artisans of sushi to come across this area in a long time. Is it mass quantities? Actually, yes...but, it is also incredible quality with fish being flown in almost a daily basis. You are guaranteed freshness and quality. (yes, they do have the obligatory buffet during lunch...that's just to get people into the door). The people in the know go to the bar where at it's peak time can make you wait for up to 45 minutes. Why do sushi-o-philes come here? Mr. Lee and Sonny (think Korean version of Morimoto) And in some ways...it's also a school and training ground for new talent. These guys can handle blades that will amaze you. Rolls, maki, temaki, tempura...all standard, but great work in their hands. I once had a spicy tuna stuffed into an Anaheim pepper and fried tempura style...yeah....that's the stuff. Russia with Love is one of my favorites...a collection of roe on singular beds of rice wrapped in nori with quail egg on top. Decadent and simple, but beautiful in it's presentation...I have mine with Uni, just to kick it up. Holy Mackeral is it crowded!!! yes...small place, big crowds. Get there early and go to the bar and get your fill. Bottom line: There is a reason these people rock...and I will never stop writing good things about them. Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Ajay A.

    Very good sushi, have been here many times for lunch over the years. Only complaint is that it is very small, so it fills up fast, resulting in a long wait. If you do not want to wait, make sure you get here before noon.

    (3)

  • Ting W.

    BEST sushi in the area. Whether you go here for lunch or for dinner, you won't lose. The buffet is unparalleled in Rockville area - I like the quality and the price of it. Less pricy than Todai but just as good (if not better). Even if you come for dinner, the size of their rolls is gigantic compared to other places. I recommend going for the speciality rolls because that's where they really shine. Good all around for catching up with friends, dates, or special occasions.

    (5)

  • Krad K.

    If your into Sushi you have to checkout Yuraku in Germantown. I enjoyed their lunch sushi buffet and I was surprised with all the great choices of fish. I even tried their dinner titanic roll which was huge, had to take 3 bites to eat one roll. But ohhh so tasty! The decor however could use an update...considering how many visitors they get I'm sure budget is not an issue. Avoid noon thru 1pm lunch rush.. Usually a waiting list for 20mins.

    (4)

  • Sachith D.

    The reviews on here for the sushi made it seem a lot better than it is. Maybe my experience was mediocre since I went on a Sunday (no lunch or dinner specials were available; apparently, that's a Tuesday-Saturday only deal), or because it was just as they opened, so everyone was still a bit tired, but I did not feel the sushi measured up to the hype. Some pieces were absolutely brilliant, and some sort of flopped apart if I accidentally nudged them with my chopsticks. The dishes ordered from the kitchen were chicken and salmon teriyaki, neither of which seemed particularly special. The wait was less than ten minutes, and there were a surprising amount of people waiting to enter for a Sunday afternoon. Service was more prompt than the reviews led me to believe. Even when we left, the restaurant was full. I will swing by again at some point to try their lunch buffet and see if I just caught them on a bad day.

    (3)

  • Stephanie D.

    I took one star away for the wait...but that is a testament to how good the food is. I'm a big fan of their ginger house salad...I think they add jalapeño to it, which adds a nice kick. The sushi is some of the freshest I've ever had and their selection of rolls have yet to disappoint.

    (4)

  • Joe L.

    Best sushi place I've ever been to. Magnifcant food and presentation. WIsh it was closer (to me)!

    (5)

  • Muriel H.

    I would love to return to Yuraku sometime soon, but its gets so crowded so fast. Prepare for a long wait, however, it is worth it. The "all you can eat" sushi is appetizing and the other items at the hot bar are also great. Nice selection of sushi so go..ENJOY! I wish they were open longer during the week rather than just lunchtime. They need a happy hour!!

    (4)

  • Linda P.

    This is my go to place for sushi in MD whenever I have a craving (which is pretty often). The service is consistently good, the sashimi/rolls are always fresh, it is very reasonably priced, and they give complimentary appetizers. I don't know any sushi restaurant who does that, do you? My favorite roll is the crunchy scallop roll (off the menu)--scallops are ginormous! I also have been to their lunch buffet several times and they have a pretty decent selection of a variety of rolls. My only gripe on this place is the wait area. They take reservations but you still usually have to wait at least 10-15 min. If you walk in, you have to write your name on a paper to get called. Come on, as busy as this place is they really need to incorporate some sort of efficient computer system. Regardless, I love this place and will be coming back again...and again.

    (4)

  • Erica Y.

    It is the best kept secret in Germantown, although I think the secret is out as more and more of my friends are asking me if I know about this great sushi place they heard in Germantown :) I don't think it has the best sushi in town, but it is good quality, and sushi chef Sunny does a great job and it is definitely the best value in town. You get ALOT for very reasonable price, and the wait staff are very friendly, although if they are busy you might have to have some patience. They are known for birthdays, where they will give you this lovely huge fruit plate with green tea ice cream in the middle (courtesy of the restaurant) and make you take a polaroid photo with a paper umbrella. It's not my thing but most people seem to enjoy the attention.

    (4)

  • Rae K.

    This is the best Sushi place in all of DC area. I live in VA but always get my sushi here. I've been too many sushi restaurants and nothing compares this place. As many others have said, the sushi buffet is great. Has a variety of sushi/sashimi items, but has other korean/japanese dishes as well. The restaurant is a little small and it is hard to get around the sushi area during peak hours but well worth it. Although the buffet is great, I find the regular menu items even better during dinner. If you order a $75 boat, it comes enough sushi/sashimi combo for 3-4 people. They do not hold back on the quality and quantitiy of fish. Portions are very big. You can go to another sushi restaurant and it will be twice as expensive. They also give lots of free items before the main course to keep you nibbling. The only downside is that the ambiance is little poor. It is an older restaurant, but I call it a hole in the wall type of atomsphere. One other little thing is that it is very hard to get a seat during peak times. This tells you how good the place is. There is even a line for take out orders! You have to plan ahead if you want to eat here to avoid wait. Best sushi in town. You will not regret!

    (5)

  • Andrew L.

    Can't really say enough about this place, except that I'm usually in food coma mode after going to the lunch buffet. On weekends, the wait is generally 15-20 minutes during the busy hours for lunch, and sometimes during dinner as well. Anyways, of the multiple times I've been there for lunch, I almost always see some type of roll that I haven't had before. They don't overload on rice and add good portions of seafood unlike some of the other Japanese sushi places around Moco. The quality of the sushi is really good, I would have said the best I've ever had but I recently went to L.A. which changed my mind. But it's still the best quality sushi I've had in the area and what gets me to come here again and again is their creativity. I've never seen the mix of sushi ingredients in the rolls conjured with different toppings and sauces. If you love sushi just come here and dont even give it a second thought. Also, if you come here for dinner, get the volcano roll. MIND = BLOWN.

    (5)

  • R C.

    This place is 4.5 stars. So I had just been to three other sushi places that week. One was very good but I didn't order enough and so started my week long search for a good sushi place. By Thursday last week I finally found it and came home happy. I sat at the bar and watched the sushi chefs and had wonderful sushi. It had the regular rolls you expect but also more exotic rolls as well that nicer/fancier sushi places have. But what made it great were some of the really rare stuff that not all sushi places have (fatty tuna prepared three different ways on the plate). It was amazing. One was just lightly seared with peppercorn and it tasted like a rare piece of beef tenderloin. It was surf and turf all rolled up into one...but it was only fish. The fish was fresh and they gave a lot of fish with the rolls and the chirashi bowl!! Wow I've never had a larger chirashi bowl in my life. I can not wait to go back. I had also ordered some salmon so at the end of the night, the chef gave me a spicy salmon hand roll on the house. Just awesome.

    (4)

  • David O.

    First off, the sushi here is very good and so is the price. If you live in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area, you know it's not easy to find a nice sushi spot. The staff is very friendly and I've always had a good experience there. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the decor (inside and outside), but maybe that doesn't matter if the sushi is great! There are lots of other things on the menu, but I haven't tried too much of it. Go!

    (4)

  • Sunny S.

    awesome buffet, the sushi is not (obviously) the same grade as a non buffet style, but its still pretty dang good, they have sushi with fruit which was different and good i love the papaya salad and they make a really good one, i also liked the mussels i did feel a bit rushed by the waitstaff, they brought us the bill after we just sat down with our first plate! but they are busy so that should say a bit right? price is good, parking is a plenty, ambiance is so so

    (4)

  • Susan L.

    This is my favorite sushi restaurant in the area. I think it's the best place for your money- for quality, DELICIOUS sushi for a great price with great portions too. They give a few appetizers to munch on while waiting. Every time I took my friends here from out of town, my friends' eyes would light up when the waitress brought the sushi platters out- they are styled SO beautifully and taste so amazing. I recommend the triple salmon roll and the maui salmon roll if you like salmon and avocado. I usually end up spending about $10-20 per person, because our table usually gets several specialty rolls and we share. I much prefer this place to sushi buffets, because you get quality specialty rolls. But for sushi buffet lovers, they also have a sushi lunch buffet that has a great selection as well. Also, the owner (I think she's the owner) is super nice and friendly. Actually, the whole wait staff is really nice and go out of their way to make sure it's a pleasant dining experience. One time my friend ordered a roll and requested to put cream cheese in it. They forgot to add the cream cheese (which they didn't have to add in the first place), so they brought a plate of cream cheese just for her and ANOTHER big roll that they made specially for her. So nice! This is the only sushi place I go to, I love it!

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Went here with my girlfriend for the first time yesterday around 1pm after hearing so much about it. When we got there we had to wait a few minutes since there was around 4 names in front of us, but we decided to sit at the bar instead if a table which got us in there a lot sooner. When we sat down the waiter gave us a few menus and we didn't know exactly how anything worked here. Waited around 5 minutes before a waiter was able to assist us and explain the buffet to us. The food was okay, I'd give the quality a 8/10. The dinning area isn't that big, but there's not much they can do about that. Pricing is fair and we left satisfied. The sushi chefs at the bar even gave us a complimentary appetizer, I don't know if they always do this but they did for the bar at the time and it was pretty good. I would recommend this place for people who like to eat a lot of sushi and hang out with friends since I think it's best for groups.

    (4)

  • Katie L.

    One of the best sushi restaurants! Big portion and delicious food. I also like it not being expensive :)

    (5)

  • Guadalupe D.

    Great food and good prices for sushi! Loved the variety on their menu. I would HIGHLY suggest you make reservations before arriving b/c the place gets packed! Awesome service by the way :D I will definitely go back in the near future!

    (4)

  • Angela B.

    This place is fabulous! We went here yesterday for lunch. Nice place, friendly hostesses, clean. Order a bunch of sushi and some bulgogi. They gave us a roll for free and a salad for free. We made a huge mistake in ordering so much food though! We are used to places that charge you 10 bucks for a tiny roll but this place doesn't skimp! The rolls were HUGE& fresh and delicious. We ended up taking half of it home. The bulgogi was great and didn't have any left at the end. This is my new go to sushi spot.

    (5)

  • John N.

    If you have anything bad to say about this place you are freakin retarded. People complain about overpriced sushi and then they go to restaurants with half the portions for the same price....I dont get it!! This place has every type of sushi you could ask for with Ginormous Portions. You could get 2 rolls and be stuffed!! They are very creative and are constantly creating new things for you to try. Im a creature of habit so I usually stick to my go to's, but whenever I take friends and they try other things I am never disappointed. The Sushi Buffet is a great deal and they have a wide variety of sushi as compared to other buffets that I have been to. They are a stickler for not wasting food so they will get mad if you load your plate up and dont eat all of it. The service here is pretty good but nothing to write home about. Maybe its because im asian but they always seem to bring out 94857394875 appetizers for us when we go, which are always included. Overall this is a great place with high quality rolls and sashimi for a relatively decent price. Try getting as much here for the same price anywhere else!! If you find it let me know because I have yet to find one.

    (5)

  • Alec S.

    Went for the lunch buffet and it was delicious! The place was packed, but they kept the sushi very well stocked. I was very impressed with the number of different rolls that were included on the buffet, not just the typical spicy tuna and California roll. Definitely worth the visit!

    (5)

  • TereSita D.

    Came here on a Sunday night. We had called ahead and made reservations and still had to wait about 20 min. It was a full house that night. Could only mean one thing right....must be delicious! We ordered the: - California roll - Shrimp tempura roll - November Rain Roll ( shrimp crab avocado and cream cheese topped with spicy crab and sweet potato chip ) - Flying Dragon roll ( salmon avocado and cucumbers topped with eel ) - With Love From Russia ( masago, black caviar, salmon roe topped with quail eggs) Everything we ordered was to die for. It was all so good. A bit on the pricey side but well worth it. The flavored was on point and the service was great. I can't wait to come back and try out more different rolls.

    (4)

  • Ian L.

    I can't write a review good enough to do Yuraku the justice it deserves. The service is great, and the food is better. The buffet is an amazing value, but it is so much better to order off of the menu. I have been commuting to Yuraku for over a decade, and can not eat at any other sushi places, because I have gotten so used to eating at Yuraku. The rolls are super creative, and Sonny is the man. If I was to have any complaints it would be that it is so crowded, and that is only because the food is so good.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Their sushi rolls are excellent! Add to that the fact that they have an all-you-can eat lunch buffet with such delicious sushi rolls and you have a very tasty combination. They do also have a full menu of other entrees, which I have only sparsely sampled. I honestly don't tend to venture past the their deliciously unique sushi rolls and ever so tasty shrimp and vegetable tempura. Also available if you like they have a standard selection of Japanese beers or sake.

    (5)

  • Tiffany T.

    SOLID 4.5 stars. I just have a hard time giving ANY place a 5 star rating. but this place, is FABULOUS. I love sushi. A lot, a lot. I crave it so often. Most recent: LUNCH BUFFET with the bf I believe it was about $12 per person for lunch buffet including miso soup and green tea if you so wish, and i do! Miso soup was standard, yummy and not sweet like some japanese restaurants. The selection was plenty for $12. They had some korean dishes such as the cold clear noodle dish. They also had fried tempura with tempura sauce, soba noodles, shrimp cocktail, etc. As for sushi they had the standard (shrimp nigiri, tuna nigiri, salmon nigiri -- as well as california rolls, salmon rolls, tuna rolls) -- all sufficiently delicious! As for special rolls: they had some spicy tuna special roll with raw fish on top, another special roll with fresh mango on top (which my boyfriend considered a dessert sushi roll) it was pretty darn good! All in all, we left STUFFED. There wasn't any roll we disliked. And it is the best value I have ever gotten for sushi, ever! Not so recent.. few months ago outing with my best friend: normal dinner We were starving. STARVING. We both love food more than anything. So we figured, 3 rolls between the 2 of us? Of course. WRONG. First of all, they really take care of their customers. They gave all these free veggies with this delicious dipping sauce. If that wasn't enough, they made a shrimp tempura roll (fried) for us to try, on the house! Lastly, they gave us the smoked salmons head whicch is delicious. The cheeks are the best, so tender and moist. Then came the rolls... Because it was so long ago, I can't remember all 3. One of them was salmon ninja roll (not on the menu). In total we got 3 rolls about 10 dollars each. if you ahven't been to Yuraku, be forewarned, their rolls are HUGE. They're thick, they're wide.. and they're delicious!! Needless to say, we brought home a good amount of the sushi.. we ate maybe 2 rolls worth, maybe a little less. PARTY TIME: my friend was leaving for San Fran, so we booked a table of 10 people. And let's just say for 10 people, many rounds of sake bombs, 1 giant boat and 1 baby sushi boat.. and we paid for our friend -- we paid $40 each including tip and tax!! Now if that's not a steal IDK what is. We ordered the second boat because the first wasn't big enough, haha. Anyway.. GO TO YURAKU. YOU will NOT be disappointed. I'm drooling now...

    (4)

  • Negar Z.

    My favorite Sushi Restaurant. Perhaps one of the very few authentic Sushi restaurants in MD. Always busy ... for good reasons. A wide range of high quality Sushi selection from Rolls, Sashimi, and Nigiri pieces...always fresh and at a great value price. Their portions are pretty large with a great mix of flavors. I have been there many times and have not been disappointed. The staff are very friendly and attentive.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    The sushi buffet definitely has a mass-produced quality kinda feel to it. What should have I have expected at an inexpensive all-u-can eat sushi joint ? I would hardly say this is the best sushi I have ever had, but maybe it was the buffet? I did not order off the menu. It appears Korean owned, which is fine, but can hardly equate to being "the best sushi outside of Tokyo" as one reviewer claimed. Have I become a food snob? My parents love it though and were treating, so we went. Enough said.

    (3)

  • Tommy M.

    So I don't really write too many reviews on yelp unless I really like something. Yuraku is one of those places. I found this place on the suggestion of my sis a few years back when she used to tell me "don't go to todai, just go to yuraku and get a few rolls, you'll be full." Well I never really did until she took me there for lunch this one time, and I thought it was the best thing ever. I've since grown away from their lunch but I still think its good stuff every once in awhile. So where the restaurant really shines. The sushi you order, on the menu, away from the long buffet lines and hordes of people in the cramped little corner trying to get everything they can in one go because going back in line during the buffet can be a pain haha. There's a lot to go over, but I'll keep to a few things to make it easier for some of you reading. Salmon. Everything with it is good there. It's for whatever reason the best salmon I have. From the salmon head to their Triple Salmon Roll (something I always get with a friend when we go, its like a spicy salmon roll but topped with salmon slices and more spicy salmon on top) If it says salmon on, get it. Period. Alligator roll is good (8piece shrimp tempura, topped with alternating slices of avocado and unagi. I like unagi. A lot) Also their tempura squid. Sometimes you get fried squid and it can be chewy and not so pleasant. The three times I've ordered it here its been so light, so tender, just plain good eats; they top it with some like mayo thing and unagi sauce i think, kind of like a drizzling so if you don't like those don't order. FINALLY. The most important thing. The roll I always get. Every. Single. Time. The Three Amigos Roll. Its not on their regular menu, but they know about it. Its a large roll filled with squid tempura, some cucumbers i think, other stuff and unagi, then its topped off with nice slices of salmon followed by a drizzling of this spicy mayo and some unagi sauce; just enough to cover each piece with some not enough that its drowning in sauce like how we dunk our pieces in our soy/wasabi pastes sometimes. Just order it. Its kinda pricey like $12 or something, but its so worth it. So good. I might have to go get some tomorrow now... THREE AMIGOS. Bring two friends, you'll enjoy it. Final note, I see some people having some issues with the reservations and stuff and yeah it can be a pain with a big group sometimes or even just like two people. YMMV really, I called in advance for a table for 3 at 7:30 and the person on the phone asked if i could do 7:45 which worked out better for us since we were running late and got their right on time, table was ready and we were happily on our way to a great night/dinner. Three amigos. Remember.

    (5)

  • Joyce C.

    Love this place! Everything is fresh. Triple salmon roll is amazing. The place gets crowded though, but for good reasons. Even during week days I have to wait an hour for dinner sometimes. But it's so worth it. The price is great and they give you all these appetizers like steamed egg, salad, miso soup and salmon head. Yum!

    (5)

  • Shine S.

    People have seriously hyped up this place. It's good - don't get me wrong. The biggest perk is the variety of different sushi. The quality is slightly above average but nothing to extraordinary. Even though I am a picky eater, I have been here multiple times, so it's good enough when I'm craving a variety of different things. Service.. is good no complaints. BTW, It can get busy on weekends... so be aware

    (4)

  • Betsey L.

    I'm giving this 4 stars bc of the value implication not so much for the sushi quality itself. Folks, be prepared to wait. Even if you make a reservation. I've been here for lunch twice and for dinner a handful of times. I've had to wait at least 15 minutes in all instances. Lunch buffet- i've only had once. if you can eat a lot of sushi, this is a great deal. What's cool is Yuraku serves complimentary soup and other random side dishes depending on how much food you order. - jap chae, grilled fish head, steamed egg, etc. The sushi rolls are HUGE. Careful not to over order. I could eat 1 specialty roll and be full. The nigiri is also huge. its like the size of 2 at other places. keep that in mind. sushi quality is not bad, esp for the price you pay!!!! i liek the volvano roll ther's also a veggie roll w/ seaweed in it that's really good! spicy tuna is awesome

    (4)

  • Shruti M.

    I went here with a group of friends who claimed that it was well worth the ride. I have to say, I would have rather stayed in Bethesda for lunch. Other than the sushi, a good majority of the food is fried. The tempura veggetables, shrimp and fish, were mostly batter and the oil that they used had a funny taste to it that clung to the batter. The sushi was good but the way the buffet was positioned made it VERY difficult to get to. They really need to reconsider the layout of the buffet to better control the traffic pattern in the area. I expected more choices for the entree dishes and was sadly disappointed that there was mostly kim chee vegetables, sprouts, soba noddles and a small amount of korean style sliced meat. None of the dishes were labeled, so it was really hit or miss. Lots of misses. Very disappointing.

    (2)

  • Marco C.

    Great sushi. Friendly service. I like their Yuraku roll and their Big Veggie roll.

    (4)

  • Nancy H.

    After many misses in the quest for good Asian food in MD, we finally got a HIT! And because of our prior disappointments, we were especially surprised and delighted when we happened upon one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to nestled in some plaza on a cold winters night. I love the use of FRUIT in their sushi! Very different, very unique, and still very tasty without being too outlandish. All the rolls are delicious BUT i just want to highlight my favorite: CRUNCH ROLL- my #1 recommendation with JAPANESE PEAR inside making it refreshing and delicious! This place is a great deal for all that you get! All the extra stuff--the soup, the fish, the kimchee, the fruit, the lovely ladies (who are actually korean) all add to the experience! MAKE A RESERVATION and go!

    (5)

  • dave h.

    Finally got a chance to get to this place for lunch, what an incredible lunch buffet. Normally, i am a little scared of the concept of a sushi buffet, but it was great. The sushi looked fresh and always a new tray was coming out for the back. The place was packed, and at $12 for a sushi lunch buffet, it can't be beat. The only complaint I had was that most of the other hot dishes were not very hot. Like the hot noodles, beef, spring rolls, etc. needed a little heat, which lead me to think it had been there for a while. I think most people go for the rolls.

    (3)

  • Sora B.

    Comfort sushi at a decent portion and price with adequate side dishes. I go here with a group of friends every time I trip down to D.C for a casual sushi dinner.

    (4)

  • Mary S.

    Oh Yuraku. There is so much I love about you, but it's mostly the unique combination of fruit and fish that you utilize. I know it sounds strange but spicy tuna and strawberries, so good. Mango and crab? Delish! There is always a wait, don't show up starving because it's always a good 1/2 hour to be seated. It's cramped and the buffet is a pain to navigate (that damn tong bucket).

    (5)

  • Johnson H.

    As good as it gets in this DC/MD/VA area for sushi & sashimi. It's also the little extras that do it for me. Complimentary broiled salmon head, miso soup, and steamed egg as appetizers. Generous size rolls and slices of sashimi. It has always been fresh and delicious each time I visit. Service is generally attentive but, when it's busy on the weekends you wish you could just help yourself.

    (4)

  • Su K.

    Finally! Su K. has returned to DC Yelp! Show of hands, did you think I either A) ate an entire fried turkey by myself and entered a deep food coma, B) ate enough food at Thanksgiving that I hibernated for a week, or C) have been eating leftovers for a week and had nothing to review? Anywho, it's good to be back and I missed everyone! For my first December review, I present to you, Yuraku - a Korean sushi joint. And what's a Su K. review without a pre-review rant? What's up with all these aku's? Doraku, Yuraku, Myraku, Theyraku. Second, what's up w/ all this Asian food cross-pollination? Kimchi @ Chinese places, sushi/jja jang myun @ Korean places, and Spam @ Japanese? But I gotta give props to my Azns who are Krn. We may not have taken any land forcibly, but we sure are taking over Asian cuisine - from pho to shabu shabu. Back to Yuraku. I mainly come here for 2 reasons: 1) birthdays and 2) I want to release my inner pirate and take over a boat. I give Yuraku 4 stars for: Star #1 - They don't waste anything Momma always taught me not to waste food and at Yuraku, they prove that saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." They probably have leftover veggies at the end of the day. Instead of throwing them out, my guess is they mince them and throw them in a mayo/ranch sauce and serve it the next day. Throw away fish heads? Yuraku don't throw out no stinkin fish heads! They cook it up and give it to you. Star #2 - Freebies (service/suh bee suh for you Krns) You start off w/ a bowl of cucumbers, celery, and carrots with the aforementioned dipping sauce. I've never dined here solo or just with the wife, but if your order puts a sizable dent in the MD fish population, you get the following freebies: - Personal-sized Egg Casserole - w/ little pieces of surimi - Miso Soup - and a pretty good one at that - Uncooked squid slices covered w/ Korean hot pepper paste/chojang - Cooked Salmon Head - make sure you get the cheek meat! Turn the fish over, and start to dig just underneath the eye. There's a plump piece of meat in there and eating it reminds me of that man in Amelie who picks out the oysters from chicken thighs - Tuna Fiesta Salad - That's actually what they call it, which is odd given that Koreans pronounce Fiesta as Pee-esta. This bad boy has shredded greens, decent-sized pieces of tuna, and a delectable sesame/peanut dressing. If you know me, you know I don't eat no stinkin salad, but this salad dressing is amazing! Most of this stuff is probably leftovers, but again, their trash, is my treasure! And if it's your birthday, you'll get a scoop of green tea ice cream and a platter of fresh fruit. Star #3 - The Boats (see pic)! 100 pieces of sashimi/rolls for $100! One of my major gripes about going out to eat sushi is that I generally leave hungry even after dropping $50+. Whenever I've gone to a BDay party @ Yuraku, I eat a boatload (har har har! or is that Yar Yar Yar!?) of fish and feel indignant towards sushi for a while, much like Fogo de Chao does for beef. And all for $25 or $30/person. My wife and I and another couple attempted to take down a boat by ourselves, but yar, we are but junior pirates and we had some leftovers. Note: It's usually best to call ahead and order these. Star #4 - The Birthday Songs! There's no annoying, "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! FROM (chain restaurant name here) TO YOU! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (something something some)! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (insert cheesy, chain-themed variation of birthday song here). HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Instead, the waitresses (all Koreans by my count, but hey, we all look same, right?) come to your table and sing the traditional birthday song, but with a Korean twist. Like F's, we also can't say TH, so depending on the waitress, you'll get, "Happy bus day to you!" or "Happy boss day to you!" Both are amusing. Additionally, if you don't have a Korean name, e.g., One Suck or Man Tech, you'll hear how Koreans would pronounce your name. For example, my friend Daniel was Den Ee El last night. They also bring out this ridiculous umbrella that I imagine geishas or dainty ladies in Japan would carry, and have you hold it while they sing to you. In fact, the walls are lined with Polaroids of birthday people holding this umbrella, which is pretty amusing. Note: they now charge $5 for the Polaroid. You can decline it and still get the free ice cream/fruit and bus day song. Location - ample seating and you can call ahead to reserve tables and boats. Carry-out is also available. It can get pretty packed here, especially on the weekends. Service - friendly, efficient, and slightly FOBby. I like. So where is Star #5 you ask? Well, the fish is fresh and tastes good, but none of it blows me away. In fact, at the end of the boat, the sushi tastes like fish rather than sushi, if that makes any sense. The rolls here are also good, and as expected, have ridiculous names (monkey, viagra). The Korean food is also pretty good and they have decent tempura ice cream.

    (4)

  • Jack L.

    Been going here for15 years Mainly take out... Always crowded Food is great Especially like the Shrimp Tempura Roll

    (4)

  • Mabelyn M.

    also try the tres amigos or whatever and lobster's paradise!

    (5)

  • Sunmy B.

    Yuraku is constantly bustling with patrons from near and far. If you want to get seated quickly and promptly, the best advice I can give you is to make reservations ahead of time. For sushi lovers, you'll really appreciate the expansive sushi menu they have to offer. Also, the prices are quite decent considering the many side dishes that accompany the main course. I'd say the quality of the sushi is better than your average sushi joint: fresh, tasty, and filling. There is great care in presenting the sushi in fabulous form. The service is quite friendly, prompt, and attentive. I'd dine here again in a heartbeat.

    (4)

  • Heather B.

    The only reason this place does not get five stars is because every time we go there we have to wait for quite awhile. But it is always worth the wait. Where to begin. I have eaten at several sushi places in the dc area and so far the only one that come close is Sushi Damo in Rockville but the rolls are a little smaller and the sushi costs more money. But if you are trying to take someone out on a date for sushi I would go to Sushi Damo over here... Now where to begin. The outside and even the inside are not very pleasing in fact I had major reservations the first time I went there. But they are so good they don't have to worry about sprucing the place up for once a place that does well not because of appearances but because of how amazing the food is. I have been here hundreds of times and not once have I ever been disappointed. NOT ONCE!! When we sit at the bar they always seem to throw in little extras and even when we sit at the table we are always given edemamae and this vegetable dip stuff with celery, cucumbers and carrots. Let me tell you when I went somewhere else and discovered that edemamae costs extra I was super disappointed. This place has the best sushi I have ever had. In fact I turned my boss onto the place and she is used to California Sushi and she stated that this was the closest thing she has had to that on the East coast. The food is amazing and the staff is super nice they notice who there regulars are and tend to take good care of them. Just be prepared to wait for a good hour or so on any weekend evening. They take reservations but they fill up quick and you have to deal with mean looks from the people waiting when you walk in and get the next table...

    (4)

  • Nickole H.

    Well, many people wrote kind words, and for those who did not like it - I really do not know why. All I will say is that my friends and I are "putting their kids throught college." Thats right, whoever works in that restaurant, whoever has kids - they know. I mean they know my name at this place. I want a plaque on the wall, I think I deserve it! So do you think I like Yuraku? Nickole

    (5)

  • David G.

    The rolls here are huge, and they're good! They have some nice touches such as free green tea, soup/salad, and fish head for the table. Again, the rolls here are big, and the sashimi is pretty good. Definitely get there by 6 p.m. though, as it's pretty popular, and you can end up waiting a while for a table.

    (4)

  • Clair M.

    Can you say NIGHTMARE. Called on Wed to make a reservation for my birthday. They said no problem. Got there to rude lady saying they don't take reservations and that the wait would be 35 minutes. After being squished and stepped over for 1 hour and 45 minutes I decided it was time to leave. There were multiple arguments and fights in the lobby due to unorganized and illogical seating procedures. My husband was determined to stay. They finally sat our party of 5 at a table for 2. I was so mad I couldn't even eat, they ruined my birthday and had to grab awful Burger King on the way home. Hate this place now.

    (1)

  • Jatte L.

    I love coming here. Sushi is made fresh and I love to sit in the bar area and watching the chefs make the sushi FRESH. One time I've had a conversation with one of the chefs. Very friendly. The wait staff is super friendly and since they all know us they make sure they take good care of us. I know that the red bean ice cream is really good along with the Green Tea ice cream. I know that I've never been disappointed to come to Yuraku. Be prepared for a wait. Depending on when you come. Fridays tend to be very busy because everyone just gets back from work and wants decent food. I don't blame them. This place will always be in my heart-more like my tummy!

    (5)

  • tony c.

    I thought this is a no frills sushi restaurant in nested in Germantown. I thought the fish is very fresh and prepared just right. I thought their specialties are their rolls. My favorite is their Triple Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Gone with the Wind, and Flying Dragon Rolls. I also love that they serve Grilled Salmon Fish heads, salad, miso soup and steam egg for their regular meals. I also highly recommend their lunch buffets. Even though their sushi pieces are not as good as if you order a la carte, it is still quite worth it for $12. The only bad part, the wait and sometimes I wish it could be alittle more cleaner (especially if I am eating in a place that sells raw fish).

    (4)

  • anna c.

    THIS IS MY FAVORITE SUSHI PLACE!!!! For me, the perfect sushi place is: 1. semi-economical 2. excellent spicy tuna roll 3. tastes awesome of course 4. great variety The sushi is so good that even though the wait is pretty long for the buffet, I still gave it 5 stars. I have been here for both regular dining and the lunch buffet. Not only do they have regular spicy tuna rolls, but they have 2 other versions. There is a double spicy tuna roll and a triple spicy tuna roll. The double is wrapped with extra layer of sashimi tuna and the triple is wrapped in a extra layer of sashimi tuna and the spicy tuna. I already love their regular spicy tuna roll but having the additional fancy versions really make me love this place even more. Their volcano roll is excellent as well. Food is always fresh. The buffet is so busy that the wait is long on weekdays and Saturday lunch. Price is decent as $11.95 all you can eat sushi is as good as it gets. There is so much variety in the buffet that you can always try something new. I love spicy tofu and theirs is excellent. The buffet also has tempura, which I will have an occasional craving for but a couple shrimps and I'm done usually. Now that I live in Potomac, I can't get there as often (I grew up right next to here). But when I do go, the experience is always excellent.

    (5)

  • Jade S.

    You should definitely try this place even if you have never eaten sushi before, you'll love it. My favorite is the "Uncle Julio" roll, believe me you won't regret it. I also tried the pineapple fried rice the last time I was there and absolutely loved it! They have the same staff for years now, it's great to walk into a place where everyone remembers you even though you go only once a month.

    (4)

  • Alain Z.

    Addictive! I can't stay away from the lunch buffet. As the wait can be quite long, it is best to arrive by 11:30 or after 2:30. Staff is friendly, fish is fresh. I strongly recommend it.

    (5)

  • DM C.

    I have been going here for years and slowly but surely the secret has come out-Yuraku is AMAZING. And even as they have become uncovered and discovered by DC area sushi fans, they have stayed true to what makes them great 1- GREAT reasonable pricing 2- VERY generous with the fish they serve (no such thing is a 'dinky' roll here) Since now it's gotten more and more crowded, it actually does make a difference to make a 'reservation'. Though it doesn't guarantee you seating as soon as you arrive, it gives you clear priority over the rest who just sign the wait list. Also- Order the Tuna Fiesta Salad. Not on the menu- totally delicious!

    (5)

  • Jen G.

    This place will be the death of me one day. They have such a large selection of specialty original rolls that it's actually difficult to pick. Really good sushi at a decent price = 5 stars. Only downside is that this place gets really packed at night. Even with a reservation, it took atleast 30 minutes to seat us. But the delicious freebie appetizers make up for it--I don't know what that veggie dip is called, but ughhh, sooo goooooddd..

    (5)

  • J. F.

    Tried this place for the first time, last night. On a Saturday. It was packed! We knew we wanted take-out, but since the menu isn't available online, we had to go there, read the menu, order, and wait for it. Arrived around 7pm, and we finally had our food to go around 7:50pm. The front waiting area was packed, and people were also waiting outside. The woman at the front was exceptionally friendly, despite being so frazzled with ringing up orders, answering the phone, etc. We ordered 3 rolls, and 2 pieces of Nigiri, for just my husband and I. They also threw in a free spicy tuna hand roll, for free, which was a welcomed treat! The sushi was delicious. We used to live in Cali, and are used to extremely fresh sushi, and this definitely measured up to our standards. I love that they serve their sushi room temperature instead of ice cold, like many places. You can really taste the fish that way. We didn't know about all of the "off-the-menu specialties" so we just ordered from the 8.5x11 xeroxed menu. I will definitely return here, but only for take-out. Waiting an hour for a table just isn't in my blood -- I'm impatient!

    (4)

  • Emma H.

    I ordered carryout from the sushi bar and well, let's say that I'm glad I didn't have to stay. The woman at the front desk was very impolite and seemed to have no time for me. I've worked in the customer service business for years and I know that even when I'm super busy, I can still find time to make each person feel like they have my full attention. The place didn't seem very clean or tidy. The thing that really bothered me, though, was that every time the receptionist opened the door to the kitchen, she seemed to try to block the customers view in. She would try very hard not to open it wide enough for others to see. It was as if they had something to hide. It just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Now let's get to the food. The sushi was mediocre, I've certainly had better. The prices are great, but let's just say I found out why. The rolls were pretty much bland and the fish was pretty fishy. I began my meal very eager to try a new place, and it just left me unsatisfied. I hate to give a bad review, but I just don't want people to waste their money like I did. I've never had any of their other food, so maybe that's good, but what I had was very disappointing.

    (2)

  • Kaylee P.

    Yes I'm a regular here. It's the place I go to to get my sushi fix and it's the place i use to compare to when I try other sushi places. Needless to say it always wins with flying colors! I've never had a bad sushi or sashimi here i take that back except for just one time (the fresh uncooked egg yolks roll- beware! Sorry I can't tell you what the exact name of it is but just becareful! How to describe it, oh I don't know...it's like swallowing slimy uncooked egg yolks! Shivering just thinking about it! We ordered it originally thinking it was cooked like the tamago hehe) anyways the only reason I give it a 4 instead of a 5 is because weekends is a b'$&@ to get into but weekdays after work is glorious! I love so many rolls there try them all! They usually give you miso soup, edamame and veggies with dip to start out with so there's no need to order appetizers. Sometimes, if they recognize you as a regular and maybe it's with only Asian diners, they bring out a plate of boned cooked salted salmon head and eyeballs still included with some chunks of meat you can pick off while you wait. Another thing to note is to also try to make it in for the buffets during the work week if you work nearby. If I did I'd be there all the time! You can't beat the price! This happy camper gives it a solid rating :)

    (4)

  • Eugene H.

    awesome lunch buffet!! probably the best thing was that each time you go up, there are different sushi rolls to try. we sat at the sushi bar so we got to see the sushi chefs make different rolls and got a glimpse at which rolls were coming out next. great sushi for the price!

    (5)

  • Susan E.

    My favorite sushi restaurant in Maryland! Large selection, generous-sized sushi rolls, good edamame and veggie starters. Can't beat the price! The service is usually good, too. YUM!

    (5)

  • Priscilla D.

    One of the best sushi places in MD! Their menu is pretty large and they have a huge selection of specialty rolls as well as traditional Japanese dishes and a couple of Korean BBQ items. The rolls here are HUGE and very TASTY! mmMMmMMm! Though the place is quite small and there is usually a wait even on a Tuesday night, it is well worth the wait! I love the veggie dip they have there and they also have this wonderful salad with sashimi and rice which is what my friend gets all the time. It's soooo freakin good. God..now I want some Yuraku!!!

    (5)

  • James W.

    This place is a great bargain for the sushi rolls. The sashimi is not the greatest, but they do the best rolls in this area by far. What makes these rolls great is that they don't use a ton of rice in their rolls, but rather, they use just the right balance. I can't count how many times I've eaten rolls that contain too much rice because the restaurant seemingly wants to skimp on the amount of fish they use in the roll. The decor isn't great, but again, you go here for the rolls. They do accept reservations, so call in advance if you plan to go. Otherwise, plan on getting there between 6 and 6:30PM. Some of the rolls I like are the Volcano Roll (warm), Viagra Roll, and the triple salmon roll.

    (4)

  • Richard R.

    the wait staff is rude. the service is terrible. the food is good, if you ever get seated or served.

    (1)

  • Theresa M.

    My husband & I went to Yuraku as a last minute decision one night for a quick dinner. Excellent sushi, we were both impressed. We've also gone for the lunch buffet...a large variety of food, great Miso, good service. My only complaint was how crowded is it was but given the size of the restaurant that's understandable. Definitely a restaurant we'd visit again.

    (4)

  • Duy N.

    This is my favorite sushi place, and I have been going here for the past few years. The prices here are very reasonable, and you do get a LOT of sushi for the price. Dinnertime here on weekends get very crowded, as there is ALWAYS a wait after 6:00 p.m. on fridays and saturdays. They give a lot of complimentary items, depending on what is available. It usually starts off as a veggie dip. Then they bring an egg custard, and miso soup. Depending on what is available, we have gotten different dishes of cooked fish. The sushi bar is lined up with sushi chefs (probably 4 or 5 chefs churning out sushi at all times), and they have plenty of servers providing service. I never had to wait too long for my sushi order, and the wait staff is always attentive. Since they are very busy and people lining up to get in, I think they try to provide quick service and get sushi orders finished as quickly as possible. That said, I have never felt rushed here though, but I have been in and out in less than an hour. The sushi portions are huge, with the best fish to rice ratio of any sushi place I have ever been to. They give you a lot of pieces on the combos I have gotten, and fish pieces are bigger and fresher than any other sushi places I have been to in the DC area. They also have a huge selection of rolls, and are creative on the rolls. My wife & I have eaten here for under $40 and still had to take home some sushi peices, where I could easily eat $40 worth of sushi myself at many other sushi restaurants. I have been to their lunch buffet several times, and it is excellent compared to other sushi lunch buffets. There is usually a wait to get seated after noon time, and sometimes long lines leading towards the buffet. They have a large selection of rolls and nigri sushi on their buffet, along with plenty of cooked Japanese dishes. The buffet items are of decent quality, as they have a big turnover on buffet items due to volume. There are servers constantly bringing new sushi pieces to the buffet. However, as expected, the quality of sushi is a lot better when ordering for dinner than on the buffet. I would recommend trying this place for dinner first, and then the buffet afterwards, as the dinner is the true indicator of the sushi quality and value.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    I continue to be impressed. The buffet is excellent and I normally hate buffets. Especially Sushi buffets. While the food on the buffet is great ordering from the menu is even better. I just picked up a large order to go for a party and everyone was shocked - "you got this in Germantown" - seriously? Unless you want to trek in to DC this is one of two quaility sushi places in the Germantown/Gaitethersburg area. And of these two - this is the best value. And the staff has that great rude but sweet charm of good Japanese places.

    (5)

  • An M.

    Great sushi and variety. It's fresh and not too expensive. They have a buffet during lunch, but it is insanely crowded during that time because it's a pretty small place. Sometimes during dinner they give you complimentary salmon head (if that's your thing). Haven't tried anything other than sushi here, but that never disappoints.

    (4)

  • Ellen W.

    Yaraku is definitely another one of my favorite Japanese joints to eat at in Rockville. Besides the awesome lunch buffet, their rolls are delish! I have never had a roll that I didn't like there. The service is always great and accommodating. The place is kind of small with limited seating so arrive early and wait! I always end up eating way too much when I'm there so I try to go only on special occasions. The buffet at lunch is a great way to taste almost everything the restaurant has to offer. It's no ordinary buffet as all the rolls are replenished almost right before the last roll runs out. The hot food is also very tasty as usually not the case with buffets. If you are gonna try this place once, go for the lunch! Also don't go on Mondays, it's closed.

    (5)

  • diana k.

    I was waiting for my brother who was working out at the gym next door and wandered in for a meal. I did not know what to expect at all as I am not from the area. They served me a fried fish which was delicious and I ordered 2 sushi rolls which were different than anything I have ever tasted. It was different and yummy. Love.

    (5)

  • Ka-Loon T.

    Tucked out of the way, and definitely a great find. This sushi restaurant gets my kudos, especially when a coworker who grew up in Maryland knew that I was referring to Yuraku when I said I went to a good sushi place in Germantown. For a 2pm lunch, Yuraku was disturbingly crowded. The buffet sushi seems to get the crowds. their buffet is much better than the average buffet, with a more creative selection. I was situated at the sushi bar, and the sheer amount of raw seafood makes me wonder how much business they get. Now I'm left wondering, if the buffet was good, how about their a la carte? Guess I'll be making another trip up there.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    I really didn't like this place until i tried the sushi. It is excellent with a very generous fish:rice ratio. Definitely one of the best values you're going to get when it comes to sushi. The other food here... who really cares about it? Get the sushi!

    (4)

  • B Z.

    great lunch crowd if you want to people watch...that is if ur not stuffing ur face with their buffet! sushi isnt the best ive ever had but they have a decent menu. i dont like to get the buffet all the time, i do like to get creations off the real menu--which by the way is a lil expensive for gtown, but whatever, good sushi is never cheap. worth a visit, both lunch n dinner. so stop in....

    (3)

  • Jess M.

    This is easily one of the best sushi places in montgomery county. They have fresh fish and many traditional rolls, plus many creative rolls to choose from. The portions are generous and flavor is amazing. Plus, the place is always packed, so you know it's good! They're closed on mondays, so don't try to go then.

    (5)

  • Jasmine L.

    i went for the lunch buffet and we were extremely pleased with their accommodation for such a large group on a short notice. the lunch buffet is only around $13 and the selection of sushi that they provide is good for the price. i wish i had a chance to come here for a regular sit-down meal but due to time constraint, we were able to do so. i did hear great things about their rolls so hopefully if i'm ever around this area again, i shall pay a visit!

    (3)

  • CW L.

    Good value. Although sometimes the food can be iffy.

    (4)

  • L F G.

    This is my one of my favorite places in Montgomery County to have Sushi. You definately aren't paying for ambiance as the tables are pretty close together and decor is simple. However, what the restaurant lacks in decor - it more than makes up for in the quality of their product. One of the first things you'll notice when you walk is in the high concentration of asian people (always a good sign in my opinion) and the large 'family sized' boats feeding those families. for those that prefer their own plates or bowls, those options exist as well. If you are looking for a real treat and are feeling a little daring (as well as splurging) , try the Yuraku Oma Kasi ("chef's choice) menu known as the Sonny Special. For a fixed price (generally $40 or so per person - but this may be negotiable), they will bring you a variety of things NOT on the menu over a variety of courses. My particular favorite is the seared tuna. You can request specific fish be included or not included with this, and give them a parameters if you prefer (sweet, salty, spicy). I have found this to be a very fun (and filling) way to go as I generally can't finish the 5-7 rounds that come with this style of eating. Still - for a special event or just everyday dinner, this is a great place to go!

    (5)

  • Nick F.

    Been coming here for the last 5 year, always good food, and good service!

    (5)

  • Shing M.

    I'm glad this sushi place (one of very few in the area) is that good. Fish is fresh and rolls great!

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    I love this place for the quality of the sushi at dinner time. They have quite a few original roll creations to try as well as all of the common rolls. The price is reasonable, but it isn't cheap for the dinner menu. The lunch buffet is a different story. Sure, it is all you can eat buffet sushi, but the quality difference between the dinner stuff and the lunch buffet stuff is great. The buffet is definitely not at the top of my lunch choices.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    My husband and I loved this place. We discovered it when we were ready to leave Germantown and headed for California. We were so surprised to find fresh fish in Germantown. We ate at Popeyes all the time. This was a refreshing treat. The negri sushi is definitely a great delight and BIG. The salmon is really fresh. We ordered about $50 worth of stuff and ate like pigs. Oh the Abalone was great too. Oh there's also the salmon baked item that has mayo all over it and wrapped in foil. YUM YUM. Oh the rainbow roll - yes and more more more....

    (5)

  • Peter S.

    this is one of the better sushi places in the area. although i have been spoiled with the west coast selections, this sushi does quite well. i did have one mediocre roll during one visit. normally i would have just brushed it off if it were another type of food, but i feel sushi must be great all the time! i have returned with great results.

    (4)

  • SAM d.

    I love coming to this place. The food is great and affordable. I usually go there with my friend and we would share a sushi plater and a pretty pot sake. It would only cost us about $30 each with lots of leftovers. I also love their side dishes that they give us before we get our entree.

    (5)

  • Eunice K.

    yuraku is def a great sushi place. fresh fish. delicious specialty rolls.. they are well known for their volcano roll. nobody does makes it like them! took a friend from philly and she loved it! took my friends from ny and we got the sushi boat! it was amazing. and they also tried the volcano and loved it :) so worth the money. not even expensive compared a lot of other places. the lunch buffet is great too! went 2 times last week. haha. my parents have been a long time fan! they love the sushi platters. the 100 platters are great for guests. we order it to go when we have people over and it's always a great hit! you def need to expect to wait at least 20 mins. its always busy. if you go and its not then you're lucky! the staff is okay. the prettier ladies are usually so much nicers. always smiling and so sweet. there are some who arent the friendliest but decent. the front people are okay. the grandma is the best! she is the sweetest lady ever! the udon is good. the dongkatsu is also good. my sister enjoys it. def a place you need to visit if you're in maryland and love sushi :) i would give it 5 stars if the service was better. they sometimes give you free appetizers.

    (4)

  • V Z.

    go with +10 group to get items on the house that ends up you have to give up half the paid sashimi and sushi left on the table like the white tuna sashimi. The long line at dinner time is insane, can range from 1 hr up to 2 hrs.

    (4)

  • Rok L.

    Fish is fresh, the salmon carpaccio was really good, and overall our sushi was a good value. Portions are big, but I felt it wasn't quite as tasty or innovative as some of the other sushi places around MoCo. I definitely think the place is on the unkempt side as some of the other reviewers pointed out. You definitely need to call ahead for a reservation, showing up means you are in for a long wait.

    (3)

  • Anthony L.

    A year or two ago, I would've given this place 4 or 4.5 stars. I started working (less than a mile from yuraku) in Germantown a little over a year ago. In the past it would be one of those places where I'd plan with family and/or friends to drive 45-60 minutes to eat which makes you look forward to the food and enjoy. Buffet is served Tuesday-Saturday 11:00-2:00 (i'm not quite sure when it ends but i know it starts at 11am. I found myself going there a couple times on a Monday to find that they don't offer buffets. On nights and weekends, even during buffets, you can order from their menu. Is it me, or does the sushi you order from the menu and the ones in the buffet line taste a lot different? Maybe it's because you're paying a lot more PROS: 1. CHEAP: if you're looking for some cheap sushi, this is the place to go.. you can stuff your face with over 50 pieces of sushi for a measily 13 dollars. 2. MONOPOLY: there was another sushi buffet called the hillhouse (couple miles down). they recently took away their buffet, so yuraku is probably the only place for sushi under 15 dollars in the germantown area 3. FREE STUFF: they give you free miso soup, hot tea, and water 4. BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: if you go on your birthday, they take a picture of you holding an umbrella to post on the wall 5. PORTIONS: the portions of most of the food on the menu is biggggggggg...my personal favorite is the who-weh-doht-bahp (pieces of raw fish, mixed with rice and vegetables and spicy bean paste)..trust me, you're better off sharing a bowl with another person CONS: 1. WAIT TIME: the wait time can be pretty bad.. i did a little study by going there at different times during the buffet. anytime between 11:00-11:20 you are guaranteed a seat right when you walk in. 11:20-11:45, you can expect to wait 2-10 minutes... anytime after 12, you can expect to wait OUTSIDE for 10-30 minutes..my advice is.. if you're working in the area, do not expect to show up after 11:45 and get back to work in an hour 2. CHECKS: maybe it's just me, but i really hate how they bring you your check with your water. ok, i'm exaggerating a bit, but they really do bring out your check while your eating. i hate the feeling of being rushed especially when i'm trying to enjoy my food 3. BUFFET LINE: i know the restuarant is pretty small, but the amount of space you have in line is ridiculous. every time when i'm in line, i can feel the person behind me breathing down my neck. it literally feels like your in a very crowded bus. it's really crowded because if the line was any longer, it'll be wrapped around the entire restaurant. i've had a lot of debates about tipping at a buffet. personally, i tip at a buffet because i think they do just as much or even more than a waiter/ress does at a normal resturant. they seat you, they bring you water, they refill your water, and take away used plates... the only thing they might not do here is bring you a menu and your food.

    (3)

  • Brian K.

    Huge Hwe Dup Bap for the price (but minus 1/2 star for going a little overboard with the lettuce). Sushi (nigiri and rolls) are great too -- although I have noticed that Korean-owned sushi places (like Yuraku) don't seem to vinegar the rice much, if at all. Otherwise, best sushi place for the buck in the DMV area. Does get crowded early - thankfully, you can order and carry out. 4 1/2 stars.

    (4)

  • Shawna G.

    So yes, I try out yet another sushi joint, hoping to find a worthy haunt in Germantown and low and behold, I just may have found it. I will say, the wait for the actual food was long and agonizing, almost started chewing on my arm, so I will not go again without a pre-dinner snack for sure. The soy beans and veggies with some type of veggie dip just didn't hold me over! We waited about 45 minutes for our order, which is quite unheard of when it comes to sushi!!! But when it arrived, mmmmmmmmmm. For the price, it was a fabulous value. The fish/rice ration was insane! A good 3 times the amount of FISH to rice!!! The salmon and white tuna were unbelievable, toro and tuna just OK, toro being a bit fishy actually... ugh!!! Nice, complex miso. I will be going back to this place for sure, just will adjust my ordering for the future. And who knows, might have to give the toro another try, maybe an off day?!?!?! Oh, and get there early, the place was standing room only at 6:15pm on a Friday. We got there at 5:15pm, which is a bit early for some, but it couldn't have been a better time. UPDATE: Ok, so I have tried the lunch buffet at this place. Let's just say that is a mistake that has jaded my overall opinion of this sushi joint. The pieces of fish were, as one would imagine, much MUCH smaller than when you order ala carte. It was not as fresh as i like my sushi, and the toro... wow... first time there I have ever tried a piece of sushi, only to have spit it out... couldn't chew it!!! Also, when we got there, and sat at the sushi bar, a platter of sushi, already made, was sitting there, destined for the buffet bar. Needless to say, when we left 45 minutes later, the plate had JUST been taken to the buffet. Yeah, that's a bit too long for raw fish to sit out. I think I'll stick to the menu from now on.

    (2)

  • Jo M.

    been here thrice and i like this joint. i think twice we had to wait like 30 min or so..and the other time i went towards closing time on a sun night and there was no wait. i guess here...y ou get plenty of quantity and some quality too. i like the mini ensemble they put out in the beginning. i remember havign some big sushi platter thing..and also had sukiyaki or somethingl ike that. all was fine. and it's a great deal - they have low prices.

    (4)

  • Judy T.

    I have been a loyal customer of Yuraku for more than 10 years. The fish is always extremely fresh and creative. It is a family favorite and we have celebrated many a birthday and this wonderful restaurant. There really is no better value or better sushi than Yuraku. Give it a try -- you'll be hooked!

    (5)

  • Chizlum M.

    Probably the best sushi place around the area. The lunch buffet is amazing. It is always busy though, so be prepared to wait.

    (5)

  • kevin k.

    good japanese restaurant. owned by corean. why does it matter? u ask? cause it does. like in seinfeld the cuban cigar has to be rolled by cuban not dominican or others. u just have to try and compare the difference. i can taste the difference. period. but good good and lots of quantity. after eating here i get sick of eating japananes for awhile. jst me.

    (4)

  • Jen L.

    This is one of the better Japanese restaurants in the MoCo area. We were brought here by a Japanese family, so I presume the restaurant is pretty authentic. The raw fish and sushi were delicious. The lunch prices are reasonable, but the dinner prices are a bit high.

    (4)

  • Jim L.

    Danger Will Robinson! Danger! Avoid the lunch buffet. I've eaten at this place twice. The first time was at dinner time. The price was very good, and the nigiri pieces were very big. The salmon was very good and fresh. The tuna and toro was average. Then I read that they had an all you can eat lunch buffet that included all their sushi (including toro!). Well this sounded too good to past up, so I gave it a try one afternoon when I was in the area. Let me just say that my experience was so bad it bordered on being ineffable. All the sushi looked stale and discolored. And they tasted like it. And you can tell why. You can see the plates of sushi sitting on the sushi bar counter and side table out in the open waiting to be loaded onto the buffet bar. Some of those plates of sushi sat out in the open waiting the entire time I was there (about 40 minutes). And the toro was inedible. It looked awful, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried a bit of it and could barely swallow it down. I only wish I was embellishing some of this, I'm not. It was that bad. I honestly left this place hoping that I wouldn't get sick from eating there. Let me drive the point home this way: after reading all this, if you're still even thinking of trying the lunch buffet here, just give me your $11, and I'll punch you in the stomach as hard as I can, and you'll be MUCH better off. Otherwise the lunch buffet here might turn you off sushi forever. The lesson to learn here is that all you can eat is worthless if nearly all the food is inedible. If not for the lunch buffet, I would probably give this place 3 stars. Full Disclosure: I'm not a paid marketer for yelp, or paid in anyway with any businesses mentioned in this review. I'm just a foodie.

    (1)

  • Katie B.

    I can not get enough of the lunch buffet here. All you can eat sushi, tempura, soup, salads, literally anything you could imagine when going for sushi you can find in the buffet. They constantly replenish the sushi selection with various maki rolls and sashimi. Depending on when you arrive or what day it is you will get to try different rolls. I love love love this because I tend to get stuck in this habit of ordering dragon rolls everywhere I go (I am an eel fiend), and it gets to try different things without making the commitment of ordering a full maki roll. Although the maki in the buffet is not labeled, which makes it difficult for picky eaters or those with food limitations, for those of us with no dietary restrictions it makes each roll we decide to try an interesting surprise. I would recommend asking the chefs who roll the sushi right up the bar about any allergies and which platters of rolls to avoid. I have brought countless friends here and everyone has loved it thus far. It's great for lunch because of the buffet, but ordering a la carte for dinner is also affordable and delicious. They have a lot of specialty rolls with punny names and descriptions. My all time favorite is the Flying Dragon roll, it comes with a whole eel laid atop the rolls. If for whatever reason you aren't in the mood for sushi, they also have a large variety of other options.

    (5)

  • Alicia G.

    The sushi here never disappoints. The rolls are honestly some of the most beautiful I've ever seen (exhibit A, the White Pearl roll). The wait can be long but if you come in 2's, you can get seating at the counter and watch the sushi chefs work their magic. I've had the lunch buffet ($15) once as well and is a really good deal considering some of their specialty rolls are $15 themselves. You get a slight discount if you pay in cash. Looking forward to working my way through their menu.

    (4)

  • Alan Z.

    My goto sushi spot! Portions are large and the ingredient fresh! The cost is generally lower than other fancy sushi places too. Their shrimp tempura and spicy tuna is delicious. Comes with a grilled tuna head, miso soup, and steamed egg :) The lunch buffet here is pretty good as well. The only down side is the size of the place and the longer waits. Definitely worth it!

    (5)

  • Kelsey O.

    I have only been here for the all you can eat lunch special. It comes with hot tea which is delicious and miso soup with is salty There is much selection of sushi it's insane even for all you can eat. There are regular rolls and lots of special rolls included. And my absolute favorite tools crunchy spicy tuna roll and eel. The sushi is always fresh, flavorful and the fish to rice ratio is perfect. There is also a hot bar with other Japanese cuisine and shrimp tempura, which is fabulous, and fried bananas for dessert so yummy!

    (4)

  • Harmony D.

    This place has the best sushi I have ever eaten! It is so good! Came here with a friend who grew up coming here for sushi. He recommended that we get the "boat", a combination of sushi, sashimi and rolls. If you have a group, definitely get this. We had three people and were very full afterwards, but finished every last piece. Really this is the first time I have had sushi and enjoyed every piece they gave me. The rolls were stuffed full of goodness and the sashimi was so fresh and tender, you couldn't get enough. Coming from DC, this restaurant was out of the way, but I would have gone a lot farther for the best sushi ever! The atmosphere is great, large and spacious and filled with the wonderful aroma of fresh sushi. The servers were friendly and even brought us a tempura battered cod dish, on the house. It was excellent! It melted like butter in your mouth. They bring you complimentary salmon and an egg dish at the beginning of your meal, we also ordered fried dumplings with crab meat and regular dumplings, all delicious. Surprisingly this sushi restaurant is run by Koreans, we appreciated the extra complimentary small dishes (egg, salmon), reminiscent of bon chon. This place knows what its doing and the sushi is beyond comparison. If you haven't tried it yet, I would make the trip and give it a try. We also saw several patrons getting the birthday treatment. For an extra $5 they could pose with a Japanese umbrella and their bowl of green tea ice cream and have their picture taken via polaroid camera. A nice little memento for a great birthday celebration.

    (5)

  • Heather M.

    Really good sushi and pretty good service but to get all that? A whole. Lot. Of waiting... I've only been here for dinner a few times now because I've been warned of the lunch buffet crowd haha However, both times I've been here for dinner, a solid 30 min wait. Oh and the waiting area? Tight as can be. No reservations allowed. Loud inside because it's always packed. Not the friendliest servers but that's probably because they have to wait on so many people. Regardless, they still did their job properly. Honestly, their sushi makes you overlook everything. You forget about the wait. The crowd. The noise. Everything. It's just you and your sushi. Very fresh fish. Very thick pieces. Very good quality.

    (4)

  • Jennifer J.

    So fresh! My husband and I can't get enough of their sushi. Space is limited on the inside so there's normally a wait but well worth it. We love it here!

    (5)

  • Ann D.

    I've been here so many times, I don't know why I waited so long to write a review. Yuraku's all you can eat lunch deal, which is about $15pp is amaaazing. They open at 11am, and you'll typically see a line of Asians out the door by 11:45, which is a testament to the quality of the food and the fact that you will get your money's worth. You are always given hot tea and miso soup. You can also ask for water. Then, get in line for the food! The sushi is obviously the highlight. They have everything from classics like Californian rolls, spicy tuna, and eel, as well as more creative rolls with strawberry and tuna or fresh orange and shrimp. They also have maki with pickled veggies and nigri with raw tuna, salmon, shrimp, and various types of white fish which are unlabeled but taste great. My other random favorites include the fried bananas (the bananas are soft and ripe and have a crispy tempura coating with an extra dusting of powdered sugar, yum!), the cinnamon drink with pine nuts (I have no idea what it's called, but it's addictive), the tempura green beans, and the cold noodles. The hot foods like the fried chicken and mussels are also good. They are very good at keeping the sushi platters replenished and picking up dirty plates from the table. The service is friendly, but unobtrusive. Also, they do give you a "discount" on the price if you pay with cash instead of credit card.

    (4)

  • Alexander K.

    I always used to only go for the lunch buffet here, but I was truly missing out on the actual menu. The sushi here is always fresh; which is evident by the throngs of customers that come through the doors. The cuts of fish are quite generous, unmatched by any sushi establishment in the area. This past Sunday, Chef Sonny personally prepared our a la carte sushi assortments and we were not disappointed. I had ordered various nigiri which included scallop, giant clam, sweet shrimp (amaebi), tobiko, fresh water eel, sea eel, fatty tuna belly (toro), albacore, and sea urchin (uni) which were all immaculately crafted and presented. We were also given complimentary items such as silken egg custard, broiled salmon head, fried fish bites, salmon belly nigiri, and oysters. This is hospitality as its finest. If you want Sushi in Maryland, this is the best place to go. Period.

    (5)

  • Cat L.

    Yuraku's infamous lunch buffet should be officially designated as a mecca for sushi buffet lovers. For about $14, you get access to never-ending trays of all different kinds of sushi as well as a good assortment of some other popular Japanese foods like tempura and soba noodles. I always keep my full attention trained on the sushi trays, but my friend who doesn't like sushi has said that the other buffet foods are pretty good. There have always been at least 8 to 10 different types of sushi during my visits, including standard nigiri pieces, Philadelphia rolls, and other quirky creations made fresh by the sushi chefs. I most recently came for lunch around 2pm, and I appreciated how new trays of sushi kept appearing at the buffet despite it being close to closing time (3pm). As others have said, the restaurant is small and does not take reservations, so the wait times can be too much to handle during peak lunch hours. Also, the sushi isn't labeled at the buffet and it's hard to tell what you're picking up. Lastly, please keep an open mind and don't be expecting some sophisticated, upscale sushi experience - it's a $14 buffet, for crying out loud. Pay with cash for a small discount off your total check!

    (5)

  • Tony L.

    The locals told me this is best place to get sushi for lunch in the area. First impression walking inside was that all the staffs were Korean and they were all speaking Korean to each other. The Korean locals told us that all the Japanese restaurants in the area are operate by Koreans for some reasons. There always seems to be a line here for lunch, so make plans to arrive early if you have a large group. It seems like lunch is only AYCE buffet. Being operated by Korean, they have half of the buffet area designated for Korean food, which some of our white companion thought all of the food were Japanese. The middle area had fried items like tempura and veggie. The sushi selections were ok, and fish was just ok even for buffet quality. The Korean side dishes they got were actually quite good, especially the Korean cold noodles, and make sure you do not mistake the soup as the sauce. Yuraku felt like an AYCE Korean BBQ restaurant without the actual BBQ meat, and substituted with abundant of mediocre sushi. They offer a cash discount, which could be a win-win for both customers and the business. Service was ok. Maybe I ought to try their dinner next time.

    (3)

  • Ruofei D.

    Awesome Japanese restaurant! Not only the sushi boat is splendid, but the temporo, steamed egg, salad is of high quality!

    (4)

  • Stanley L.

    This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in MoCo. The lunch buffet is a great deal. Unlimited decent quality sushi for around $14. They also have a bunch of side dishes next to the sushi which are all taste quite delicious too. For dinner, they serve higher quality sushi but can get a bit pricey. I came here once for the sushi boat which was really good. I got grilled salmon belly rolls another time and it is one of the greatest tasting food out there. Their uni was okay, didn't taste that fresh. Overall a really good sushi place and definitely the place for sushi lunch buffets.

    (4)

  • Gail R.

    Went here with several folks (we visit different restaurants each month - this visit was for September). I got to see a paper menu that had different sushi choices on it and also a huge menu with other non-sushi items. I think it is a great way for the restaurant to get folks to order sushi instead because the menu (book) for the other non-sushi items was too cumbersome to even look at, so I never even looked. This quick paper menu had choices like Yuraku Original Rolls, Hand Rolls, Tempura Sushi, Seafood Rolls, Veggie Rolls, Tempura Rolls and Tempura Special - it had prices for each and a place to write how many you want. I am still a pre-beginner sushi eater, but decided to venture out on this visit and actually try a dish that had "real raw" sushi. I have played it safe in the past at other places by trying California Rolls, Veggie Rolls and Sweet Potato Rolls, which are all tame. I decided to order the Philadelphia Roll which consisted of fresh salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado and masago (I bypassed the masago). I did not really get to taste the salmon from this dish because the taste of cream cheese with sushi just did not work in this case. However, I did try the salmon that was just by itself (no rice or cream cheese) and it was definitely fresh - almost tasted like locks on a bagel (minus the bagel and cream cheese). My mind was telling me that I was not ready for "raw" sushi. Someone in our group, yelper David R, tried to convince me to change my mind and try something different. It was white fish (I think). I know I heard the words: cooked, chilled and seared, so I slowly stepped beyond my thinking process and decided to try it and was glad that I did. I actually liked it - wow - my first real sushi taste. I think I will stick to this one for a while before venturing into trying other new items, but I will try them here due to the many choices they have. The place was great overall.

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Normally I would give this place a 5 star review but this time I'm gonna have to say that the quality of food was severely lower than what it should have been. I usually come in before 8pm but this particular time I came in after 9 and what a drop in quality. I ordered my regular sushi deluxe yami yami roll, crazy horse, and spider roll. Usually the food seems to glow but it was just lack luster tonight. The rice on my sushi pieces were breaking apart as I would pick them up which is totally unacceptable and my rolls were just falling apart. My advice is to go during the dinner rush or earlier because once the night calms down the chefs take it a little too easy.

    (3)

  • Melanie C.

    OMG! First of all I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance of this amazing place. Secondly, it's ruined me for any other sushi restaurant. The rolls here are incredible and 1 roll is enough to fill you up and leave you satisfied. I try to pick different rolls each time I go, but it's tough because I know the rolls that I'm looking forward to trying. The staff is friendly and unless your trying to get in on a Saturday evening for dinner, I've never encountered a long wait. The buffet is delish if you ever have an opportunity to go! Take out is just as amazing and dining in. Thank you so much Yuraku - I LOVE YOU!

    (5)

  • Eric F.

    Excellent sashimi combo. Fresh, delicious, and in good price. They often offer complimentary sushi to try. Just a bit busy most of the time. You know it is good!

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    FINALLY. A sushi joint that is just for sushi/other Japanese items. For months Maryland's fascination with melding Asian cuisines in one restaurant has puzzled me. The fact that their fish to rice ratio here is INSANE and their rolls are enormous gives me more joy than it should. The hamachi roll is gigantic, with HUGE pieces of hamachi in an on the outside of the roll. The Last Samurai roll (spicy tuna, avocado inside, spicy mayo and tuna outside) was delicious. The Scallop Burst roll was a little too heavy for my taste. The broiled scallop mixture had a tad too much mayo for my taste. The Osaka roll was the biggest roll I've ever had-- it has salmon, tuna, yellowtail, squid, and avocado with spicy mayo on the outside. It was ridiculous in the best way possible. The server was also an incredibly sweet lady who gave us a smoked salmon head on the house :) $66 bought us four rolls and a large beer and an uncomfortably full stomach. I. Will. Be. Back. Soon. Like tomorrow.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    We got five rolls which was more than enough for my boyfriend and I. We were completely stuffed. Surprisingly it was pretty cheap but I heard there's an all you can eat during lunch time. I definitely recommend the shrimp tempura roll. We got the volcano roll which was not that great. I definitely don't recommend the volcano roll. Overall, good food, good service, and the wait wasn't that bad considering it was pretty busy.

    (4)

  • Kristy H.

    I cam here with a friend after a class on a Wednesday. We were surprised to see that the place was packed! They brought us some vegetables with a dipping sauce that I wasn't crazy about, but hey, you don't have to like everything, right? We ordered three rolls. The California roll was excellent. Fresh, good flavor, well rolled. The shrimp tempura and soft shell crab rolls were out of this world. They were huge! This is not the place to eat if you're trying to look cute while eating. But needless to say, I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Braden J.

    This place is absolutely amazing. Every sushi roll I have tried here has been one of my favorite of all time. For a lunch place the price is a little high ($13), but for the quality and quantity you cannot beat it. I am pretty sure every time I go there I eat enough crab, shrimp, avocado, and fish to make Yuraku worry about going out of business. There are a few downsides to this lunch buffet. First, you have to get there early, like 11:30 early to make sure you don't have to wait on a table during the week. Also, the flow of the buffet isn't very good so it will back up at times even when they aren't that busy. Finally, it is sometimes hit or miss on whether you get the highly desired rolls. The staff can be really bad about refreshing the buffet, so you will go through the line and only have a few options then five minutes later the waiters will bring out ten new trays worth of sushi. I highly recommend trying this lunch buffet out if you anywhere around.

    (4)

  • S J.

    Delicious! There was a lot of sushi varieties available. When I was there, they served mango rolls, a variety of sashimi, eel, cream cheese, california roll, spicy tuna, tempura roll, avocado roll, and a lot more. On the side they also had rice, shrimp, noodles, spicy pork, marinated ham, chicken, seaweed salad, egg tofu dish, banana pastry, cheese sticks, tempura: squid, onion shrimp, sweet potato, string beans. (theres more I can't remember) It cost 13.95 per person for buffet If you pay by card they charge you a few bucks more. When I went with two people it was around ~27.46 by cash (which is odd bc its supposedly 13.95 per person) and ~29.67 by card. You do have to wait to be seated because it is a small place but it is definitely worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    I don't mean this as a backhanded compliment, but Yuraku has great quality sushi... for a buffet. Variety is good as well. My only complaints are: 1. It gets crowded for weekday lunches and they don't take reservations, so you can expect to wait anywhere from 5-30 minutes if you arrive at peak time. 2. The buffet area itself is very cramped, and poorly laid out. I sort of dread having to go up for more food when it's crowded. 3. The sushi variety is great, but they don't label any of their items and the buffet is dimly lit, so you usually don't even know what you're picking up until you taste it. Did you think that was uni on top of that roll? Nope, it's mushy banana. 4. While they do have nigiri, many of their specialty rolls have little or no fish in them, and, as noted above, it's hard to know this for sure until you taste it.

    (4)

  • Samantha S.

    Probably the best sushi I've ever had. So incredibly fresh and a great bang for your buck too! It was pretty crowded when my boyfriend went to pick up our carryout order but it was prime dinnertime. I highly recommend this place :)

    (5)

  • Cathy H.

    I really want to be selfish and hide one particular menu item from the rest of the world, but I cannot take it anymore and must declare my love for Yuraku's Osaka Triangle Roll. I'd consider myself a sushi purist, so I stick to nigiri and sashimi usually and turn my nose up at creative rolls (no thanks to ones topped with mango and doused with three versions of mayo), but this roll is legit. Hamachi, maguro, sake, hiro maguro, avocado, and imitation crab meat topped with tobiko and spicy mayo. It's a fish lover's dream albeit it'd be an even better dream if they'd substitute the imitation crab meat with real lump crab, but I could be asking for too much. Take a look at the cross-section pic I took. Are you drooling yet? If not, then something is seriously wrong with you. All nigiri options at Yuraku are fresh, plentiful (three-biters), and melt-in-your-mouth (new acronym on Yelp: MIYM). My personal favorites are hamachi, maguro, sake, hiro maguro, hotategai, and hokigai. As mentioned in my previous review, order their ankimo (Bourdain calls it, "pate of the sea").

    (5)

  • Helen L.

    Yeah there is no other better place in the DMV for sushi hands down. And I'm not talking about the american ppl sushi. This is the real freakin deal. And I've come here with my family so many times for yeeeears and they havr never disappointed us. And my dad is a crazy picky critic. Especially when it comes to sushi. Come with a large party, get a sushi/sashimi combo. You will be innundated with that skiyaki appetizer service bang bang. Usually crowded with a line. They're not like the stupid sushi places that charge you for miso soup for the boat. Lunch buffets on the weekdays are also awesome. Service is always, always spot on. The main chef/owner is so amazing and he runs this place so perfectly and makes sure his customers are taken care of. I can rant on and on but you need to give this place a try. Worth every penny and wait time. And fyi- Theyre Closed mondays.

    (5)

  • Donald F.

    Simply put--the best spot for sushi in the MD suburbs. I've been going here for over 20 years now. Great sushi. Reasonably priced. The only negative is that it can get really crowded Friday or Saturday nights (closed Mondays). This is where the locals go for excellent sushi in a casual dining environment. My highest recommendation.

    (5)

  • Ji Ji Jia J.

    You get the most bang for your buck at Yuraku. I eat a lot and i do not mind paying good money for good food. In Yuraku it's a win-win -- i seriously spent 1/2 the $$ as i would else where with fewer yummy sushi! This is by far my fav sushi place the MDV area. It gets VERY crowded in the waiting area, so make reservation and get there early because if you are not there at the time of your reservation they will give away your seats!

    (4)

  • Dominique C.

    this place is terrific! I am no sushi expert, but for a buffet it is amazing! They have all kind of things - avoid the creamcheese and crab one, and even non sushi things. Great salads, beef, amazing crispy chicken and fried shrimp. Of course the sushi is the main attraction. I have only been there for the lunch buffet and even on friday at 11, it gets packed with a huge line outside by 11:30. It's crazy!The line of people outside that keep going back should be enough to tell you how great this place is. It's a great deal, if you like eating sushi at 11 am!

    (5)

  • Kristen H.

    Love love love this place! The sushi is always amazing and the Saturday all you can eat sushi buffet is legit! The place is packed with people waiting because it is that good, and a great deal as well. The buffet costs only 13.99. I can't get enough of this place! If you are a sushi lover you must go here!

    (5)

  • Jenn K.

    Yuraku, how I wanted to love you. The first time I came here, for a lunch buffet, explosive results in the bathroom occured for everyone we came with. The second time was good - a tasty chirashi, and an okay special roll made it worth the trek from Rockville to Germantown. The third time? A lot of special rolls and some meh sashimi (salmon and uni). I like my creative special rolls, loaded up with sauces, even though I'm a fan of fancypants sushi too, but the fish here was chewy, the uni was barely creamy, and just not up to the blast of oceanic flavor I'm used to with uni, and service was hit or miss. Probably decent if you're in the area, but I'm pretty sure I won't make the trek from College Park or Rockville up to here again.

    (3)

  • K Y.

    Always packed but yummy food. The line to get to the food can be very confusing, causing some tense moments while waiting in line. Other than that I had a nice time.

    (3)

  • Matt B.

    Lunch buffet: Quality, variety and price are all superb. The only con is the high number of people in there. I was at the bar, elbow to elbow with other guests, feeling like a pig at the trough. I suppose that's to be expected when everything else is so great.

    (4)

  • Danielle C.

    We've been to Yuraku once and had a wonderful experience there! My husband is obsessed with Sushi and Yuraku did NOT disappoint! The portions are larger than a few other sushi houses we have been to in the germantown/gaithersburg area. The restaurant is fairly small, so leave strollers in the car! :)

    (4)

  • Amelia L.

    I would give a 5 star to their service and dinner meals. Been to the lunch buffet once, and was a little disappointed. As the others said, the lunch buffet has lower quality sushi and tempura. It's just for filling your stomach, not satisfying your buds. But for the dinner, I've been there several times after I moved to MD. Although the tempura is not the best I've ever had in the us, it's still fine. The volcano roll is awesome!! I like it a lot and order it every time I went there. Most people go to japanese restaurants for sushi, but to me, I'd like to try their don, noodles soup and some side dishes.i have to say, their unagi don looks good and tastes good. It's a good to go dish if you will have the mill alone.

    (5)

  • Alex D.

    Stopped in for lunch after searching lunch in this area. Taking a nearly 500 yelp review beating and maintaining 4 stars sold me. I had the lunch buffet. Like I noticed from another review or two it was so so. The sushi, although not made to order and off the buffet was great. Definitely would come back just for sushi.

    (3)

  • Zachary W.

    I compare every sushi joint I eat at to this one right here. I am so happy I only live a 20 min drive away, but my wallet may tell you differently. It doesn't look like a grand dining experience from the outside, but you know the old expression about books and their covers. You're in and you're out. This isn't the place if you want to sit and have a leisurely time. They have a packed house waiting for their turn to sit, and they expect you to have your 45 minutes of absolute bliss, fill your tummy to capacity and your group will not be able to lower your smiles. Even if they are only moderately busy, it is a quick trip. These rolls leak from your mouth when you pop 'em in....they are BIG!!! You can taste the care and freshness that goes into each serving....even though you are nowhere near a large body of water. I have only had one bad experience here, and it had nothing to do with the sushi rolls. I had $15 on an American Express gift card and told our server to split my $30 portion of the bill between that and my debit card. The waitress threw away my debit card thinking it was a gift card too and I had to call my bank to cancel. Maybe I was a 1 in a million. They are lucky I cannot find anything else close to it in terms of quality, so I forgave them quickly. There is no flair, there is no glitter and sparkles......just damn good sushi at a very fair price and that's all I can ask for. And maybe a Sapporo or two to go with.

    (5)

  • Kim A.

    I love Yuraki. BEST SUSHI ever. I love how the sushi is a large portion . When i go to other sushi places they are a small circle roll. Yuraki also give salads, and other side dishes along with your sushi plates which makes you full, But it's so good.. The waitresses are nice, Great service. When I was leaving they thank me for coming. The only reason why i didn't give yuraki a 5 star is because the restuarant is small i had to put my plates on the table next to me and the chair had rice on them. Plus they only have 1 bathroom But other than that good food! A advice that u should come here within 30 mins closing time because there is no wait and no line

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    I'm sad that I only recently discovered this place within the past year! I've been for the lunch buffet, and dinner multiple times with friends. The wait staff is always friendly, and very polite. Even during the lunch buffet rush, they have always been prompt, and quick to help people find seats without rushing the other customers out. The chefs are all extremely talented, and they've even offered my friends, and I little tastes of different rolls while we were sitting at the bar. The food is delicious, to say the least. Not the absolute freshest seafood I've ever tasted, but it's definitely up there on my list. The lunch buffet has multiple sushi options, and options for customers who don't necessarily care to partake in the sushi. Their rolls in the buffet are a little small, but I can understand given the amount that they have to produce. As for their normal, off-the-menu fare, my favourite roll has scallops, and a sweet mayo sauce on top. Then they broil it, and serve it on tin foil. I can't recall the name (something like scallop volcano...) but it's absolutely delicious! Overall, I'd give this place a 4.5/5 stars, and will continue to come back as often as I can.

    (4)

  • Esther W.

    I've been to Yuraku a few times in the past, for their lunch buffet, dinner, and carry out. Their lunch buffet is probably the best in town, and their dinner was delicious and super filling (it came with a bunch of extra food that were complimentary). I usually stop by for carry out when I'm in schools in the Germantown area--just one spicy tuna hand roll. Today's experience has persuaded me to finally write a review about how great the people are who work at Yuraku. I went in around noon, where there was a huge waiting line of people for the buffet. Though I wasn't greeted immediately since the servers/waitresses were all super busy, one came and took my order for 1 spicy tuna hand roll. (Note: there is a $15 minimum for credit cards, no American Express anymore, so I always make sure I have some cash on hand before I stop by.) I waited a while, as was necessary during this time of day, but when I got my box, I opened it and found an extra spicy tuna hand roll!!!! This is not the first time I've received free food from carrying out here either! Once I got 4 slices of a veggie roll (delicious) and another time I ordered a roll on top of my usual, and got an extra spicy tuna hand roll then too! To the people who make the sushi, THANK YOU! I am always delightfully shocked when I find that they went (or at least, I think they went) above-and-beyond what they had to make for me to make extras. I'm not sure if this experience is typical for other carry out people, but I'm not complaining!! Yuraku really has wonderful food and staff there. P.S. Yes, both spicy tuna rolls today were deliciously spicy and stuffed full with tuna.

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    Very delicious and affordable! I love the roles, combination platters which they bring out in a boat, and their sashimi salad. The sashimi salad serving is huge. It serves about 2-3 people. They are really generous with sushi too. The only downside of this restaurant is the wait time to be seated. Usually, it's about 20-30 minutes but it's totally worth it!

    (4)

  • Jake C.

    The sushi lunch buffet here is pretty legit. A good variety and selection of fairly fresh rolls. The price is $12.95 so it's not a bad deal at all. It can get pretty crowded during the weekend lunch hours but worth the wait.

    (4)

  • S C.

    This place was fantastic. I was told they have a weekend lunch buffet which made me weary, but I was overwhelmingly pleased with the food and service. They sat us quickly and were so attentive even though it was slammed. We ordered a sashimi platter for the family, and it was superbly fresh and bountiful. Additionally, the miso soup and various appetizers that were provided were amazing. Now I know why this is considered a hidden gem to so many on Yelp. Bravo.

    (5)

  • James P.

    This is my favorite Japanese restaurant I go to in this area. Not so much for the food, but the service from both the owner (Sunny) and wait staffs. I usually sit at the bar with a friend and Sunny would prepare what's fresh for the day. Also, when he has a new item he likes to try out, he would give me a sample. I always eat too much when I go here, but always satisfied. Wait staff are super nice.

    (5)

  • Mandana Y.

    A review for the city folk curious about this suburban gem. Yuraku is in a big shopping center off Fredrick Rd. You'll never stumble across it, never see a sign for it off the main road. Chance are, someone told you about it, or posted a mouth watering photo of their plate on facebook, or you yelped. When you finally find it, parking will be a bitch. Because this shopping center also has a gym. Then getting a table will be a bitch. Because this place is popular, really popular. Even on a Tuesday night. So yes you've been warned, call ahead and make a reservation. The staff gives you much better treatment if you do. If not, chances are you'll be waiting at minimum 20 minutes to be seated in a very crowded waiting room. So finally, you have a table and the menu is in front of you. Do not freak out. As many options as there are, they are all good. Nothing will disappoint. Just try to keep in mind that the rolls are abnormally large. So start small or you'll have leftovers, and no one likes leftover sushi. While you're freaking out over all the choices, the waitress will bring you veggies and dip, and steamed edemame. For free! Free! There really isn't much to complain about here. Aside from the dingy bathrooms, but that's to be expected with these suburban gems. The lunch buffet runs all week, even on the weekends. And for under $14, it is well worth the trek out from the city. Hope you city folk give this place a chance. You will not regret it.

    (4)

  • Calvin L.

    I have been coming here for many years and to me, this place has probably the best sushi in Maryland. On top of that, the prices here are fairly reasonable. I have been here for both the lunch buffets as well as for dinner. The lunch buffet here is really cool. Along with the sushi, there is a modest variety of cooked and cold items. There is kimchi here as it is a Korean owned and operated restaurant. I'm a traditional sushi purist, so I tend to stay away from the rolls. For dinner, I usually get the sushi and sashimi boats, which come in a variety of sizes. These have a greater variety of fish you don't see at lunch such as yellowtail, octopus, and albacore tuna. The fish used is also of much higher quality than at lunch. If you spend a certain amount, you will get some complementary dishes on the house, such as the house salad, chawanmushi, and salmon head and collar.

    (4)

  • Max K.

    Yuraku is very good. They have creative types of sushi that are very tasty. There sushi is always so fresh. I really recommend the Cowboy Roll. It is divine. The problem: they are so good they get very crowded and sometimes takeout is like a hour long wait. Other than the wait the sushi is AMAZING

    (5)

  • Jumana A.

    All I have to say is Yuraku is like my second home! The best sushi in the dc metro area hands down! The lunch buffet is to die for and the staff are so sweet. I always leave happy and full:)

    (5)

  • Joey S.

    Best sushi around town. Unbeatable prices and amazing sushi. Definitely ask for the chef "special". He'll make custom dishes for you and will feed you until you say stop. Lunch buffet is so cheap and the fish is fresher than most places! BEST SUSHI EVER!

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    It's still the best place in moco to get fresh big sushi boats, but a few unforgivable downgrades: -sautéed udon is lacking enough udon and is a rather small portion for nearly 20$ -spicy salmon roll is salmon MASH. I almost feel like I need to swim out to the ocean and apologize to the dear salmon for being destroyed in this way. -a pubic (or suspect curly hair) was in my tuna nigiri -had to remind waitress for soy sauce (they should be filling it up near empty, not us reminding) -and the horrible argument I witnessed at the door. Last year I came here I commented on how yuraku really, really needs to upgrade their RSVP system and make it consistent. Right now you walk in, sign on a blank sheet of paper which no one is monitoring or telling you to sign ... It's a free for all so people get feisty. They then shout your name twice and if you are not there, you don't get a table. Same deal now. A family was waiting by the entryway and all four people didn't hear their name called. A waitress came back and proceeded to yell at them saying "I said your name two times, even spell for you." Customer was annoyed (rightfully so) cause someone who came after them got seated before them. At this point it doesn't matter who wasn't loud enough or who did t hear, say sorry and get the poor fam a table! Instead, waitress then asked hostess if she heard her shout the name and she confirmed.. "See? I say your name so thank you for your complaint but I do my job." Wow. I am surprised that family put up with that. Yuraku, get your staff in line and tell them to check their attitude...no one should have witnessed that. No pubes in sushi and attitude for me, thanks! (Except when I crawl back for a sushi boat :p)

    (3)

  • J C.

    One of the best sushi places in the area. Their lunch buffet is a great deal. Tons of options and they have a great sushi to rice ratio. They also have a good selection of non-sushi items, mostly Korean food. I recommend going early because there can be a wait to get seated during the lunch rush. The dinner menu is also great. It's a bit pricey but it's sushi. Also, you get what you paid for. They also give you some free appetizers based on how much you order. The staff is friendly and I've never had an issue with a server. My only complaint is the size of the restaurant. It's a decent size but it's not big enough to keep up with all the customers. I suppose that's not a bad thing though.

    (4)

  • Siri M.

    Going here for sushi for last 10 years or so. It is excellent for sushi. During lunch hour the waiters and the front desk ladies are always busy and don't expect any acknowledgment. They purely are working on accommodating people waiting and business, but once seated, the sushi and general service is good. It's a small place, but they serve good sushi either in the buffet or menu order. We go once a month and we love this place.

    (4)

  • Priscilla Y.

    Avoid the sushi lunch buffet! Yes, it is cheap, but the sushi quality sucks and their system of getting the food is kind of unappetizing. The restaurant is small. Their buffet is placed in the corner in the back so it it's very cramped. When you get the food, you pick up a tong from a bucket filled with nasty water. The tongs have wet rice stuck on it after being used by another hungry person. I just found it gross. It also makes your sushi even wetter. :( Since they lack space, they have another row of sushi selection on a shelf above. If you are short like me, you can not see what you are getting, especially since the sushi is not labeled. I was told their menu items are better. I have yet to try any of it.

    (2)

  • Margaret N.

    Best place for sushi in Maryland! They offer buffet (sushi, Korean food, etc.) even on Saturdays, and every item is amazing! All of their sushi/sashimi pieces are huge, which is amazing cause most places give you only a little piece of fish on everything.... If you come with your family/large group, I definitely recommend ordering the large combo! They bring out small plates of appetizers before they bring out their HUGE platter of sushi! Definitely worth your money!

    (5)

  • Steven W.

    Glad I tried it, and worth stopping in if you're in the area. This is not a "typical" sushi restaurant. Pros: The sushi selection is very interesting, and creative. The fish was very fresh as were it's accompanying ingredients. Cons: The place was pretty dirty (at least the dining room) and the sushi and apps are very large...Cumbersome to the point that they fall apart when you are eating them. They actually have a sign in two places in the restaurant that says something to the effect of "our chefs work very hard on putting together these creations; please don't take them apart, but eat them as they are intended." I found it impossible to eat them without them falling apart!

    (3)

  • Paul Y.

    They are my favorite sushi place in all of the DMV area. BUT you have to have to have to try make it to their lunch buffet. Their regular menu items are awesome but their lunch buffet with the price and variety is amazing. Definitely worth the drive out to MD.

    (5)

  • Scott A.

    Good Sushi ahhh. I lived in the midwest for many years. You don't get good Sushi in the midwest often (unless it is flown in daily and therefore more expensive by a significant amount). Moving to the East coast I was hoping for good sushi. Look no further. Good service, Great food. Trust me - I've had bad Sushi - you won't here.

    (5)

  • Annie C.

    I came for the lunch buffet one saturday and I was not impressed. I was hoping for more of a variety between cooked and raw sushi but there wasn't, everything was raw. the buffet area is really cramped and dark. I ended up ordering a roll from the menu cause I didn't want to be hungry when I left. I give this place 2 stars because it's decently priced for lunch buffet, also I came another time not for the buffet and it wasn't as crowded and the service was great. Their menu has more selections than their buffet so I probably won't be back for lunch buffet unless my boyfriend really wanted to go.

    (2)

  • Annie S.

    The best sushi/sashimi place in Montgomery county for sure! My family has been going here since they opened and we've never had complaints about their food. The food is always fresh and delicious. Their lunch buffet is very extensive with tons of sushi rolls. For dinner I always get a boat combo which has a great variety of fresh sashimi. The rolls are great with the perfect balance of rice and sushi (I never like sushi with too much rice). I've had sushi at many places and this is by far one of the best that I've ever been to. You could pay more at other places and still not get the same quality as yuraku. I definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

    (5)

  • Wayne G.

    We've eaten here perhaps once a year as we passed through Germantown. The sushi buffet is pretty good. The fish is flavorable and fresh. The other dishes were good except the Bolgogi which was somewhat tough. Yes there are lines. For $13 a person it's good food at a good price and includes hot tea. We have one gripe - the tongs used to take the sushi. You take a pair from an ice bucket that someone has used, pick up whatever you want with it, and put it back in the ice bucket. Granted if they had a pair of tongs for each plate everyone would touch them too but they'd only have that type of food on them. The way they do it they could have parts of each type of sushi on them. I'd give them 4 stars if they did something about the tongs. BTW it is a clean place including the restroom, and the service is very good.

    (3)

  • Adam B.

    Sushi in DC....when you live in LA, any other city offering sushi just makes you think it's going to be sub-par. More like the plasticoated stuff you'd find at Trader Joe's or Costco than what you'd find at even the most mediocre sushi bars in SoCal. That's why I was glad to find this. Actually, they found me. I wasn't going to have any sushi in DC but I was at a event at a Country Club in nearby Rockville and they catered it. Made the sushi on-site. So it wasn't sitting around. Nice plus. And yes, it was all fresh. Tried a variety of rolls and they all were about what you'd find at some of LA's better sushi parlors. So that's a major surprise in my book. I'm reading the other reviews about the lunch buffet and that just sounds like an amazing deal. If it's anything like what I had here, I'd go. Ah, I'd still probably stick to LA sushi, but at least if I ever moved to DC......I'd know where to go.

    (4)

  • M. S.

    This sounds crazy but it is the best sushi I've ever had in my life. It beats LA, Seattle and fancy places in DC. The restaurant is very unassuming in a nondescript strip mall. The interior is nothing fancy. Its always crowded. There menu is extensive and the sushi is really generous and fresh. Thick pieces of fresh, delicious fish. A lot of very creative rolls as well. Our pregnant friend came with us tonight and was delighted at all of the non-raw options as well. Very, very impressed. Worth the drive out to the suburbs.

    (5)

  • Nils H.

    Great Sushi, Great Value! I have been their loyal customer for x number of years. We used to dine in, but the waiting time really getting out of hand. We started placing carry out orders. I missed the free grill salmon head, so I order those as well. I think it is $4/order. Fav. items are Osaka Triangle roll, Sushi Sashimi combination (the 20 some dollar portion), grill salmon head, phili roll, spider (soft shell crab) roll. Enough for 3 (me, hubby and a 12 yo) of us. I can drink all the hot sake AT HOME at min. price !~_~! Order min. 1 hour before your est. dinner time. When we feel like lunch buffet, we get there BEFORE 11:15am to guarantee a table. Remember to plan ahead and skip breakfast. Don't know if it is because a Korean grill restaurant just opened in the same mall, Yuraku's lunch buffet even got better than before. We went last week, large plates of spicy scallop was in the buffet cart. YUMMY! One thing I notice is that the waitresses are nicer to the Koreans dinners. They frequently got special treats on the house. Not just the usual fish head or steam egg. So, bring your Korean friends...

    (5)

  • Karen R.

    By far, THE BEST sushi in Maryland! Everything is fresh and delicious. Their volcano roll is THE best I've ever had. Great for groups.

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    Yuraku offered great quality of sushi. I've been here many times, and they did not disappoint. All of the rolls, sashimi, and nigiri pieces are fresh and delicious. The price may seem steep, but it is worth every penny. They do not cheat you out on the quantity of sushi offered. The service is a little above average. There is always a long wait on the weekends, so people hang out in the waiting area. However, the waiting area is really small. Most of the people wait outside. All in all, everyone should definitely check this place out. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Amani A.

    I kind of don't want to give them a good review so people won't come... It's def a suburban gem, the sushi is so fresh and awesome!! My favorite was the volcano and the spicy tuna was by far the best roll! I can't wait to try out their buffet! Their serves was also on point my green tea was never half empty... The only down side maybe is expect to pay around $50 for 4 rolls, but totally worth it if you ask me

    (5)

  • River G.

    Crispy rice tuna. The best! I've only ate this sushi in NYC and la. It's not the same. But close enough.

    (5)

  • Doo P.

    This has always been my go to place for sushi... Price not as pricy as some places & if you become a regular there, they always give you free samples. The given service has always been free miso soup or salad, sometime grilled salmon head which some people don't like. That's only for those that don't know how to eat it... If you check under the cheek, there is the best part of the salmon head. Now lately, there cuts has been too thick very sloppy, making the meat too chewy. Fish should be sliced very thin & Melting in your mouth kind of feeling. I will still come hear since it's close to home & they always hook us up with tons of free samples. But they need to rework on their knife skills to make me want to come here often.

    (3)

  • Francis C.

    Don't walk in and expect high quality sushi. That being said, expect to be full, and to enjoy yourself. Also, your budget will thank you. Whenever I go to Yuraku, I come with a different mindset. Gone is the expectation of superb quality that I demand from other sushi venues. No longer will I gaze with a disappointed eye at the wads of "wasabi" plopped on my plate. No. I come to Yuraku... to gorge, and be fat. For me at least, going to Yuraku is more about the portions than it is about sushi quality. Rolls upon rolls upon rolls. The salmon sashimi sizes are almost grotesquely huge; at times, I find it hard to even eat one piece in one bite. The wait time to be seated is offensively long, but it gives me time to chit chat with friends over a few cigarettes and strange anticipation. I've been overseas, I have had "real sushi," I have wandered into many a Michelin starred sushi establishment. So... why am I so excited to eat here? We're seated, and I immediately request fish heads. Yummy, delicious fish heads, baked and salted and ready for consumption. The meat in the cheeks, and the eyeballs. The best parts. We quickly scribble down a vast array of numbers on the slip of paper, and the waitress darts away, only to return with an impossibly large, wooden boat, bedecked in a ridiculous amount of sushi. If it's not sashimi, it's doused in something. There's also plenty of rice in every roll, and honestly, that's fine. We eat, we drink, we are merry. And at the end of the night, when that check comes around, our wallets cry out in jubilation. Tons of sushi for cheap? Impossible! Okay sushi + huge amounts + reasonable price = Yuraku. If you want to go even cheaper, and decide to go during lunch time for the buffet, a word of warning: quality of fish during buffet hours is noticeably lower. I give this place two stars, but I do recommend going here if you're looking for cheap sushi.

    (2)

  • Denise A.

    The food was great!!!!! I have to say they really went out of their way to accomadate us. A friend bought extra friends with us and we had already been seated, literlly in ten mins they accomadate us with a bigger table. In my book thats a plus for a place. Def going back there!

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Top notch sushi but long wait times. This place needs to expand! The demand is through the roof out the door and down the parking lot. That's how long the line is also. The sushi is extravagant. Not the cheapest place but I've had some of the most creative blends of flavors here.

    (5)

  • Trish J.

    Awesome selection of sushi and nigiri. Great prices and nice that they'll do the chef selection and mix things up for you. It's worth noting as well that the pieces of fish are huge compared to most other places. No need to order as many rolls! Also, whole party must be present before they will seat you, but they will do call ahead.

    (5)

  • Jin Y.

    I'm from NYC and I was skeptical about having sushi in Maryland. To my surprise the sushi was quite good at Yuraku that I came here twice during my short stay in Maryland. It was the only sushi restaurant where I was staying and the workers are actually Japanese.

    (4)

  • Donna Y.

    I came here for my mom's birffday :) If you let them know, they'll come out with a fancy umbrella, sing happy birthday, and give complimentary green tea ice cream. The good -Spider roll (fried soft shell crab and avocado, cucumber and masago) 8.95 -California roll 4.95 -Dragon roll Eel, cucumber, crab rolled in, and avocado topped. 8.95 -Alligator roll Shrimp tempura and cucumber rolled &eel and avocado on top 11.95 -Seafood udon 12.95 YUMMY! A little bit spicy and the noodles have a good bite to it. -Grilled salmon head (gross looking but very very tasty - dont forger the hidden cheek meat) The bad -Yuraku sushi pizza- Crab, avocado, cucumber roll, topped with mozzarella cheese and various fish toppings and baked to serve (ew it tasted awful) -Crabmeat roll 3.95 (imitation crabmeat .. they should have said this on the menu) -Miso soup (kinda salty) Recommendations: Don't get anything too exotic sounding (ie. sushi pizza?!), the rolls with fruit (mango or banana) are a hit or miss.. mostly a miss. The waitresses are extremely friendly and helpful:) *they accept no reservations

    (4)

  • Max Z.

    Their sushi buffet used to be excellent but now it's overcrowded with the sushi sloppily made, as if it was put together by an amateur. Time to find a new place. Their dinner is still good but not much better than Hinode. I remember going to Yuraku every week, sadly that is no longer the case.

    (2)

  • Augustine P.

    Excellent service, food, and prices. Freshest, Best, Affordable sushi/sashimi in town. Nothings changed in the 20+ years I've been eating at this place. I've been going here since '93 when I took Taekwondo as a white belt in the same shopping plaza as a kid and my parents took me to eat here afterwards. Very impressive for a restaurant, especially a sushi restaurant, to do be able to sustain such quality for over 2 decades. Very high standards and quality for a reasonable price. Favorite Dish: Hwe Dup Bap: Bed of rice with lettuce, sliced garlic, seaweed salad, fresh tuna/salmon/flounder sashimi, finished off with hot red pepper paste/sauce.

    (5)

  • Benjamin H.

    This place has the most incredible lunch buffet I've ever been to. We're not just talking about a nice variety of sushi along with respectable entree's like tempura shrimp as well, but as most of us are concerned with: GREAT QUALITY. It's totally worth the price and I highly recommend it. As it would follow, I would also have to say that their dinner is wonderful as well. A great date environment and has numerous other options (like teriyaki chicken/salmon for example) for people who might not necessarily be crazy about sushi.

    (5)

  • Samuel J.

    I can't complain about the food, but why charge me a $1 extra because I'm using a credit card?

    (4)

  • Chuq Y.

    This place is the bomb diggity. We stopped here on our way out to WV, and the line was CRAZY. Walk in and put your name on a piece of paper. That's the waitlist. Lunchtime is mobbed here. It goes relatively quickly though, so prepare your stomach for the amazing buffet you are about to enjoy. It's run by Koreans, and there if you are familiar with Korean cuisine, you'll see some out there. Like the spicy bulgogi and soo jung gwa (cinnamon tea). The sushi is crazy plentiful, and the little sushi elves in the back bring it out pretty much as fast as it goes. You get in a small line for tongs that go back in the same bucket (which is a little discomforting, but you get over it) and then grab what you want. The placement of the tong bucket could be better, but hey, you're all friends here trying to grab a bite to eat, so just say, "Excuse me." There are so many choices, that if the sushi line is too long, grab a salad or some of the other foods that are available and eat that while keeping a keen eye on the sushi line. It moves fast, so don't worry. If a new tray comes out, and you don't necessarily care about the visual appeal of your sushi piece, grab the end pieces. They are bigger, messier and just as tasty, although the proportions might be off a little bit. This place is definitely worth going to if you have the time and an enormous appetite that you want to satiate with sushi and such. It's a pretty small place, so seating can be kind of a pain, but it didn't seem overful (except for the waiting area). So, my request to you is, if you are done eating, pay and get out. Other people are waiting to take over your prde-warmed seat.

    (5)

  • David K.

    I have NOT been back for the lunch buffet; however, my wife and I either go there or order take out almost once every week!! The place is always buzzing with business and at times it's chaotic and crowded. The food, however, comes out fresh and the servers are very attentive.

    (4)

  • E M.

    I LOVE their sashimi platter with rolls!! Great food but long waiting everytime I go. I guess it just means they're that popular.... My favorite: samurai roll!!!! (Lots of salmon in it)

    (5)

  • Brittany A.

    Yummy! Best sushi place we've tried so far in the area! The rolls are fresh and plentiful, no questionable fish quality here. We pigged OUT late one night (9 pm) with about 8-10 rolls and even though they were beginning to close, the staff and waitress were very accommodating and friendly. Nothing was off limits. No 'we closing, you can't get this and that'. And although we ordered so much, every single substitution was spot on (allergic to cucumbers and certain shellfish). Those rolls were flippin AMAZE BALLS. The variety! Finally! Something more than the same ole 'tuna roll, salmon roll, eel avocado roll' bit. Everything was not stuffed of cream cheese and fake crab like other sushi restaurants, but were full of awesomeness and fish and roe and whatever else we asked for. The miso wasn't too salty, and didn't have those thick, slimy pieces of seaweed (ughhh...barf) but rather the thin, flowy pieces that chew up nicely and don't try to strangle you with your own tongue. I love it, I'm putting up pics, if you haven't tried this spot you need to get your butt down there!

    (5)

  • Alex S.

    Second review update. Service here is always meh; but this time we had one of the better waitresses from my previous visits. Busy dinner time, but she actually gave us attention and checked in on us. I went with 12 people on a weekend evening, and I'm surprised they (1) fit us in, and (2) fit us in within less than 30 minutes (of course with a pseudo-reservation days in advance). Of course, food is always mighty delish: favorites being flying dragon roll (whole eel on top!), hoe deop bap (sashimi salad), tuna trio roll, and triple salmon roll. I tend to stay away from their non-sushi Japanese fare. Biggest disappointment: we received ONE banchan. Celery and carrot sticks. 12 customers, and they decide to only give us one side? No salmon head. No roasted fish. No steamed egg. No miso. No salad. No japchae. I talked to the waitress, and she said that now you have to spend at least $18 per person to receive any banchan. They couldn't just give us fewer portions of each? Or give us at least one or two more besides the dinky bowls of celery and carrot sticks? One time, I sat at the bar with a friend; we ordered one dish each, but the chef still showered us with banchan even in the middle of our meal. My experience here after each visit trends mediocre.

    (3)

  • Noreen K.

    Best sushi around. When ordering off the menu, the servings are mostly fish, very fresh. The lunch buffet has smaller pieces, but a wide variety. They have many many creative rolls. Great quality.

    (5)

  • Kiana Z.

    I honestly never do reviews unless I am extremely pleased or disappointed but this is by far the best sushi place in the WORLD. I'm back from town for the spring break and the first place I came to eat was here. Best sushi in the world by far! Will eat here forever lol

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    Good sushi but good luck getting it. After going there 4 times in a row and encountering a minimum of an hour wait for a table for two, and a 2 HOUR wait for pickup (both times most recently, and both times on a week night), my patience is up and I'm giving up on this place forever. It's not worth it. Get your shit together and get the service/kitchen/location/whatever straightened out. Bye Yaruku

    (1)

  • Philip L.

    I am a bit confused after my recent visit. The sushi and food was similar as it has been each other week. Although the sushi did not seem well-made this week compared to the other weeks, it still passes. What really confuses me is the consistency in this place. The Perks - They have been keeping the door (the lobby to the dining room) closed during lunch, which is necessary. Also, they increased the size of the sushi area so there is more room to maneuver around when you return the tongs back to the ice bucket. Confusion - I believe they are trying to be a bit more consistent in their service. They opened at 11 - on the dot. However, they were not really ready. They told customers that the buffet was not ready. I was not in line until 11:10. Also, when I usually ordered hot tea, I received cold water. Then, they gave me two cups of miso soup instead of the usual one. I think they were having a hectic opening. I kept quiet, had my cold water and two miso soups. I noticed that they were filling a large catering order at the beginning of the lunch buffet. Surprisingly, they were able to keep up with the lunch buffet. This was good! Really good! Sadly, it began to falter as there was a large table that was ordering from the menu. I guess they were there to celebrate something - someone graduated? Either or, I blame the big table for coming on a Saturday lunch buffet and disrupt the regular flow. Replenishment slowed down that I almost gave up my third plate. My visit was shy of enjoyable. I feel like it has been a hit or miss lately. If you see my previous reviews, you will know why. Some days, it was exceptional; no problems. Other days, service or customers diminished my lunch. Don't get me wrong; I love the place and I will continue to go here. However, it is worth noting that you will not always have a great experience here.

    (4)

  • Kara H.

    It is very hard to find a sushi restaurant that fulfills my need for quality of food and my asian stinginess. That being said, this is one of the best sushi spots I've been to. I'm consistently impressed by the quality of their fish, the flavor of their rolls and the beauty of their presentation. On top of all of that, the amount of fish per roll is really generous, while maintained at an extremely reasonable price point. I always get so full when I get here, and usually sushi restaurants leave me slightly hungry at the end. I also love the free side dishes that come with all their meals. The grilled salmon head is a favorite with my husband, he might actually look forward to that more than the sushi. 100% recommended!

    (5)

  • Tiffany Y.

    Always heard great things about this place, so finally checked it out with a group. We came in on a Sunday right when they opened and were able to get seated right away. They have a lot of interesting rolls and they gave us free grilled salmon and rolls for the table. I definitely want to come back to try the lunch buffet.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    This is a review of their lunch buffet and their dinner menu. My first visit here was during dinner, but I saw an ad about their lunch buffet and had to come back to try it. I'll first start with my dinner experience: We came here pretty late during their dinner service, and it was still crowded. I ate a little bit prior to the visit, so I shared a Sashimi Deluxe. It was presented nicely on a small wooden boat, and it looked fresh. It came with the basic Sashimi items, such as salmon, calamari, octopus, surf clams, tuna, red snapper, and a couple other ones. It also came with a bowl of miso soup. Even though I was already full, the fish were really tasty. I'm from the LA area, so I am somewhat picky with sushi. The fish may not be the best quality I've ever had, but it did satisfy my sushi craving. Another great thing about this place is that their sushi was very affordable. 24 pieces of sashimi was only $25! Now for the lunch buffet... The lunch buffet was a whole different experience. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best experience. When I go to all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants, I'm used to ordering everything through a paper menu, then the chefs make the items when ordered. At this place, everything is made in large batches and sequestered at the back of the restaurant. It didn't seem sanitary to me because some of the fish were not on ice. They were actually up on top of the buffet cart. Who knows how long they have been sitting there...all warm and exposed to air. Furthermore, the tongs to grab the sushi are all placed in an ice bucket on the side. People would grab the tongs, use them, then place them back in there. Who knows where those hands have been and who have grabbed the wrong side of the tongs. They also put a lot of rice on the nigiri, which will make you full quickly. Although it was cheap ($13/person), I would rather spend more money and order off the menu. It just seemed unsanitary. Overall, this restaurant is pretty good. I would probably not come back for their lunch buffet, but I'd come back for dinner. I'd rather spend a little more money and get better quality sushi. Their service is exceptional. They were very friendly and attentive. I would give their dinner 4 stars, but their lunch buffet is 2 stars at most.

    (3)

  • Boris W.

    My and I have been here on numerous occasions, and I can't believe this is my first time writing a review for this amazing establishment! I'm not exaggerating when I say "it's a 5/5 every time I go." Yuraku is probably the best sushi spot in the DMV. Yes, it has competition from Zen, Taro, Tachibana, Kotobuki, Makoto, et cetera. But, I personally rank this above all others. For its deliciousness, price, presentation, and portion size, this is by far, IMHO, the best sushi spot. Now in terms of taste, it certainly has fierce competition from Makoto and Sushi Taro. But it's roughly $15-30 a person here at Yuraku whereas the other two is roughly $75+. Finally, I love the special makis here at Yuraku because it's always delicious and stuffed with lots of non-rice delicacies. And their boats are always worth it! The $125 and $160 boat filled up 8 and 10 of my friends, respectively, on two different occasions! This is hands down a 5/5 restaurant with the only downside being its potential to be an awful time killer (sometimes the wait is too long and they no longer accept phone reservations and call ahead to be placed on the wait-list!)

    (5)

  • Sam L.

    My past review (almost a year ago) mentioned how there's a pre-requisite to get appetizers thrown in as part of your meal (miso soup, steamed egg, fish). If you spend at least $16 per person then you'll most likely get them, even though it used to be $15/per person (this information is from our waitress). What annoyed me was we had 4 adults and 2 kids (6 and 1 year old who don't appreciate sushi yet) and we spent a healthy $63 (before tax) on various sashimi and special rolls to share. Not knowing there's a $16/per person limit we had to reach to get appetizers, we were told we didn't spend enough. They did give us some miso soup as a pity gesture, but when did we become beggars instead of valued customers? I love their rolls but can't stand their service policy and attitude. Their rolls also seemed smaller than the past 3-4 visits, which is a shame.

    (3)

  • Sally Y.

    I think most people in Maryland will agree that this is one of the best sushi restaurants in Montgomery County. I think what I like about it is the variety. It definitely isn't all about the traditional sushi where you're supposed to savor the flavors of the fresh fish. Here, it's all about the fried stuff and the sauces. My family and I enjoy ordering off of the special menu, but we will always get the typical stuff like dragon roll. Favorites: -Dr. Zhivago -Titanic roll -3 Amigo -Alaskan -Godzilla -Mr. Wayne Keep in mind that the free appetizers you get with your meal will vary based on their mood and how busy the night is. That's also how is describe the service. Everyone is generally pleasant though. Oh, also, make sure no one takes your spot on the waiting list. With all the hustle and bustle someone else "might" have the same name and number in his/her party and take your table! Be alert!!

    (4)

  • Zahra K.

    By far some of the freshest, most creative, and delicious sushi I have in the DMV area. You don't come here for a regular philly roll, you come for their special rolls. Some of my favorite rolls from their specials menu: Cowboy HotFuzz Last Samurai The Tim Tuna Lover When Tuna Met Mango Service is always very prompt. There is a bit of a wait on weekend nights, but if you opt to sit at the sushi bar, it is quicker. Every time I have gone, the wait staff will bring out a random roll, or appetizer that the chef is experimenting with and who doesn't love free food?

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    I love sushi and Japanese cuisine and have been going to this place on and off for a few years. More so when I use to work in the Gaithersburg area. Sonny (owner) is a great guy. They have a great lunch buffet and if you're a sucker for a variety of sushi rolls- this is your place! They probably have over 100 different rolls. This isn't your high end sushi place that has rare quality stuff like hokkaido uni but they have a few good stuff like toro (not oh-toro), giant clam, and anago. The sushi and other dishes are pretty good, above average. The service is just average, not great. They get so packed for lunch and dinner that you better get there early

    (4)

  • Kristina S.

    Simply the best sushi in DMV, hands down and I have lived everywhere- NYC, Midwest,FL, CO... Yuraku is the best quality, taste, selection! They get 4 stars b/c operationally they are a tropical disaster. The staff is awesome and always apologetic, but they simply cannot keep up or get a functional system in place for their carry out policy. At times we have called a pick up order in 2 hours ahead, we get there and wait an additional 30 minutes to pay, while dozens of orders sit there, one time my husband realized our order was literally right beside him, he just could not fight thru the crowd to pay. Yuraku we love you! Please expand to a larger space that can accommodate the high demand for your amazing sushi!

    (4)

  • nat t.

    It's taken 8 years, but I finally had a chance to go back to Yuraku - this time with my two little cherubs in tow. We arrived on a Sunday around 5:30pm and did not have a wait. It took forever to decide what to get because the menu is extremely long, and since I like to also know the prices of things, found it hard to decide what to get given that the specials menu has no prices on it. Not realizing how massive the portions are, we ordered 6 rolls to share between two adults and two picky children (who ultimately ate just one piece of sushi between them :P). I shouldn't have finished all of mine, because I felt uncomfortably full afterwards. I do love how many unique options are in the sushi rolls. I was super tempted to get the mango one, but opted for a scallop one instead. Our top picks were Tuna Ninja and Last Samurai.

    (4)

  • May L.

    my son liked the sushi there ,while I dont . I cant understand there is always long waiting line there .

    (3)

  • Jazzy K.

    Food is mediocre here. I don't know why there are so many reviews for this restaurant but the food we had...coconut shrimp, soba, and spider rolls weren't that great. It doesn't look like they use good oils here.

    (2)

  • Cynthia F.

    Awesome sushi place! Great buffet! Worth every penny!

    (5)

  • Jimmy J.

    Fantastic place for fresh and delicious sushi. Great selection of rolls, the spider roll and spicy tuna rolls were fantastic. Great selection of non-sushi items as well for the no raw crowd. Service was prompt and attentive.

    (5)

  • Myisha W.

    This is a one of the best places to go to in Germantown. Everyone is so nice and accommodating. The food is very delicious and a must try.......the chef is always giving you something new to try. Very creative people. Everything is awesome about this little place. The only thing I would change is the place itself. The place is so small and always crowded. If they expanded this place would rock. Going at lunch time is also awesome. They have a Buffett and it rocks. They have this banana desert that is so freaking good. You must give this place a try if you Iike sushi that is fresh and delicious.

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    So many reviews for the lunch buffet....and still never inclined to subjugate myself. Always have ordered off of the three + menus. Certainly the most creative and interesting listings of rolls and sushi offered in the area. Joining in with the minions...to sing the praises of Yuraku. I have ordered take-away via phone orders, have just showed up and ordered take-away to happily shop for the thirty-minutes requested (and required!) at the new-ish Asian grocery that now shares the same shopping center, and more than a few handful of times have dined-in. On this last visit....probably the best so far. Dined-in, our meal occurred in middle of the afternoon on a Sunday with my Sistaaahhh (yes, my actual real sister). Seated right away and honestly the best visit which I can only attribute because of our ordering. This time we had...Triple Salmon Roll, Crazy Horse Roll and Sweet Angel Roll. Also, Oshitashi (cold spinach cooked with sesame oil), seaweed salad and miso soup....cause we all like to sing..."oh miso (xxx), oh miso (xxx)" ;) ! Oshitashi - really, really good and soooo simple. Cooked spinach, tossed in a sesame oil and perhaps something else (crack maybe!), served cold. Seaweed Salad - just a requirement in my book when dining on sushi. And theirs is far and away the better than I have had otherwise served with krab, shredded cucumber and shredded diakon to soak up the juices at the bottom of the bowl (do they add juices? so yumm.) Miso Soup - yep, another 'requirement'...good (is there bad miso soup?), plenty of miso flavor, with tofu and seaweed. Triple Salmon Roll - oh, yes. A staple. Spicy salmon inside, rice with nori, topped with raw salmon (it so tastes of a cross between smoked and raw salmon) and more spicy salmon. One of those flavors that converts the uninitiated to the initiated.. Crazy Horse Roll - the menu says it is chopped tuna, white tail, red snapper, et cetera...umm..yeah, could not discern ...but definitely chopped krab (with a 'k') and something, not spicy with masago...new find and will order again in the future. Sweet Angel Roll - have had previously...the tempura flakes, sweetened AND spicy outside and inside .... confusing and sooo soo good with asparagus and tuna inside. Today - for 'service' or "free - gratis" we were given warm edamame. Previously I have been given a huge bowl of chopped salad with sesame dressing and once at a dinner outing (on a terrible date!), crudités (carrots & celery) with a yummy mayo, savory dip - but never since, bring back the crudités with dip!! Some tables (sorry, but usually Asian diners - just being truthful) I have seen roasted salmon head - not sure if it was ordered or just "service". I have also had the Shiitake Roll with eel inside - sooo good, sweet but good and different. Rose Flower - soo pretty but do not remember if it was spicy tuna or spicy salmon - good. Osaka Roll - so touted here on yelp - good, I think there are just better choices. Many many times I have seen big sushi boats on tables. So often, the place is packed and rightly so. Hot tea on this visit was constantly refreshed and kept us warm on a chilly day....I really love this place.

    (5)

  • Connie M.

    For sushi buffet in Montgomery County or even Maryland....this is the place to be! Be forewarned....there is always a wait. Lunch buffet during the week AND weekends. Who knew that a little hole-in-the-wall on the end of a strip mall is the best place to try sushi. You have safe choices like California rolls, avocado rolls and even cucumber rolls. Sometimes you will even find a tempura sweet potato roll. There are always special maki rolls including a shrimp tempura! The best thing is that lunch buffets are not only stocked with maki rolls, but lots of nigiri options. There is tuna, salmon, fatty tuna, whitefish and my favorite smoked eel. There are quite a few cold salads like kimchi and seaweed. Hot food too. Spicy pork, bulgogi, noodles. Even tempura veggies and shrimp if you catch it when it first comes out. There are fried dumplings, bbq meatballs and even tempura bananas. Be nice to the ladies in the kimonos. They have a system and yes, it does work. You do not seat yourself during buffet time. Even the seat at the sushi bar must be waited for. Tip well, my friend!

    (5)

  • Amalie M.

    I've been here on multiple occasions, so I am reviewing collectively for dinner, and the lunch buffet. Starting with the service, though, it's pretty good. The waitresses are decently attentive, and pretty good about getting drinks/food out as quickly as possible. The dining, and food prep areas are kept in good shape, and I don't feel like I'm going to get a disease from their bathroom. The lunch buffet is okay, nothing to really rave about. I think it's a bit overpriced for the small selection you have to choose from. They do have a roll, or two that I enjoy, but a lot of them have spicy sauces on top, and not everybody likes spicy foods. The cooked foods are alright, too. I've definitely had better hot foods at other buffets. The space that they cram the buffet into is uncomfortably small, as well. I'm constantly getting my heels kicked, or pressed against a wall. It's very poorly planned out. Dinner is alright, as well. Again, I feel like some of their rolls are overpriced, but maybe it's just me. Their portions are alright, I've definitely seen places make bigger rolls - that coincidentally cost less - than Yuraku, but that's not to say Yuraku makes bad food. All of the rolls, and fish I've had from here have been fresh, I've never gotten sick after eating their food, which I take as a good sign. Overall, a 4/5, rated most highly for their service, cleanliness, and freshness of their foods.

    (4)

  • Leigh M.

    PROS: Very Good Sushi, intimate cool vibe, All you can eat sushi buffet (lunch) & decent prices CONS: Always a wait, Always Packed, sushi buffet line is cramp & wait staff seem stretched thin plus distracted This place would be good for smaller groups or ultimately just a date spot you can sit at the sushi bar & the chefs are super nice and will make you off menu sushi creations!

    (4)

  • Chris H.

    I don't get it. All these raving reviews seem SO convincing. Maybe that's why I tried it 3 times to make sure I'm not going crazy. Maybe I was just unlucky all 3 times. First time, lunch buffet. Fair, it's obviously not going to be quality but I couldn't believe they sold this crap. Second and third time, tried some tuna dishes, salmon, unagi, volacano rolls, and other miscellaneous rolls--they were all NOT fresh. I don't know if the people writing reviews claiming it's the best in the DMV have never tried sushi prince or sushi yoshi, places that serve truly fresh sushi. I don't get it. I wanted to love this place so much. it's so close to home and could have had so much potential. I won't lie, they're generous with their portions for the price but I'm willing to bet it's because they cheap out on quality. The proportions are all off on their nigiri--more isn't always better. I'd rather pay more for quality food that has been prepared with thought and attention. Even the unagi didn't taste fresh. I don't even know how you mess UNAGI up. I did like the starter salad, miso soup was okay, and this strange appetizer roll received (very korean style but nothing wrong with that). Everything else was awful. I couldn't even finish it because my appetite was slaughtered as soon as I tried the sake (salmon) nigiri. I'm not even that picky when it comes to sushi but what the f*ck! I just spent $80 on food that I ended up throwing away. Obviously, I'm pretty pissed. Long day at work, going out and getting a shit ton of expensive sushi dishes to leave so disappointed does make me a little angry. I definitely will NEVER go back. Originally, I was going to give this place 2 stars but the service was pretty damn awful, too. OH! Before I leave. LET ME ELABORATE ON THE VOLCANO ROLL (SEE PICS). This "ROLL" looked like a failed souffle, merged with a failed casserole. WHAT THE HELL IS IT? Just look at the picture and you'll get it. Holy f*cking sh*t. This place blows.

    (1)

  • Kseniya P.

    We love Sakura! Only thing is we never seem to get our appetizer as an actual appetizer.

    (5)

  • Lily Z.

    I come here to dinner and they do not disappoint! Yes, there can be a wait and they dont do reservations but it's worth it. I just realized I have been coming here once a week for about the past couple month to fill my sushi cravings. When ever you go you usually get free appetizers. And who doesn't like free stuff? I've gotten steamed egg, miso soup, the fish, salad, and 2 piece sushi, I guess it depends on the day. The sushi, my favorite roll is the spice girl roll. I absolutely love it! And I recently discovered the dragon roll. I heard really great things about the volcano roll but it was too greasy for me. There are soooooo many other speciality rolls to choose from, you'll definitely find one you love! The best part is consistency, I go back every week receiving the same quality and taste. The service is always great as well, all the ladies are always super sweet and kind. The restaurant is really nice a cozy. The back wall is full of pictures from customers who have celebrated their birthdays there, super cute. If you're in the area, you have to try this place! I love it. And Roy Rogers is right next door for dessert ;)

    (5)

  • Dawnn J.

    2nd time here within a week... Lobster Madness (I think) very good!! Some of the freshest white tuna I've ever had (although not as buttery). Love this place!!

    (5)

  • Melanie K.

    We came back for lunch yesterday and tried the buffet. Surprisingly, it was considerably better than our first experience here and much more cost-effective. There were lots of different types of sushi and sashimi which they were bringing out pretty much constantly. All the sushi I tried seemed to be the right temperature (which was my main concern on our last visit). I was keeping an eye on whatever boats and plates they brought out and picking from those. Even at 2pm there were a lot of people there and the sushi really didn't seem to be sitting out for long. I do wish they labeled the items that were on the buffet... we were just kind of playing a guessing game when we picked. They also have some other non-sushi items in the buffet including mozzarella sticks, salad with imitation crab meat, fried asparagus and fried sweet potato slices, egg rolls, and fried rice.

    (4)

  • Tom P.

    Another must visit restaurant!! I'm on the road again, looking for sushi at dinner time and through the reviews here on yelp chose this great place. The fish absolutely fresh, sashimi well presented and the service was on top. Wish I could give three thumbs up......do enjoy this place if you are in the area. P.S. The saki wasn't too sweet, just right.

    (5)

  • Tommy T.

    This place is amazing. I've been here for both the lunch buffet and dinner. price have gone up for the lunch buffet since i've been here, but it's still a great deal. $15 dollars will get you a nice filling sushi lunch buffet including tip and tax. The buffet selection is extremely appetizing, you get your standard sushi rolls, korean side dishes, noodles, salad, tempura, and my favorite, nigiri sushi. They have a lot of different sushi, and will replenish when it's running low. You never have to worry about not having a good selection to choose from. I usually go for the salmon nigiri, and will eat plenty of that whenever i see the guy bringing a new tray out. The key of eating lunch buffet here is to pick the right time to go; either early, meaning when they're just opening, or after main lunch hours, maybe 1:20pm. Sometimes, the waitress will give out some complementary sushi and bring it to your table. I avoid eating it, not that it's bad, but I need to save room for the salmon nigiri. Dinner at this place is similar to its lunch buffet....crazy busy. The food is also delicious at dinner time, if you don't care for the wait, then it's probably one of the best spots for sushi, imho. I work around the neighborhood, so I try to come here at a couple times during the month.

    (5)

  • Irene B.

    Yuraku is my favorite sushi restaurant in the entire DMV area. It is family owned, with very diverse and interesting menu, and freshest ingredients delivering the best possible flavor to your palate. Despite the popularity, the owners are not looking to expand, which is smart. Otherwise, the restaurant will lose its authenticity and get lost amidst thousands of other sushi restaurants. I cannot think of any favorites to suggest because every single roll is absolutely delicious! However, make sure to try their house salad with home-made dressing. I don't know what's in it but it tastes divine!

    (5)

  • Brittany K.

    Best sushi around for a buffet. Pretty small so you have to get there early to get a spot. Great food and worth the wait

    (5)

  • Joy B.

    Say,"Yes" to Yuraku! This delightful sushi house puts the v in variety. We went for this months yelp supper club and there were so many rolls too chose from. We had the sunset roll with tuna,Avocado, and crab. It was fresh and filling. There was the crunchy roll with Asian Pear. It was sweet and delicious. The rainbow maki had three different types of fish and was dynamite. We also had the firecracker roll that had an added kick in the flavor. Vivian ordered the White Russian roll that was a big hit of the evening. Then,there was a sushimi boat that boasted tons of fresh tuna,sublime salmon, and red tail fish. We started off with rich miso soup and a sea food custard dish. There was salad and endomi too. It was a banquet of food fit for a king. The huge sushi boats were brimming over with choices to choose from. No one left hungry or happier than I. No doubt that when Chris L recommends a restaurant it will be a smashing success. I was so glad that my pants were elastic waiste. The servers were kind a patient with the size of our party. They even added two extra dishes for our dining pleasure . I really liked the creamy shrimp dish. So say yes to Yurako and eat to your hearts delight.

    (4)

  • Yo S.

    This is one of very few restaurants out there that keep me going back over and over again. It is authentic and tasty. If you like sushi, this is the place to go! Their all you can eat sushi lunch buffet is amazing. You better get there early, because they usually have a long waiting list. Dinner is a la cart, but there is a larger variety of both sushi, and traditional Japanese & Korean dishes.

    (4)

  • Kenneth K.

    Yuraku is one of my "go to" sushi restaurants. The portions of the fish are fairly large, which IMO is plus. (I despise restaurants that skimp out on the fish) They have a pretty respectable variety of sushi and rolls to pick from and like most korean owned places they typically serve little side dishes (pan chan) with the food. To be honest though, I've been to Yuraku probably like 5+ times. The first time I went there, I ordered some sushi thinking it was your typical sushi joint (and as expected they didn't disappoint). My following visits however... I've ordered nothing but the rolls. Let me tell you this, the portions of the rolls is what really sets Yuraku apart from all the other sushi places! They are pretty darn big and delicious, especially considering the price. If my memory serves me correct, it's about $5 - $8 a roll. What's nice too, is the more you order the more extra side dishes they tend to give you (fried fish head is typical). FYI though, If your going to go, make sure to make a reservation. The wait without a reservation is pretty darn long during the dinner/lunch hours. And don't be surprised if you have to wait like 10 - 15 min even with a reservation. I know, you might be thinking, whats the point of a reservation then? But trust me, it's worth the wait. If your in the Gaithersburg/Germantown area you should definitely check it out.

    (4)

  • sonia g.

    Really, really good sushi. All kinds and varieties, a very extensive and creative menu. Pretty casual decor, nice staff, but it's really all about the food there. The only downside is that it's sometimes a long wait for a table, even on weekdays.

    (4)

  • Hannah H.

    About a 2.5: I was really excited in finally trying out Yuraku. My husband and I were in the area, and we thought that this place would be a good option for lunch. I've heard about their sushi lunch buffet at a bargain price ($13.95), so I was all up for it! This place is Korean-owned, so they had a lot of Korean entrees available (like spicy pork, etc.); they also have an a la carte menu on sush, rolls, and tempura, sashimi, and a special rolls menu. When we walked in, we were greeted right away by one of the servers; we were seated next to the buffet, but the sushi chefs were sort of backed up on placed orders (the sushi boats looked fantastic!). Even though the place opens at 11AM, the buffet was not set up yet, and the dining patrons that came in, we actually had to wait another 15-20 minutes or so to get a 'decent' selection on the rolls and for the buffet space to be 'filled up' on food. We were given a cup of hot green tea as well as a small bowl of miso soup, which both were pretty good. There was a Korean-style salad with soy sauce (that was pretty good and fresh), chop chae, spicy pork (looking a little pale, but actually had good flavor), Asian fruit salad, Japanese seaweed salad, soba noodles with the sauce, soy-glazed salmon cutlets, mozzarella sticks, tempura (sweet potato, shrimp ((literally, fried shrimp with tempura batter), green beans, rolls, etc.), kimchi, other ban chans (pickled radish, spinach, etc.), and rolls (spicy tuna, nigiris, California rolls, crunch rolls, etc.). There was a lot of traffic and congestion up at the buffet area since the space was a little tight; plus, there wasn't really much of a 'start' and an 'end' part of the line, so people were cutting in, left and right! I've also noticed that some loaded up on their plates for their patrons back at the table, knowing that the line was super long, so most of the rolls were gone by the time it was our turn. Some parents were bringing up their young tots with them in the line, which added to the chaos - there were dropped plates and craziness as the kids were grabbing the them, just spewing broken pieces everywhere! In addition, the rolls weren't replaced for a while, so you had to make several trips back. The rolls themselves were okay (it really reminded me of the style and quality of House of Sushi & Noodles back in Chicago, another AYCE spot); nothing too crazy, but it was just okay. Everything was presented neatly and in a clean way, which I appreciated. You can only eat so many rolls until you get stuffed, so after about 2 trips, I was pretty much done; plus, I didn't really want to deal with the crazy crowd! There was a waiting line by the time we left, so you can tell that this is a pretty popular spot for their buffet special. You have two options to pay: cash or by cc (cash is cheaper with no tax). I am recommending to skip the lunch buffet and maybe stick to their main menu! +sushi lunch buffet daily (weekends included!): 11AM-3PM +miso soup +shrimp 'tempura' +green bean tempura +'spicy' Korean pork +some specialty rolls, like the spicy tuna on top, filled with crunchiness within +chaos in the buffet line (unorganized) +pay with cash = no tax!

    (3)

  • Norry H.

    So many years have passed since a Japanese friend of mine had told me how great sushi place Yuraku was. And finally today, I went there to try, thanks to Cathy H's wonderful review and photos of this place. We got there around 1pm (Saturday) and were welcomed by a long line of waiting people. Put my name down, and we got seated after waiting for 35 minutes in the crowded and kind of humid waiting area which is connected to the kitchen with a small door, and the sushi bar kitchen with a large glass door. I ordered a Yuraku Salad (only $1.50), Sushi Appetizer - 5 pcs ($6) and Osaka Triangle Roll ($12). Sushi Appetizer and the Osaka Triangle came on the same large rectangular shape plate with beautiful presentation. The fish were all fresh both to my eyes and mouth. The owner's son Sonny was working diligently right in front of us. The appetizer sushi 5 pcs was really nice. Not only the fish were fresh, but they give you more fish and less rice. That is so ideal to me. But I would not wrap salmon around all the nigiri. I would use the same kind of fish to wrap each nigiri to enjoy each fish alone. The Osaka Triangle was beautiful. Colorful with so many fish. Mine had, salmon, tuna, squid, imitation crab, tilapia, cucumber, avocado and sea weed. (It was different from the menu description. The MIAs were, white tuna, octopus and red snapper. )This was a very unique experience for me because being a pure Japanese, we usually put in our mouth one kind of fish at a time to enjoy the flavor and texture of the fish. This dish quite confused my taste buds but I still enjoyed it. Again this roll has a lot of fish, fresh fish. To me, this roll alone can be a meal. In fact, I could not finish 6 of 8 pcs after my salad, 5 pc sushi appetizer, and two aburi salmon nigiri topped with guacamole (Thank you, Chef Sonny!). Overall, it was a delicious experience despite the distance, wait, and mediocre service of staff. I will definitely go back to try some more dishes.

    (4)

  • Paul J.

    By far my favorite sushi place. The price is perfect for the amount that they give. If you order a platter they offer delicious appetizers before your main meal. The service I experience was exceptional. The waiter was exceptional. After a long delay for a spider roll we ordered he gave us a complimentary small hot sake. I've been there a few times and it's always been a great experience.

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    The best sushi I've had in the area. Come for the lunch buffet though - great price and value. It seems like every time I go they have something new to try. My personal favorites are the spicy tuna, eel, and salmon - classics that never get old. They also have a good array of other dishes - various tempura items, bulgogi, chap chae, mini tonkatsu. My only complaint is the buffet area isn't the easiest to navigate, especially when it gets busy. Get there before 11:30 to beat the lunch rush and maximize sushi intake!

    (4)

  • James M.

    Germantown Sushi, hmm... I've only been here for dinner once and wasn't that impressed. Perhaps I'm too picky when it comes to Japanese food, or there was just too much hype going in. We ordered a variety of rolls/sushi, but nothing stood out as being really fresh/tasty. Honestly, this place seems like your typical "Korean-owned" Japanese restaurant. Everything was good (quality/presentation), but not great. I hear their sushi boats are supposed to be pretty good. And there's A LOT of talk about their lunch buffet. I'll definitely have to round up a few good men and check that out one day.

    (3)

  • Dennis S.

    This restaurant is the only one I know that offers buffet Sushi and its actually good. I guess their popularity is also their downfall. During lunch this place is pretty packed. If you come during that time count on waiting in line for 10 -15 mins on average. Sushi is very nice and fresh, however they put the tables pretty close to each other since they don't have much space so if its packed you may be seated with someone else elbow-to-elbow. Service is fast. Good place overall.

    (4)

  • Harith D.

    I heard many good things about Yuraku, so my party came for dinner and ordered the 40 piece sushi special, 2 of the special rolls, and the tonkatsu and chicken katsu. Both katsus were the worst we've ever had. The meat was dry, the only sauce was ketchup, the vegetables were badly steamed (no pickling here!) And worst of all... the rice was bad! The sushi was passable. Overall rating: not worth my time or tongue.

    (2)

  • Diane H.

    If only Yuraku wasn't so far from College Park :( Came here for the first time yesterday with two of my native-to-MoCo friends. When I opened the menu, I was so overwhelmed - there were so many options! On top of that, they had a separate menu for specialty items, furthering my indecisiveness and strong need to order one of everything and stuff my face. I ultimately decided on the Flower Roll and the Yuraku roll. While waiting, I stuffed myself with the complimentary foods (salmon, egg thingy in a bowl, miso soup, white tuna tempura)...so much so that I didn't leave myself much room for the sushi. Oops. I still ate as much sushi as I could and everything tasted so fresh. For the amount of food we got, the prices were definitely worth it. On top of that, service was lovely. We never had an empty glass of water. Our server was friendly and polite but not overbearing. On top of that, FREE STUFF! I just ate the leftovers for lunch and they still tasted fresh and not-mushy. A+ for Yuraku.

    (5)

  • Natasha S.

    Impressed. I was not expecting it to be as good as it was. Yes, I read the reviews. But I'm always misled when it comes to sushi. We walked into and saw that the restaurant was half full, and it was only 5 pm. Good sign. Once we were seated for 20 minutes or so, the place was almost completely full. We ordered a smorgasbord of special rolls and basic maki rolls. While waiting for our order, they brought out veggie sticks and dip to nibble on, then edamame. We ordered seaweed salad to start while we wait for our sushi. The seaweed salad came with imitation crab, shredded cucumbers and some daikon. While it was good, I didn't care too much for the sauce. It was more of a ponzu sauce and not the traditional seaweed salad dressing, which made it way too salty. I could pass on the seaweed salad next time around. The sushi came out, and it was on point. The fish is so fresh. We could taste the quality in the fish and the rolls were rolled PERFECTLY. The fish vs. rice ratio was just how I like it. A generous amount of fillings and rice rolled thin. The presentation is very beautiful here. You can tell they take pride in their work. We were pleased. Looking forward to coming back and ordering a sashimi platter now that I know how fresh and thick their fish is cut. Mouth is watering right now! The service is prompt and good. Restaurant is not too big or small. But it's gets pretty crowded so get there early! Parking is plentiful and easy. Prices are standard but well worth it.

    (5)

  • Jeff N.

    My wife and I went to Yuraku last week after previously enjoying their amazing sushi boats at a catered party. I decided to order "fatty tuna" sashimi for the first time, also known as Toro. Chef Sonny described this cut of fish and suggested that I try it both raw and slightly seared. It was delicious. By slightly searing the Toro, the marbled fat in the fish melted together perfectly.......similar to that of Wagyu Beef. Overall great experience! We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • David H.

    Yuraku is a favorite whenever I am in the area. If you order over a certain dollar amount, they throw in a fish head. Might sound gross to some, but there's a lot of fatty meat in there and it is very tasty. The fish is fresh and plenty full here. One time the fiancee and I ordered a 64 piece (sashimi, one roll, and nigiri) party platter and finished about 98% of it. It was that good. I would try to come on off hours, because the wait can be long sometimes.

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    Everyone I know says this is the best spot for sushi in the MD burbs, and the lines certainly back that up. We got a seat a the bar easily at 5:30 on a Saturday, but when we left around 7, there were a ton of people waiting outside. We got a couple of pieces of sashimi: salmon, yellowtail and flounder. All seemed reasonably fresh-- we liked the salmon the best. Roll-wise, we got a spider roll (my default) and a tuna ninja, which had seared tuna on top and spicy tuna on the inside. Some places will fry the soft-shell crab to death so it doesn't even taste like crab anymore, but they fried it well here, and the roll was pretty sizeable. The tuna ninja was just okay-- we didn't realize the tuna on the outside would be cooked, so that threw us off a little. We also got a salmon skin hand roll. It took quite a while for our food to come (weirdly, a couple that came after us and sat next to us got their food first), but they gave us some free salads to tide us over. They had a peanut-based dressing and surprising japaleno bits that made it spicy. After getting our sashimi and spider roll, there was again quite a lull until we got the tuna, so they gave us some fried fish on the house. It was okay, but not something I'd order on my own. Finally, when we got the hand roll, they threw in an extra, again on the house, to make up for the wait. The free items were a nice gesture! Unfortunately I don't have that large of a stomach and sushi isn't a great thing to take home, so it was a little bit wasted on us :( I don't recommend sitting at the very end of the bar close to the cash register area, because waiters had to reach around us to get take-out orders. I'm not a big sushi person overall, so you can take my review with a grain of salt!

    (4)

  • Cindy N.

    Came in for their lunch buffet on a Saturday afternoon, recommended by a friend. We had a party of three and the wait was around 15-20 mins regardless of how packed it was in the entrance room. This place is not your regular order how many pieces you want and get it made spot. I'm used to that style of all-you-can-eat instead of a buffet style (literally). The island that held that sushi and other cooked foods were small and tight that people were basically bumping back to back on each other when grabbing food. There was a small island filled with Korean styled cuisine, and only limited variety of sushi. The price of the buffet was blind for our party until we decided to ask for a menu and choose additional add-ons (for an additional cost). Anyhow, the lunch buffet is priced at $13.96 from 11am-3pm. Please note that they have other lunch specials and it may be a better choice versus the buffet. Overall, food quality was not bad, service was sparse but servers did treat us well and came back quickly regardless of the level of traffic. I'd say definitely come and give this place a shot but do check out the food on the buffet table before deciding whether or not it may or may not be worth it to get the buffet or just order off the menu! :)

    (3)

  • Lester R.

    I love a place that gives you freebies when you order a lot of stuff. It's really hard to pinpoint what is what because they constantly rotate their specials and that's where the gems are. From sashimi, sushi rolls to grilled tuna the quality is top notch. They NEVER skimp on the sushi at all and they even try fun stuff like their Godzilla roll (just in time for the movie, folks!). The servers are very fast and what's amazing is that every time I've been there it's been packed and the servers and the sushi chefs do an amazing job getting orders right and still putting out a quality product. Also what separates this from other places is just how inexpensive it is by comparison to other places that aren't as generous with their portion. I have no complaints about this place as you can eat your fill and never feel ripped off. Needless to say it's worth the trek to Germantown.

    (5)

  • Alex H.

    This place is very far from where I live. I come here with my family only on special occasions and every time my mouth takes a bite...I am so satisfied! Yuraku has a wide range of selection from sushi and special rolls. Their dishes are so creative too, it really stuns your eyes! I can't even say which dish to choose, there are so many and all of them are just terrific. In my whole life, this is by far one of the best places for huge sushi fans! If you are in the area, you must eat here. Just letting everyone know though, the place is very small so seating can take a while. Still it is definitely worth the wait

    (5)

  • Milton D.

    This place is the Sh.. If you like Sushi, look no farther. I dont know where to begin. The Specialty rolls are amazing. There are so many to choose from. I always try something new and this place never fails. So to have the best experience, eat at the bar. The boys are fun to watch no mater if you dont know what they are saying, they know how to make an awesome roll.. Sometimes they will even give you something to try out. Normal people can eat around 2 - 2.5 rolls. The only thing is if you don't get there by 6:30 pm you'll might have to wait an hour to be seated. But MUST MUST GO.. OH, and they have an all you can eat buffet during lunch. It doesnt have all there specialty rolls, but its still a good selection.

    (5)

  • Adam J.

    My favorite sushi restaurant in MD! I make sure to come here every time I'm back in town. Their lunch buffet is unbeatable but unfortunately I only had time to go on Sunday and they don't offer that on Sundays. I always have to get at least one order of the maui black pepper roll. It's seriously amazing! Loaded with tuna and avocado on the outside and more tuna inside the roll. The triple salmon sushi may have been too much salmon. Everything is soooo good and you can't beat the prices! Service is usually questionable but I'm willing to overlook that for the quality food

    (5)

  • Jasmine N.

    I love yuraku with a passion, this is all where my sushi obsession began BE AWARE if u like sushi and have never tried this place get ready to spend a whole lot of money because your gonna be eating here a whole lot ! you will get addicted i can tell ya that ;) the waitresses are super friendly and nice and wow the chefs are perfect lets start with the lunch buffet - tuesday-friday 12pm-3pm $13.99 for adult children under 11 are $8.95 i believe. They don't give you a lot of rice like other places seem to, the fish IS NOT thin and covers all of the rice, its fresh and the rolls are fantastic the nigiri selection in pretty good consist of salmon,tuna,eel,cooked squid,mackerel wrapped in ginger,crab and maybe I'm missing something else idk but all great omg dinner dinner dinner y are you so good ?!!!! my favorite rolls are triple salmon roll $12 great for salmon lovers like me, spicy salmon on the inside and wrapped in salmon and topped with more spicy salmon titanic roll $13 huge pieces !!! lobster tempura crab avocado and idk what else but than fried and topped with a variety of fish eggs fire cracker roll $12 spicy tuna roll wrapped with salmon and topped with spicy crab i also love getting the sashimi boats they come with a huge variety of fish and all thick, fresh and yummy slices of sashimi great for big parties the nigiri is amazing as well, the fish is super fresh its probably 2 times larger than how much rice the give you and is usually garnished with broccoli sprouts overall i love coming here its just so epic and i don't even know what u would do with my life if yuraku wasn't in it, i order to go too much that they have me on speed dial lol! I've spent 4 of my birthdays here already its kinda become and annual thing you know and tomorrow is my b day so guess what ? you know it yuraku here i come !!! i cant wait i am drooling btw I'm turing 14 so I've eating here since i was 9 Sooooo its pretty good and sushi is my favorite food :)))) if you haven't already seen haha ok try this place out if you haven't already :)

    (5)

  • Kate O.

    My mom really likes this place so she picked this restaurant for her birthday dinner. We got to the restaurant around 6:45pm and we were quoted about 20-25 minutes for a party of 5. The waiting area was cramped so some of the waiting customers were waiting outside. The host was kind enough to pop his head out to check when he called out names and got no response. We ordered a sushi, sashimi and rolls combo platter along with beef tataki appetizer, dragon roll and spider roll. I thought the food quality was really good and they weren't stingy with the fillings for the rolls that we ordered. We also go plenty of side dishes - steamed egg tofu (I think), salad, veggies and dip, grilled fish head, and miso soup. Even though they were busy, our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Service was fine. Our bill for 5 people before tip came to around $100 so I thought it was a good value.

    (4)

  • Ataya P.

    Love this place!! I come here for the sushi lunch buffet. Ah! definitely a place where you can overeat, but I don't care! I definitely suggest lunch here. It's affordable and plentiful. If we bring a large group, sometimes it's a bit of a wait and the seating is a little tight... but it's totally worth it!

    (4)

  • Jimmy D.

    This review is for the lunch buffet. Food: Really meh. Most of it did not look like it was being rotated (i.e. fresh) and the selection was small. Overall the layout and food did not look appetizing. There were literally food pans stacked on one another. and some of the sushi was sitting on the top shelves with no cover...might be a health code violation. Staff: The front house staff lacked serious professionalism. The lady up front never once looked up at any of her customers and just kept doing other tasks while people asked questions. Decor: The waiting area is cramped and really depressing. There is random clutter and unfinished fixtures. The inside looks dated. Really no clue how this place gets 4 or 5 stars. Those peeps need to leave the burbs and explore.

    (2)

  • Kimberly T.

    I love this place for their sushi buffet. They are super popular so you might have to wait for a table. The set up for the buffet is weird since it is in one corner of the restaurant and you have to wait in line for the people on front of you. But the restaurant has been here for a long time, and I wish they would expand since it is always cramped in there. The dinner menu is rather big, they give you veggies and dip as a free predinner munch. The staff is really attentive and nice, they also weird kimonos.

    (5)

  • Amir Matin S.

    Hands down the best sushi I've had. Anywhere! EVER! And I've had sushi all the way from the east coast to LA. If they'd let me, I'd bring in a big wooden barrel tub (like the ones the cowboys bathed in back in the days of the wild west), get inside of it, and fill it up with a bazillion Yuraku rolls. That, boys & girls, is what I imagine Japanese Thanksgiving is like. Yuraku was my favorite sushi place even before they added about a hundred new special rolls to their menu. Now, it's just sushi heaven! My favorite rolls are: SPICE GIRL ROLL. Words. Cannot. Describe! Hot Fuzz Roll. If you like coconut (or anything ridiculously delicious going into your mouth, GET THIS!) Lobster in Paradise. I feel like the chef got a little fancy with this one, so I'd get this without the strawberry sauce (or get the sauce on the side and try for yourself). Honestly, I could go on & on about the rolls, so I'll spare you the dissertation. Just know that what sets apart Yuraku from other places is their cooked rolls, although the raw sushi is also great. Some of my other favorites include: Viagra Roll, Isobe Roll, November Rain, there's just too many to list. P.s. The sushi buffet is just average, so I don't recommend it. P.p.s. They're closed Mondays. I know ... I hate it too.

    (5)

  • H B.

    Hands down the best sushi in the area. Fresh fish, inexpensive, good variety of classic rolls, contemporary styles and their own creations. What more could you want? The chefs also bring you additional samples of their creations.

    (5)

  • Jeana C.

    I wish there was 3 1/2 stars. Food: Awesome. Had sushi from all over and this place's sushi is pretty yummy. I can't say anything bad about the food. Service: not bad. Had lunch buffet and one of the ladies brought miso soup. Pretty fast w taking the finished plates. Environment: This is where I am little disappointed. Wayyy too small, and packed. Buffet line/area is super duper small and cramped. Good lord! you definitely can fit two people side by side unless you are a small, petite lady who weighs 100 pounds. Tables are very..VERY close to each other. Will i come back? Hmmmm...that's a great question. Perhaps...when I am in the area. Food is so yummy so yea, why not.

    (3)

  • Khang L.

    First of all the service is top notch. All of the waitresses and waiters are polite and really pleasant. They work so hard to bring the food out to us customers. The food was outstanding, I like how the fresh the food is, and the rolls selection is huge. I would definitely recommend the Tuna Fiesta, and the Lobster in Paradise.

    (5)

  • Opie M.

    I really prefer Hinode because they label everything, this place is really cramped where the food is served and too many little things make it back up. Anyone under 5 feet tall cannot really see and manage the food on the top shelf, its funny and sad. I've been here many times, and have been looking foreward to it every time except after this time. They were open before the Indian buffet so I went right in.

    (3)

  • Kaye N.

    my favorite sushi restaurant in germantown/gaithersburg area. and so does everyone else because no matter what day it is this place gets pretty crowded. normally we would wait 15-20mins which is not bad. its a small quaint place. i love how they also have complimentary appetizer to munch with before your meal arrives. love this place!

    (5)

  • Jack F.

    You've heard of burrito's as big as your head but have you seen sushi rolls as big as your mouth? Mind you, Yuraku is no Sukiyabashi Jiro (see "I Dream or Jiro" documentary) and the fish isn't purchased each morning at the local fish market (hard to imagine one in Germantown). But you're also not here for the prized delicacy of bluefine tuna from Tokyo's Tsukiji market (once sold for $8,000/kilo). No, you're here for sushi and lots of it. After all, the authentic sushi experience is already ruined by overwhelming usage of spicy Japanese mayo, yuzu sauce, and other confections. But as comfort food, there is none better is quantity and quality. The fish is still among the best for the price point. The portions more than generous. The flavor combinations between avocado, fish roe, and tempura flakes still amazing. This is sushi comfort food at its best. 4 Stars - Order what you think you want and then cut that menu down by 30%. The last thing you want to do is ruin a perfectly grand meal by forcing yourself to eat the left overs (trust me - there will be plenty). [Last Visit: May 2014]

    (4)

  • Angela P.

    My husband and I have been here many times and have brought local and out of town friends to enjoy the food. I am not a seafood eater so I was never in to sushi. However, I have a new found love of avocado so we decided to check it out as we heard it's the best sushi place around (and it's very close to our house - bonus!). Their portion sizes are generous and their ingredients are always fresh. Much to my surprise they also have a Special Roll menu which contains some different non-seafood options as well as some cooked seafood options which I've tried. My favorite is the Cowboy (marinated beef with avocado and mango - SO DELICIOUS). I always order the Cowboy Roll and without fail, it is always the last item to show up. I know it has to be cooked and takes longer than the other items we typically order, so I haven't been so put off by that because I now expect it. However, I wish that they could somehow speed up the process, or wait to bring out some of the other dishes so there's not such a lag of time in between. The last time we went we had finished eating all the other food and my husband and his coworker forgot I still had the Cowboy Roll coming out. We like to go when it first opens because it is usually very crowded. We have done take out a few times, which they usually have ready earlier than they estimate, but I prefer to eat the Cowboy Roll in the restaurant while the meat is still warm. Overall the portions are great (which is maybe why their prices are on the higher side), the food is fresh, and they almost always bring something out on the house (shrimp tempura and/or edamame). Oh and my husband loves their sushi and is a seafood eater so I know it's not just my love of their avocado & Cowboy rolls that will keep us coming back to this place!

    (4)

  • Stacy M.

    Food was fresh and tasty. The Lindsy Roll was my choice for tonight and it was great.

    (5)

  • Ruth C.

    Three and a half stars. I'm so impressed by how fresh their fish is that I can overlook being bummed by less than awesome ginger and the stray scale left on the mackerel. Our sushi platter came out in good time after our miso soup and salad. Sashimi cuts trend conservative, but nigiri is sliced long to compensate. Octopus sliced thin, smaller surf clams. Salmon belly was phenomenally decadent, and I definitely preferred the unseared tuna. I'm very picky about rolls, and just haven't been impressed by their execution so far. While they have a bible of conceptually interesting combinations, I'll probably stick to my purist sushi habits here. Tons of parking in the shared plaza lot. Great service: my green tea was regularly refilled, and being sung happy birthday to by pretty ladies in formal garb made my night. Lots of $5 birthday polaroids on the wall. Skip the edamame. Wasabi aioli and seaweed salad garnishing the tuna tataki are tasty. Osaka Triangle is an intensely dense roll that's nearly impossible to fit in your mouth in one bite without smearing sauce all over your face. Firecracker roll and dobin soup are okay. I'm curious how their lunch buffet is, but my future hit list includes fried scallops, conch/uni/akagai sushi, chirashi, shabu-shabu, hae dup bap.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    If you want massive rolls stuffed to the brim with tasteless fish, this is the place! Okay, now maybe I made a mistake by ordering only rolls, and I shouldn't have ordered rolls with 6 different fish crammed in them. Looking around their sashimi did look better, but the quality of the fish I got wasn't very good. They stuffed our rolls with as many different types of fish as possible, so it didn't have much distinct flavor. They also used WAY too many sauces - it seemed like they were trying way too hard to be creative with new rolls. None of it worked. The fish itself was ice cold - it should be served at room temperature, a little chilled. I love sushi but I could barely choke down some of their fish. It just tasted off to me. Didn't seem very sanitary, either. There were flies buzzing around and it just didn't seem very clean. The prices were cheap, I guess, so you get a lot of fish for what you pay, but it's all mediocre. I'm honestly not sure why this place has 4 stars. Did I miss something? Did I order the wrong things? I don't think I'll be coming back, regardless. My last visit left me feeling extremely unhappy. Never trust a sushi place that has a buffet.

    (2)

  • Zara K.

    This place is disgusting ... I don't know I didn't turn around and go elsewhere... I don't know why I even ate ... I don't know But ! What you should know is, don't try this place, don't be hopeful about a sushi paradise, don't even dare The wasabi was mushy and sickening . My husband tried the kimchi and it was stale and bitter , everything tastes like bad refrigerated food The sushi is messy and has a dirty feel and taste I wish I just asked for a refund and had left.. What a waste of my sat morning calories Oh and the place and crowd is depressing as heck I just hope I don't die of food poisoning now.. And I'm Not joking.

    (1)

  • Ginnie S.

    Best Sushi Ever! The owner, Sonny, has been serving my husband and I at his sushi for over 5 years now. They make the best sushi: the fish is exceptionally fresh, the size of the fish served is larger than what you are paying for, and his combinations can not be matched! He does traditional Japanese dishes very well, which is evident by his clientele, but he is always coming up with new dishes.

    (5)

  • Alex Y.

    Best sushi restaurant in town. But expect some waiting time for table.

    (5)

  • Farha K.

    I can't believe this place is hidden away in a strip mall in the middle of nowehere, MD! It is by far the best sushi I've had in the DMB, excellent quality fish for the sashimi and nigiri. Fantastic choice of rolls where you actually get to taste the fish and it's not hijacked by a bunch of funky sauces and spicy mayo. The wait's long, sit at the bar if you can and watch the chef's work their magic.. but take whatever seat they give you cuz it gets packed!

    (5)

  • Carla K.

    Delicious high quality sushi! The specialty rolls are huge, actually so large that I have trouble eating them in one bite! The service is also very friendly and fast. My only complaint is the size of the rolls, I like smaller rolls with less raw fish. Don't get me wrong I love my raw tuna and salmon, but the size of the slices was overwhelming. I also noticed they use a lot of tempura and sauces in their specialty rolls, both of which are delicious but too much of either covers the real flavor of the meat. I think the best part about this place is their lunch buffet, I really like to sample different rolls and their dinner prices make it expensive to do so. At the end of the day the sushi is great but for the price I would rather go to Tokyo Sushi in Germantown.

    (4)

  • Alana S.

    I just got back from my birthday dinner here. AMAZING. We ordered 4 special rolls, and had differing tastes so the two I didn't like the SO liked and the one I LOVED the SO wasn't a fan of. Ordered the Godzilla Roll, the King Kong Roll (both were meh in my opinion, both were warm rolls but SO went nuts for them) and the When Tuna met Mango roll (we both loved this one, very fresh and mild) and the White Pearl (my FAVORITE a really fresh scallop roll). The service was prompt and the server was quick to suggest some really good cold Saki when I mentioned I wanted to try some but had never had it before. Quick Service, the spacing on the tables were a little close but easily overlooked for the experience with amazing food and excellent service.

    (5)

  • Xtine C.

    I can't believe I haven't written a review here! Def the best sushi you'll get in the MoCo area. It's owned by Koreans but they sure know how to provide great service and food. If you want good quality rolls I would recommend coming here during dinner hours. They have all types of special rolls that will surely satisfy you. A free appetizer on the house they provide is a fried salmon head! If you know anything about eating any type of meat, you know the cheeks are where the best meat is! Make sure you eat the salmon cheeks!!! Haha - that sounds weird... The lunch buffet is the best sushi buffet hands down! They have all types of sushi rolls, korean side dishes, and japanese style tempura! They're very good at keeping up with the demand and keep the rolls coming non stop! All this for $13? Can't beat it. If you get a chance to sit at the sushi bar, DO IT! The sushi chef always seem to provide me a little something extra to try on the house! ;) ooh la la~ I also have ordered their catered sushi platters and it's well worth it! I got a huge sushi platter once for ~$75 and it fed my entire family of four with 20% of it still left over. Avoid the weekend lunch and dinner prime hours, it will be forever until you're seated.

    (5)

  • Jéssica N.

    First time there today and it is safe to say that I will definitely be going back for more. Delicious and fresh variety of fishes. Love!

    (5)

  • Mitchell H.

    I've been coming here for a few years now. I love this place. The front is a bit slow and not always super friendly but the wait staff is great and the food is amazing at reasonable prices. The true gyms are in the custom rolls. You have to experiment to discover what you like best but I'm a big fan of the Viagra roll.

    (5)

  • Sana H.

    Horrible service. The waitress asked us for drinks and didn't come back for at least 20 min. She kept socializing with co workers and other guests eating. We didn't even order fancy sushi it was supposed to be a quick sushi dine in. Although she did bring us a small bowl of edamame -on the house for making us wait so long. We had spicy salmon & a shrimp tempura roll. The pieces were too large, I took my aunt and it was her first time eating sushi. She didn't enjoy it and the pieces were falling apart. I asked for spicy mayo 3 times she brought a very small tray with barely any. I asked for jalapenos in my spicy salmon roll & when she brought our sushi the jalapenos were laying on top of 2 pieces and the rest were falling off in the tray. I was too annoyed & hungry at this point to complain so I just ate it. It was pretty busy but there was a lot of waiters.. that isn't an exception to sucky service. ALSO, some RANDOM waiter came up to us & grabbed our check twice before we were ready, she was literally grabbing it from our hands when we were still adding money LOL. SO obnoxious. Not coming back here.. it smells funky inside too.

    (1)

  • George M.

    Consistently good, but gets crowded at lunch. As far as sushi buffets go, especially in this area, this is one of the better ones. A decent selection of items on the buffet, including hot dishes and soups. It's hard to go wrong with choosing this for your next lunch destination with coworkers. Be aware, it does get crowded on Fridays for lunch.

    (4)

  • Ray L.

    Service is awesome and sushi is stellar! The ambiance is decent. If you go on a weekend, plan to get there the second they open or you may be in for a wait!

    (4)

  • Monica P.

    Exterior: Located in the shopping center of Great Wall Supermarket and Honey Pig. Interior: Moderately sized. I guestimate at least 15-20 tables? No pictures to show (I apologize. Distracted by food..upcoming) The usual laminated wood, japanese sushi house look- except it is a korean owned restaurant. The original owner's son has taken over and mmf. He knows what he's doing. Thank God for passed down sushi makin' skills. Service: Happen to come during lunch or dinner time? Expect to sign in on a list. Yes, they are popular like that. Service was good. FOOD: Sushi. Nigiri. Special sushi some some. Just get the sushi here okay? I have yet to feast my eyes on any...ANY sushi serving restaurant that gives more fish than rice. It was an amazing experience of fresh fish and minimal rice. I left crippled with a lower back problem from overeating. By the way.. they double wrap the salmon (aka sake on the sushi menu). Could not be more pleased. Love

    (5)

  • Sisley C.

    This is my favorite sushi spot! It's always packed here, but hey... It's worth the wait. They probably have 100+ rolls to choose from... No I'm not exaggerating! Some of the most memorable rolls I've had are the triple salmon roll, jay roll, Brian's roll, seven color rainbow roll, and crazy horse. You can read all the descriptions on their website. Otherwise, you'll be reading paragraphs and paragraphs of text here. The rolls are packed with stuff and they're large! Honestly, I am a big eater and can only finish one special roll and one regular roll. I tried ordering two special rolls and I could only finish about one roll's worth!

    (5)

  • Lawrence D.

    One of the few authentic tasting sushi places around the DMV. Came midday Saturday for their lunch buffet. Around $15 for an all-you-can-eat assortment of sushi, traditional Korean dishes such as Kimchi and Kimbap, as well as more Americanized cuisine such as fruit salad and orange chicken-style wings. The sushi comes in many varieties, from simple, well-known rolls such as California, Phily, Salmon, and Tuna to higher-level rolls that could be called "Chef's Specials" somewhere else. There also is a large array of different types of Unagi and an inexhaustible amount of ginger and wasabi for the taking. However, the buffet area is very cramped and the line is organized in a snake-like manner that is at times confusing and slow during peak hours. It would also be a great addition if Yuraku would add labels to their different sushis and dishes, as many sushi rolls look extremely similar when the only change in ingredients between two rolls is replacing cucumber with avacado. All in all, those are marginal complaints and the quality of the food greatly outweighs any annoyances I have with the set-up. Come here with an empty stomach and it'll definitely be worth it considering the price for the entire buffet will get you 1-2 rolls of good sushi anywhere else.

    (4)

  • Mark R.

    I am not sure if I need to add anymore to all of the reviews that people have posted except couple of things: - Small space so you might need to sit next to strangers - The buffet space is limited and there's NO SASHIMI selection at all (it's all rice so prepare for your carb intake) - Korean side dishes are very good especially the diakon radish salad with cucumber - Did not try the fried food so I cannot say much about that - Soba is offered but the soba sauce is not so fresh It's just a normal sushi buffet. I have not had their normal menu so cannot really or comment on that. So take it for what it is. It's a sushi buffet that is just that. It's not the seafood/chinese buffet that offers incredible selection of seafood and fried foods.

    (3)

  • Robert W.

    good stuff. My friends and I made the drive from Baltimore via the ICC (a bizarre Ezpass system IMHO). We called ahead to put our names on the list and still waited 15 minutes. Service: quick, efficient. If you want or need to be coddled, don't come here. They don't rush you, but you never need to flag someone down for anything. Menu- quite extensive and didn't really get a chance to peruse because we wanted to share the "boat" Ordered the 120 piece boat which comes with 3 rolls. The quality is quite good and the fish is fresh. I guess not all pieces are my favorite, so I can't rave about each type. But we ordered uni and the sweet shrimp which were great. In addition to our order, they send out all these random fish dishes... tuna collar, salmon pieces, salad.. etc. My count, at least 7 additional dishes. I'm not sure if these come only with the boat, or served when you order over a certain amount. Anyways, the food here was good and worth the drive. I'd like to check out some of their rolls next time... even though I don't love weird rolls with weird sauces.

    (4)

  • Talon K.

    A year ago my boyfriend and I bought our first house!! Yay! However, we now live in Silver Spring... We are no longer 5 minutes down the road from Yuraku and oh how I miss it. Because of the distance, I have had to try some of the sushi places that are close by, and did I mention how much I miss Yuraku!!? Nothing comes close to this place, it's hands down the best sushi I've ever had. Best in the DMV. I have exhausted the sushi options near me and will now only go to Yuraku when my sushi craving hits, yes- even though it's now a solid 40 minutes away. The staff is amazing (I love you Choi) and the food is incredible. This is where my boyfriend and I went on our first date and we go every year for our anniversary. Hopefully we can venture over for some amazing sushi very soon.

    (5)

  • Daniel O.

    My favorite sushi place. For the value, this has to be the best sushi restaurant in the area. Tucked away in an unassuming shopping strip in Germantown, MD, the two things you'll notice when you pull up is its unimpressive appearance and the line out the door. Be prepared to wait for a table but revel in that moment as your hunger grows uncontrollably. The servers are always busy, but always courteous. The freebie appetizers you get are inconsistent; the salmon head and egg are a given, but sometimes you'll get a salad with fish or some mackerel sushi. I like the miso soup here. The portions at Yuraku are very large. A $25 meal at any other sushi establishment leaves you thinking about where you should eat afterwards for round 2; at Yuraku you must unbutton your pants. To know how much to order, I follow a general rule: take the number of people in your group and subtract 1. That's how many rolls you should order. We pick two or three pieces of sushi we each want and we also each get one hand roll. There are two go-to rolls that I never fail to get: the Triple Salmon and the Osaka Triangle rolls. The Triple Salmon roll is an incredible roll-up of spicy salmon, regular salmon, and more spicy salmon that will turn you into a selfish person when you take more than your friends. This is my favorite. The Osaka Triangle is a hodgepodge of different fish that come together perfectly in your mouth. Beware...it takes two or three bites to eat one slice. Ask for "chojang" when eating the Osaka Triangle. It's a Korean spicy red chili paste that goes well with it. They give you very generous portions of the sushi pieces. I usually get a salmon, tuna, and a spicy scallop. Sometimes a raw beef or hamachi gets thrown into the mix. My go-to handroll used to the be Triple Connection (tuna, salmon, hamachi, spicy mayo sauce) however I have since moved on to the Scallop hand roll. Large chunks of scallop embedded in mayo and masago (fish roe). Both are highly recommended. Knock the sushi down your gullet with gulps of Sapporo or Asahi and you'll experience no better refreshment. Or if you're in the mood for something warm to sip, get a pot of the hot sake, although the price of the pot is kind of steep (only item there not worth the money). Yuraku may not have the highest quality of fish in the area, but it's the best value for sure. The aftermath is always full of hate: hating myself when I secretly unbuckle my belt beneath the table, hating myself as I slouch on the long drive back to Virginia, and hating myself the next day when I think that I should have eaten one more piece of sushi. I must be a masochist because I always come back for more.

    (5)

  • Mina C.

    Far off the beaten path for me, but I will always come here for my sushi fix. I love the sashimi, and the rolls. I can't really complain about anything in terms of the food I've tried. They also give several complimentary items when you order. This can be anything from soup, salads, a salmon fish head, or some veggies with dip. A large warm sake is cheap, so you can have a nice warm drink with your food. It's fun and me and my friends end up ordering several bottles every time. The wait is just what kills me. If I am bordering hangry, the wait will push me over the edge. In the colder months everyone crowds in the front as well, so if you come in and try to get your name down you might have to push through. Also, why is the wait always 20 minutes? Even if there are 2 people in front of you or 6 people. Anywho, I will wait. Because I love it.

    (4)

  • Beth C.

    I have been to this restaurant once before and had a pretty good experience. However, today I had an awful time. I was with two friends, the wait was about 20 minutes so not too bad considering it was Saturday. The service was spotty, we waited 10 minutes for water and our friend ordered off the menu and she ended up waiting a while for her food. The buffet was an extreme disappointment. I am a big sushi fan and I'm not a fan of this at all. First of all, the sushi is lukewarm and kept out in the open for who knows how long, getting touched and breathed on by everyone in line. The hot items were somewhat cold, which implies maybe the food has been kept out for a while. I enjoyed some of the food, but what put me off most of the sushi is that it is all covered in some kind of sauce. Surely a better idea would be to keep the rolls plain and have sauce available for people to put on if they please. There are no labels on anything so it's a lucky dip on what you're getting. I finished the meal and was on my way home when I had to pull over to the side of the road and throw up - a little gross sorry-. This has never happened to me before after any meal, and I have eaten a lot of sushi at many places and it's never happened. When I got home I telephoned the restaurant to express my concern about what happened and to also suggest they check the fish to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else. The first person who answered the phone was very rude and kept telling me to hold on. I finally got to speak with the manager who was very apologetic and embarrassed about what happened. Overall this trip to Yuraku was a bad one, but I know this place has great reviews so perhaps it was just some bad fish but still just a heads up to be cautious.

    (1)

  • Christine P.

    Absolutely love this place!! They don't take reservations, but it's always worth the wait. My favorite roll is the Osaka Triangle :) There are so many different rolls, you are definitely able to find one you'll like. If are you are able to go for lunch, try their lunch buffet as well.

    (5)

  • Preet M.

    Service: The only times I've eaten here are for their lunch buffet. My water never fell below three quarters and I had soup hot and ready on call. That being said, the lines are short since the staff is so ready and everything works out perfectly despite how small the place is. Food: Everything is great! Sushi, meats, veggies noodles...I have never heard a single complaint about the restaurant's food....I can't say the same about my belly after eating here however. Also, their sushi boats are HUGE if you order correctly...well worth the $30 for them. The best part however, is that I paid $16 including a hefty tip and tax last time I ate here..and I ordered the buffet with a drink. Amazing right?! Environment: The place is nice and cozy. Intimately close seating and very chatty dining area. It kind of reminds me of Indian street vendor restaurants to be honest. Love it!

    (5)

  • Kimberly T.

    This is my fave sushi place by far! I've been here for both the lunch buffet and dinner. You can't beat a $10-$13 pricing for all you can eat sushi and they definitely give a good variety. Just make sure to arrive before 11, otherwise you will be stuck in the crazy line waiting for a table. I've been here twice for dinner and both times were just as good. Shared a boat of sushi with a large group on one occasion and shared 6 special rolls with my boyfriend to celebrate our 2 years on another occasion. We underestimated the size of the special rolls, we should have just ordered 4 rolls to share but they were great for take home leftovers!

    (5)

  • Sunny H.

    My coworkers recommended this restaurant.... I guess today was not normal day. I just ate dry sushi...... :(

    (2)

  • Amira H.

    I love this place!! It does get super crowded and can be a little pricey, but it is totally worth it! It does feel congested and loud, so when you go, prepare to use your outside voice! I had a hard time hearing people who sat right across from me. The first time I went, I ordered the Spice Girl roll and the Caterpillar, both were amazing! The second time that I went, I got the November Rain. It was good, but it was huge! The wait staff was very friendly and patient. I really want to try their buffet! Maybe next time!!

    (4)

  • Paul D.

    BEST Lunch Buffet EVER!!! WHOA! I'm impressed (and I'm not easily impressed). I finally decided to see what all the hub bub was about, and went here for their weekday lunch buffet. WOW...Wa-WOW-WOW! I was able to sample well over 30 freshly-made, DELICIOUS, different, and unique Chef's Sushi Rolls, for only $14. You can't beat that ! I gorged myself to the point of nausea. I lost count at 30, but I think I ate around 40 pieces of sushi. Totally worth it. The key is to pace yourself. Don't load your plate too full on the 1st trip. I was dinning alone and so I sat at the bar and watched the 6 Chefs make roll after roll. Then I went to over to the Buffet as soon as the different rolls, that I had just watched being made, were put out. Fantastic! The Buffet also has other items besides just sushi. For example, Tempura, Soups, Noodles, & a hot bar of miscellaneous Chinese food. My one complaint is the tong situation on the buffet. There is a bucket of ice with used tongs in it, and you grab a tong out of it, use it for all the sushi items, then you put the dirty, used, tong back in the bucket for the next person. This is most unhygienic. Why not have separate tongs for each item? If I wasn't painfully aware of the Fukushima Radiation rapidly contaminating the Pacific Ocean, I'd eat here again. "Your days of eating Pacific Ocean fish are over" Educate yourself: activistpost.com/2013/10… But this is still some excellent Sushi!

    (5)

  • Emily R.

    Best place for sushi in the DMV!! The rolls and sashimi are huge! We drive about an hour just to get sushi here with friends. Definitely worth the drive!

    (4)

  • Leila A.

    My boyfriend brought me here as a late lunch surprise and we both love the place. The buffet is the best buffet for Sushi so far. I've been to other places but not one could top this joint. Yuraku has plenty of choices to choose from so rest assured, you won't get bored of what you're eating. It's also a bang for your buck! About $15 a person for the buffet. I mean where else can you get that price for good quality Sushi buffet? Service was A+ We got our drinks right away and they even serve you Miso soup if you want. The Miso was complimentary to the buffet and I think you can ask for seconds (out of observation from the table next to ours). The only down side, of which I'm sure y'all can recover from, is the waiting period and the cramped space of the buffet. But really though, why do you need a huge buffet bar when all you wanna do is grab a plateful of food and run back to your table to devour them all? Anyway, it's a great place for Sushi lovers and special occasions. I would love to have my birthday dinner there! Try it already!

    (5)

  • Jeff B.

    Now this place is on point! I ordered the avocado and asparagus rolls since the buffet is not vegan/vegetarian friendly. Two pieces of the avocado roll were wrapped in avocado! They were amazing. The asparagus rolls were amazing as well. Everything was about $13 with tip. A salad came as well. The dressing was wonderful. We saw a Polaroid picture of a former Gaithersburg Trojan cheerleader broad from 2004. We couldn't determine who it was. She was alone in the picture. It's a mystery. The service was very good. My friends ordered the lunch buffet. They liked it. We arrived at 11am. Make sure you arrive at 11am for the buffet. This place gets pretty crowded with white people at 12:15.

    (5)

  • Jenny N.

    This place is small but it is a gem! Every time I drive into the shopping center, I wonder if they are the only business at full capacity. This place is open for a buffet lunch which to many people doesn't sound too appetizing but YOU'RE WRONG. They have so much to choose from and the chef will create a different roll every time something runs out. I will warn you, this place is pretty small and can get pretty crowded. The decor isn't anything fancy but you can tell everyone enjoys coming here. There are pictures of people who have been here for birthdays and the staff is always more than friendly, greeting new guests and welcoming back returning ones. The menu itself doesn't have too many specialty rolls to choose from but you are always able to ask your server or the chef (if you choose to sit at the bar) what they can make for you. The presentation of the food isn't like a lot of other places but the taste more than makes up for it. It's all just going to end up in my belly anyway so I don't really care that they're not lighting a fire on my plate when I order the volcano roll. :)

    (4)

  • Jess Y.

    The boyfriend & I are huge fans of Yuraku! We've ordered several different rolls and sashimi platters and have never been disappointed. Recently, I stopped by to get hwae dup bap (sashimi veggie rice bowl) and it was spectacular. There was a variety of fresh veggies and a delicious mound of seaweed salad. The hostess added extra fish to the bowls because of the wait. Outstanding customer service! The fish here is always super fresh, the restaurant is clean, & everyone is super friendly. Would highly recommend to dine in or take out. Side note: They do not accept Amex.

    (4)

  • CC C.

    Love love LOVE this place! The only downside is the wait. The fact that people are willing to wait means they must have amazing sushi! I only wish they would expand their space. It's great that they bring out the free sides (carrot & celery sticks, steamed egg cup, miso soup, and salmon head) while you are waiting for your sushi order.

    (5)

  • Marshall G.

    Great sushi!! Very fresh & tasty! Great service. Always crowded so plan ahead. Been there several times over the years.

    (5)

  • Jake D.

    We have been to this restaurant two times with family and guests. The foods were very good and fresh. We especially liked the fish head and soup. Every time we ordered the "Big Boat" combo which gave us varieties without going through all the menu items. The only thing to complain a little bit is the waiting time especially during dinner time.

    (5)

  • Amy E.

    The best sushi in the DC area. Best selection of rolls. Best quality fish. Best prices. Good service too. DC residents, break free from the chains of mediocre, overpriced, metro accessible sushi and get yourself here! It's worth the 40 min drive. You will laugh when your bill comes (or maybe you will cry when you realize what you've been paying for in DC).

    (5)

  • Sheel S.

    I went here for the lunch buffet, and I must say for $14 it wasn't a bad deal at all. The only issue I had is that there was a wait on a Tuesday afternoon. I presume this may be because Sushi buffets are hard to find and this is a predominantly ethnic area. As far as the food, they brought out fresh maki rolls and Sushi pretty frequently and there was other variety as well. The one thing I did not appreciate is that they charge more money if you pay with a credit card rather than cash. I mean who does that these days!! They don't even notify you of this, rather they just put the two different prices on your bill. I thought that was absolutely absurd. I would probably come back here again for the food, but there are other options out there as well!

    (3)

  • Lillian C.

    This is still the best sushi buffet in the area which is why I refuse to give less than 4 stars (for the time being), but they are definitely cutting corners the last few times I've been here thus the update. 1. The shrimp tempura, OMG! Wut happen? No longer large, thin, crispy shrimp with the tail still on- it's bulk shelled baby shrimp battered and fried, not much different from a shrimp basket. Not good eating anymore. Not to mention, they've tossed in a few deep fried makis in there (gross, don't eat this. ) 2. The more and more I visit, the crazier and more ridiculous the sauces get. Blue sauces, bananas, incredibly unnecessary and undelicious. Do not go down the Sushi Chalet path, plz. don't. 3. Korean fare still consistent! Every other Asian out there is probably shaking their heads because I'm carbing up at a sushi buffet when real asians know to hit up the seafood (watch the old Asian folks with a plate of nothing but shrimp tempura. ) but don't miss the japchae. 4. Not fascist about leaving A BIT of food on the plate. I was always paranoid that they would charge me for the stuff I took but didn't like, but turns out if it's not a ridiculous amount (say, 1/4th cup or less. ) they ignore it. Oh yeah, a totally saw a cockroach scurry across the floor but that does not deter me from eating here. :) :) :)

    (4)

  • Bob W.

    This place is amazing! Best sushi in the USA and a heck of a lot less expensive then Nobu. Sonny Lee is a culinary genus. When I sit at the sushi bar I always ask to be surprised, and one after another beautifully delicious creations are presented from Sonny. It's an authentic Japanese food restaurant with a everyone's family feel. Better then tsukiji fish market in Tokyo (really) and you don't need a plane ticket. And yes for the adventuresome Sonny will do a sake bomb with you (just one).

    (5)

  • Wendy C.

    Living only 5 minutes away from Yuraku is so dangerous! Their sushi is always really fresh and during the weekday lunch buffet, the sushi chefs bring out fresh sushi every few minutes. When I went during the weekend for entrees, they even gave us a few samples of different sushi to try out, on the house.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    I've been to so many sushi restaurants. Some great, some not so great. This place isn't even on the same scale. This place is AMAZING. The service is exceptional and the rolls are Delicious and SO HUGE. This is hands down my favorite sushi place!

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    Came here for dinner on a weekend with Eric L. and others, so super packed and tons of people inside. This is a Korean-owned Japanese restaurant, so I'm not really sure why people would come here to actually enjoy traditional Japanese dishes, but I don't think it's fair if I rate Yuraku by non-sushi items. The rolls are definitely a better measurement. - Cherry Blossom (Boring) - Yami Yami Jumbo (Basically a soggy mess... skip it) - California Sunset (I like this one!) - Flying Dragon Roll (So so...) - Osaka Triangle (Basically they put in almost every single type of fish that they have. Get this one!!) I guess when I crave for "japanese"/korean sushi, I want sauces and maybe sometimes fried. Yuraku has a decent balance between the extremes and the traditional types. Good for MD, not so great compared to the West Coast. Dinner also comes with miso soup and a fish head. (I've never been to the lunch buffet, but I'm sure it's probably worth going to. Dinner is a bit expensive though) -- PHOTO: yelp.com/biz_photos/do9C…

    (3)

  • Extremefoodie F.

    Fresh good tasting sushi, with great service. I have finally found a sushi place where quality, atmosphere, and efficiency of service have come together, and that place is Yuraku in Germantown, MD. The atmosphere is void of any gimmicky pseudo feng shuei which tends to be a mainstay in the typical sushi restaurants of America today. Sitting up at the bar with my girlfriend, watching the chefs preparation, there was a very simple easygoing atmosphere that made me want to stick around for awhile. Even during a busy Friday service it felt like an excellent nightcap to a long day- not something I can say about all restaurants. The noise level was typical of a crowded room, yet I did not feel stifled. The servers were very attentive, but again did not crowd me- which are what I consider to be the main facets of excellent service. We got the Osaka triangle, one other roll, and Gyoza as an appetizer. Overall price with a drink and tip came to be $40, which is acceptable for the quality of service and the roll size. I recommend Yuraku, and will be back!

    (5)

  • Rebecca R.

    Just came from the lunch buffet at Yuraku Japanese Restaurant. I have to say the sushi was the most delicious, creative, and fresh that I have ever had! And the place (it is pretty small) was packed---although the four of us were quickly seated. I am looking forward to returning with my coworkers. My only complaint was that the buffet tables were cramped. Somehow, though, we all managed to get back to our seats with our yummy food without incident!

    (5)

  • Al M.

    The best sushi bar in Montgomery County and arguably one of the bests in DC area. I really recommend to try the chief special sushis and creations. They are simply the best. The way he vombines and presents the ingredients is just fantastic. On the downside, it does not have the nicest furniture or nicest decor. It looks basically like any other asian restaurant.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    Best sushi in the area. Sit at the bar

    (5)

  • Ashley F.

    Best sushi in the DC metro area! They make so many fun and creative rolls! The presentation is outstanding and the service is great! My favorite is Dr Atkins! Always packed but worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Zhi Z.

    Best sushi buffet in DMV. I go there once a month on Saturdays and it's always packed (usually need to wait 20-30min for a seat). The service is also good, the waitress will refill your water often and take your dirty plates. Food is great also, the sushi is fresh and tasty. I only ordered from their menu twice and both times were good experiences. 99% of the time I come here for the buffet and the sushi is good. Compared to the menu, the buffet is much lower quality sushi (less fish/more rice, less variety). But this is still my go to place when I want to eat a buffet. Any other buffet, the food would be greasy and makes you sick if you eat too much.

    (5)

  • Charles E.

    Their lunch buffet is great. If you arrive past noon, you probably have to wait. Make sure you sign your name on the roll call. The best sushi place in the DMV! They also have other food: noodles, soups, tempuras, all yummy! There is a option to pay in cash and save a couple dollars.

    (5)

  • Javier F.

    I've Been going to this restaurant for the past 10 years and this place has never disappointed me. From the free apps and to all their sushi specials. So delicious! Their sushi rice is always cooked to perfection which is what makes good sushi. only down side is that it's very small and waiting time to get a table can be long if you aren't early enough. I learned that 10 years ago. So come early!

    (5)

  • Sharon H.

    Love this local place!

    (5)

  • Doña R.

    This place is amazing,specially when coming for lunch. I love the combination of ingredients on the rolls, the creations and originality on them. My only issue is the space, the place gets packed and is not that big, so usually you have to wait a little bit the be seated and the tables are kind of close to each other. Personally, this is not a big deal, quality and price cannot be beaten!

    (4)

  • Kerry R.

    This is the best sushi in the DC metro area. A co-worker said they have a lunch buffet abd that it's not as good as the sushi they serve for dinner. This is the only place I've ever been that adds fruit to some of their sushi - it's FANTASTIC! Come with a big appetite, it's filling! Call ahead and out your name on the list, this place is VERY popular!

    (5)

  • Ernie V.

    My family and I have been Yuraku regulars for almost 10 years now and the place just keeps getting better. Sonny has done a wonderful job evolving the menu to some of the best, unique, and freshest sushi in the Mid Atlantic. The lunch buffet has so much variety, even shrimp tempura, you wonder how they even make any money. The staff from the bus boy, waitresses, all the way to the sushi chefs are very friendly and truly top notch! You will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Claire C.

    That's my second time visit this place, I usually come with group of friends. The sushi boat with sashimi&sushi combo is perfect with group of four ppl!! The only thing bugs me in this place was that they don't take reservation, and the waiting line usually takes abt 20 mins long at least, and it was after 830PM! Overall, this place is worth the price!!

    (5)

  • Gaby D.

    I am sorry, but this place put me off sushi for life. We had to wait for 50 mins. Waitress always says wait time is 30 mins regardless how far down you are on the list. People say, long queue is the sign of good food. WRONG!. Maybe good value for AYCE Sushi, but lesson learned, Sushi is not buffet items. I have metallic, mercury, glucose taste in my mouth from consuming rice. I have eaten good Japanese food before, I am afraid this is not even close. I guess you only measure things on what's available in your area.

    (1)

  • June K.

    I first want to say that the food was average, but it seems to be the best for the area. But this review is more centered on the service, or lack-of. I've been a waitress myself, and my mom makes a living as one still (she has a tendency of over-tipping despite how good or bad the service is). I understand the hardships that come with this occupation, but never have I ever felt the urge to scam a customer. We were visiting family, and came to dine here. We met a friend of the family, whom paid for out bill including tip. Once we were done, we asked if we had to pay tip (the friend told us he paid the actual bill) and they said we did. Keep in mind the tip was $30. We left but returned because my grandma and mother left their glasses there, they could've chose to return the money back and say they made a mistake. But no. The family friend later told us he hoped we enjoyed the meal because he paid the bill and tip. So my aunt called, saying we would come pick it up the next day. When I went back to get the $30, they made me wait. I even made eye contact with the server who waited on us yesterday and she pretended not to see and walked away. They made me wait 5-10 minutes (I only got the money then because my aunt called, since I was taking so long inside) and didn't even apologize. I was met with attitude and hostility from the waitress who handed me the money. Yes, there is the off-chance that this was all just a misunderstanding, but the fact an apology was never given is a bit off putting. Now, they have a decent lunch buffet for the price, so if you do choose to eat here make sure you remember that if you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip (and if you ever decide to pay for someone else's meal, let them know that you either payed the bill/tip or both). It's unbelievably hard and demanding to make a living as a server. However, I personally am glad I won't ever have to come back to this establishment again where honesty and decency seem to be a foreign policy.

    (1)

  • Maja M.

    I came here 1 time before on a day they were closed. I was in the area today & they were open, so I was happy to have a chance to try them out. When I walked in there was a line if people. I was happy at this site thinking the food must be really good if there was a line. Then I was able to see the dinning area which is pretty small. So they could only sit a few people at a time. But still no one was leaving. Everyone was okay with waiting. I was sitted at the sushi bar. So I got to watch them making the sushi. As well as sample some sushi that was not out on the lunch buffet. It is advertised as a Japanese restaurant, but they also had Korean food on the buffet. Also the staff was speaking in Korean, so I would guess that is is a Korean owned Japanese restaurant. There was a good variety of food to choose from. Everything was really good. The staff is also really nice. I have since been here for lunch 2 more times. I definitly recommend it at least for lunch. I have never been here for dinner, but I sure it is much the same. I only gave it 3 stars because of the small dinning area which can be a bit crouded during the busy lunch rush. Also, I can't eat large amounts of food at one time, so all you can eat restaurants always seem to be a waste of money for me. However, they do allow you to sample small portions of many different dishes.

    (3)

  • Megan H.

    Reliably fresh fish and a lot of unique rolls! Be sure to ask for the special menu that lists them all (the list can also be found here: yuraku.com/special_menu_… ). My favorite is the Salmon Ninja roll that is a chopped salmon and avocado roll, topped with salmon and seared and spicy aioli sauce. They sear the salmon with a blow torch and it adds a unique smokey flavor that is in every way awesome! There was a wait on a Tuesday night at 8:30... hopefully that gives you an idea of how popular this restaurant is~ Be prepared to wait, otherwise just order your food to go and enjoy it elsewhere! *Side note about service: They typically provide complimentary miso soup, egg, and salmon head with "larger orders".... or really, just how they feel about the people at your table seemingly. Every time I've been here, they automatically send out those complimentary items, but this last visit, we had one of the older waitresses and she said that those were only provided if you order at least $18pp. Well then. The bill came and our total came out to be $19.57pp, pretax & pretip... not cool!!

    (4)

  • Irene C.

    I've been here several times and each time, it has been a solid experience. The sushi rolls are delicious and the service is great. The times I've gone, we were seated quickly and service has always been very quick. Although I do find it funny that they charge people for bringing a birthday cake to the restaurant. They also offer $5 birthday polaroid pictures with a Japanese umbrella, which they would then place on the Birthday Wall.

    (4)

  • David K.

    Came here for Father's Day and apparently they no longer take names over the phone. Not much of an issue as we were there pretty early and waited approximately 20 mins before we got a table. While we were awaiting a significant amount of people showed up and the lines got pretty big. I didn't realize they had the lunch buffet on weekends! We got the sashimi platter (medium, I believe). Our server brought out all sorts of appetizers and side dishes (FISH HEAD!!) She even got us some japchae from the buffet... Wasn't long before the wooden boat/tray with all that sashimi landed on our table. Everything tasted fresh and delicious! We were treated very well. The sushi chef even made me a little dish "for being a good son". I tried to see if they treated non-Koreans any differently and I didn't even notice. A lot of diners were moving around since the buffet was on fire. Some guy even got a birthday song from all the servers - they even put a little kasa on his head. lol We'd go there more often if it wasn't so far...

    (4)

  • Agatha S.

    If you come here, you must heed that this is not a meal. This is a sushi experience! I ordered off the menu not the lunch sushi buffet (which is only $13.95 btw!). I ordered the crazy horse, volcano roll, salmon roll, and shrimp tempura roll. They first gave us a salad to start which had a peanut type of sauce. I'm not a vegetables kinda girl but that was delicious. Plus it was complimentary! We got three out of our four rolls and it was simply amazing. They also gave us a complimentary dish, crab meat and avocado rolled in a type of sauce, and topped off with this sweet orange sauce on top of it. Holy mother of everything that's good, this dish was amazing. We couldn't even finish our fourth roll. The food was fresh and tender and delicious. I thought I knew what salmon roll and shrimp tempura roll was all about because I've been to so many sushi places. But I can tell you this, no I have never ever tasted sushi as delicious as this. Everyone who worked here was super friendly. The food came out pretty fast. Did I mention it was delicious and the best sushi I have ever had. If you're in the area, you must try this place!!!

    (5)

  • Carl B.

    Solid sushi buffet lunch option. They often have some tasty dessert rolls. Very busy at noon most days.

    (4)

  • Mary R.

    DELICIOUS... small hole in the wall with fresh sushi and nice servers. Spicy tuna and tempura were awesome! Beef teriyaki was so tender...will definitely go back. Reasonable prices

    (5)

  • Shelley L.

    very good lunch buffet!

    (5)

  • C J.

    Such high quality sushi. And they take such pride in the visual. Service was great too.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Uhm lol. So it's 5:20 and I have just been told "it will be a LONG time before we can get your order done." I was ok with that. Then the girl says to me "wait, wait..." And there is commotion in the background. She comes back on and says "sorry, but we aren't taking any more carry out orders tonight. We are too slammed with orders." Daaaamn, Yuraku. You guys are great food-wise, but you are making it hard not to go elsewhere. Tonight is the night...!

    (2)

  • Horejah B.

    Best sushi everrrrr! My boyfriend & I love it there ! Great waiters too :) ! Definitely must go sushi place in Maryland !!

    (5)

  • Jeanne C.

    So good. A definite GEM in Germantown, seeing I've lived in NYC and SF after my suburban life in MD. It's definitely worth going back to again and again. This place is simply delicious!!

    (5)

  • Mark N.

    Yuraku, Yaraku. I usually come here for the lunch buffet but opted out for dinner service since my uncle was picking up the tab. We ordered the sashimi platter that came with shrimp tempura and avacado rolls. In addition, we got the "Boston" Roll, Flying Dragon roll, chicken teriyaki, and seafood udon noodles. When I repeated the ordered to the waitress, she said these exacts words. "So you want the Monstar roll right?". I explained to her: "No do not want the monster roll, I want the BOSTON roll". I even said it again for her. When my order came out it was the "Monstar" roll. I couldn't believe it. I told the waiter that she got my order wrong the first time. When my boston roll finally came out and it had two pieces of lettuce sticking out of the roll. No one in the group wanted to touch the roll. I ate the roll myself and it was probably one of the worst decisions ever. Not only do I not like Boston in general, but the roll was even worse. On another note, the Dragon roll and udon noodles were delicious. The sashimi platter was made me full instantly. The added avacado and tempura rolls were typical rolls. Overall, the sashimi here is above average. The special rolls(Excluding the monster or boston) do make me want to come here back again.

    (4)

  • Annie L.

    Yuraku may I send you my love and kisses for sushi? I absolutely love this place for the freshest and "get your $$'s worth" sushi in town! I come here for the lunch buffet, and dinners, the amount you get is so worth it, and the extra's like fish heads, steamed egg and salads, oh, you are so kind! My favorites to order are: - Sashimi Martini, hey, can't a girl have some fish in her martini? - The Salmon Nacho, Nacho Nacho Man, I wanna be a Salmon Nacho Man, so yummy and crunchy and tastely! - And the oh, so special rolls, with their unique creations, like chunky monkey, with a fried banana in the middle wrapped with eel. - Sashimi Regular or Deluxe, always a must if you like rawness and freshness. Always so full in my belly and full in my pocket, sorry Niwano Hana, my one first love and first job, but I have gone up north of 355 and found more of what I love, Yuraku.

    (5)

  • John J.

    For those who don't eat a lot of sushi, it's fine, I guess. If you have had GOOD sushi, you'll know this place doesn't have it. 2 stars for the price point. Surprised it's as popular as it is - always a line.

    (2)

  • Noah K.

    I've been coming here for 16 years and the word is out now. In fact it's so crowded at dinner, that I usually just go to EN Bistro in Germantown Town Centre. However, the crowds at Yuraku do indeed speak for the quality and value of the food. They have the best Asian lunch buffet I've come across. Sushi that keeps turning over, therefore stays fresh, in many varieties. A hot bar of Japanese and Korean specialties that tend to be quite good. Lots of Japanese and Korean salads, and fresh fruit. It's still a steal at $13 a person, even though it was only $8 when I first started coming here for lunch. For dinner, the sushi as well as the non-sushi entrees are just wonderful. Edimame is free, they just bring it to you as well as a plate of crunchy vegetables with a Japanese mayonnaise dipping sauce. They also are sometimes generous, as they have brought us free handrolls to end our meal many times (even though we're stuffed by then). The value for the quality is tremendous. I'm not going to downgrade for these things, because I'm keeping this review about the food and the value, but the place is very tired inside and in dire need of remodeling. They could also use more space to accommodate more diners. Service is not always overtly friendly, but it is efficient and the freebies are a great touch. I would argue you have to drive down to Bethesda or DC to outdo the sushi here. This is a real suburban gem. Prepare for the crowds and check it out, if you haven't already!

    (5)

  • G R.

    Had the all you can eat buffet. Sushi options are plenty and good. Food/price ratio is awsome. Good quality, taste for reasonable prices. The high price you pay is putting up with the large crowd in a small place moving around always 1 inch close to brushing or hitting you, including the wait staff. Avoid rush hour crowds, if possible.

    (4)

  • Minn L.

    We went here for my birthday dinner on a weekday. Getting to Yuraku was quite a journey; we had to drive through rush hour traffic + early Thanksgiving drivers on Rockville Pike, and it took us about an hour to get there (minus the pit stop at TGIF to wait out some of the traffic). Yet, we trooped on as my friend promised it would be worth it and was dead-set on going there, and I trust my friend (at least when it comes to food and drinks :) He'll be happy to know that I'm glad I kept my mouth shut and listened to him! First of all, we got there around 8 and the place was packed, even as we were leaving people were still coming in. Seriously, sushi at 9 pm? But yes, it's that good. Also, sometimes when you step into a sushi joint, it smells fishy, which is a sign that the fish is not being kept well (here's looking at you Sushiko at Friendship Heights). However, I didn't notice anything of the sort here. Just boat loads of sushi and rolls at every table in very colorful, yummy displays. We ordered the sashimi deluxe, the Flying Dragon roll, and uni with quail egg. The sashimi was cut thick and very fresh, and the uni and quail egg was a delicious combination that just melted in my mouth. The Flying Dragon really does come with a whole eel on top, so I would definitely recommend it to eel-lovers such as moi! Sakes and beers were also reasonably priced with various serving sizes so that you could order accordingly. On top of all the yummy food (and awesome company), the waitress made my day by checking my ID haha, 30 must really be the new 20!

    (4)

  • Tiffany H.

    LOVE this place, I would go more often for the lunch buffet if it wasn't so far away :( All of the food tastes amazing to me!

    (5)

  • Jack K.

    What to say here? Yuraku is THE BEST sushi restaurant in Mont. Co. i found so far. By price, by taste, by service, by freshness of the sushi, the best! I've been a sushi connoisseur for many years now.... I eat everything- sashimi, ikura, uni, quail eggs - not your usual food "items" and must say that Yuraku comes up on top of my sushi eateries list. Also, while you wait, most of the time or maybe if they like you- they will give you free small salads, appetizers or a couple of special sushi "on the house". I've been going to Yuraku for 7 years now and they never disappoint me.

    (5)

  • Anna Y.

    ..................................................­................. I know. :( I don't eat sushi. What am I doing at a sushi place? It's funny where life will lead you sometimes. Case in point... me....sushi restaurant... middle of a so-called "hurricane." So, everyone raves about the lunch buffet that is really cheap. The people next to me who have been here before were practically jumping up and down in there seats. They were... excited. I flipped through the menu looking for non-sushi options. They have a respectable assortment of dishes to make even the non-sushi eater happy. Anyways, when our boat... yes, sushi boat. Note: To my dismay, they do not let you take it home. Oh, yes, the sushi boat. It came out laden with our selections. You could tell that they took time to artfully construct each piece of sushi. Even if you don't like sushi, you can respect the artistry behind it. The table loved it! Not a single piece of sushi was left. They were very happy. Honestly, who am I to rate this restaurant, so I asked the people I went with. They are huge fans of this place. They told me that it's cheap and affordable, and you get a lot of sushi (huge cuts) for what you pay for. Worth the drive up to MD if you are a sushi fan.

    (4)

  • Robert C.

    I'll give this place 3 1/2 stars for taste, but 4 stars for their lunch buffet. For $13, their lunch buffet is a good deal! All you can eat sushi (they have about 15 types) along with some Korean meat, tempura, fruit, miso soup, kimchi, noodles and rice. The sushi's pretty legit, even though some are Americanized, overall it's pretty good. I definitely recommend this place over Hinode. Con: The place's kindda small. If you come during lunch time, you'll probably have to wait for awhile to get seated.

    (3)

  • Lydia S.

    You must try this sushi place in Maryland! This place has the best Sashimi out of all Japanese restaurants I have visited. The price are fairly reasonable with ample amount of appetizers that will fill you up before the main entrees. The sushi rolls are huge, almost 3/4 of my palm. I've been living in the area for a pretty long time, and this is the sushi place I visit regularly. During dinner time on the weekends there is usually packs of people waiting for table, and the wait takes about at least half hour to a hour. It is worth the wait though cause you'll be waddling out while holding your belly, hoping to come back for some more refills. Free Appetizer (order above $60) : Steamed Egg Salads ( Japanese salad + celery + carrot + dip) Soup Smoked Salmon Fish head: the fish head is crispy and well cooked with a delicate charred smell,. If you turn the side of the head, the fish has a rather vicious look, so I recommend not to do that. Rolls Recommended: Alligator Roll Fried Spice Tuna Roll Pacific Roll? ( has a tropical look with avocado and lots of veggies) Eel Rice (yum!) Punk and Rock Roll ( a must order! ) Sashimi boat (they are gigantic topped with a splendid sort of tender meats!) Chef's Special: If you order over $60 or $100, chef will give out a special free dish, and they always tasted fantastic!!!

    (5)

  • Deborah B.

    As I have now become a regular at Yuraku, it has definietly earned the coveted 5 stars. The fish is always generously portioned, the origional ideas always keep on flowing and the service is friendly. The team of chef's behind the bar are always busy, as the take away orders are also a good potion of the revenue. Dishes are a work of art, and the traditional offerings, such as grilled fish head are seasoned perfectly. The lunch buffet is good, but nothing beats the dinner service. And try the Nirgori Sake, a cold, unfiltered type, with under tones of melon, served in a hand blown ice contained carafe, very elegant presentation, be sure to shake it first!

    (5)

  • Xianglong C.

    First, on the plus side: Very good and polite service. I was also impressed with how busy the place is. That's it for the plus side. WORST SUSHI WE HAVE EVER EATEN. Really. I have had better sushi at Wegman's, and that is not saying much for Wegman's. My daughter and I usually go to a very good Japanese run Sushi place in Wintergreen plaza, and we have other favorites (Macarthur Blvd in D.C., also a couple in Baltimore)... I grew up in Taiwan eating very high quality sushi, and it boggles my mind that there is great sushi to be had there, in Hong Kong, LA, San Fran...even Rochester! Yet here in Montgomery county there are only one or two that have decent sushi. In any event - the rolls were poorly made, the rice was not fresh, the seaweed wrapper was low quality, the ingredients were not as listed (imitation crab roll is not crab), the deep fried parts tasted of slightly rancid oil....disgusting. We also had Udon noodles - they were miserable - like canned spaghetti. Although the price was moderate, we left feeling vaguely cheated and nauseated.

    (2)

  • Kelvin F.

    If you live within 20 miles of exit 13 and you're looking for quality sushi on a budget, look no farther. Sure the drive will most likely take you a little out of your way, but the $12.95 AYCE sushi lunch buffet is well worth it. Unlike most sushi buffets, Yuraku serves out generous portions of fresh sashimi spread on reasonably sized balls of rice. The lunch buffet provides a variety of sushi, rolls, sides, and hot dishes but if you're like me, you'll get your money's worth from the freshly cut salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. If you happen to miss the buffet deal (which lasts until 3PM on weekdays), don't worry because dinner is still a steal. The prices are about standard but the portions are generous. The sashimi is sliced thick, the rolls are stuffed with anything you can imagine, and the spicy tuna handroll looks like a heaping sushi ice cream cone. On top of that, if you order enough or get chummy with management, you'll get a pan-fried salmon head and a steamed egg gratis on top of the standard miso soup and salad. Huge servings of fresh sashimi without breaking the bank? I'm gunning for this dukedom.

    (4)

  • Dan P.

    Great sushi. I often don't like going out for sushi because at most places, I feel like the portions are too small for what I pay for them, but this place gives you very good sized portions. My only complaint about this place is that it can get very crowded on Friday nights, so you may have to wait a while for a table.

    (4)

  • Evonne L.

    When do you give 5 stars to a place? I give Yuraku 5 stars because of all the sushi places I've been to so far, this one is my favorite. Miyagi and Sushi Yoshi both in Tysons/McLean would be my second choice. Sushi is probably my dinner option of choice, and I've tried a good amount of places.. so yelpers, if there's other places you think are better- let me know! I'm always trying to find/yelp good places. I've gone for lunch/dinner and have had great experiences every time. Got rolls and sashimi and both are amazing in terms of quality and taste. Just the right amount of fish and rice. My favorite rolls are the dragon roll ($7.95) volcano roll ($6.95) and sunny sunshine ($7.95). This place is also good because they give you all this food even before the sushi comes out! Soup, salad, and a fish head that some love (old people) and some dont know what to do with (young people). But you try to eat it anyways right- when free food is put in front of you. There's also a steamed egg that you can get, but sometimes only if you request. They also give you fruit at the end. This place looks nothing special since its at the end of a random shopping center, but its become a hidden jem in Germantown. Call ahead or be prepared to wait at LEAST 30 minutes to be seated during normal dining hours. And by waiting I mean wait outside, since there are 4 chairs in the waiting area, but the wait is worth it.

    (5)

  • Tom N.

    Love this place. Very large portion sizes for the price. Quality is excellent and their non sushi entrees are great too.

    (5)

  • Eric T.

    Great quality, make sure to make a reservation!

    (5)

  • Angela B.

    This place is fabulous! We went here yesterday for lunch. Nice place, friendly hostesses, clean. Order a bunch of sushi and some bulgogi. They gave us a roll for free and a salad for free. We made a huge mistake in ordering so much food though! We are used to places that charge you 10 bucks for a tiny roll but this place doesn't skimp! The rolls were HUGE& fresh and delicious. We ended up taking half of it home. The bulgogi was great and didn't have any left at the end. This is my new go to sushi spot.

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    Just had an absolutely epic omakase meal at Yuraku. It was the 2nd time I've been there--the first time was great, but this time was out of this world. I've had tasting menus at Sushi of Gari and Nobu in NYC and this was vastly better. The rolls that other tables were ordering looked pretty good, but the variety of pure creativity of what Sonny, the chef, gave us was magnificent. Spend the extra money (I think we paid $40/person) and put yourself in Sonny's hands...it's definitely worth it!

    (5)

  • Sae K.

    Okay, This is my third time reviewing this place. Just had to add a comment. GO DO THEIR LUNCH BUFFET. Yesterday, my dad came down from Baltimore so we can run some errands together. And after everything was done it was time for lunch. My dad HATES... i mean with a CAPITAL H HATES spending money to eat out. I am not quite sure if i am truly his son or not considering how much I like eating out. I digress. Appearently my mom packed him some stuff for lunch. and he was suggesting we share that for lunch at my house. I said NA AH.... dad, u are coming to Yuraku with me for lunch buffet. he said How much is it, and i told him it should be around $13 bucks... he's eyes O O widened and he gave me a doubtful look. I took him anyway. But before i went i called them and asked if they are doing lunch buffet. The nice lady said of course and it runs till 3 PM!!!! so we got there at around 1:30 PM ish... and we started filling our plates. I have been here many times for lunch buffet and save for that one time my wife found a piece of wet paper towel in her mouth while chewing a piece of roll, i have never been disappointed (The owner ran into the kitchen afterwards and they offered us NOTHING!!! i can't remember if they even apologized...) Anyway, once again i digress... I attack the sushi and bbq pork and beef and spicy tuna rolls ONLY... everything just fills u up for no good reason... I eat the fish off the sushi and then use that rice to accompany my kim chi and pickle kim chi with either the pork bbq or the beef bbq. and i am korean and have had many pork and beef bul go gi's. the ones they serve at yuraku are pretty tasty... the quality once again comes into question but to me, i am not sure how it gets better for the price. so i won't mention quality. i just know if i have an opportunity, i am ALLLL over yuraku lunch buffet. After two mountain high plates, my dad actually said, 'u know, this is worth $13 dollars... maybe i should bring mom'... this is from my cheap skate dad who never eats out. ever~~~ word of advice. Not every roll is made of fish. i say just stick to sushi, and spicy tuna rolls. and don't forget to help yourself to the pork and beef bul go gi... they are delicious... it's my routine now. eat fish off sushi, use rice for pork and beef. eat fried shrimp with out batter, dunk your roll into LIGHT brown wasabi soy sauce. shed a tear, repeat process. take nap and skip dinner. And to top off my experience there yesterday, the assistant chef recognized me and sent us two of his own hand rolls... had, unagi, avocado, fake crab meat, black and red roe, and stuff... thank you chef, that was tasty. Please someone tell me how any other lunch buffet beats Yuraku lunch buffet.... TELL ME TELL ME!!!!!!!!!! GO DO THEIR LUNCH BUFFET!!! (IT'S EVEN ON SATURDAYS!!! ARE THEY CRAZY??) If you do go between the hours of 11:30 - 1:00. you might have to wait a little...

    (4)

  • Vivek P.

    Late Saturday lunch after 1:30 and there was still a 20 min wait. It seems to be like this every time I come. I tried the tempura udon for the first time, noodles were quite good and seafood broth had sliced mushrooms, onions, zucchini. They put the tempura on the side, so it isn't soggy. Seven color rainbow roll was a large portion easy to share, but perhaps too much cucumber. The crunch roll was a good contrast to other rolls with the sweet pear and tempura flakes. You definitely come for the food, not the ambiance.

    (4)

  • Jane N.

    ARE YOU KIDDING ME? ok. so i just wrote a long overdue review on yoyogi in Kentlands when i saw that someone said go to Yuraku instead. WTF! i live in germantown and i still wouldn't choose yuraku over yoyogi. first experience: ok - no real qualms second experience: still ok - portions were small and more expensive and the sashimi wasnt as cold as it could have been. warm sushi is a no no! third experience: cockroach underneath the wooden boat. the owner did nothing. enough said. this place is a dump.

    (1)

  • Mukur H.

    4.75. I went there with a whole bunch of co-workers today as they wanted the Buffet. Since I do not eat seafood and have lived in Japan, this review will be based on the non-seafood dishes. The buffet did look good, as it had some noodle dishes as well as meat dishes too. The real draw was the sushi for my co-workers as a $12 sushi buffet call cant be beat. Upon sitting down we were offered hot tea which I drank cup after cup of. This cup or my water glass never made it to half way empty as the service was beyond exceptional. Speaking of the service, the staff was extremely friendly and spoke with me in Japanese! I decided to order Gyoza and Katsudon. I was given a small Japanese salad and Miso soup to start with. They both were delicious. Note: You get miso soup for free with buffet too. Salad and soup were great so i waited for my Gyoza. The Gyoza was totally not what I expected, it was not filled with pork and cabbage, but none the less it was delicious. The katsudon was delicious as well. Meat was fried perfectly and the rice had vegetables in it, which was new to me, but none the less very enjoyable. That is the reason I gave it 4.75 and not 5 stars; I was expecting traditional Japanese food becuase of the very traditional atmosphere and service, yet It was not as traditional as i would have liked. All in all, I enjoyed my salad, miso soup, gyoza, HUGE portion of katsudon (half still sitting in fridge), countless cups of hot tea (free) for $13. The service topped off an excellent lunch. Tabemono wa umai desu!

    (5)

  • Alex B.

    This place is awesome...love the buffet and the sushi is pretty awesome too :-) Ate hear hear with friends not too long ago and we got a couple of their sushi boats for dinner and oh men it was amazing. Gave a lot of freebies, by the time are boats came we were stuffed. But still had room for the sushi. Just a heads up there is always a wait lunch or dinner. Highly recommend this place. If your into sushi.

    (5)

  • Jason Y.

    Everyone says this place is great so my husband and I tried it out. The food has so much MSG and since we are both sensitive to MSG, the food gave me a massive headache. Not recommended for those women trying to get pregnant or anyone else for that matter.

    (1)

  • Esther O.

    I enjoyed Yuraku, but I'm not sure why this place gets quite the rave reviews. Maybe you need to be a fish eater. My food was perfectly good, and I had a wonderful night with my friend, but it's pretty much a hole-in-the-wall that didn't really offer anything special. I'll go back if someone wants to, but won't go out of my way.

    (3)

  • Eva L.

    Yuraku is the place to go if you are starving, craving for sushi but not particularly picky about the quality of the sushi. I went on Sunday night and was absolutely starving when I arrived. I ordered the house hand roll and the Osaka roll. My boyfriend ordered a triple salmon roll and a chicken beef bbq. The sushi rolls are gigantic and almost impossible to eat. The flavors are good but honestly the rolls with too many kinds of fish and sauces mixed killed off the natural good taste of the fish. I did appreciate receiving the fried salmon fish head for free at the start of the meal and the service is quite good. Yuraku also offers Korean food on their menu but the chicken and beef BBQ my boyfriend got was inedible. Absolutely the worst Korean BBQ I've ever had. The meats and vegetables were drenched in a sauce that was just a sweet mess and the meat taste like it was cooked a few hours ago. So over all I would go back to Yuraku for sushi when I am starving but not particularly feeling like top quality sushi. I would never order any Korean food from them again.

    (3)

  • Jenny V.

    We lived in Japan for 3 and a half years and we've finally found a place that has met our expectations! (Even if this place is run by Koreans) We came across this place by accident when we were looking for the asian store near this place. We only go to the sushi buffet for lunch so that's all I'm going to write my review on. The sushi buffet is from 1100-300 from Tuesday-Saturday only and there is ample parking. If you arrive at 1100 you're in a good place to get in first. If you come around 1200-200, there is a great chance you're gonna have to wait between 20-35 minutes for a table, sometimes even 45 minutes. Although if you don't mind sitting at the bar, you might cut that time in half. The area where the buffet is located is a bit cramped but they always refill the sushi whenever it runs out. With your meal you get miso soup and tea. They have a nice selection of different sushi rolls as well as the raw stuff including, salmon, tuna, shrimp, yellowtail, and some others. They also have some dishes that are korean based such as kim chee and soups. They offer the different types of tempuras - shrimp and veggies. Fried rice, fried chicken, and some other cooked dishes if you don't eat sushi. Prices for the buffet are $15 I think, but if you eat as much sushi as I do this is pretty cheap! The service is good and when you need something the waitresses are there to give you whatever you need. The place is clean overall. The bathrooms don't have a changing table if you are planning on bringing little ones.

    (4)

  • Cata N.

    Wins: Sashimi Deluxe, White Love from Russia Roll (fish egg rolls), lunch buffet is decent too. If you meet the price quota for dinner, you'll also have steamed egg (Chawan Mushi) and salmon head as complimentary appetizers. The major downside to Yuraku is the wait time during dinner AND their closing on Mondays. I'd recommend coming early, or you will be hungry for a while. Update: I'm less enthused with this restaurant now as service has gotten worse. Regardless of how busy it gets, the waitstaff aren't very attentive (e.g. Filling water, providing napkins, cleaning plates, etc. unless asked).

    (3)

  • Alan G.

    Wow....heaps of high quality fish and rice is the only way to describe this place. Huge portions, extremely broad menu. Decor basic and kind of run down. Not Much customer service but sushi is great

    (4)

  • Helen V.

    If you're thinking of lunch buffet, see directly below. If not, scroll down to my normal dinner review. In my heart, I had given Yuraku 5 stars. But I could not forget the first time I ventured here for the lunch buffet. All the reviews praised its variety and copious amounts of rolls on the wooden planks. I, already weary of sushi not made to order, decided the masses cannot be so wrong...Yet, I was reminded that perceptions of sushi can be misleading from region to region. The sushi rolls were small and had slivers if not small diced pieces of fish in them. The nigiri, as expected, were topped with paper thin slices of fish. Some places have done the sushi buffet well, (Fuji's in Sacramento, Akasaka in Berkeley, Asahi in Riverside) while others are desperately seeking profit with rice to fish ratios (3:1). The sushi lunch buffet at Yuraku is in it for profit and the popularity exists on the fact that others have not really experienced a good sushi buffet elsewhere and/or the price is unbelievably too good to pass up. Either way, I don't think I will ever come back for the lunch buffet or for lunch; the set-up of the buffet makes me kind of cringe... Transformed for dinner: Generous cuts of raw fish and carefully crafted pieces of sushi...I'm in love! My boss told me she loved Yuraku; after my buffet lunch trip, I was thinking 'man, we have different tastes.' However, after a nice hike up to Catoctin Mountain and Cunningham Falls, I wanted to make sure that I didn't leave any rock unturned at Yuraku before I cast it out of my mind for good. My bf and I came for dinner around 6p on Saturday. The place was definitely packed, but we were lucky to snag seats at the sushi bar (of which, was actually empty). There, we got to see the 6-7 sushi chefs hustle and bustle behind the bar. We saw large orders go out: sushi/sashimi boats, sashimi salads, etc. The sushi special plate was handcrafted with elegance and a bit of creativity that allowed more fish per piece. Truly defiant of some other sushiyas! We ordered spicy scallop handrolls (our standard to judge sushi joints), With Love from Russia, and 2 special rolls whose name I can't remember. This definitely stuffed us and we were pleased with the amount of fish in the rolls and the ratio of rice as well. The rolls were tasted great and were definitely inventive. All of this was under $45 and like I said, it's hard to make the two of us full on sushi for that much moolah. I understood then why my boss liked this place so much. Now, I can't wait to go back there and be overwhelmed by the sushi... Moral: While some places are renowned for things you might not agree on (ahem, sushi buffet), it doesn't mean they cannot be great in other things. So don't be too quick to judge! (hope that makes sense) I await your generosity Yuraku.... *daydreams of nicely cut white tuna nigiri*

    (4)

  • Good E.

    its not the best sushi but hey its all u can eat, its a bit pricey for what u get , im glad for experience but nothing else makes me really wanna jump to come here again

    (3)

  • Debby T.

    Yuraku is the best sushi in the DC/MD area. We moved here a year ago from NYC (and I'm half Japanese) and have been searching for a good sushi place. We have probably been to 12 or so different places. A colleague suggested Yuraku months ago,but since it's a bit far from Chevy Chase, we were reluctant. We finally went last weekend and wow, we were in heaven. We even said Yuraku might be better than any place we've been to in NYC! The sushi was so fresh, I loved how the pieces were very Japanese authentic with little rice and good amount of fish. Even the presentation of the platter was beautiful. We decided this will be our go to place, but wish it was closer so we can go during the week!

    (5)

  • Vic M.

    "meh. I've experienced better." is why this is rated 2 stars from me instead of three which is "A-ok" in yelp talk. If it was just "okay" I would have given them 3 stars. Pros #1: Tuesday nights where the food is fresher and the place is less crowded. Pro #2: Lunch boxes- the only thing I feel safe with there. They are packed with variety and fresher food. I really enjoy Yuraku's lunch boxes compared to other joints. I feel ripped off at other places. Pro #3 Ginger salad dressing here is good. Con #1 Gross: Several people who have reviewed this place have mentioned food poisoning or some sort of stomach trouble after eating here, myself included. I was with people that really liked going there so I wouldn't get buffet. I think people really like the prices. Con #2: Service is hit or miss- they are pretty friendly and remember you, but can be rude and give preferential treatment to certain people. This not cool to be so obvious about it. If you see people waiting 30 or more minutes for food and you let certain people just walk off the street and get a table. It is definitely not cool. The place is pretty grimy in general. If you live close by, wait until you get home to go to the bathroom... unless you can't hold it... I really would love for this place to clean up. I wish more people said something about it so they would. Over the years the quality has gone down. I wish they would fix that too. I wanna love this place, but ...

    (2)

  • Michael K.

    Best Sushi in the DC Metro Area hands down! They're best known for their specialty rolls, e.g. Firecracker Roll, Dragon Roll, Brian Roll, etc. I'm a big fan of the Firecraker Roll (this roll has salmon with spicy tuna). The only unappealing thing about this place is the size of the restaurant. They need more space given the increase in popularity. I recommend take out during peak dinner hours. You'll find a line going out the door between 6pm and 9pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday's. You know it's a great restaurant when there's a line!

    (5)

  • H C.

    To really sum up this place it is the best bang for your bucks. Tons of Sushi for very little $$. Also the food is good, not just sushi, but other items on the menu. I have been coming here regularly for two years now. All the friends I introduce to this place, love it. Again, this place is great sushi for a cheap price. It is NOT first-rate sushi place that cost $200-$500 a meal. If that is what you are looking for then this place is not for you Recommend dishes: Tonkatsu Spice girl roll Tuna mountain volcano Roll Any of their Sushi or Sashimi boats. Tuna Hand roll

    (4)

  • Gregory K.

    For the area, this place is outstanding. For a Japanese restaurant in general, this place is still outstanding. For lunch there is an all you can eat buffet. However, a lot of the cooked dishes at the buffet are Korean food and not Japanese. For lunch, I'd only give this place 3 stars (hence the 4 star rating) because the sushi is just OK and when I go to a Japanese restaurant I'd like to eat Japanese food, not Korean. Dinner is another story. On the weekends, this place is mobbed so be prepared to wait. But any other night of the week should be fine. In fact, if you go during the week, they often throw in a few free dishes late at night. The sushi for dinner is freshly made for you (unlike where it sits at the buffet for lunch), has a decent rice-to-fish ratio, and they have a nice selection of non-sushi items.

    (4)

  • Emily C.

    Whenever I'm feeling for Japanese food, I go to Yuraku. They are almost always extremely busy especially around dinner time, so I always make a reservation before I go. They know my family by name so they are always pretty welcoming. All customers get free side dishes like edamame and veggies. Also, when its not busy they'll sometimes give you new off-menu dish on the house. I love the Salmon Fiesta Salad (I don't think this is on the menu) and White Tuna Hand Roll. Other rolls worth trying are the Seafood Roll, Spider Roll and the Futo Maki. The only reasons I didn't give this place five stars is that their fish at times does not taste fresh and the fact that I don't like their lunch buffet. Other then that Yuraku is definitely one of my favorite sushi places.

    (4)

  • Melanie F.

    Shhhh. Let's keep this place a secret from the rest of the world! This place is a GEM! Sunny, the sushi chef, is a true artist and manages to get his wonder-hands on some of the best fish I've ever tasted. How such good quality fish ends up in the middle of the styx? I'll never know, but I don't care. The prices are reasonable. You can go traditional or all out wacky. My favorites: Gone with the Wind, Volcano, Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, Ha Do Bab (Korean salad with raw fish on top).

    (5)

  • Allie B.

    Favorite sushi restaurant in the area. If you sit at the bar, the chefs pass you complimentary things to taste and try. I've been coming here for years and the quality has never gone downhill, thank goodness, and I've noticed that the waitresses have remained pretty consistent too (which I like because it feels more like family, sort of, and they always know what's going on). Personal favorites are the triple salmon roll and the sunny sunshine roll.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    I had lunch here with my mom. I have to say the food was pretty good. I didnt love the Sushi as some other places I've been but they definitely had enough of a variety and it was fresh enough that I was impressed. The service is what got me - my mom is disabled and they wanted to place her at the sushi bar to sit down since they were busy. When I requested a table they treated me as though I had 8 heads. Either way, everything else was great. If your into food and dont care so much about service - come on in.

    (4)

  • Y Y.

    Yuraku is definitely a really gem. They serve a quality buffet without the DC price tag. I must say that this is only an observation because I have never had the buffet! It gets crowded during lunch and really, if you can be bothered to drive all the way from DC, go for the a-la-carte stuff or just tell the chef what you want. Don't worry too much about the prices - cos they are really reasonable for the quality of food they serve. We always order the special sashimi boat - well, we basically ask for whatever's good for the day. The chef does a good job of wowing us everytime. They throw in a few surprises as well - grilled salmon head, salad, salmon rose etc. Truly Scrumptious! Be warned though - portions are generous - lines are long. So go early and go hungry!

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    The Prices are great, and the buffet is awesome! I am not usually a buffet fan, especially for sushi. However, this place was the acceptation. Clean, quiet and the quality is great. Not to mention the staff are nice. I will go out to Frederick from Silver Spring for this place!

    (4)

  • Seth L.

    I love this place. Their lunch buffet is the best deal in town. And even if you go for dinner, the sushi prices are unbelievable. You really do get what you pay for at Yuraku.

    (5)

  • Cesar P.

    We've been here many times, but for the first time we decided to order take out. At first they told us it would be an hour and a half wait, which we initially balked at, but then we decided Yuraku sushi was worth the wait. We discovered while looking for their menus online a whole new new sushi roll menu; go to their website and follow the Menus link and look for the Special Roll Menu. We ordered the 3 Amigos Roll, which I cannot recommend highly enough. we may do more take out now thanks to this.

    (5)

  • Steven J.

    The best lunch buffet for sushi you will ever find in Maryland for the price. Not only is there a huge variety of sushi, the freshness is at the top. This place is usually so packed that you will have to at least wait 30 minutes or longer to get in. Especially if you are in a big group. However, once you get your meal started, oh man, you will be so happy and delighted, mouthwatering sushi and it just keeps coming! Not only is there just sushi either, there is tempura, and other food that you can try at the buffet. Everyone, this place is definitely a place you have to try.

    (5)

  • Jack L.

    Been going here for15 years Mainly take out... Always crowded Food is great Especially like the Shrimp Tempura Roll

    (4)

  • Tommy M.

    So I don't really write too many reviews on yelp unless I really like something. Yuraku is one of those places. I found this place on the suggestion of my sis a few years back when she used to tell me "don't go to todai, just go to yuraku and get a few rolls, you'll be full." Well I never really did until she took me there for lunch this one time, and I thought it was the best thing ever. I've since grown away from their lunch but I still think its good stuff every once in awhile. So where the restaurant really shines. The sushi you order, on the menu, away from the long buffet lines and hordes of people in the cramped little corner trying to get everything they can in one go because going back in line during the buffet can be a pain haha. There's a lot to go over, but I'll keep to a few things to make it easier for some of you reading. Salmon. Everything with it is good there. It's for whatever reason the best salmon I have. From the salmon head to their Triple Salmon Roll (something I always get with a friend when we go, its like a spicy salmon roll but topped with salmon slices and more spicy salmon on top) If it says salmon on, get it. Period. Alligator roll is good (8piece shrimp tempura, topped with alternating slices of avocado and unagi. I like unagi. A lot) Also their tempura squid. Sometimes you get fried squid and it can be chewy and not so pleasant. The three times I've ordered it here its been so light, so tender, just plain good eats; they top it with some like mayo thing and unagi sauce i think, kind of like a drizzling so if you don't like those don't order. FINALLY. The most important thing. The roll I always get. Every. Single. Time. The Three Amigos Roll. Its not on their regular menu, but they know about it. Its a large roll filled with squid tempura, some cucumbers i think, other stuff and unagi, then its topped off with nice slices of salmon followed by a drizzling of this spicy mayo and some unagi sauce; just enough to cover each piece with some not enough that its drowning in sauce like how we dunk our pieces in our soy/wasabi pastes sometimes. Just order it. Its kinda pricey like $12 or something, but its so worth it. So good. I might have to go get some tomorrow now... THREE AMIGOS. Bring two friends, you'll enjoy it. Final note, I see some people having some issues with the reservations and stuff and yeah it can be a pain with a big group sometimes or even just like two people. YMMV really, I called in advance for a table for 3 at 7:30 and the person on the phone asked if i could do 7:45 which worked out better for us since we were running late and got their right on time, table was ready and we were happily on our way to a great night/dinner. Three amigos. Remember.

    (5)

  • Joyce C.

    Love this place! Everything is fresh. Triple salmon roll is amazing. The place gets crowded though, but for good reasons. Even during week days I have to wait an hour for dinner sometimes. But it's so worth it. The price is great and they give you all these appetizers like steamed egg, salad, miso soup and salmon head. Yum!

    (5)

  • Jane Y.

    When I want simple fresh sushi, I go to Yoyogi. When I want huge crazy creative fancy sushi rolls, I go to Yuraku. Yuraku is the ONLY place I've been to that has ever caused me to have a sushi food coma for under $20. Even in Yoyogi, I can devour 3 rolls and then some. Then I'd still have room to get froyo. The first time I went to Yuraku, I mistakenly ordered three rolls, thinking i'd have to order another later. I "walked" or rather stumbled out of there like a injured veteran that got punched in the stomach by the MOST DELICIOUS FANCY SUSHI ROLL EVARRRR!!! Their rolls are HUGE. by HUGE i mean, ONE roll would be enough to fill you up. They are anti-stingy with their fish. The fish is very fresh. It tastes good. They have crazy combinations for rolls and they all turn out to be AWESOME. e.g sunkist roll (mango, salmon, tuna, orange, avocado) SO NICEEEE. The second time I went, I ordered TWO rolls and I was struggling to finish it. If you know my appetite, it's RARE for me to struggle with devouring good. They fancy rolls cost anywhere between $5 - $12. You get what you pay for. The more expensive the rolls, the bigger it is. The $5 fancy rolls only has 6 regular sized pieces where as the $12 rolls have 10 crazy huge pieces. They also have this korean sashimi with salad veggies and rice, and you mix it with spicy sauce. It's $15.99 and NOT on the menu. You'd have to ask the waiter for it. It's a must try. YOU HAVE TO!!!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Shine S.

    People have seriously hyped up this place. It's good - don't get me wrong. The biggest perk is the variety of different sushi. The quality is slightly above average but nothing to extraordinary. Even though I am a picky eater, I have been here multiple times, so it's good enough when I'm craving a variety of different things. Service.. is good no complaints. BTW, It can get busy on weekends... so be aware

    (4)

  • Betsey L.

    I'm giving this 4 stars bc of the value implication not so much for the sushi quality itself. Folks, be prepared to wait. Even if you make a reservation. I've been here for lunch twice and for dinner a handful of times. I've had to wait at least 15 minutes in all instances. Lunch buffet- i've only had once. if you can eat a lot of sushi, this is a great deal. What's cool is Yuraku serves complimentary soup and other random side dishes depending on how much food you order. - jap chae, grilled fish head, steamed egg, etc. The sushi rolls are HUGE. Careful not to over order. I could eat 1 specialty roll and be full. The nigiri is also huge. its like the size of 2 at other places. keep that in mind. sushi quality is not bad, esp for the price you pay!!!! i liek the volvano roll ther's also a veggie roll w/ seaweed in it that's really good! spicy tuna is awesome

    (4)

  • Johnson H.

    As good as it gets in this DC/MD/VA area for sushi & sashimi. It's also the little extras that do it for me. Complimentary broiled salmon head, miso soup, and steamed egg as appetizers. Generous size rolls and slices of sashimi. It has always been fresh and delicious each time I visit. Service is generally attentive but, when it's busy on the weekends you wish you could just help yourself.

    (4)

  • Su K.

    Finally! Su K. has returned to DC Yelp! Show of hands, did you think I either A) ate an entire fried turkey by myself and entered a deep food coma, B) ate enough food at Thanksgiving that I hibernated for a week, or C) have been eating leftovers for a week and had nothing to review? Anywho, it's good to be back and I missed everyone! For my first December review, I present to you, Yuraku - a Korean sushi joint. And what's a Su K. review without a pre-review rant? What's up with all these aku's? Doraku, Yuraku, Myraku, Theyraku. Second, what's up w/ all this Asian food cross-pollination? Kimchi @ Chinese places, sushi/jja jang myun @ Korean places, and Spam @ Japanese? But I gotta give props to my Azns who are Krn. We may not have taken any land forcibly, but we sure are taking over Asian cuisine - from pho to shabu shabu. Back to Yuraku. I mainly come here for 2 reasons: 1) birthdays and 2) I want to release my inner pirate and take over a boat. I give Yuraku 4 stars for: Star #1 - They don't waste anything Momma always taught me not to waste food and at Yuraku, they prove that saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." They probably have leftover veggies at the end of the day. Instead of throwing them out, my guess is they mince them and throw them in a mayo/ranch sauce and serve it the next day. Throw away fish heads? Yuraku don't throw out no stinkin fish heads! They cook it up and give it to you. Star #2 - Freebies (service/suh bee suh for you Krns) You start off w/ a bowl of cucumbers, celery, and carrots with the aforementioned dipping sauce. I've never dined here solo or just with the wife, but if your order puts a sizable dent in the MD fish population, you get the following freebies: - Personal-sized Egg Casserole - w/ little pieces of surimi - Miso Soup - and a pretty good one at that - Uncooked squid slices covered w/ Korean hot pepper paste/chojang - Cooked Salmon Head - make sure you get the cheek meat! Turn the fish over, and start to dig just underneath the eye. There's a plump piece of meat in there and eating it reminds me of that man in Amelie who picks out the oysters from chicken thighs - Tuna Fiesta Salad - That's actually what they call it, which is odd given that Koreans pronounce Fiesta as Pee-esta. This bad boy has shredded greens, decent-sized pieces of tuna, and a delectable sesame/peanut dressing. If you know me, you know I don't eat no stinkin salad, but this salad dressing is amazing! Most of this stuff is probably leftovers, but again, their trash, is my treasure! And if it's your birthday, you'll get a scoop of green tea ice cream and a platter of fresh fruit. Star #3 - The Boats (see pic)! 100 pieces of sashimi/rolls for $100! One of my major gripes about going out to eat sushi is that I generally leave hungry even after dropping $50+. Whenever I've gone to a BDay party @ Yuraku, I eat a boatload (har har har! or is that Yar Yar Yar!?) of fish and feel indignant towards sushi for a while, much like Fogo de Chao does for beef. And all for $25 or $30/person. My wife and I and another couple attempted to take down a boat by ourselves, but yar, we are but junior pirates and we had some leftovers. Note: It's usually best to call ahead and order these. Star #4 - The Birthday Songs! There's no annoying, "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! FROM (chain restaurant name here) TO YOU! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (something something some)! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY (insert cheesy, chain-themed variation of birthday song here). HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Instead, the waitresses (all Koreans by my count, but hey, we all look same, right?) come to your table and sing the traditional birthday song, but with a Korean twist. Like F's, we also can't say TH, so depending on the waitress, you'll get, "Happy bus day to you!" or "Happy boss day to you!" Both are amusing. Additionally, if you don't have a Korean name, e.g., One Suck or Man Tech, you'll hear how Koreans would pronounce your name. For example, my friend Daniel was Den Ee El last night. They also bring out this ridiculous umbrella that I imagine geishas or dainty ladies in Japan would carry, and have you hold it while they sing to you. In fact, the walls are lined with Polaroids of birthday people holding this umbrella, which is pretty amusing. Note: they now charge $5 for the Polaroid. You can decline it and still get the free ice cream/fruit and bus day song. Location - ample seating and you can call ahead to reserve tables and boats. Carry-out is also available. It can get pretty packed here, especially on the weekends. Service - friendly, efficient, and slightly FOBby. I like. So where is Star #5 you ask? Well, the fish is fresh and tastes good, but none of it blows me away. In fact, at the end of the boat, the sushi tastes like fish rather than sushi, if that makes any sense. The rolls here are also good, and as expected, have ridiculous names (monkey, viagra). The Korean food is also pretty good and they have decent tempura ice cream.

    (4)

  • Shruti M.

    I went here with a group of friends who claimed that it was well worth the ride. I have to say, I would have rather stayed in Bethesda for lunch. Other than the sushi, a good majority of the food is fried. The tempura veggetables, shrimp and fish, were mostly batter and the oil that they used had a funny taste to it that clung to the batter. The sushi was good but the way the buffet was positioned made it VERY difficult to get to. They really need to reconsider the layout of the buffet to better control the traffic pattern in the area. I expected more choices for the entree dishes and was sadly disappointed that there was mostly kim chee vegetables, sprouts, soba noddles and a small amount of korean style sliced meat. None of the dishes were labeled, so it was really hit or miss. Lots of misses. Very disappointing.

    (2)

  • Marco C.

    Great sushi. Friendly service. I like their Yuraku roll and their Big Veggie roll.

    (4)

  • Nancy H.

    After many misses in the quest for good Asian food in MD, we finally got a HIT! And because of our prior disappointments, we were especially surprised and delighted when we happened upon one of the best sushi restaurants I've been to nestled in some plaza on a cold winters night. I love the use of FRUIT in their sushi! Very different, very unique, and still very tasty without being too outlandish. All the rolls are delicious BUT i just want to highlight my favorite: CRUNCH ROLL- my #1 recommendation with JAPANESE PEAR inside making it refreshing and delicious! This place is a great deal for all that you get! All the extra stuff--the soup, the fish, the kimchee, the fruit, the lovely ladies (who are actually korean) all add to the experience! MAKE A RESERVATION and go!

    (5)

  • dave h.

    Finally got a chance to get to this place for lunch, what an incredible lunch buffet. Normally, i am a little scared of the concept of a sushi buffet, but it was great. The sushi looked fresh and always a new tray was coming out for the back. The place was packed, and at $12 for a sushi lunch buffet, it can't be beat. The only complaint I had was that most of the other hot dishes were not very hot. Like the hot noodles, beef, spring rolls, etc. needed a little heat, which lead me to think it had been there for a while. I think most people go for the rolls.

    (3)

  • Sora B.

    Comfort sushi at a decent portion and price with adequate side dishes. I go here with a group of friends every time I trip down to D.C for a casual sushi dinner.

    (4)

  • Mary S.

    Oh Yuraku. There is so much I love about you, but it's mostly the unique combination of fruit and fish that you utilize. I know it sounds strange but spicy tuna and strawberries, so good. Mango and crab? Delish! There is always a wait, don't show up starving because it's always a good 1/2 hour to be seated. It's cramped and the buffet is a pain to navigate (that damn tong bucket).

    (5)

  • Heather B.

    The only reason this place does not get five stars is because every time we go there we have to wait for quite awhile. But it is always worth the wait. Where to begin. I have eaten at several sushi places in the dc area and so far the only one that come close is Sushi Damo in Rockville but the rolls are a little smaller and the sushi costs more money. But if you are trying to take someone out on a date for sushi I would go to Sushi Damo over here... Now where to begin. The outside and even the inside are not very pleasing in fact I had major reservations the first time I went there. But they are so good they don't have to worry about sprucing the place up for once a place that does well not because of appearances but because of how amazing the food is. I have been here hundreds of times and not once have I ever been disappointed. NOT ONCE!! When we sit at the bar they always seem to throw in little extras and even when we sit at the table we are always given edemamae and this vegetable dip stuff with celery, cucumbers and carrots. Let me tell you when I went somewhere else and discovered that edemamae costs extra I was super disappointed. This place has the best sushi I have ever had. In fact I turned my boss onto the place and she is used to California Sushi and she stated that this was the closest thing she has had to that on the East coast. The food is amazing and the staff is super nice they notice who there regulars are and tend to take good care of them. Just be prepared to wait for a good hour or so on any weekend evening. They take reservations but they fill up quick and you have to deal with mean looks from the people waiting when you walk in and get the next table...

    (4)

  • Nickole H.

    Well, many people wrote kind words, and for those who did not like it - I really do not know why. All I will say is that my friends and I are "putting their kids throught college." Thats right, whoever works in that restaurant, whoever has kids - they know. I mean they know my name at this place. I want a plaque on the wall, I think I deserve it! So do you think I like Yuraku? Nickole

    (5)

  • David G.

    The rolls here are huge, and they're good! They have some nice touches such as free green tea, soup/salad, and fish head for the table. Again, the rolls here are big, and the sashimi is pretty good. Definitely get there by 6 p.m. though, as it's pretty popular, and you can end up waiting a while for a table.

    (4)

  • Clair M.

    Can you say NIGHTMARE. Called on Wed to make a reservation for my birthday. They said no problem. Got there to rude lady saying they don't take reservations and that the wait would be 35 minutes. After being squished and stepped over for 1 hour and 45 minutes I decided it was time to leave. There were multiple arguments and fights in the lobby due to unorganized and illogical seating procedures. My husband was determined to stay. They finally sat our party of 5 at a table for 2. I was so mad I couldn't even eat, they ruined my birthday and had to grab awful Burger King on the way home. Hate this place now.

    (1)

  • Jatte L.

    I love coming here. Sushi is made fresh and I love to sit in the bar area and watching the chefs make the sushi FRESH. One time I've had a conversation with one of the chefs. Very friendly. The wait staff is super friendly and since they all know us they make sure they take good care of us. I know that the red bean ice cream is really good along with the Green Tea ice cream. I know that I've never been disappointed to come to Yuraku. Be prepared for a wait. Depending on when you come. Fridays tend to be very busy because everyone just gets back from work and wants decent food. I don't blame them. This place will always be in my heart-more like my tummy!

    (5)

  • tony c.

    I thought this is a no frills sushi restaurant in nested in Germantown. I thought the fish is very fresh and prepared just right. I thought their specialties are their rolls. My favorite is their Triple Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Gone with the Wind, and Flying Dragon Rolls. I also love that they serve Grilled Salmon Fish heads, salad, miso soup and steam egg for their regular meals. I also highly recommend their lunch buffets. Even though their sushi pieces are not as good as if you order a la carte, it is still quite worth it for $12. The only bad part, the wait and sometimes I wish it could be alittle more cleaner (especially if I am eating in a place that sells raw fish).

    (4)

  • anna c.

    THIS IS MY FAVORITE SUSHI PLACE!!!! For me, the perfect sushi place is: 1. semi-economical 2. excellent spicy tuna roll 3. tastes awesome of course 4. great variety The sushi is so good that even though the wait is pretty long for the buffet, I still gave it 5 stars. I have been here for both regular dining and the lunch buffet. Not only do they have regular spicy tuna rolls, but they have 2 other versions. There is a double spicy tuna roll and a triple spicy tuna roll. The double is wrapped with extra layer of sashimi tuna and the triple is wrapped in a extra layer of sashimi tuna and the spicy tuna. I already love their regular spicy tuna roll but having the additional fancy versions really make me love this place even more. Their volcano roll is excellent as well. Food is always fresh. The buffet is so busy that the wait is long on weekdays and Saturday lunch. Price is decent as $11.95 all you can eat sushi is as good as it gets. There is so much variety in the buffet that you can always try something new. I love spicy tofu and theirs is excellent. The buffet also has tempura, which I will have an occasional craving for but a couple shrimps and I'm done usually. Now that I live in Potomac, I can't get there as often (I grew up right next to here). But when I do go, the experience is always excellent.

    (5)

  • Jade S.

    You should definitely try this place even if you have never eaten sushi before, you'll love it. My favorite is the "Uncle Julio" roll, believe me you won't regret it. I also tried the pineapple fried rice the last time I was there and absolutely loved it! They have the same staff for years now, it's great to walk into a place where everyone remembers you even though you go only once a month.

    (4)

  • Alain Z.

    Addictive! I can't stay away from the lunch buffet. As the wait can be quite long, it is best to arrive by 11:30 or after 2:30. Staff is friendly, fish is fresh. I strongly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Mabelyn M.

    also try the tres amigos or whatever and lobster's paradise!

    (5)

  • Sunmy B.

    Yuraku is constantly bustling with patrons from near and far. If you want to get seated quickly and promptly, the best advice I can give you is to make reservations ahead of time. For sushi lovers, you'll really appreciate the expansive sushi menu they have to offer. Also, the prices are quite decent considering the many side dishes that accompany the main course. I'd say the quality of the sushi is better than your average sushi joint: fresh, tasty, and filling. There is great care in presenting the sushi in fabulous form. The service is quite friendly, prompt, and attentive. I'd dine here again in a heartbeat.

    (4)

  • DM C.

    I have been going here for years and slowly but surely the secret has come out-Yuraku is AMAZING. And even as they have become uncovered and discovered by DC area sushi fans, they have stayed true to what makes them great 1- GREAT reasonable pricing 2- VERY generous with the fish they serve (no such thing is a 'dinky' roll here) Since now it's gotten more and more crowded, it actually does make a difference to make a 'reservation'. Though it doesn't guarantee you seating as soon as you arrive, it gives you clear priority over the rest who just sign the wait list. Also- Order the Tuna Fiesta Salad. Not on the menu- totally delicious!

    (5)

  • Jen G.

    This place will be the death of me one day. They have such a large selection of specialty original rolls that it's actually difficult to pick. Really good sushi at a decent price = 5 stars. Only downside is that this place gets really packed at night. Even with a reservation, it took atleast 30 minutes to seat us. But the delicious freebie appetizers make up for it--I don't know what that veggie dip is called, but ughhh, sooo goooooddd..

    (5)

  • J. F.

    Tried this place for the first time, last night. On a Saturday. It was packed! We knew we wanted take-out, but since the menu isn't available online, we had to go there, read the menu, order, and wait for it. Arrived around 7pm, and we finally had our food to go around 7:50pm. The front waiting area was packed, and people were also waiting outside. The woman at the front was exceptionally friendly, despite being so frazzled with ringing up orders, answering the phone, etc. We ordered 3 rolls, and 2 pieces of Nigiri, for just my husband and I. They also threw in a free spicy tuna hand roll, for free, which was a welcomed treat! The sushi was delicious. We used to live in Cali, and are used to extremely fresh sushi, and this definitely measured up to our standards. I love that they serve their sushi room temperature instead of ice cold, like many places. You can really taste the fish that way. We didn't know about all of the "off-the-menu specialties" so we just ordered from the 8.5x11 xeroxed menu. I will definitely return here, but only for take-out. Waiting an hour for a table just isn't in my blood -- I'm impatient!

    (4)

  • Emma H.

    I ordered carryout from the sushi bar and well, let's say that I'm glad I didn't have to stay. The woman at the front desk was very impolite and seemed to have no time for me. I've worked in the customer service business for years and I know that even when I'm super busy, I can still find time to make each person feel like they have my full attention. The place didn't seem very clean or tidy. The thing that really bothered me, though, was that every time the receptionist opened the door to the kitchen, she seemed to try to block the customers view in. She would try very hard not to open it wide enough for others to see. It was as if they had something to hide. It just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Now let's get to the food. The sushi was mediocre, I've certainly had better. The prices are great, but let's just say I found out why. The rolls were pretty much bland and the fish was pretty fishy. I began my meal very eager to try a new place, and it just left me unsatisfied. I hate to give a bad review, but I just don't want people to waste their money like I did. I've never had any of their other food, so maybe that's good, but what I had was very disappointing.

    (2)

  • Andy M.

    Love it. Best sushi in MD by far.

    (5)

  • Kaylee P.

    Yes I'm a regular here. It's the place I go to to get my sushi fix and it's the place i use to compare to when I try other sushi places. Needless to say it always wins with flying colors! I've never had a bad sushi or sashimi here i take that back except for just one time (the fresh uncooked egg yolks roll- beware! Sorry I can't tell you what the exact name of it is but just becareful! How to describe it, oh I don't know...it's like swallowing slimy uncooked egg yolks! Shivering just thinking about it! We ordered it originally thinking it was cooked like the tamago hehe) anyways the only reason I give it a 4 instead of a 5 is because weekends is a b'$&@ to get into but weekdays after work is glorious! I love so many rolls there try them all! They usually give you miso soup, edamame and veggies with dip to start out with so there's no need to order appetizers. Sometimes, if they recognize you as a regular and maybe it's with only Asian diners, they bring out a plate of boned cooked salted salmon head and eyeballs still included with some chunks of meat you can pick off while you wait. Another thing to note is to also try to make it in for the buffets during the work week if you work nearby. If I did I'd be there all the time! You can't beat the price! This happy camper gives it a solid rating :)

    (4)

  • Eugene H.

    awesome lunch buffet!! probably the best thing was that each time you go up, there are different sushi rolls to try. we sat at the sushi bar so we got to see the sushi chefs make different rolls and got a glimpse at which rolls were coming out next. great sushi for the price!

    (5)

  • Susan E.

    My favorite sushi restaurant in Maryland! Large selection, generous-sized sushi rolls, good edamame and veggie starters. Can't beat the price! The service is usually good, too. YUM!

    (5)

  • Priscilla D.

    One of the best sushi places in MD! Their menu is pretty large and they have a huge selection of specialty rolls as well as traditional Japanese dishes and a couple of Korean BBQ items. The rolls here are HUGE and very TASTY! mmMMmMMm! Though the place is quite small and there is usually a wait even on a Tuesday night, it is well worth the wait! I love the veggie dip they have there and they also have this wonderful salad with sashimi and rice which is what my friend gets all the time. It's soooo freakin good. God..now I want some Yuraku!!!

    (5)

  • James W.

    This place is a great bargain for the sushi rolls. The sashimi is not the greatest, but they do the best rolls in this area by far. What makes these rolls great is that they don't use a ton of rice in their rolls, but rather, they use just the right balance. I can't count how many times I've eaten rolls that contain too much rice because the restaurant seemingly wants to skimp on the amount of fish they use in the roll. The decor isn't great, but again, you go here for the rolls. They do accept reservations, so call in advance if you plan to go. Otherwise, plan on getting there between 6 and 6:30PM. Some of the rolls I like are the Volcano Roll (warm), Viagra Roll, and the triple salmon roll.

    (4)

  • Richard R.

    the wait staff is rude. the service is terrible. the food is good, if you ever get seated or served.

    (1)

  • Theresa M.

    My husband & I went to Yuraku as a last minute decision one night for a quick dinner. Excellent sushi, we were both impressed. We've also gone for the lunch buffet...a large variety of food, great Miso, good service. My only complaint was how crowded is it was but given the size of the restaurant that's understandable. Definitely a restaurant we'd visit again.

    (4)

  • Jasmine L.

    i went for the lunch buffet and we were extremely pleased with their accommodation for such a large group on a short notice. the lunch buffet is only around $13 and the selection of sushi that they provide is good for the price. i wish i had a chance to come here for a regular sit-down meal but due to time constraint, we were able to do so. i did hear great things about their rolls so hopefully if i'm ever around this area again, i shall pay a visit!

    (3)

  • CW L.

    Good value. Although sometimes the food can be iffy.

    (4)

  • SAM d.

    I love coming to this place. The food is great and affordable. I usually go there with my friend and we would share a sushi plater and a pretty pot sake. It would only cost us about $30 each with lots of leftovers. I also love their side dishes that they give us before we get our entree.

    (5)

  • Duy N.

    This is my favorite sushi place, and I have been going here for the past few years. The prices here are very reasonable, and you do get a LOT of sushi for the price. Dinnertime here on weekends get very crowded, as there is ALWAYS a wait after 6:00 p.m. on fridays and saturdays. They give a lot of complimentary items, depending on what is available. It usually starts off as a veggie dip. Then they bring an egg custard, and miso soup. Depending on what is available, we have gotten different dishes of cooked fish. The sushi bar is lined up with sushi chefs (probably 4 or 5 chefs churning out sushi at all times), and they have plenty of servers providing service. I never had to wait too long for my sushi order, and the wait staff is always attentive. Since they are very busy and people lining up to get in, I think they try to provide quick service and get sushi orders finished as quickly as possible. That said, I have never felt rushed here though, but I have been in and out in less than an hour. The sushi portions are huge, with the best fish to rice ratio of any sushi place I have ever been to. They give you a lot of pieces on the combos I have gotten, and fish pieces are bigger and fresher than any other sushi places I have been to in the DC area. They also have a huge selection of rolls, and are creative on the rolls. My wife & I have eaten here for under $40 and still had to take home some sushi peices, where I could easily eat $40 worth of sushi myself at many other sushi restaurants. I have been to their lunch buffet several times, and it is excellent compared to other sushi lunch buffets. There is usually a wait to get seated after noon time, and sometimes long lines leading towards the buffet. They have a large selection of rolls and nigri sushi on their buffet, along with plenty of cooked Japanese dishes. The buffet items are of decent quality, as they have a big turnover on buffet items due to volume. There are servers constantly bringing new sushi pieces to the buffet. However, as expected, the quality of sushi is a lot better when ordering for dinner than on the buffet. I would recommend trying this place for dinner first, and then the buffet afterwards, as the dinner is the true indicator of the sushi quality and value.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    I continue to be impressed. The buffet is excellent and I normally hate buffets. Especially Sushi buffets. While the food on the buffet is great ordering from the menu is even better. I just picked up a large order to go for a party and everyone was shocked - "you got this in Germantown" - seriously? Unless you want to trek in to DC this is one of two quaility sushi places in the Germantown/Gaitethersburg area. And of these two - this is the best value. And the staff has that great rude but sweet charm of good Japanese places.

    (5)

  • An M.

    Great sushi and variety. It's fresh and not too expensive. They have a buffet during lunch, but it is insanely crowded during that time because it's a pretty small place. Sometimes during dinner they give you complimentary salmon head (if that's your thing). Haven't tried anything other than sushi here, but that never disappoints.

    (4)

  • Ellen W.

    Yaraku is definitely another one of my favorite Japanese joints to eat at in Rockville. Besides the awesome lunch buffet, their rolls are delish! I have never had a roll that I didn't like there. The service is always great and accommodating. The place is kind of small with limited seating so arrive early and wait! I always end up eating way too much when I'm there so I try to go only on special occasions. The buffet at lunch is a great way to taste almost everything the restaurant has to offer. It's no ordinary buffet as all the rolls are replenished almost right before the last roll runs out. The hot food is also very tasty as usually not the case with buffets. If you are gonna try this place once, go for the lunch! Also don't go on Mondays, it's closed.

    (5)

  • diana k.

    I was waiting for my brother who was working out at the gym next door and wandered in for a meal. I did not know what to expect at all as I am not from the area. They served me a fried fish which was delicious and I ordered 2 sushi rolls which were different than anything I have ever tasted. It was different and yummy. Love.

    (5)

  • Ka-Loon T.

    Tucked out of the way, and definitely a great find. This sushi restaurant gets my kudos, especially when a coworker who grew up in Maryland knew that I was referring to Yuraku when I said I went to a good sushi place in Germantown. For a 2pm lunch, Yuraku was disturbingly crowded. The buffet sushi seems to get the crowds. their buffet is much better than the average buffet, with a more creative selection. I was situated at the sushi bar, and the sheer amount of raw seafood makes me wonder how much business they get. Now I'm left wondering, if the buffet was good, how about their a la carte? Guess I'll be making another trip up there.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    I really didn't like this place until i tried the sushi. It is excellent with a very generous fish:rice ratio. Definitely one of the best values you're going to get when it comes to sushi. The other food here... who really cares about it? Get the sushi!

    (4)

  • B Z.

    great lunch crowd if you want to people watch...that is if ur not stuffing ur face with their buffet! sushi isnt the best ive ever had but they have a decent menu. i dont like to get the buffet all the time, i do like to get creations off the real menu--which by the way is a lil expensive for gtown, but whatever, good sushi is never cheap. worth a visit, both lunch n dinner. so stop in....

    (3)

  • Jess M.

    This is easily one of the best sushi places in montgomery county. They have fresh fish and many traditional rolls, plus many creative rolls to choose from. The portions are generous and flavor is amazing. Plus, the place is always packed, so you know it's good! They're closed on mondays, so don't try to go then.

    (5)

  • L F G.

    This is my one of my favorite places in Montgomery County to have Sushi. You definately aren't paying for ambiance as the tables are pretty close together and decor is simple. However, what the restaurant lacks in decor - it more than makes up for in the quality of their product. One of the first things you'll notice when you walk is in the high concentration of asian people (always a good sign in my opinion) and the large 'family sized' boats feeding those families. for those that prefer their own plates or bowls, those options exist as well. If you are looking for a real treat and are feeling a little daring (as well as splurging) , try the Yuraku Oma Kasi ("chef's choice) menu known as the Sonny Special. For a fixed price (generally $40 or so per person - but this may be negotiable), they will bring you a variety of things NOT on the menu over a variety of courses. My particular favorite is the seared tuna. You can request specific fish be included or not included with this, and give them a parameters if you prefer (sweet, salty, spicy). I have found this to be a very fun (and filling) way to go as I generally can't finish the 5-7 rounds that come with this style of eating. Still - for a special event or just everyday dinner, this is a great place to go!

    (5)

  • Nick F.

    Been coming here for the last 5 year, always good food, and good service!

    (5)

  • Shing M.

    I'm glad this sushi place (one of very few in the area) is that good. Fish is fresh and rolls great!

    (4)

  • Jason P.

    I love this place for the quality of the sushi at dinner time. They have quite a few original roll creations to try as well as all of the common rolls. The price is reasonable, but it isn't cheap for the dinner menu. The lunch buffet is a different story. Sure, it is all you can eat buffet sushi, but the quality difference between the dinner stuff and the lunch buffet stuff is great. The buffet is definitely not at the top of my lunch choices.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    My husband and I loved this place. We discovered it when we were ready to leave Germantown and headed for California. We were so surprised to find fresh fish in Germantown. We ate at Popeyes all the time. This was a refreshing treat. The negri sushi is definitely a great delight and BIG. The salmon is really fresh. We ordered about $50 worth of stuff and ate like pigs. Oh the Abalone was great too. Oh there's also the salmon baked item that has mayo all over it and wrapped in foil. YUM YUM. Oh the rainbow roll - yes and more more more....

    (5)

  • Peter S.

    this is one of the better sushi places in the area. although i have been spoiled with the west coast selections, this sushi does quite well. i did have one mediocre roll during one visit. normally i would have just brushed it off if it were another type of food, but i feel sushi must be great all the time! i have returned with great results.

    (4)

  • Eunice K.

    yuraku is def a great sushi place. fresh fish. delicious specialty rolls.. they are well known for their volcano roll. nobody does makes it like them! took a friend from philly and she loved it! took my friends from ny and we got the sushi boat! it was amazing. and they also tried the volcano and loved it :) so worth the money. not even expensive compared a lot of other places. the lunch buffet is great too! went 2 times last week. haha. my parents have been a long time fan! they love the sushi platters. the 100 platters are great for guests. we order it to go when we have people over and it's always a great hit! you def need to expect to wait at least 20 mins. its always busy. if you go and its not then you're lucky! the staff is okay. the prettier ladies are usually so much nicers. always smiling and so sweet. there are some who arent the friendliest but decent. the front people are okay. the grandma is the best! she is the sweetest lady ever! the udon is good. the dongkatsu is also good. my sister enjoys it. def a place you need to visit if you're in maryland and love sushi :) i would give it 5 stars if the service was better. they sometimes give you free appetizers.

    (4)

  • V Z.

    go with +10 group to get items on the house that ends up you have to give up half the paid sashimi and sushi left on the table like the white tuna sashimi. The long line at dinner time is insane, can range from 1 hr up to 2 hrs.

    (4)

  • Rok L.

    Fish is fresh, the salmon carpaccio was really good, and overall our sushi was a good value. Portions are big, but I felt it wasn't quite as tasty or innovative as some of the other sushi places around MoCo. I definitely think the place is on the unkempt side as some of the other reviewers pointed out. You definitely need to call ahead for a reservation, showing up means you are in for a long wait.

    (3)

  • Jen L.

    This is one of the better Japanese restaurants in the MoCo area. We were brought here by a Japanese family, so I presume the restaurant is pretty authentic. The raw fish and sushi were delicious. The lunch prices are reasonable, but the dinner prices are a bit high.

    (4)

  • Alicia G.

    The sushi here never disappoints. The rolls are honestly some of the most beautiful I've ever seen (exhibit A, the White Pearl roll). The wait can be long but if you come in 2's, you can get seating at the counter and watch the sushi chefs work their magic. I've had the lunch buffet ($15) once as well and is a really good deal considering some of their specialty rolls are $15 themselves. You get a slight discount if you pay in cash. Looking forward to working my way through their menu.

    (4)

  • Alan Z.

    My goto sushi spot! Portions are large and the ingredient fresh! The cost is generally lower than other fancy sushi places too. Their shrimp tempura and spicy tuna is delicious. Comes with a grilled tuna head, miso soup, and steamed egg :) The lunch buffet here is pretty good as well. The only down side is the size of the place and the longer waits. Definitely worth it!

    (5)

  • Anthony L.

    A year or two ago, I would've given this place 4 or 4.5 stars. I started working (less than a mile from yuraku) in Germantown a little over a year ago. In the past it would be one of those places where I'd plan with family and/or friends to drive 45-60 minutes to eat which makes you look forward to the food and enjoy. Buffet is served Tuesday-Saturday 11:00-2:00 (i'm not quite sure when it ends but i know it starts at 11am. I found myself going there a couple times on a Monday to find that they don't offer buffets. On nights and weekends, even during buffets, you can order from their menu. Is it me, or does the sushi you order from the menu and the ones in the buffet line taste a lot different? Maybe it's because you're paying a lot more PROS: 1. CHEAP: if you're looking for some cheap sushi, this is the place to go.. you can stuff your face with over 50 pieces of sushi for a measily 13 dollars. 2. MONOPOLY: there was another sushi buffet called the hillhouse (couple miles down). they recently took away their buffet, so yuraku is probably the only place for sushi under 15 dollars in the germantown area 3. FREE STUFF: they give you free miso soup, hot tea, and water 4. BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: if you go on your birthday, they take a picture of you holding an umbrella to post on the wall 5. PORTIONS: the portions of most of the food on the menu is biggggggggg...my personal favorite is the who-weh-doht-bahp (pieces of raw fish, mixed with rice and vegetables and spicy bean paste)..trust me, you're better off sharing a bowl with another person CONS: 1. WAIT TIME: the wait time can be pretty bad.. i did a little study by going there at different times during the buffet. anytime between 11:00-11:20 you are guaranteed a seat right when you walk in. 11:20-11:45, you can expect to wait 2-10 minutes... anytime after 12, you can expect to wait OUTSIDE for 10-30 minutes..my advice is.. if you're working in the area, do not expect to show up after 11:45 and get back to work in an hour 2. CHECKS: maybe it's just me, but i really hate how they bring you your check with your water. ok, i'm exaggerating a bit, but they really do bring out your check while your eating. i hate the feeling of being rushed especially when i'm trying to enjoy my food 3. BUFFET LINE: i know the restuarant is pretty small, but the amount of space you have in line is ridiculous. every time when i'm in line, i can feel the person behind me breathing down my neck. it literally feels like your in a very crowded bus. it's really crowded because if the line was any longer, it'll be wrapped around the entire restaurant. i've had a lot of debates about tipping at a buffet. personally, i tip at a buffet because i think they do just as much or even more than a waiter/ress does at a normal resturant. they seat you, they bring you water, they refill your water, and take away used plates... the only thing they might not do here is bring you a menu and your food.

    (3)

  • Brian K.

    Huge Hwe Dup Bap for the price (but minus 1/2 star for going a little overboard with the lettuce). Sushi (nigiri and rolls) are great too -- although I have noticed that Korean-owned sushi places (like Yuraku) don't seem to vinegar the rice much, if at all. Otherwise, best sushi place for the buck in the DMV area. Does get crowded early - thankfully, you can order and carry out. 4 1/2 stars.

    (4)

  • Shawna G.

    So yes, I try out yet another sushi joint, hoping to find a worthy haunt in Germantown and low and behold, I just may have found it. I will say, the wait for the actual food was long and agonizing, almost started chewing on my arm, so I will not go again without a pre-dinner snack for sure. The soy beans and veggies with some type of veggie dip just didn't hold me over! We waited about 45 minutes for our order, which is quite unheard of when it comes to sushi!!! But when it arrived, mmmmmmmmmm. For the price, it was a fabulous value. The fish/rice ration was insane! A good 3 times the amount of FISH to rice!!! The salmon and white tuna were unbelievable, toro and tuna just OK, toro being a bit fishy actually... ugh!!! Nice, complex miso. I will be going back to this place for sure, just will adjust my ordering for the future. And who knows, might have to give the toro another try, maybe an off day?!?!?! Oh, and get there early, the place was standing room only at 6:15pm on a Friday. We got there at 5:15pm, which is a bit early for some, but it couldn't have been a better time. UPDATE: Ok, so I have tried the lunch buffet at this place. Let's just say that is a mistake that has jaded my overall opinion of this sushi joint. The pieces of fish were, as one would imagine, much MUCH smaller than when you order ala carte. It was not as fresh as i like my sushi, and the toro... wow... first time there I have ever tried a piece of sushi, only to have spit it out... couldn't chew it!!! Also, when we got there, and sat at the sushi bar, a platter of sushi, already made, was sitting there, destined for the buffet bar. Needless to say, when we left 45 minutes later, the plate had JUST been taken to the buffet. Yeah, that's a bit too long for raw fish to sit out. I think I'll stick to the menu from now on.

    (2)

  • Jo M.

    been here thrice and i like this joint. i think twice we had to wait like 30 min or so..and the other time i went towards closing time on a sun night and there was no wait. i guess here...y ou get plenty of quantity and some quality too. i like the mini ensemble they put out in the beginning. i remember havign some big sushi platter thing..and also had sukiyaki or somethingl ike that. all was fine. and it's a great deal - they have low prices.

    (4)

  • Judy T.

    I have been a loyal customer of Yuraku for more than 10 years. The fish is always extremely fresh and creative. It is a family favorite and we have celebrated many a birthday and this wonderful restaurant. There really is no better value or better sushi than Yuraku. Give it a try -- you'll be hooked!

    (5)

  • Chizlum M.

    Probably the best sushi place around the area. The lunch buffet is amazing. It is always busy though, so be prepared to wait.

    (5)

  • kevin k.

    good japanese restaurant. owned by corean. why does it matter? u ask? cause it does. like in seinfeld the cuban cigar has to be rolled by cuban not dominican or others. u just have to try and compare the difference. i can taste the difference. period. but good good and lots of quantity. after eating here i get sick of eating japananes for awhile. jst me.

    (4)

  • Jim L.

    Danger Will Robinson! Danger! Avoid the lunch buffet. I've eaten at this place twice. The first time was at dinner time. The price was very good, and the nigiri pieces were very big. The salmon was very good and fresh. The tuna and toro was average. Then I read that they had an all you can eat lunch buffet that included all their sushi (including toro!). Well this sounded too good to past up, so I gave it a try one afternoon when I was in the area. Let me just say that my experience was so bad it bordered on being ineffable. All the sushi looked stale and discolored. And they tasted like it. And you can tell why. You can see the plates of sushi sitting on the sushi bar counter and side table out in the open waiting to be loaded onto the buffet bar. Some of those plates of sushi sat out in the open waiting the entire time I was there (about 40 minutes). And the toro was inedible. It looked awful, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried a bit of it and could barely swallow it down. I only wish I was embellishing some of this, I'm not. It was that bad. I honestly left this place hoping that I wouldn't get sick from eating there. Let me drive the point home this way: after reading all this, if you're still even thinking of trying the lunch buffet here, just give me your $11, and I'll punch you in the stomach as hard as I can, and you'll be MUCH better off. Otherwise the lunch buffet here might turn you off sushi forever. The lesson to learn here is that all you can eat is worthless if nearly all the food is inedible. If not for the lunch buffet, I would probably give this place 3 stars. Full Disclosure: I'm not a paid marketer for yelp, or paid in anyway with any businesses mentioned in this review. I'm just a foodie.

    (1)

  • Katie B.

    I can not get enough of the lunch buffet here. All you can eat sushi, tempura, soup, salads, literally anything you could imagine when going for sushi you can find in the buffet. They constantly replenish the sushi selection with various maki rolls and sashimi. Depending on when you arrive or what day it is you will get to try different rolls. I love love love this because I tend to get stuck in this habit of ordering dragon rolls everywhere I go (I am an eel fiend), and it gets to try different things without making the commitment of ordering a full maki roll. Although the maki in the buffet is not labeled, which makes it difficult for picky eaters or those with food limitations, for those of us with no dietary restrictions it makes each roll we decide to try an interesting surprise. I would recommend asking the chefs who roll the sushi right up the bar about any allergies and which platters of rolls to avoid. I have brought countless friends here and everyone has loved it thus far. It's great for lunch because of the buffet, but ordering a la carte for dinner is also affordable and delicious. They have a lot of specialty rolls with punny names and descriptions. My all time favorite is the Flying Dragon roll, it comes with a whole eel laid atop the rolls. If for whatever reason you aren't in the mood for sushi, they also have a large variety of other options.

    (5)

  • Kelsey O.

    I have only been here for the all you can eat lunch special. It comes with hot tea which is delicious and miso soup with is salty There is much selection of sushi it's insane even for all you can eat. There are regular rolls and lots of special rolls included. And my absolute favorite tools crunchy spicy tuna roll and eel. The sushi is always fresh, flavorful and the fish to rice ratio is perfect. There is also a hot bar with other Japanese cuisine and shrimp tempura, which is fabulous, and fried bananas for dessert so yummy!

    (4)

  • Harmony D.

    This place has the best sushi I have ever eaten! It is so good! Came here with a friend who grew up coming here for sushi. He recommended that we get the "boat", a combination of sushi, sashimi and rolls. If you have a group, definitely get this. We had three people and were very full afterwards, but finished every last piece. Really this is the first time I have had sushi and enjoyed every piece they gave me. The rolls were stuffed full of goodness and the sashimi was so fresh and tender, you couldn't get enough. Coming from DC, this restaurant was out of the way, but I would have gone a lot farther for the best sushi ever! The atmosphere is great, large and spacious and filled with the wonderful aroma of fresh sushi. The servers were friendly and even brought us a tempura battered cod dish, on the house. It was excellent! It melted like butter in your mouth. They bring you complimentary salmon and an egg dish at the beginning of your meal, we also ordered fried dumplings with crab meat and regular dumplings, all delicious. Surprisingly this sushi restaurant is run by Koreans, we appreciated the extra complimentary small dishes (egg, salmon), reminiscent of bon chon. This place knows what its doing and the sushi is beyond comparison. If you haven't tried it yet, I would make the trip and give it a try. We also saw several patrons getting the birthday treatment. For an extra $5 they could pose with a Japanese umbrella and their bowl of green tea ice cream and have their picture taken via polaroid camera. A nice little memento for a great birthday celebration.

    (5)

  • James P.

    This is my favorite Japanese restaurant I go to in this area. Not so much for the food, but the service from both the owner (Sunny) and wait staffs. I usually sit at the bar with a friend and Sunny would prepare what's fresh for the day. Also, when he has a new item he likes to try out, he would give me a sample. I always eat too much when I go here, but always satisfied. Wait staff are super nice.

    (5)

  • Joey S.

    Best sushi around town. Unbeatable prices and amazing sushi. Definitely ask for the chef "special". He'll make custom dishes for you and will feed you until you say stop. Lunch buffet is so cheap and the fish is fresher than most places! BEST SUSHI EVER!

    (5)

  • Philip L.

    I am a bit confused after my recent visit. The sushi and food was similar as it has been each other week. Although the sushi did not seem well-made this week compared to the other weeks, it still passes. What really confuses me is the consistency in this place. The Perks - They have been keeping the door (the lobby to the dining room) closed during lunch, which is necessary. Also, they increased the size of the sushi area so there is more room to maneuver around when you return the tongs back to the ice bucket. Confusion - I believe they are trying to be a bit more consistent in their service. They opened at 11 - on the dot. However, they were not really ready. They told customers that the buffet was not ready. I was not in line until 11:10. Also, when I usually ordered hot tea, I received cold water. Then, they gave me two cups of miso soup instead of the usual one. I think they were having a hectic opening. I kept quiet, had my cold water and two miso soups. I noticed that they were filling a large catering order at the beginning of the lunch buffet. Surprisingly, they were able to keep up with the lunch buffet. This was good! Really good! Sadly, it began to falter as there was a large table that was ordering from the menu. I guess they were there to celebrate something - someone graduated? Either or, I blame the big table for coming on a Saturday lunch buffet and disrupt the regular flow. Replenishment slowed down that I almost gave up my third plate. My visit was shy of enjoyable. I feel like it has been a hit or miss lately. If you see my previous reviews, you will know why. Some days, it was exceptional; no problems. Other days, service or customers diminished my lunch. Don't get me wrong; I love the place and I will continue to go here. However, it is worth noting that you will not always have a great experience here.

    (4)

  • Kara H.

    It is very hard to find a sushi restaurant that fulfills my need for quality of food and my asian stinginess. That being said, this is one of the best sushi spots I've been to. I'm consistently impressed by the quality of their fish, the flavor of their rolls and the beauty of their presentation. On top of all of that, the amount of fish per roll is really generous, while maintained at an extremely reasonable price point. I always get so full when I get here, and usually sushi restaurants leave me slightly hungry at the end. I also love the free side dishes that come with all their meals. The grilled salmon head is a favorite with my husband, he might actually look forward to that more than the sushi. 100% recommended!

    (5)

  • Tiffany Y.

    Always heard great things about this place, so finally checked it out with a group. We came in on a Sunday right when they opened and were able to get seated right away. They have a lot of interesting rolls and they gave us free grilled salmon and rolls for the table. I definitely want to come back to try the lunch buffet.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    This is a review of their lunch buffet and their dinner menu. My first visit here was during dinner, but I saw an ad about their lunch buffet and had to come back to try it. I'll first start with my dinner experience: We came here pretty late during their dinner service, and it was still crowded. I ate a little bit prior to the visit, so I shared a Sashimi Deluxe. It was presented nicely on a small wooden boat, and it looked fresh. It came with the basic Sashimi items, such as salmon, calamari, octopus, surf clams, tuna, red snapper, and a couple other ones. It also came with a bowl of miso soup. Even though I was already full, the fish were really tasty. I'm from the LA area, so I am somewhat picky with sushi. The fish may not be the best quality I've ever had, but it did satisfy my sushi craving. Another great thing about this place is that their sushi was very affordable. 24 pieces of sashimi was only $25! Now for the lunch buffet... The lunch buffet was a whole different experience. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best experience. When I go to all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants, I'm used to ordering everything through a paper menu, then the chefs make the items when ordered. At this place, everything is made in large batches and sequestered at the back of the restaurant. It didn't seem sanitary to me because some of the fish were not on ice. They were actually up on top of the buffet cart. Who knows how long they have been sitting there...all warm and exposed to air. Furthermore, the tongs to grab the sushi are all placed in an ice bucket on the side. People would grab the tongs, use them, then place them back in there. Who knows where those hands have been and who have grabbed the wrong side of the tongs. They also put a lot of rice on the nigiri, which will make you full quickly. Although it was cheap ($13/person), I would rather spend more money and order off the menu. It just seemed unsanitary. Overall, this restaurant is pretty good. I would probably not come back for their lunch buffet, but I'd come back for dinner. I'd rather spend a little more money and get better quality sushi. Their service is exceptional. They were very friendly and attentive. I would give their dinner 4 stars, but their lunch buffet is 2 stars at most.

    (3)

  • Boris W.

    My and I have been here on numerous occasions, and I can't believe this is my first time writing a review for this amazing establishment! I'm not exaggerating when I say "it's a 5/5 every time I go." Yuraku is probably the best sushi spot in the DMV. Yes, it has competition from Zen, Taro, Tachibana, Kotobuki, Makoto, et cetera. But, I personally rank this above all others. For its deliciousness, price, presentation, and portion size, this is by far, IMHO, the best sushi spot. Now in terms of taste, it certainly has fierce competition from Makoto and Sushi Taro. But it's roughly $15-30 a person here at Yuraku whereas the other two is roughly $75+. Finally, I love the special makis here at Yuraku because it's always delicious and stuffed with lots of non-rice delicacies. And their boats are always worth it! The $125 and $160 boat filled up 8 and 10 of my friends, respectively, on two different occasions! This is hands down a 5/5 restaurant with the only downside being its potential to be an awful time killer (sometimes the wait is too long and they no longer accept phone reservations and call ahead to be placed on the wait-list!)

    (5)

  • Sam L.

    My past review (almost a year ago) mentioned how there's a pre-requisite to get appetizers thrown in as part of your meal (miso soup, steamed egg, fish). If you spend at least $16 per person then you'll most likely get them, even though it used to be $15/per person (this information is from our waitress). What annoyed me was we had 4 adults and 2 kids (6 and 1 year old who don't appreciate sushi yet) and we spent a healthy $63 (before tax) on various sashimi and special rolls to share. Not knowing there's a $16/per person limit we had to reach to get appetizers, we were told we didn't spend enough. They did give us some miso soup as a pity gesture, but when did we become beggars instead of valued customers? I love their rolls but can't stand their service policy and attitude. Their rolls also seemed smaller than the past 3-4 visits, which is a shame.

    (3)

  • Sally Y.

    I think most people in Maryland will agree that this is one of the best sushi restaurants in Montgomery County. I think what I like about it is the variety. It definitely isn't all about the traditional sushi where you're supposed to savor the flavors of the fresh fish. Here, it's all about the fried stuff and the sauces. My family and I enjoy ordering off of the special menu, but we will always get the typical stuff like dragon roll. Favorites: -Dr. Zhivago -Titanic roll -3 Amigo -Alaskan -Godzilla -Mr. Wayne Keep in mind that the free appetizers you get with your meal will vary based on their mood and how busy the night is. That's also how is describe the service. Everyone is generally pleasant though. Oh, also, make sure no one takes your spot on the waiting list. With all the hustle and bustle someone else "might" have the same name and number in his/her party and take your table! Be alert!!

    (4)

  • Zahra K.

    By far some of the freshest, most creative, and delicious sushi I have in the DMV area. You don't come here for a regular philly roll, you come for their special rolls. Some of my favorite rolls from their specials menu: Cowboy HotFuzz Last Samurai The Tim Tuna Lover When Tuna Met Mango Service is always very prompt. There is a bit of a wait on weekend nights, but if you opt to sit at the sushi bar, it is quicker. Every time I have gone, the wait staff will bring out a random roll, or appetizer that the chef is experimenting with and who doesn't love free food?

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    I love sushi and Japanese cuisine and have been going to this place on and off for a few years. More so when I use to work in the Gaithersburg area. Sonny (owner) is a great guy. They have a great lunch buffet and if you're a sucker for a variety of sushi rolls- this is your place! They probably have over 100 different rolls. This isn't your high end sushi place that has rare quality stuff like hokkaido uni but they have a few good stuff like toro (not oh-toro), giant clam, and anago. The sushi and other dishes are pretty good, above average. The service is just average, not great. They get so packed for lunch and dinner that you better get there early

    (4)

  • Heather M.

    Really good sushi and pretty good service but to get all that? A whole. Lot. Of waiting... I've only been here for dinner a few times now because I've been warned of the lunch buffet crowd haha However, both times I've been here for dinner, a solid 30 min wait. Oh and the waiting area? Tight as can be. No reservations allowed. Loud inside because it's always packed. Not the friendliest servers but that's probably because they have to wait on so many people. Regardless, they still did their job properly. Honestly, their sushi makes you overlook everything. You forget about the wait. The crowd. The noise. Everything. It's just you and your sushi. Very fresh fish. Very thick pieces. Very good quality.

    (4)

  • Jennifer J.

    So fresh! My husband and I can't get enough of their sushi. Space is limited on the inside so there's normally a wait but well worth it. We love it here!

    (5)

  • Ann D.

    I've been here so many times, I don't know why I waited so long to write a review. Yuraku's all you can eat lunch deal, which is about $15pp is amaaazing. They open at 11am, and you'll typically see a line of Asians out the door by 11:45, which is a testament to the quality of the food and the fact that you will get your money's worth. You are always given hot tea and miso soup. You can also ask for water. Then, get in line for the food! The sushi is obviously the highlight. They have everything from classics like Californian rolls, spicy tuna, and eel, as well as more creative rolls with strawberry and tuna or fresh orange and shrimp. They also have maki with pickled veggies and nigri with raw tuna, salmon, shrimp, and various types of white fish which are unlabeled but taste great. My other random favorites include the fried bananas (the bananas are soft and ripe and have a crispy tempura coating with an extra dusting of powdered sugar, yum!), the cinnamon drink with pine nuts (I have no idea what it's called, but it's addictive), the tempura green beans, and the cold noodles. The hot foods like the fried chicken and mussels are also good. They are very good at keeping the sushi platters replenished and picking up dirty plates from the table. The service is friendly, but unobtrusive. Also, they do give you a "discount" on the price if you pay with cash instead of credit card.

    (4)

  • Alexander K.

    I always used to only go for the lunch buffet here, but I was truly missing out on the actual menu. The sushi here is always fresh; which is evident by the throngs of customers that come through the doors. The cuts of fish are quite generous, unmatched by any sushi establishment in the area. This past Sunday, Chef Sonny personally prepared our a la carte sushi assortments and we were not disappointed. I had ordered various nigiri which included scallop, giant clam, sweet shrimp (amaebi), tobiko, fresh water eel, sea eel, fatty tuna belly (toro), albacore, and sea urchin (uni) which were all immaculately crafted and presented. We were also given complimentary items such as silken egg custard, broiled salmon head, fried fish bites, salmon belly nigiri, and oysters. This is hospitality as its finest. If you want Sushi in Maryland, this is the best place to go. Period.

    (5)

  • Cat L.

    Yuraku's infamous lunch buffet should be officially designated as a mecca for sushi buffet lovers. For about $14, you get access to never-ending trays of all different kinds of sushi as well as a good assortment of some other popular Japanese foods like tempura and soba noodles. I always keep my full attention trained on the sushi trays, but my friend who doesn't like sushi has said that the other buffet foods are pretty good. There have always been at least 8 to 10 different types of sushi during my visits, including standard nigiri pieces, Philadelphia rolls, and other quirky creations made fresh by the sushi chefs. I most recently came for lunch around 2pm, and I appreciated how new trays of sushi kept appearing at the buffet despite it being close to closing time (3pm). As others have said, the restaurant is small and does not take reservations, so the wait times can be too much to handle during peak lunch hours. Also, the sushi isn't labeled at the buffet and it's hard to tell what you're picking up. Lastly, please keep an open mind and don't be expecting some sophisticated, upscale sushi experience - it's a $14 buffet, for crying out loud. Pay with cash for a small discount off your total check!

    (5)

  • Tony L.

    The locals told me this is best place to get sushi for lunch in the area. First impression walking inside was that all the staffs were Korean and they were all speaking Korean to each other. The Korean locals told us that all the Japanese restaurants in the area are operate by Koreans for some reasons. There always seems to be a line here for lunch, so make plans to arrive early if you have a large group. It seems like lunch is only AYCE buffet. Being operated by Korean, they have half of the buffet area designated for Korean food, which some of our white companion thought all of the food were Japanese. The middle area had fried items like tempura and veggie. The sushi selections were ok, and fish was just ok even for buffet quality. The Korean side dishes they got were actually quite good, especially the Korean cold noodles, and make sure you do not mistake the soup as the sauce. Yuraku felt like an AYCE Korean BBQ restaurant without the actual BBQ meat, and substituted with abundant of mediocre sushi. They offer a cash discount, which could be a win-win for both customers and the business. Service was ok. Maybe I ought to try their dinner next time.

    (3)

  • Ruofei D.

    Awesome Japanese restaurant! Not only the sushi boat is splendid, but the temporo, steamed egg, salad is of high quality!

    (4)

  • Stanley L.

    This is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in MoCo. The lunch buffet is a great deal. Unlimited decent quality sushi for around $14. They also have a bunch of side dishes next to the sushi which are all taste quite delicious too. For dinner, they serve higher quality sushi but can get a bit pricey. I came here once for the sushi boat which was really good. I got grilled salmon belly rolls another time and it is one of the greatest tasting food out there. Their uni was okay, didn't taste that fresh. Overall a really good sushi place and definitely the place for sushi lunch buffets.

    (4)

  • Gail R.

    Went here with several folks (we visit different restaurants each month - this visit was for September). I got to see a paper menu that had different sushi choices on it and also a huge menu with other non-sushi items. I think it is a great way for the restaurant to get folks to order sushi instead because the menu (book) for the other non-sushi items was too cumbersome to even look at, so I never even looked. This quick paper menu had choices like Yuraku Original Rolls, Hand Rolls, Tempura Sushi, Seafood Rolls, Veggie Rolls, Tempura Rolls and Tempura Special - it had prices for each and a place to write how many you want. I am still a pre-beginner sushi eater, but decided to venture out on this visit and actually try a dish that had "real raw" sushi. I have played it safe in the past at other places by trying California Rolls, Veggie Rolls and Sweet Potato Rolls, which are all tame. I decided to order the Philadelphia Roll which consisted of fresh salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado and masago (I bypassed the masago). I did not really get to taste the salmon from this dish because the taste of cream cheese with sushi just did not work in this case. However, I did try the salmon that was just by itself (no rice or cream cheese) and it was definitely fresh - almost tasted like locks on a bagel (minus the bagel and cream cheese). My mind was telling me that I was not ready for "raw" sushi. Someone in our group, yelper David R, tried to convince me to change my mind and try something different. It was white fish (I think). I know I heard the words: cooked, chilled and seared, so I slowly stepped beyond my thinking process and decided to try it and was glad that I did. I actually liked it - wow - my first real sushi taste. I think I will stick to this one for a while before venturing into trying other new items, but I will try them here due to the many choices they have. The place was great overall.

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Normally I would give this place a 5 star review but this time I'm gonna have to say that the quality of food was severely lower than what it should have been. I usually come in before 8pm but this particular time I came in after 9 and what a drop in quality. I ordered my regular sushi deluxe yami yami roll, crazy horse, and spider roll. Usually the food seems to glow but it was just lack luster tonight. The rice on my sushi pieces were breaking apart as I would pick them up which is totally unacceptable and my rolls were just falling apart. My advice is to go during the dinner rush or earlier because once the night calms down the chefs take it a little too easy.

    (3)

  • S C.

    This place was fantastic. I was told they have a weekend lunch buffet which made me weary, but I was overwhelmingly pleased with the food and service. They sat us quickly and were so attentive even though it was slammed. We ordered a sashimi platter for the family, and it was superbly fresh and bountiful. Additionally, the miso soup and various appetizers that were provided were amazing. Now I know why this is considered a hidden gem to so many on Yelp. Bravo.

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    FINALLY. A sushi joint that is just for sushi/other Japanese items. For months Maryland's fascination with melding Asian cuisines in one restaurant has puzzled me. The fact that their fish to rice ratio here is INSANE and their rolls are enormous gives me more joy than it should. The hamachi roll is gigantic, with HUGE pieces of hamachi in an on the outside of the roll. The Last Samurai roll (spicy tuna, avocado inside, spicy mayo and tuna outside) was delicious. The Scallop Burst roll was a little too heavy for my taste. The broiled scallop mixture had a tad too much mayo for my taste. The Osaka roll was the biggest roll I've ever had-- it has salmon, tuna, yellowtail, squid, and avocado with spicy mayo on the outside. It was ridiculous in the best way possible. The server was also an incredibly sweet lady who gave us a smoked salmon head on the house :) $66 bought us four rolls and a large beer and an uncomfortably full stomach. I. Will. Be. Back. Soon. Like tomorrow.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    We got five rolls which was more than enough for my boyfriend and I. We were completely stuffed. Surprisingly it was pretty cheap but I heard there's an all you can eat during lunch time. I definitely recommend the shrimp tempura roll. We got the volcano roll which was not that great. I definitely don't recommend the volcano roll. Overall, good food, good service, and the wait wasn't that bad considering it was pretty busy.

    (4)

  • Kristy H.

    I cam here with a friend after a class on a Wednesday. We were surprised to see that the place was packed! They brought us some vegetables with a dipping sauce that I wasn't crazy about, but hey, you don't have to like everything, right? We ordered three rolls. The California roll was excellent. Fresh, good flavor, well rolled. The shrimp tempura and soft shell crab rolls were out of this world. They were huge! This is not the place to eat if you're trying to look cute while eating. But needless to say, I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Braden J.

    This place is absolutely amazing. Every sushi roll I have tried here has been one of my favorite of all time. For a lunch place the price is a little high ($13), but for the quality and quantity you cannot beat it. I am pretty sure every time I go there I eat enough crab, shrimp, avocado, and fish to make Yuraku worry about going out of business. There are a few downsides to this lunch buffet. First, you have to get there early, like 11:30 early to make sure you don't have to wait on a table during the week. Also, the flow of the buffet isn't very good so it will back up at times even when they aren't that busy. Finally, it is sometimes hit or miss on whether you get the highly desired rolls. The staff can be really bad about refreshing the buffet, so you will go through the line and only have a few options then five minutes later the waiters will bring out ten new trays worth of sushi. I highly recommend trying this lunch buffet out if you anywhere around.

    (4)

  • S J.

    Delicious! There was a lot of sushi varieties available. When I was there, they served mango rolls, a variety of sashimi, eel, cream cheese, california roll, spicy tuna, tempura roll, avocado roll, and a lot more. On the side they also had rice, shrimp, noodles, spicy pork, marinated ham, chicken, seaweed salad, egg tofu dish, banana pastry, cheese sticks, tempura: squid, onion shrimp, sweet potato, string beans. (theres more I can't remember) It cost 13.95 per person for buffet If you pay by card they charge you a few bucks more. When I went with two people it was around ~27.46 by cash (which is odd bc its supposedly 13.95 per person) and ~29.67 by card. You do have to wait to be seated because it is a small place but it is definitely worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    I don't mean this as a backhanded compliment, but Yuraku has great quality sushi... for a buffet. Variety is good as well. My only complaints are: 1. It gets crowded for weekday lunches and they don't take reservations, so you can expect to wait anywhere from 5-30 minutes if you arrive at peak time. 2. The buffet area itself is very cramped, and poorly laid out. I sort of dread having to go up for more food when it's crowded. 3. The sushi variety is great, but they don't label any of their items and the buffet is dimly lit, so you usually don't even know what you're picking up until you taste it. Did you think that was uni on top of that roll? Nope, it's mushy banana. 4. While they do have nigiri, many of their specialty rolls have little or no fish in them, and, as noted above, it's hard to know this for sure until you taste it.

    (4)

  • Samantha S.

    Probably the best sushi I've ever had. So incredibly fresh and a great bang for your buck too! It was pretty crowded when my boyfriend went to pick up our carryout order but it was prime dinnertime. I highly recommend this place :)

    (5)

  • Cathy H.

    I really want to be selfish and hide one particular menu item from the rest of the world, but I cannot take it anymore and must declare my love for Yuraku's Osaka Triangle Roll. I'd consider myself a sushi purist, so I stick to nigiri and sashimi usually and turn my nose up at creative rolls (no thanks to ones topped with mango and doused with three versions of mayo), but this roll is legit. Hamachi, maguro, sake, hiro maguro, avocado, and imitation crab meat topped with tobiko and spicy mayo. It's a fish lover's dream albeit it'd be an even better dream if they'd substitute the imitation crab meat with real lump crab, but I could be asking for too much. Take a look at the cross-section pic I took. Are you drooling yet? If not, then something is seriously wrong with you. All nigiri options at Yuraku are fresh, plentiful (three-biters), and melt-in-your-mouth (new acronym on Yelp: MIYM). My personal favorites are hamachi, maguro, sake, hiro maguro, hotategai, and hokigai. As mentioned in my previous review, order their ankimo (Bourdain calls it, "pate of the sea").

    (5)

  • Helen L.

    Yeah there is no other better place in the DMV for sushi hands down. And I'm not talking about the american ppl sushi. This is the real freakin deal. And I've come here with my family so many times for yeeeears and they havr never disappointed us. And my dad is a crazy picky critic. Especially when it comes to sushi. Come with a large party, get a sushi/sashimi combo. You will be innundated with that skiyaki appetizer service bang bang. Usually crowded with a line. They're not like the stupid sushi places that charge you for miso soup for the boat. Lunch buffets on the weekdays are also awesome. Service is always, always spot on. The main chef/owner is so amazing and he runs this place so perfectly and makes sure his customers are taken care of. I can rant on and on but you need to give this place a try. Worth every penny and wait time. And fyi- Theyre Closed mondays.

    (5)

  • Donald F.

    Simply put--the best spot for sushi in the MD suburbs. I've been going here for over 20 years now. Great sushi. Reasonably priced. The only negative is that it can get really crowded Friday or Saturday nights (closed Mondays). This is where the locals go for excellent sushi in a casual dining environment. My highest recommendation.

    (5)

  • Ji Ji Jia J.

    You get the most bang for your buck at Yuraku. I eat a lot and i do not mind paying good money for good food. In Yuraku it's a win-win -- i seriously spent 1/2 the $$ as i would else where with fewer yummy sushi! This is by far my fav sushi place the MDV area. It gets VERY crowded in the waiting area, so make reservation and get there early because if you are not there at the time of your reservation they will give away your seats!

    (4)

  • Dominique C.

    this place is terrific! I am no sushi expert, but for a buffet it is amazing! They have all kind of things - avoid the creamcheese and crab one, and even non sushi things. Great salads, beef, amazing crispy chicken and fried shrimp. Of course the sushi is the main attraction. I have only been there for the lunch buffet and even on friday at 11, it gets packed with a huge line outside by 11:30. It's crazy!The line of people outside that keep going back should be enough to tell you how great this place is. It's a great deal, if you like eating sushi at 11 am!

    (5)

  • Kristen H.

    Love love love this place! The sushi is always amazing and the Saturday all you can eat sushi buffet is legit! The place is packed with people waiting because it is that good, and a great deal as well. The buffet costs only 13.99. I can't get enough of this place! If you are a sushi lover you must go here!

    (5)

  • Jenn K.

    Yuraku, how I wanted to love you. The first time I came here, for a lunch buffet, explosive results in the bathroom occured for everyone we came with. The second time was good - a tasty chirashi, and an okay special roll made it worth the trek from Rockville to Germantown. The third time? A lot of special rolls and some meh sashimi (salmon and uni). I like my creative special rolls, loaded up with sauces, even though I'm a fan of fancypants sushi too, but the fish here was chewy, the uni was barely creamy, and just not up to the blast of oceanic flavor I'm used to with uni, and service was hit or miss. Probably decent if you're in the area, but I'm pretty sure I won't make the trek from College Park or Rockville up to here again.

    (3)

  • K Y.

    Always packed but yummy food. The line to get to the food can be very confusing, causing some tense moments while waiting in line. Other than that I had a nice time.

    (3)

  • Matt B.

    Lunch buffet: Quality, variety and price are all superb. The only con is the high number of people in there. I was at the bar, elbow to elbow with other guests, feeling like a pig at the trough. I suppose that's to be expected when everything else is so great.

    (4)

  • Danielle C.

    We've been to Yuraku once and had a wonderful experience there! My husband is obsessed with Sushi and Yuraku did NOT disappoint! The portions are larger than a few other sushi houses we have been to in the germantown/gaithersburg area. The restaurant is fairly small, so leave strollers in the car! :)

    (4)

  • Amelia L.

    I would give a 5 star to their service and dinner meals. Been to the lunch buffet once, and was a little disappointed. As the others said, the lunch buffet has lower quality sushi and tempura. It's just for filling your stomach, not satisfying your buds. But for the dinner, I've been there several times after I moved to MD. Although the tempura is not the best I've ever had in the us, it's still fine. The volcano roll is awesome!! I like it a lot and order it every time I went there. Most people go to japanese restaurants for sushi, but to me, I'd like to try their don, noodles soup and some side dishes.i have to say, their unagi don looks good and tastes good. It's a good to go dish if you will have the mill alone.

    (5)

  • Alex D.

    Stopped in for lunch after searching lunch in this area. Taking a nearly 500 yelp review beating and maintaining 4 stars sold me. I had the lunch buffet. Like I noticed from another review or two it was so so. The sushi, although not made to order and off the buffet was great. Definitely would come back just for sushi.

    (3)

  • Zachary W.

    I compare every sushi joint I eat at to this one right here. I am so happy I only live a 20 min drive away, but my wallet may tell you differently. It doesn't look like a grand dining experience from the outside, but you know the old expression about books and their covers. You're in and you're out. This isn't the place if you want to sit and have a leisurely time. They have a packed house waiting for their turn to sit, and they expect you to have your 45 minutes of absolute bliss, fill your tummy to capacity and your group will not be able to lower your smiles. Even if they are only moderately busy, it is a quick trip. These rolls leak from your mouth when you pop 'em in....they are BIG!!! You can taste the care and freshness that goes into each serving....even though you are nowhere near a large body of water. I have only had one bad experience here, and it had nothing to do with the sushi rolls. I had $15 on an American Express gift card and told our server to split my $30 portion of the bill between that and my debit card. The waitress threw away my debit card thinking it was a gift card too and I had to call my bank to cancel. Maybe I was a 1 in a million. They are lucky I cannot find anything else close to it in terms of quality, so I forgave them quickly. There is no flair, there is no glitter and sparkles......just damn good sushi at a very fair price and that's all I can ask for. And maybe a Sapporo or two to go with.

    (5)

  • Kim A.

    I love Yuraki. BEST SUSHI ever. I love how the sushi is a large portion . When i go to other sushi places they are a small circle roll. Yuraki also give salads, and other side dishes along with your sushi plates which makes you full, But it's so good.. The waitresses are nice, Great service. When I was leaving they thank me for coming. The only reason why i didn't give yuraki a 5 star is because the restuarant is small i had to put my plates on the table next to me and the chair had rice on them. Plus they only have 1 bathroom But other than that good food! A advice that u should come here within 30 mins closing time because there is no wait and no line

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    I'm sad that I only recently discovered this place within the past year! I've been for the lunch buffet, and dinner multiple times with friends. The wait staff is always friendly, and very polite. Even during the lunch buffet rush, they have always been prompt, and quick to help people find seats without rushing the other customers out. The chefs are all extremely talented, and they've even offered my friends, and I little tastes of different rolls while we were sitting at the bar. The food is delicious, to say the least. Not the absolute freshest seafood I've ever tasted, but it's definitely up there on my list. The lunch buffet has multiple sushi options, and options for customers who don't necessarily care to partake in the sushi. Their rolls in the buffet are a little small, but I can understand given the amount that they have to produce. As for their normal, off-the-menu fare, my favourite roll has scallops, and a sweet mayo sauce on top. Then they broil it, and serve it on tin foil. I can't recall the name (something like scallop volcano...) but it's absolutely delicious! Overall, I'd give this place a 4.5/5 stars, and will continue to come back as often as I can.

    (4)

  • Esther W.

    I've been to Yuraku a few times in the past, for their lunch buffet, dinner, and carry out. Their lunch buffet is probably the best in town, and their dinner was delicious and super filling (it came with a bunch of extra food that were complimentary). I usually stop by for carry out when I'm in schools in the Germantown area--just one spicy tuna hand roll. Today's experience has persuaded me to finally write a review about how great the people are who work at Yuraku. I went in around noon, where there was a huge waiting line of people for the buffet. Though I wasn't greeted immediately since the servers/waitresses were all super busy, one came and took my order for 1 spicy tuna hand roll. (Note: there is a $15 minimum for credit cards, no American Express anymore, so I always make sure I have some cash on hand before I stop by.) I waited a while, as was necessary during this time of day, but when I got my box, I opened it and found an extra spicy tuna hand roll!!!! This is not the first time I've received free food from carrying out here either! Once I got 4 slices of a veggie roll (delicious) and another time I ordered a roll on top of my usual, and got an extra spicy tuna hand roll then too! To the people who make the sushi, THANK YOU! I am always delightfully shocked when I find that they went (or at least, I think they went) above-and-beyond what they had to make for me to make extras. I'm not sure if this experience is typical for other carry out people, but I'm not complaining!! Yuraku really has wonderful food and staff there. P.S. Yes, both spicy tuna rolls today were deliciously spicy and stuffed full with tuna.

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    Very delicious and affordable! I love the roles, combination platters which they bring out in a boat, and their sashimi salad. The sashimi salad serving is huge. It serves about 2-3 people. They are really generous with sushi too. The only downside of this restaurant is the wait time to be seated. Usually, it's about 20-30 minutes but it's totally worth it!

    (4)

  • Jake C.

    The sushi lunch buffet here is pretty legit. A good variety and selection of fairly fresh rolls. The price is $12.95 so it's not a bad deal at all. It can get pretty crowded during the weekend lunch hours but worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Melanie C.

    OMG! First of all I'm lucky enough to live within walking distance of this amazing place. Secondly, it's ruined me for any other sushi restaurant. The rolls here are incredible and 1 roll is enough to fill you up and leave you satisfied. I try to pick different rolls each time I go, but it's tough because I know the rolls that I'm looking forward to trying. The staff is friendly and unless your trying to get in on a Saturday evening for dinner, I've never encountered a long wait. The buffet is delish if you ever have an opportunity to go! Take out is just as amazing and dining in. Thank you so much Yuraku - I LOVE YOU!

    (5)

  • Eric F.

    Excellent sashimi combo. Fresh, delicious, and in good price. They often offer complimentary sushi to try. Just a bit busy most of the time. You know it is good!

    (5)

  • Mandana Y.

    A review for the city folk curious about this suburban gem. Yuraku is in a big shopping center off Fredrick Rd. You'll never stumble across it, never see a sign for it off the main road. Chance are, someone told you about it, or posted a mouth watering photo of their plate on facebook, or you yelped. When you finally find it, parking will be a bitch. Because this shopping center also has a gym. Then getting a table will be a bitch. Because this place is popular, really popular. Even on a Tuesday night. So yes you've been warned, call ahead and make a reservation. The staff gives you much better treatment if you do. If not, chances are you'll be waiting at minimum 20 minutes to be seated in a very crowded waiting room. So finally, you have a table and the menu is in front of you. Do not freak out. As many options as there are, they are all good. Nothing will disappoint. Just try to keep in mind that the rolls are abnormally large. So start small or you'll have leftovers, and no one likes leftover sushi. While you're freaking out over all the choices, the waitress will bring you veggies and dip, and steamed edemame. For free! Free! There really isn't much to complain about here. Aside from the dingy bathrooms, but that's to be expected with these suburban gems. The lunch buffet runs all week, even on the weekends. And for under $14, it is well worth the trek out from the city. Hope you city folk give this place a chance. You will not regret it.

    (4)

  • Calvin L.

    I have been coming here for many years and to me, this place has probably the best sushi in Maryland. On top of that, the prices here are fairly reasonable. I have been here for both the lunch buffets as well as for dinner. The lunch buffet here is really cool. Along with the sushi, there is a modest variety of cooked and cold items. There is kimchi here as it is a Korean owned and operated restaurant. I'm a traditional sushi purist, so I tend to stay away from the rolls. For dinner, I usually get the sushi and sashimi boats, which come in a variety of sizes. These have a greater variety of fish you don't see at lunch such as yellowtail, octopus, and albacore tuna. The fish used is also of much higher quality than at lunch. If you spend a certain amount, you will get some complementary dishes on the house, such as the house salad, chawanmushi, and salmon head and collar.

    (4)

  • Max K.

    Yuraku is very good. They have creative types of sushi that are very tasty. There sushi is always so fresh. I really recommend the Cowboy Roll. It is divine. The problem: they are so good they get very crowded and sometimes takeout is like a hour long wait. Other than the wait the sushi is AMAZING

    (5)

  • Jumana A.

    All I have to say is Yuraku is like my second home! The best sushi in the dc metro area hands down! The lunch buffet is to die for and the staff are so sweet. I always leave happy and full:)

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    It's still the best place in moco to get fresh big sushi boats, but a few unforgivable downgrades: -sautéed udon is lacking enough udon and is a rather small portion for nearly 20$ -spicy salmon roll is salmon MASH. I almost feel like I need to swim out to the ocean and apologize to the dear salmon for being destroyed in this way. -a pubic (or suspect curly hair) was in my tuna nigiri -had to remind waitress for soy sauce (they should be filling it up near empty, not us reminding) -and the horrible argument I witnessed at the door. Last year I came here I commented on how yuraku really, really needs to upgrade their RSVP system and make it consistent. Right now you walk in, sign on a blank sheet of paper which no one is monitoring or telling you to sign ... It's a free for all so people get feisty. They then shout your name twice and if you are not there, you don't get a table. Same deal now. A family was waiting by the entryway and all four people didn't hear their name called. A waitress came back and proceeded to yell at them saying "I said your name two times, even spell for you." Customer was annoyed (rightfully so) cause someone who came after them got seated before them. At this point it doesn't matter who wasn't loud enough or who did t hear, say sorry and get the poor fam a table! Instead, waitress then asked hostess if she heard her shout the name and she confirmed.. "See? I say your name so thank you for your complaint but I do my job." Wow. I am surprised that family put up with that. Yuraku, get your staff in line and tell them to check their attitude...no one should have witnessed that. No pubes in sushi and attitude for me, thanks! (Except when I crawl back for a sushi boat :p)

    (3)

  • J C.

    One of the best sushi places in the area. Their lunch buffet is a great deal. Tons of options and they have a great sushi to rice ratio. They also have a good selection of non-sushi items, mostly Korean food. I recommend going early because there can be a wait to get seated during the lunch rush. The dinner menu is also great. It's a bit pricey but it's sushi. Also, you get what you paid for. They also give you some free appetizers based on how much you order. The staff is friendly and I've never had an issue with a server. My only complaint is the size of the restaurant. It's a decent size but it's not big enough to keep up with all the customers. I suppose that's not a bad thing though.

    (4)

  • Siri M.

    Going here for sushi for last 10 years or so. It is excellent for sushi. During lunch hour the waiters and the front desk ladies are always busy and don't expect any acknowledgment. They purely are working on accommodating people waiting and business, but once seated, the sushi and general service is good. It's a small place, but they serve good sushi either in the buffet or menu order. We go once a month and we love this place.

    (4)

  • Priscilla Y.

    Avoid the sushi lunch buffet! Yes, it is cheap, but the sushi quality sucks and their system of getting the food is kind of unappetizing. The restaurant is small. Their buffet is placed in the corner in the back so it it's very cramped. When you get the food, you pick up a tong from a bucket filled with nasty water. The tongs have wet rice stuck on it after being used by another hungry person. I just found it gross. It also makes your sushi even wetter. :( Since they lack space, they have another row of sushi selection on a shelf above. If you are short like me, you can not see what you are getting, especially since the sushi is not labeled. I was told their menu items are better. I have yet to try any of it.

    (2)

  • Margaret N.

    Best place for sushi in Maryland! They offer buffet (sushi, Korean food, etc.) even on Saturdays, and every item is amazing! All of their sushi/sashimi pieces are huge, which is amazing cause most places give you only a little piece of fish on everything.... If you come with your family/large group, I definitely recommend ordering the large combo! They bring out small plates of appetizers before they bring out their HUGE platter of sushi! Definitely worth your money!

    (5)

  • Steven W.

    Glad I tried it, and worth stopping in if you're in the area. This is not a "typical" sushi restaurant. Pros: The sushi selection is very interesting, and creative. The fish was very fresh as were it's accompanying ingredients. Cons: The place was pretty dirty (at least the dining room) and the sushi and apps are very large...Cumbersome to the point that they fall apart when you are eating them. They actually have a sign in two places in the restaurant that says something to the effect of "our chefs work very hard on putting together these creations; please don't take them apart, but eat them as they are intended." I found it impossible to eat them without them falling apart!

    (3)

  • Paul Y.

    They are my favorite sushi place in all of the DMV area. BUT you have to have to have to try make it to their lunch buffet. Their regular menu items are awesome but their lunch buffet with the price and variety is amazing. Definitely worth the drive out to MD.

    (5)

  • Scott A.

    Good Sushi ahhh. I lived in the midwest for many years. You don't get good Sushi in the midwest often (unless it is flown in daily and therefore more expensive by a significant amount). Moving to the East coast I was hoping for good sushi. Look no further. Good service, Great food. Trust me - I've had bad Sushi - you won't here.

    (5)

  • Amani A.

    I kind of don't want to give them a good review so people won't come... It's def a suburban gem, the sushi is so fresh and awesome!! My favorite was the volcano and the spicy tuna was by far the best roll! I can't wait to try out their buffet! Their serves was also on point my green tea was never half empty... The only down side maybe is expect to pay around $50 for 4 rolls, but totally worth it if you ask me

    (5)

  • Annie S.

    The best sushi/sashimi place in Montgomery county for sure! My family has been going here since they opened and we've never had complaints about their food. The food is always fresh and delicious. Their lunch buffet is very extensive with tons of sushi rolls. For dinner I always get a boat combo which has a great variety of fresh sashimi. The rolls are great with the perfect balance of rice and sushi (I never like sushi with too much rice). I've had sushi at many places and this is by far one of the best that I've ever been to. You could pay more at other places and still not get the same quality as yuraku. I definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

    (5)

  • Wayne G.

    We've eaten here perhaps once a year as we passed through Germantown. The sushi buffet is pretty good. The fish is flavorable and fresh. The other dishes were good except the Bolgogi which was somewhat tough. Yes there are lines. For $13 a person it's good food at a good price and includes hot tea. We have one gripe - the tongs used to take the sushi. You take a pair from an ice bucket that someone has used, pick up whatever you want with it, and put it back in the ice bucket. Granted if they had a pair of tongs for each plate everyone would touch them too but they'd only have that type of food on them. The way they do it they could have parts of each type of sushi on them. I'd give them 4 stars if they did something about the tongs. BTW it is a clean place including the restroom, and the service is very good.

    (3)

  • Adam B.

    Sushi in DC....when you live in LA, any other city offering sushi just makes you think it's going to be sub-par. More like the plasticoated stuff you'd find at Trader Joe's or Costco than what you'd find at even the most mediocre sushi bars in SoCal. That's why I was glad to find this. Actually, they found me. I wasn't going to have any sushi in DC but I was at a event at a Country Club in nearby Rockville and they catered it. Made the sushi on-site. So it wasn't sitting around. Nice plus. And yes, it was all fresh. Tried a variety of rolls and they all were about what you'd find at some of LA's better sushi parlors. So that's a major surprise in my book. I'm reading the other reviews about the lunch buffet and that just sounds like an amazing deal. If it's anything like what I had here, I'd go. Ah, I'd still probably stick to LA sushi, but at least if I ever moved to DC......I'd know where to go.

    (4)

  • M. S.

    This sounds crazy but it is the best sushi I've ever had in my life. It beats LA, Seattle and fancy places in DC. The restaurant is very unassuming in a nondescript strip mall. The interior is nothing fancy. Its always crowded. There menu is extensive and the sushi is really generous and fresh. Thick pieces of fresh, delicious fish. A lot of very creative rolls as well. Our pregnant friend came with us tonight and was delighted at all of the non-raw options as well. Very, very impressed. Worth the drive out to the suburbs.

    (5)

  • Nils H.

    Great Sushi, Great Value! I have been their loyal customer for x number of years. We used to dine in, but the waiting time really getting out of hand. We started placing carry out orders. I missed the free grill salmon head, so I order those as well. I think it is $4/order. Fav. items are Osaka Triangle roll, Sushi Sashimi combination (the 20 some dollar portion), grill salmon head, phili roll, spider (soft shell crab) roll. Enough for 3 (me, hubby and a 12 yo) of us. I can drink all the hot sake AT HOME at min. price !~_~! Order min. 1 hour before your est. dinner time. When we feel like lunch buffet, we get there BEFORE 11:15am to guarantee a table. Remember to plan ahead and skip breakfast. Don't know if it is because a Korean grill restaurant just opened in the same mall, Yuraku's lunch buffet even got better than before. We went last week, large plates of spicy scallop was in the buffet cart. YUMMY! One thing I notice is that the waitresses are nicer to the Koreans dinners. They frequently got special treats on the house. Not just the usual fish head or steam egg. So, bring your Korean friends...

    (5)

  • Karen R.

    By far, THE BEST sushi in Maryland! Everything is fresh and delicious. Their volcano roll is THE best I've ever had. Great for groups.

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    Yuraku offered great quality of sushi. I've been here many times, and they did not disappoint. All of the rolls, sashimi, and nigiri pieces are fresh and delicious. The price may seem steep, but it is worth every penny. They do not cheat you out on the quantity of sushi offered. The service is a little above average. There is always a long wait on the weekends, so people hang out in the waiting area. However, the waiting area is really small. Most of the people wait outside. All in all, everyone should definitely check this place out. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • River G.

    Crispy rice tuna. The best! I've only ate this sushi in NYC and la. It's not the same. But close enough.

    (5)

  • Doo P.

    This has always been my go to place for sushi... Price not as pricy as some places & if you become a regular there, they always give you free samples. The given service has always been free miso soup or salad, sometime grilled salmon head which some people don't like. That's only for those that don't know how to eat it... If you check under the cheek, there is the best part of the salmon head. Now lately, there cuts has been too thick very sloppy, making the meat too chewy. Fish should be sliced very thin & Melting in your mouth kind of feeling. I will still come hear since it's close to home & they always hook us up with tons of free samples. But they need to rework on their knife skills to make me want to come here often.

    (3)

  • Francis C.

    Don't walk in and expect high quality sushi. That being said, expect to be full, and to enjoy yourself. Also, your budget will thank you. Whenever I go to Yuraku, I come with a different mindset. Gone is the expectation of superb quality that I demand from other sushi venues. No longer will I gaze with a disappointed eye at the wads of "wasabi" plopped on my plate. No. I come to Yuraku... to gorge, and be fat. For me at least, going to Yuraku is more about the portions than it is about sushi quality. Rolls upon rolls upon rolls. The salmon sashimi sizes are almost grotesquely huge; at times, I find it hard to even eat one piece in one bite. The wait time to be seated is offensively long, but it gives me time to chit chat with friends over a few cigarettes and strange anticipation. I've been overseas, I have had "real sushi," I have wandered into many a Michelin starred sushi establishment. So... why am I so excited to eat here? We're seated, and I immediately request fish heads. Yummy, delicious fish heads, baked and salted and ready for consumption. The meat in the cheeks, and the eyeballs. The best parts. We quickly scribble down a vast array of numbers on the slip of paper, and the waitress darts away, only to return with an impossibly large, wooden boat, bedecked in a ridiculous amount of sushi. If it's not sashimi, it's doused in something. There's also plenty of rice in every roll, and honestly, that's fine. We eat, we drink, we are merry. And at the end of the night, when that check comes around, our wallets cry out in jubilation. Tons of sushi for cheap? Impossible! Okay sushi + huge amounts + reasonable price = Yuraku. If you want to go even cheaper, and decide to go during lunch time for the buffet, a word of warning: quality of fish during buffet hours is noticeably lower. I give this place two stars, but I do recommend going here if you're looking for cheap sushi.

    (2)

  • Denise A.

    The food was great!!!!! I have to say they really went out of their way to accomadate us. A friend bought extra friends with us and we had already been seated, literlly in ten mins they accomadate us with a bigger table. In my book thats a plus for a place. Def going back there!

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Top notch sushi but long wait times. This place needs to expand! The demand is through the roof out the door and down the parking lot. That's how long the line is also. The sushi is extravagant. Not the cheapest place but I've had some of the most creative blends of flavors here.

    (5)

  • Trish J.

    Awesome selection of sushi and nigiri. Great prices and nice that they'll do the chef selection and mix things up for you. It's worth noting as well that the pieces of fish are huge compared to most other places. No need to order as many rolls! Also, whole party must be present before they will seat you, but they will do call ahead.

    (5)

  • Jin Y.

    I'm from NYC and I was skeptical about having sushi in Maryland. To my surprise the sushi was quite good at Yuraku that I came here twice during my short stay in Maryland. It was the only sushi restaurant where I was staying and the workers are actually Japanese.

    (4)

  • Donna Y.

    I came here for my mom's birffday :) If you let them know, they'll come out with a fancy umbrella, sing happy birthday, and give complimentary green tea ice cream. The good -Spider roll (fried soft shell crab and avocado, cucumber and masago) 8.95 -California roll 4.95 -Dragon roll Eel, cucumber, crab rolled in, and avocado topped. 8.95 -Alligator roll Shrimp tempura and cucumber rolled &eel and avocado on top 11.95 -Seafood udon 12.95 YUMMY! A little bit spicy and the noodles have a good bite to it. -Grilled salmon head (gross looking but very very tasty - dont forger the hidden cheek meat) The bad -Yuraku sushi pizza- Crab, avocado, cucumber roll, topped with mozzarella cheese and various fish toppings and baked to serve (ew it tasted awful) -Crabmeat roll 3.95 (imitation crabmeat .. they should have said this on the menu) -Miso soup (kinda salty) Recommendations: Don't get anything too exotic sounding (ie. sushi pizza?!), the rolls with fruit (mango or banana) are a hit or miss.. mostly a miss. The waitresses are extremely friendly and helpful:) *they accept no reservations

    (4)

  • Max Z.

    Their sushi buffet used to be excellent but now it's overcrowded with the sushi sloppily made, as if it was put together by an amateur. Time to find a new place. Their dinner is still good but not much better than Hinode. I remember going to Yuraku every week, sadly that is no longer the case.

    (2)

  • Augustine P.

    Excellent service, food, and prices. Freshest, Best, Affordable sushi/sashimi in town. Nothings changed in the 20+ years I've been eating at this place. I've been going here since '93 when I took Taekwondo as a white belt in the same shopping plaza as a kid and my parents took me to eat here afterwards. Very impressive for a restaurant, especially a sushi restaurant, to do be able to sustain such quality for over 2 decades. Very high standards and quality for a reasonable price. Favorite Dish: Hwe Dup Bap: Bed of rice with lettuce, sliced garlic, seaweed salad, fresh tuna/salmon/flounder sashimi, finished off with hot red pepper paste/sauce.

    (5)

  • Benjamin H.

    This place has the most incredible lunch buffet I've ever been to. We're not just talking about a nice variety of sushi along with respectable entree's like tempura shrimp as well, but as most of us are concerned with: GREAT QUALITY. It's totally worth the price and I highly recommend it. As it would follow, I would also have to say that their dinner is wonderful as well. A great date environment and has numerous other options (like teriyaki chicken/salmon for example) for people who might not necessarily be crazy about sushi.

    (5)

  • Samuel J.

    I can't complain about the food, but why charge me a $1 extra because I'm using a credit card?

    (4)

  • Chuq Y.

    This place is the bomb diggity. We stopped here on our way out to WV, and the line was CRAZY. Walk in and put your name on a piece of paper. That's the waitlist. Lunchtime is mobbed here. It goes relatively quickly though, so prepare your stomach for the amazing buffet you are about to enjoy. It's run by Koreans, and there if you are familiar with Korean cuisine, you'll see some out there. Like the spicy bulgogi and soo jung gwa (cinnamon tea). The sushi is crazy plentiful, and the little sushi elves in the back bring it out pretty much as fast as it goes. You get in a small line for tongs that go back in the same bucket (which is a little discomforting, but you get over it) and then grab what you want. The placement of the tong bucket could be better, but hey, you're all friends here trying to grab a bite to eat, so just say, "Excuse me." There are so many choices, that if the sushi line is too long, grab a salad or some of the other foods that are available and eat that while keeping a keen eye on the sushi line. It moves fast, so don't worry. If a new tray comes out, and you don't necessarily care about the visual appeal of your sushi piece, grab the end pieces. They are bigger, messier and just as tasty, although the proportions might be off a little bit. This place is definitely worth going to if you have the time and an enormous appetite that you want to satiate with sushi and such. It's a pretty small place, so seating can be kind of a pain, but it didn't seem overful (except for the waiting area). So, my request to you is, if you are done eating, pay and get out. Other people are waiting to take over your prde-warmed seat.

    (5)

  • David K.

    I have NOT been back for the lunch buffet; however, my wife and I either go there or order take out almost once every week!! The place is always buzzing with business and at times it's chaotic and crowded. The food, however, comes out fresh and the servers are very attentive.

    (4)

  • E M.

    I LOVE their sashimi platter with rolls!! Great food but long waiting everytime I go. I guess it just means they're that popular.... My favorite: samurai roll!!!! (Lots of salmon in it)

    (5)

  • Brittany A.

    Yummy! Best sushi place we've tried so far in the area! The rolls are fresh and plentiful, no questionable fish quality here. We pigged OUT late one night (9 pm) with about 8-10 rolls and even though they were beginning to close, the staff and waitress were very accommodating and friendly. Nothing was off limits. No 'we closing, you can't get this and that'. And although we ordered so much, every single substitution was spot on (allergic to cucumbers and certain shellfish). Those rolls were flippin AMAZE BALLS. The variety! Finally! Something more than the same ole 'tuna roll, salmon roll, eel avocado roll' bit. Everything was not stuffed of cream cheese and fake crab like other sushi restaurants, but were full of awesomeness and fish and roe and whatever else we asked for. The miso wasn't too salty, and didn't have those thick, slimy pieces of seaweed (ughhh...barf) but rather the thin, flowy pieces that chew up nicely and don't try to strangle you with your own tongue. I love it, I'm putting up pics, if you haven't tried this spot you need to get your butt down there!

    (5)

  • Valerie T.

    There's almost always a wait when I come here, but I'm telling you...it's WORTH IT! I drive from Richmond to NoVA pretty often and my fat ass will make the extra drive to Gathersburg for the buffet here. It's a tight packed restaurant, service is timely and the people have always been friendly. I couldn't even tell you what sushi I ate at the buffet because they're not labeled, but try all of them if you can! The only one I don't like is the one they add banana too. The steamed egg is definitely worth picking up and people go bananas for the tempura that gets brought out every 20 minutes or so. We also had some hand rolls sent to our table as gratis and they were delicious. All in all, it's worth the trip. Just have a eensy weensy snack while you wait to hold you over. At most, I've waited 40 minutes.

    (5)

  • Jennifer V.

    You know this place is legit when there's a line of Asian people waiting outside before the place opens. The wait can get obscenely long if you try to come later in the day, so I advise anyone interested in going to get there early! The buffet is extensive and delicious. The sushi is the real star of the show, there are many different creative varieties as well as a lot of very simple classics. It's fantastic food at an amazing price. I love this place, I just wish it wasn't so far away!

    (5)

  • Jane D.

    Seriously the best sushi in the area. They have rolls you've never heard of before. The customer service is also spot on. We've even received an extra roll at no cost when they are super busy, which is understandable because their food is so good. Nothing negative to say at all. We love this place!

    (5)

  • Jiyoung R.

    Parents were raving about this place. Decided to try it out and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. Our family of 3 ordered the sushi & sashimi combo for $120. They gave us around 10 plates of Japanese tapas before the main course. Each plate was delicious and it ranged from salad, fish, oysters, miso soup, stuffed peppers..and much more. The main course (sushi sashimi combo) was delicious!! The sushi had a small amount of rice and lots of fish. I will Def return :)

    (5)

  • Colin S.

    Off the beaten path for the DC metro area, but if you're particular about your sushi and don't mind the commute, Yuraku is quite possibly the best Japanese food I've had -- that's including places in Asia and Southeast Asia. The Miso soup is expertly done and the sushi servings are extremely generous for the price. I also had Tempura which was delicious. I think what makes this place stand out from most places in the area, or in the US for that matter, is how fresh everything tastes. Japanese cuisine is a true art form with the amount of time and preparation that goes into every dish, and I'm glad to say that Yuraku honors that art form.

    (5)

  • Jerry S.

    Seeing the ROTD, I had to go check out the lunch buffet. Very much up to expectations. Obviously a local favorite, as there was a full lobby, but a seat opened at the bar fairly fast, and I got to watch six itamaes slicing away when I came up for air. Lots of variety in rolls, and more nigiri than are found on any other buffet except Sushi Chalet. The less popular fish were better than the well known - the salmon was mushy and the tuna sinewy. But the eel was nice and warm and the mackerel was very fresh. Good miso soup, green tea full bodied and included. The kimonoed waitress kept my plates cleared and tea full. Korean dishes were pretty standard - kimchee, spicy pork, bulgogi, noodles. The tempura was fresh and crisp - obviously there's a lot of turnover. And I must mention the tempura bananas, a nice bit of sweetness to finish up. I don't think I'd make the drive from Beltsville very often, but would stop by if I was in the area.

    (4)

  • Anthony M.

    The staff is great the food is amazing! Try the Volcano Roll great choice! Ordered by accident but loved the dish .. The restaurant was a bit busy we waited 15 mins(not bad) before we were seated.. The waitress a beautiful women was very attentive and happy to help us with our many questions! Thanks for the awesome service!

    (5)

  • L H.

    The best sushi I have ever had. They are very creative and the rolls are a lot more than a hunk of rice with a bite of fish. They are generous portions overall as well. They are always crowded so be prepared to wait. I don't know if they take reservations. I recommend my favorite...the yellowtail Tuna Tartar. You will not be disappointed. Also the avocado roll. So far it is ALL good!

    (5)

  • I A.

    Good place for sushi, but not great. I only went for their infamous lunch buffet. There's a good variety of sushi, but the waiting time was longer than I expected. Portion sizes were bigger than the norm. Diners inside are collectively loud, could barely hear the people I'm with. Got a couple of sushi on the house which was nice, but looked over a couple of tables and they had some too. Overall, good food but not worth the wait.

    (3)

  • C.c. C.

    The lunch hours are crowded and wait time can be ~30 minutes. Make sure you have enough time to eat. This is the best sushi buffet in the DMV! If there is a wait make sure you sign your name on the wait list. You have the option of paying cash at a discounted price.

    (5)

  • Eric J.

    As any sushi would taste. Fish was pretty tender.

    (2)

  • Wanda F.

    I usually go to another place for sushi! But this place just happens to be closer and why not give it a try. The food was fantastic!!!! (We Only had sushi) I have no complains in regards of their food but the hygine for their facility I can not say the same. I was sitting at a corner table and meanwhile we were waiting for our food I never noticed any insects(mosquitos) As soon as our food arrived mosquitos just came out of hidding!!! I was VERY irritated when i notice the mosquitos flying all over our food it was just plain nasty!!! This place really needs to address this because no one likes to eat at a place that has insects all over their food. Even of the food was good I will not be returning due to the hygine issues. If this place has insects flying around your food I can just imagine how the kitchen must look. Its a no no No! Plain disgusting! Go somewhere else!!! RAINBOW SUSHI in germantown is a better option and its clean. I am giving 2 stars just because of the insect issue its just unacceptable.

    (2)

  • Nima S.

    Been coming here since 2003. Amazing sushi selection always fresh, always innovative and they kept the prices very moderate. For the quality price and variety this is best sushi Resturant in dc metro area

    (5)

  • Amy R.

    Always a wait, even for takeout that you called ahead for. Somehow they make it work though. It's worth the chaos. Would love to see them expand!

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Love this place! Hate the crowds. Always a good time.

    (4)

  • Tanya C.

    Best sushi I have ever had. I love the double spicy tuna rolls! Cheap & delicious! Also the lunch buffet is the best. Cheap and they refill it often. It does get a bit busy though. You can wait over an hour, but its well worth it :)

    (4)

  • Mariela C.

    I've lived in Germantown for years and drive by this place almost every day. Finally I decided to try it. The best sushi I've had in this area! I love it! Won't go anywhere else from now on.

    (5)

  • anon r.

    First time for lunch buffet. Sushi is above average for buffet, rolls prob the best taste and value. I thought the Korean offerings were a bit dull or dilute in flavor, perhaps to accommodate non Korean palates? If the egg custard was supposed to be Chawan mushi esque, it lacked delicacy. Not the best sushi In the world but good buffet buy. Cinnamon soup and oranges were nice refreshing finishes. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn of the honey pig and new Great Wall in this plaza (won't be going to the less clean and spacious Rockville branch anymore). Go with designated driver to avoid driving while drowsy in food coma. ;)

    (4)

  • Annie C.

    I came for the lunch buffet one saturday and I was not impressed. I was hoping for more of a variety between cooked and raw sushi but there wasn't, everything was raw. the buffet area is really cramped and dark. I ended up ordering a roll from the menu cause I didn't want to be hungry when I left. I give this place 2 stars because it's decently priced for lunch buffet, also I came another time not for the buffet and it wasn't as crowded and the service was great. Their menu has more selections than their buffet so I probably won't be back for lunch buffet unless my boyfriend really wanted to go.

    (2)

  • Felicia C.

    This place has amazing sushi, yo. Even at the buffet - which, by the way, is an excellent value, and available on Saturdays! Watch out for the old Asian ladies if you like eel, though - they hop on the unagi real fast and take like 6 apiece (cough MOTHER cough cough). I like sitting at the sushi bar; the chefs will hand you special rolls. The to-order rolls are very creative. Price might seem a little high but they're delicious and huge. Only problem is the wait - with a party of 8, I once waited about an hour for tables on a Saturday; with a party of two, I've waited up to about 30 minutes. Totally worth it, though.

    (5)

  • A B.

    best sushi spot in the area....lunch buffet is well worth it. the rolls are huge! more often than not you'll get extras you didn't even order as appetizers like miso, vegetables with dip, salad, salmon head, and an egg custard. staff is always friendly even though this place gets packed and lines go out the door. if you go here for lunch during the week you better get there by 11:30 so you're not standing outside. they'll even sometimes sit you at the same table as other guests so if you're claustrophobic don't go when it's busy. my only negative is the place is small and wish they expanded their space somehow. regardless, 5 stars from me!

    (5)

  • Polina T.

    Ugh, just so much yes. The buffet is good, the rolls are all delicious, and nigiri from the sushi bar is so tasty. This is my favorite sushi place in all of Maryland. I live half an hour away, but the price definitely makes this place worth coming to - especially for the buffet! The salmon nigiri they serve is SO FATTY and fresh, I have dreams about it.

    (5)

  • Alaina P.

    This is one of my favorite places for sashimi. My family always orders the largest sashimi boat for dinner but we always get around 10 tasty appetizers on the house before our main course arrives (salad with sesame ginger dressing, fish, eggs with fish cakes, and other Korean side dishes). I always leave full and satisfied. This restaurant definitely fills up quickly and stays crowded around dinner time so reservations are a must.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Saturday night is not complete without good food in tight quarters. My girlfriend and I tried Yuraku to see what all the hype was about. All my friends were right. It's amazing. The sushi is delicious, there is a wide assortment to choose from, there were also more pieces than I expected per order. The hot food was surprisingly very good as well. Rarely do I see a place that has that perfect combination of delicious hot food and sushi. We had volcano rolls, salmon and tuna ninja rolls and a few more that I don't recall. The volcano rolls took the longest because they were baked, but the wait was worth it. I had a teriyaki steak with some veggies that really hit the spot. The sauce was not the best I've ever had but it worked well with the meat, which was perfectly cooked. My gf got the deep fried chicken and vegetables. Each bite was nice and crisp. The reason I only give this place 4 stars is the size of the restaurant. It is tiny. We waited about 30 minutes to get in and when we finally got in, we were packed like sardines. The chairs and tables are really close to each other so getting to and from your spot is a real hassle.

    (4)

  • Henry M.

    Wow! We came here for International Sushi Day with no thought of their lunch buffet, which turns out to be Tuesday through Saturday. It's the best Japanese buffet I've ever had. The sushi is very good, which already sets it apart from most. One of the maki offerings was the best wacky maki, i.e. a non-traditional combination with sauces, that I've ever had, and here the tempura options include shrimp, and not just vegetables. $15 a piece including our ice teas. We've always enjoyed the a la carte here, but now we have a great lunch choice. We'll be back.

    (5)

  • Brian R.

    This is some serious sushi. Come ready to eat an awesome variety of rolls and combinations. This stuff is the real deal. The menu is overwhelming but the server was super patient and helpful, and even made recommendations, which we enjoyed very much. Unlike any other sushi experience around here and you haven't had the real thing until you've been here.

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    3.5 stars. I had elevated hopes...hopes that I could find an excellent Japanese restaurant in the DC area....and I was hoping that Yuraku would be the one as it has been rated by some of my Korean as the top Japanese restaurant in the DC area. The sashimi deluxe that I ordered came with appetizers that most Korean-style Japanese restaurants give: grilled fish (in this case it was salmon), a bit of rice porridge, and salad. Surprisingly, I did not get miso soup..maybe they forgot..but I did too b/c of the free appetizers so I can let that go. As usual...the sashimi is just as what I expected...it was super cold (recently thawed) and had the common fish they usually serve (tuna, salmon, a bit of sliced squid, yellowtail). I have to say that the sushi quality seems to be practically the same wherever I go in this area..it is all mediocre. So far my restaurant of choice is still Tachibana in Virginia. In sum....I'm still disappointed and still hoping there is a sushi joint that serves good sushi in the area....sushi taro is next. Let's hope that it doesn't disappoint.

    (3)

  • Michelle N.

    I'm sorry but yelp reviews have once again disappointed me in leading me to another horrible sushi place. With over 400 reviews and being 4 stars, we had to check this place out. My family and I (who are Japanese), went here Sat evening. A few days before I called to make reservations and the person I spoke with said that he would "put me on the wait list" since they do not have reservations. When we get there, we were told that they don't take reservations and were then put on the list. While we were waiting, there were a TON of other Asians doing here which gave me hopes that this place would be good. Once we got in, it was so busy and crowded. I felt like we were totally rushed and while the servers were quick and efficient, they we not friendly at all. We brought my 4 mo old with us and had her in the carrier on a chair and one of the servers kept bumping into her and never apologized....so annoying! At the sushi bar you saw all the chefs making the sushi. At a normal place, you would see maybe one or two, but here there were like 5 of them crammed in the little space like a sweat shop, cutting up fish. Our food came out really fast and we ordered A LOT of food. Unfortunately it wasn't that great. And I'm talking we ordered special pieces of sushi, not rolls but salmon belly, monk fish liver, white tuna, futomaki, etc. While ALL the salmon pieces were really really good, EVERYTHING else was not good at all. Whichever chef cut the salmon, he did a wonderful job. The sushi was fresh and melted in your mouth. However the rest of the fish was chewy and stringy because it was very poorly cut....I honestly haven't been to a place where it was cut so badly. I was eating my white tuna and I had to pull it apart with my FINGERS it was so poorly cut....terrible. The reason I even gave this place a couple of stars was because #1- the service was fast even though a bit rude and #2 the fish was fresh....even though fresh fish isn't the only reason why sushi is good. I see why people give it so many great stars....because the fish is fresh, fairly cheap for sushi, and they do give you big pieces. However there is so much more to sushi than that....the rice, the way it's CUT, etc that makes it good. Unfortunately this experience did not live up to the great reviews of this place. I think it would be a great lunch buffet option but nothing more.

    (2)

  • Ashley F.

    Absolutely the best sushi in and near the DC metro area! I have been 3 times in the past 10 days! It is that good!

    (5)

  • Lauren R.

    I freaking love this place. It's my go-to Sushi dive. They have, by far, the best Sushi in the area. They also have other great dishes, like the crab tartar and the bulkoki. Their Udon noodle soup is delish. Oh and their list of special rolls is about three pages long, and they usually have fun specials. The staff is solid and friendly. Every time we go, they end up giving us a random free dish to try. It's a great opportunity to try something new and we usually end up ordering it the next time we go in. Seriously, I love the food here. One note, don't bother making reservations, they won't honor them and they don't have to. The food is great and they are often packed. If you go around 4:30-5:30, you should be able to nab a seat. They're worth it. So worth it.

    (5)

  • Veronica B.

    All you can eat sushi at lunch? I'm game. The sushi was delicious, options were varied. Price was a little high for lunch time, but it is sushi after all. Would definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    Best sushi in Germantown!!! Wish they would expand to make dining in better but take out is perfect.

    (5)

  • Cheryl J.

    Not a bad little spot to get your sushi fix on. I only come here for the lunch buffet. Someone mentioned that they dont have a sashimi selection for the buffet. Personally I make my plate "Sashimi" by not eating the rice. You can do that with the Nigiri sushi. Just eat the fish off the rice, and toss the rice! My friend who is 1/2 Korean said the Korean selections arent too bad. I love Korean food, but I kept going back to get more sushi, than the hot food. The only downside is that this place is small. I miss my AYCE sushi restaurant in Long Island NY, Sushi Park in Commack, NY. That place was humongous, but unfortunately they closed. And I havent found anything similar to the restaurant since.

    (4)

  • Hana K.

    This place is off the hook! The food is great. The service is awesome. Definitely worth the wait. :)

    (5)

  • Samuel C.

    My sister friend told me about this place is really really good. It's not worth it. We drive all the way down there for a crap sushi. Lots of people have good views on this place. The place is small. When get food buffet is so tight and no room to walk. The staff are nice and friendly.

    (1)

  • Hans O.

    This is about as good as it gets when it comes to sushi I've had. Big menu with all different kinds of Japanese food, ranging from noodles to desserts, sushi and sashimi; I've yet to have anything from here that was not fresh tasting and excellent. The place is generally a crowded, bustling place, but service is decent, and prices are comparable to any other good sushi place (I'm usually spending around $70 for two people and taking home a good bit of leftovers). Expect long waits to be seated during peak times, but it's definitely worth it. My personal favorites unique to this placeare the Japanese bagel roll, their miso soup, and the broiled beef roll.

    (4)

  • Benny B.

    Went for the first time visiting from San Diego. We had a variety of sushi and cooked dishes all we're amazing. Try the tuna tempura and bulgogi

    (5)

  • Timothy A.

    Yuraku is one of the best sushi restaurants I have ever been to! I know that this is a Korean-owned Japanese sushi restaurant, but you'll be hard pressed to find a great sushi place in the DMV area that's actually owned by Japanese people. Head over to Japan or California if you're looking for that :) Anyways, my parents took me here because I had recently quit smoking, and the sushi itself was worth the pain of quitting a pack a day habit of 9 years! We ordered the $150 sushi/sashimi boat because we had some other guests with us too. For the price, this boat was an awesome deal. Let me tell you why. Initially, I thought we were just going to get the boat, but lo and behold, these cool appetizers started coming. And they kept coming. And then they continued to be delivered. Salmon head, mackerel sushi, fish liver sushi, salad, special sushi rolls, and a whole host of other "tapas" came out before the boat did. I would say that they gave us 10-15 extra appetizers before the sushi boat, and that's what I call good service! The sushi/sashimi boat was well prepared, and contained an obscene amount of fresh fish. I'm glad to report that none of the sushi/sashimi smelled fishy or stale, an all too common occurrence at cheaper sushi places. The restaurant itself is small, and I can safely assume that there are many times when the wait must be ridiculous, but we got in immediately since we came before it opened for lunch. If you come with a group of 6-8 people, I highly recommend the$150 boats. I'm not a big fan of sashimi (I find that it can get overwhelming), so I would go for the $150 regular sushi boat without sashimi if I were to come back here. As for the service, our waitress was attentive and very polite. I have nothing to complain about! In conclusion, this place deserves the high marks it has received here on Yelp! Eat more sushi!

    (5)

  • Pardis S.

    Best sushi ever!

    (5)

  • Theresa J.

    The best sushi place I know of in the area! Their Buffett is amazing, and inexpensive. The only thing I can complain about is the long wait, but the wait is so worth it!

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    Crab & Lobster Tar Tar. For the table or in a hand roll just shut up and get it. Sick!

    (5)

  • Ineia A.

    Delicious delicious delicious!! Love everything out of their kitchen. Lunch buffet is overly packed but definitely worth it Hits: everything!!! I mean try it all! Misses: crowded. Wish they would expand

    (5)

  • Dan C.

    This was some of the worst sushi I have had. I am not sure where the good reviews came from. I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Andrew L.

    Keep this place a secret! We don't want everyone to know this is the best sushi place in the world! Been coming here for over 15 years and it keeps-on being the best. Hope you're hungry, because once you start, you can't stop! Talk about happy taste buds. WOW!!!

    (5)

  • Tanya G.

    YU-ROCK-KUUUUUUU!!!!! No?? Too corny??? Well nothing can be further from the truth, this place definitely rocks in my books. Whether you are one of those sushi fans who prefers the excellent quality of the fish or you prefer the exotic blend of tastes in a roll, this place has it all!! Seriously the most impressive selection of rolls I have seen anywhere :-) Albeit a little far out of my way, especially if one has to brave the 270 during weekday rush hour time, it is a place worth trying. Yes find the time that's convenient for you to go!! It is a small gem, a combination of Korean and Japanese food. WHAAAATTTTT?!?! A combination restaurant that's good?!?! Yes you have to try it to believe me!! The place is hidden in the far corner of a large shopping center off Frederick Rd, with no big signs to indicate its existence. They do not take reservations on Friday or Saturday evenings, closed on Mondays and have a really small waiting area. As you wait for your table, which might be in the center of the room sharing your table with other parties or up against the wall against a picture collage of other customers with umbrellas, you will notice a flow of ppl ordering trays and trays of food to go. The menu consists of a variety of stable Japanese food and Korean BBQ. The wait staff in their cute kimino-like uniforms will bring out vegetable sticks and this coleslaw like dip complementary while you browse through all of their selection. Occasionally they might even bring out either edamame or fish collar that is complimentary as well. As I normally go with a big group of ppl, we order a sushi combination/boat type deal for 3 or 4 ppl, along with a number of their specialty rolls. My man candy particularly loves the November rain roll that was on their special menu. A word of caution - their roll pieces are usually a little bit bigger and meatier than other places (that's what she said?) I get filled off of two rolls where at other places I need to order 3 or 4. Needless to say that we ALWAYS leave full and satisfied. A few times I was free enough to frequent Yuraku during their lunch hour where a lunch buffet is available for $13.99. Available are a variety of Korean and Japanese dishes, Korean BBQ beef, kimchi, cold noodles, egg custard, tempura (shrimp and vegetables), sushi (rolls and nigiri), orange slices (like the ones they serve as complimentary dessert at Chinese restaurants). Obviously buffet quality food does not compare with their a la cart options, no surprise right?! But it's good for what it's advertised as, so I'm happy :-)

    (5)

  • R Q.

    This is one of those crazy roll sushi places with the 'dragon rolls' and the 'firecracker rolls' etc. For most of the rolls I had there, I started to see a pattern: 1. First piece, delicious 2. 2nd piece, OK 3. 3rd piece, disgusting how am I going to finish this?? The prices are pretty fair and the selection is huge, but the rolls are over the top in many cases. The volcano roll was this mayonnaise filled monstrosity that made me want to vomit. If you go, I recommend the crunch roll, it was simple and tasty without too many of the gaudy frills that the rest of them had.

    (2)

  • Sonya W.

    Best sushi you will have on this side of the ocean, I'm pretty darn sure. I can't add anything else to the reviews other than that they totally blow me away every single time I go and ridiculously stuff my face, bringing more and more new people along with me for the amazing experience. You can't make a reservation so be prepared to wait - I'm not the only one who thinks this is the best sushi ever, after all.

    (5)

  • Michael S.

    My family is absolutely nuts about sashimi, so we've tried almost every single Japanese restaurant in the state of Maryland. This place is HANDS DOWN the best place to get sushi. The quality and freshness of the fish is ridiculous!

    (5)

  • Jess C.

    Hm, what new insight could I add to the 200+ review. It was a Saturday night at 7PM. I waited in a small room for 40 minutes among many, many other people. We were squished tightly together, and anxiously waiting for our name to be called. If they had dimmed the nights, and put on some dance music--they could have turned this place into an asian dance club--yes, it was that packed and a ton of asians anxiously waiting to feast on their sushi galore. We got the chef's special $75 because I thought that was the sushi-boat (which disappointedly wasn't) and enough to supposedly feed 4 people. If I could turn back time, I would NOT have ordered the chef special because it was so BORING-looking, and instead, pick my own unique rolls because all their rolls are amazing!! We ended up adding four more rolls to our dinner, and everything was so delicious & fresh, now I understand the Yuraku craze. Despite how packed the restaurant was, the service was fast, and they kept coming over to refill my tea which I really appreciated.

    (5)

  • Peter P.

    This is bar none the best value/quality ratio in sushi. For people who are complaining about little things. Please don't come here. Its really crowded and it would shorten waiting time for those who appreciate this little gem.

    (5)

  • Jess Y.

    Food: Get the sushi or sashimi boats. You will regret it if you don't. As in, every time that I've gone to Yuraku and not ordered a boat, I have sat with envy as the parties around me all delighted when theirs come out. Even if there are only two of you, don't be embarrassed by ordering a whole boat for the two of you. It's worth it and it will not disappoint. Let's get real, you know you can finish it off between the two of you anyway. Also, if you are of Asian-looking descent, they will give you a free grilled fish head. I guess they have to do something with all of those fish they consume. Specialty rolls are also a huge plus--they have some really interesting combinations that are worth a try. Basically, moral of the story, come hungry and adventurous. Lunch buffet is also a great choice but it's crowded and cramped. The buffet area fits, generously, 4 people at a time. The fire marshal would probably not be happy about it, either. Service: It is always ridiculously crowded. You will have to wait until you feel like your stomach will cave in and implode. So, as I said, you will have room to devour that entire sushi boat. You can make reservations by calling in advance but it doesn't mean that they will actually save you a table. It means that they might have heard your name before you enter and will allow you a shorter wait. In summary, call ahead but still expect a wait.

    (4)

  • Hain L.

    (review for lunch buffet) I had such high hopes for yuraku's sushi buffet after hearing many people rave about it. My friends and I arrived at the restaurant at 1:30 after the lunch hour crowd had died down because I heard it's impossible to get a table around noon. When I walked in, the air felt stuffy and fishy but not something i couldn't get over. The tables were a little sticky but that, too, i was willing to overlook. When I walked over to the food area, I was a bit disappointed by the size and the lack of variety. Maybe I let my imagination run too wild, or maybe my friends hyped it up a bit too much but it wasn't how I imagined. The food was decent, except for a few off items (like the veggie tempura - i think they had been sitting out and gone stale). Generally speaking, $15 AYCE is a good deal, but I'd rather skip the long drive to Germantown and order a couple plates of fresh nigiri elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Emily C.

    This is my go-to sushi place! My family and I have come here at least a dozen times, we don't really venture to new places because the fare here is the best of any sushi place we've tried. I don't like their lunch buffet that much since they don't put out any of the good stuff, so I would definitely try for dinner. Its usually very busy on weekends and their is limited seating so I would either try for an early dinner or come on a weekday. They also give more free food when there are less customers! My favorite appetizer is definitely the Salmon Fiesta Salad. Its salmon sashimi cut up and tossed with lettuce and other veggies with an Asian peanut dressing. It may sound unordinary but it is delicious! For rolls, I recommend the Seafood Roll, Alligator Roll and the Osaka Triangle Roll. But what I love most is their White Tuna Hand Roll! Great portion of fish and the sauce in it is really yummy. Overall, good service and great food. What more could you ask for?

    (5)

  • Sunshine J.

    This is one of my favorite places to eat in Germantown. I love sushi and love coming here for the good food and convenient location. The only reason it received 4 stars instead of 5 is because the service could be better. Plus, often times, the wait is quite a long time (which usually means the food is good). It's also such a small space, so you feel like you are sitting really (sometimes uncomfortably) close to the other groups there. Overall, the food is all worth the wait and I usually suggest Yuraku as a place to meet my friends in the Germantown area.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth W.

    Great sushi, and Sonny is an amazing chef!! Always sit at the bar!!!!!

    (5)

  • jonathan G.

    The price is definitely worth it, but let's be clear about one thing.....this is not real sushi (I'm talking about the buffet portion only). The nigri on top of the sushi area was very thinly cut sushi that was not cut properly. It looked like the sushi chef just cut up any area of the fish and put in on top, rather cut it at the right bias, which is why none of the nigri look the same. Also, there is traditionally a dab of wasabi on nigri, which there wasn't probably to appease the american palate. Also, the tuna was pink. Fresh tuna (yellow fin, blue fin, big eye, etc.) is a deep red color. I'm a bit of a sushi snob, so this is only for the die hard sushi eaters that don't eat sushi rolls but appreciate the sashimi taste of fresh fish.

    (3)

  • John C.

    This review is for the lunch buffet. This was my first visit and I must say, I am terribly disappointed in this place especially since I was exceptionally hungry after a 2-hour drive . To me, the sushi was horrible. The fish were tough and rubbery, especially the hamachi. The salmon had no taste and dried. The layout of the buffet isn't very good as you will see many people bumping to each other or trying to squeeze through. The tongs bucket for the sushi is pretty nasty. It was the first time I ever seen it and was utterly shocked. Doesn't seem too sanitary as the tongs eventually were covered with rice or some sticky substance due to various used and different sushi rolls it picked up. I am still shocked that this was their quality based on the numerous reviews this places has gotten. Suffice to say, I won't be coming back here ever again for lunch. I might try dinner time as there as many raving reviews about it, but I am really skeptical based on the quality I saw during lunch time. I really hope this was a fluke, but based on how many people were there, it doesn't seem to be it. Is the standard for sushi in this area that low?

    (1)

  • Cheryl S.

    Best sushi hands down with the most creative rolls. There are rolls here that sound like the ingredients wouldn't go together and yet they are delicious. They have a knack for mixing textures and tastes. Only drawback is the wait and lack of space to wait in / confusion w putting name on a list.

    (4)

  • Seth C.

    Best sushi for the price in Montgomery County, MD (if you do the Saturday buffet of course). $14 per person gives you unlimited sushi, that is very good for buffet standards. There are the basics of salmon, tuna, california and shrimp. They also have crazy avocado rolls, mango rolls, tempura rolls, inside out tempura rolls, etc. To top the meal off, they have orange slices to cut the fish taste. If you do not come for the buffet, you will still get excellent sushi, but you will need to pay more to fill yourself up just as much. The benefit of ordering of the sushi menu is that you can order even more extravagant rolls that they do not serve at the buffet. This is a must go.

    (5)

  • M R C H.

    I say skip the buffet, go for dinner and get sushi made to order, it's extraordinary! The lunch buffet if just ordinary, and so crowded.

    (4)

  • Faith C.

    Originally we came here because we heard about the buffet. Unfortunately, the buffet is only for lunch- bummer! But the rolls are fairly reasonably priced. The rolls were also so big and they didn't skimp on the ingredients. The rolls had a lot of the sashimi on/in it and was very fresh! And they came with 8 huge pieces. We only got rolls but the gave us edemame and veggies to munch on while we waited. The waitresses there were very nice. I wished that I lived in the area because I would definitely be a regular here if I did!

    (4)

  • Long N.

    Been going to this place for years and their Sushi is definitely one of the best around. Depending on how much you order, they would give you some free appetizers while you dine in. The place does get a little crowded but well worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Virginia C.

    Make a reservation this place always has a freakishly long line.. But there is a line for a reason! It's that good!! Come for dinner and you'll get a grilled fish head as a free appetizer don't be fooled!! It's delicious!

    (4)

  • Janet Y.

    The best lunch buffet in the area! It's worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Taylor F.

    This is the best deal in the dmv for sushi. 15 if you pay with credit and 14 with cash. And you can eat all you want! The quality is just as good as any decent sushi place in the area but the pieces are a bit smaller. (probably because it's the buffet) I stuffed myself today and I also went at around 11:30 and the place was not packed. (Note: getting close to 12 and it fills up fast!) so definitely go early and use cash if you can!

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    #foodie On weekends and friday evenings, this place is packed! Waited at least for 30 minutes for bar seats, but it was SO VERY WORTH IT. Ordered a CHEF'S SPECIAL SASHIMI $64.95 with Blowfish Fin Sake. All of the fish was fresh and melt-in-your-mouth wonderfulness, the Blowfish Fin Sake topped the meal off just right. One of the best sushi places I've been to in the area and will continue coming back again :)

    (5)

  • Karen T.

    I had no idea I would be going to such a great sushi spot until I let one of my classmates know I was going to Yuraku, and I got a gasp and exclamations of excitement mingled with envy at the meal I was about to have. FIrst off, their complimentary perks feature broiled salmon heads, chawanmushi and veggies...and free food is always a plus. More importantly though, their fish is definitely good quality, especially when compared to some of the more overpriced spots I've been to in Georgetown (not naming names now...). I gorged on salmon, hamachi and tuna nigiri, hamachi kama (broiled yellowtail collar) and some unagi. You can tell they're a legit establishment from the line out the door on a Saturday at 6PM. Yuraku is a suburbs trip well worth it.

    (4)

  • Evan H.

    After hearing a lot of great things about Yuraku from a few friends, I decided to deviate from my normal sushi joint in the DC area and hit up Yuruku. One tip that I got from the reviews is that the place gets busy, all the time, so call a few hours ahead and make a reservation. You still might have to wait a little bit, but not nearly as long as the suckers w/o a reservation The sushi here ranges from your average old nigiri or sashimi to really out there sushi rolls. They are HUGE so you don't need as many as you would at some crummy Japanese Sushi restaurants. The fish quality here is outstanding, so you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Id suggest the Uni with raw quail egg, yum

    (5)

  • Fenny L.

    Is it authetic sushi? Is it not? Normally this question would be of intense interest with much heated debate, however I will tell you now...it doesn't matter at Yuraku, and let me tell you why: The sushi-boat. Yes - you read that right. The sushi-boat. So picture it. My oft mentioned foodie family (mom, dad and brother). My husband, sushi-chef uncle, his wife, my cousin and I. We all descend upon Yuraku one evening for a night of sake, sushi and hilarity. What resulted was an evening of gluttonous gorging and quiet awe. Normally when the 8 of us go out to eat, our bill will be around $700. When the 8 of us go out to eat at a sushi joint, that bill easily doubles. Our bill that night? A smidge over $300...and we were so full that we were practically *rolled* out of the restaurant. This little sushi joint is situated in a craptapulous stripmall in Germantown. The outside is sad and rather pathetic and doesn't properly prepare one for what to expect. We started off with ordering three or four of the "speciality" rolls, and a $200 sushi boat. We were going to order more food, but my brother - who had been to Yuraku before, quickly cautioned us to hold off. I think my dad rolled his eyes at him at this point, but my brother stuck to his guns and wouldn't let him order anything else until the food arrived. The waitress brings us carrots, celery and ranch dressing...as an amuse bouche? No idea. But we were starved and we inhaled it. Then we had the traditional bowls of miso and salad that comes with our orders. We inhaled that too. Then the waitress brings us two grilled salmon heads...and we paused...our eyes glittered in amazed joy...and we proceeded to have a chopstick war to get every last delicious morsel. The waitress seeing that this was going to turn ugly in a moment, brought out two more heads. Heh, wise woman. Then - out of nowhere - a glorious Viking ship that would be too grand to carry even the great Odin appeared before us. Ladened (and by ladened, I mean *PACKED*) with sashimi, sushi and nigiri! It took up practically our entire table! It was so overflowing with raw fish fabulocity that my mom feared a little for what we just did to the world's yellow-tail population. Then, in the tiny square of space left on our table, another platter appeared - of the specialty rolls that we had ordered in addition to this monstrosity of a sushi-boat. And then...the gorging began...and it was gooooooooooood. In fact - for the first time in any of our memories - we couldn't finish every last bite of sushi! You have to understand, my family is filled with gluttons. We watch eating competitions and we sneer. We aren't fast eaters, but we are *long distance* eaters. My brother has been kicked out of, and banned from Phillips in OC for eating their AYCE crabs for 3+ hours. My dad and I have had our photos posted at a Chinese buffet for a denial of entry. We have shut down Brazilian steakhouses...we are *eaters*...and this massive mother-ship of a sushi-boat roundly spanked us and spanked us hard. So a few tips for n00bs to Yuraku: 1) Get there early. They are tiny and fill up fast. If you don't get there by 6:30, you're looking at a 2 hour wait. Don't whine about it. Man up and just get there early. There is no crying in sushi. 2) Be *NICE* to your server. Yes, chances are, she'll be a little flaky and bring you a Coke instead of a diet Coke...be patient with her. She will reward you with such freebies as the grilled salmon head or special rolls from the chefs. 3) Skip the miso and salad and the veggies and dip. All that will do is fill you up and keep you from the massive gorging that awaits. 4) If you wish to take on the $200 boat - bring the entire football team (or my family) with you. Otherwise, the $75 boat will be more then plenty to feed your party of 6. Seriously. The sushi itself was good. Fresh and tasty - it wasn't the best quality sushi I've ever had (keeping in mind that my uncle is a sushi-chef), but it was definitely several cuts above most sushi joints. My uncle the sushi-chef of course looked down upon the sushi (and promptly proclaimed it "non-authentic"), however from the grunting and slurping coming from his corner of the table, I didn't see him turn down any food! HA!

    (5)

  • Zaina- B.

    I've visited this place twice in 2 weeks and am about to go again for the 3rd time tonight, only a week later. Most of their rolls have been above average so far; actually, make that all of their rolls. The food is amazing, my friend would probably want me to knock down half a star for plates having water stains, I don't care. Every time we've asked for another plate, the servers have been prompt to respond. But even slow seating (it's just always busy, but the wait is typically not super crazy on weekdays) would not get me to give it less than a 5 star. Excellent food at a very affordable price will have me coming back for more :)

    (5)

  • Elizabeth W.

    I've been here several times. I like the sushi buffet because the variety is great and the service is great. If you want the good stuff and don't want to wait to be seated, go at the start of the lunch buffet. For dinner, I went for the first time for my sister's b-day. I think the coolest part about going there for a birthday is your get the Asian umbrella to take pictures with. Service was still great and the food was still awesome. For the amount of fish they gave us, the price was right. My favorite rolls that we had were: Rainbow Roll, Titanic Roll and the Triple Salmon Roll. I also really liked the Chef's Special Sushi Regular Platter. That was delicious! And it came with a lot of food. OH! Thought I should mention, the sushi gets 5 stars because It's been a day and the leftover sushi is still moist and delicious!

    (5)

  • Marialina B.

    They always provide awesome Japanese food. Can't complain. :)

    (4)

  • Tu-van L.

    Solid spot for filling up during their lunch buffet. Decent selection of sushi (rolls, nigiri) and prepared foods, but the buffet line was counterintuitive and you had to reuse previously-used tongs for the sushi. Not worth it for bulk sushi. For buffet sushi, better to head to Hinode in Rockville.

    (2)

  • David D.

    I love love love this place... I tried it for the first time last week and am now going to go every week, maybe multiple times a week. Awesome.

    (5)

  • David D.

    My favorite sushi spot anywhere!. Their special rolls are always great and they keep changing. The fish is always fresh and they give you free appetizers along with your order depending on how much you order. Salmon and tuna is always great and the best anywhere around. Sushi lunch buffet is the best sushi buffet anywhere but can get crowded so you have to get there early or be prepared to wait.

    (5)

  • Bakchun K.

    we were in maryland to visit brookside gardens to see the christmas lights, the ICE sculpture show at gaylord convention center and other christmas lights, and we stayed at a friend's place and was wondering what to eat in maryland, everything was far away and was difficult to find a good spot, but thanks to my awesome girlfriend who introduced me to yelp, i came upon various restaurants to go to and picked this japanese restaurant, believe or not this place was packed, located as part of a strip mall, we ordered the $120 boat which had sashimi, sushi and various specialty rolls (chef decides) and it was delicious and felt very fresh, they gave us various items on the house (probably because it was over $100), they gave us salmon fish head which was roasted and had lots of meat, salad and some other dish this place was so good we came back here again would definitely recommend to travelers to this area

    (4)

  • P. S.

    Hands-down best sushi in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area.

    (5)

  • Danny B.

    Went here for the first time after 3 failed attempts because it was so busy. Took my in-laws and my entire family around 4pm before the dinner rush and had an AMAZING experience. We order the biggest boat they had and we were full before the boat even came out. They served us so many other dishes that we were not expecting prior to the actual sushi. Some of the things that stood out were the fried jalapaneo rolls, fried salmon head (was soooo good), some sashimi salads stuff and a small egg dish. When the boat finally came out we had a hard time finishing it but with 7 adults we managed to do it. I would HIGHLY recommend this place but you should go around 4pm which is the least busy.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    They have the best sushi and sashimi I ever had. It was sooooo worth to wait 20 min and 30 min drive. Definitely going back in near future.

    (5)

  • Melanie Y.

    The many times I've been here, not to mention the many times I've checked into this place via fb, foursquare and most recently yelp, I've yet to write a review. I'm so glad that this sushi place is so close to home that I can come here as often as I like. We typically always order the Titanic roll which is massive! I had to take several bites just to finish one piece of the roll. The Titanic roll includes battered and deep fried lobster tail with avocado, crab and cucumber and tobiko. Aside from tobiko which I have no idea what that is, doesn't the rest sound awesome? Yes, yes it does. Also on a side note, I just like to point out, which I'm sure others have done so already, is that they do have a roll named Viagra - I kid you not! I have yet to try it though but I'm not partial to scallops. =P Apparently Yuraku does have a buffet lunch which is typically during lunch on weekdays. Just so happens the times we go are outside of the buffet times - ah well. With rolls that big (that's what she said - har har har), three or four rolls, I'll be done so they wouldn't have to worry about me cleaning out the place. =P

    (5)

  • Dave H.

    I'm kind of an adventurous sushi eater so I'm glad that there is a local place that has some of the more uncommon choices. I went yesterday with a large group of friends and they brought out some free tuna sashimi salads to our table because we had brought so many people to their place. Their prices for the specialty stuff isn't too bad either. I was also happy that they had sea urchin available (w/ or w/o quail egg). Even if you can't catch the buffet you can choose 3 of thier regular rolls for about $12 (Combi Maki). The buffet is also one of the best deals around if you can stop by on a Saturday.

    (5)

  • James M.

    Germantown Sushi, hmm... I've only been here for dinner once and wasn't that impressed. Perhaps I'm too picky when it comes to Japanese food, or there was just too much hype going in. We ordered a variety of rolls/sushi, but nothing stood out as being really fresh/tasty. Honestly, this place seems like your typical "Korean-owned" Japanese restaurant. Everything was good (quality/presentation), but not great. I hear their sushi boats are supposed to be pretty good. And there's A LOT of talk about their lunch buffet. I'll definitely have to round up a few good men and check that out one day.

    (3)

  • Nina Z.

    The best sushi place EVER! Great service and incredible sushi with so much variety. I recommend ordering from the specialty menu - the spice girl. The unlimited buffet is a great deal too. Only thing they need to do is renovate and expand, there's always a wait!

    (5)

  • Kristina S.

    Simply the best sushi in DMV, hands down and I have lived everywhere- NYC, Midwest,FL, CO... Yuraku is the best quality, taste, selection! They get 4 stars b/c operationally they are a tropical disaster. The staff is awesome and always apologetic, but they simply cannot keep up or get a functional system in place for their carry out policy. At times we have called a pick up order in 2 hours ahead, we get there and wait an additional 30 minutes to pay, while dozens of orders sit there, one time my husband realized our order was literally right beside him, he just could not fight thru the crowd to pay. Yuraku we love you! Please expand to a larger space that can accommodate the high demand for your amazing sushi!

    (4)

  • Myisha W.

    This is a one of the best places to go to in Germantown. Everyone is so nice and accommodating. The food is very delicious and a must try.......the chef is always giving you something new to try. Very creative people. Everything is awesome about this little place. The only thing I would change is the place itself. The place is so small and always crowded. If they expanded this place would rock. Going at lunch time is also awesome. They have a Buffett and it rocks. They have this banana desert that is so freaking good. You must give this place a try if you Iike sushi that is fresh and delicious.

    (5)

  • nat t.

    It's taken 8 years, but I finally had a chance to go back to Yuraku - this time with my two little cherubs in tow. We arrived on a Sunday around 5:30pm and did not have a wait. It took forever to decide what to get because the menu is extremely long, and since I like to also know the prices of things, found it hard to decide what to get given that the specials menu has no prices on it. Not realizing how massive the portions are, we ordered 6 rolls to share between two adults and two picky children (who ultimately ate just one piece of sushi between them :P). I shouldn't have finished all of mine, because I felt uncomfortably full afterwards. I do love how many unique options are in the sushi rolls. I was super tempted to get the mango one, but opted for a scallop one instead. Our top picks were Tuna Ninja and Last Samurai.

    (4)

  • May L.

    my son liked the sushi there ,while I dont . I cant understand there is always long waiting line there .

    (3)

  • Jazzy K.

    Food is mediocre here. I don't know why there are so many reviews for this restaurant but the food we had...coconut shrimp, soba, and spider rolls weren't that great. It doesn't look like they use good oils here.

    (2)

  • Cynthia F.

    Awesome sushi place! Great buffet! Worth every penny!

    (5)

  • Jimmy J.

    Fantastic place for fresh and delicious sushi. Great selection of rolls, the spider roll and spicy tuna rolls were fantastic. Great selection of non-sushi items as well for the no raw crowd. Service was prompt and attentive.

    (5)

  • Julia L.

    My favorite Sushi place in town! Love everything on the menu. My friend took a few Japanese visitors there, and they said it was similar to what you can get in Japan.

    (4)

  • Mariella V.

    Yuraku is sushi heaven. I compare every sushi I have to this. Granted, I'm vegetarian so I'm no sushi expert. My options can be limited but I always enjoy it here. Their menu is crazy! Like awesome crazy: sushi with mayonnaise or bacon or mozzarella cheese. I momentarily get jealous that I can try all of it. Try something weird! Don't be boring here. My favorite is their avocado roll. Yeah it's just avocado, but it's the best avocado roll in the word. I don't what they put it in it to make it so special but it works. There is usually a wait for dinner on the weekends. I have actually waited outside for them to open doors for dinner. It's always worth it. Sitting at the bar is fun, the sushi masters (that's what I call them) are funny and friendly. Service is wonderful. I always see the same girls there and they are all quick servers.

    (5)

  • J L.

    This is easily the best sushi in the area for the best price! The place gets crowded and there is always a wait. We usually grab takeout because it is so crowded. The buffet is probably the BEST deal&while the space is crowded and not very well laid out, they have a fantastic selection of sushi& Korean dishes available.

    (4)

  • Rachel S.

    So many reviews for the lunch buffet....and still never inclined to subjugate myself. Always have ordered off of the three + menus. Certainly the most creative and interesting listings of rolls and sushi offered in the area. Joining in with the minions...to sing the praises of Yuraku. I have ordered take-away via phone orders, have just showed up and ordered take-away to happily shop for the thirty-minutes requested (and required!) at the new-ish Asian grocery that now shares the same shopping center, and more than a few handful of times have dined-in. On this last visit....probably the best so far. Dined-in, our meal occurred in middle of the afternoon on a Sunday with my Sistaaahhh (yes, my actual real sister). Seated right away and honestly the best visit which I can only attribute because of our ordering. This time we had...Triple Salmon Roll, Crazy Horse Roll and Sweet Angel Roll. Also, Oshitashi (cold spinach cooked with sesame oil), seaweed salad and miso soup....cause we all like to sing..."oh miso (xxx), oh miso (xxx)" ;) ! Oshitashi - really, really good and soooo simple. Cooked spinach, tossed in a sesame oil and perhaps something else (crack maybe!), served cold. Seaweed Salad - just a requirement in my book when dining on sushi. And theirs is far and away the better than I have had otherwise served with krab, shredded cucumber and shredded diakon to soak up the juices at the bottom of the bowl (do they add juices? so yumm.) Miso Soup - yep, another 'requirement'...good (is there bad miso soup?), plenty of miso flavor, with tofu and seaweed. Triple Salmon Roll - oh, yes. A staple. Spicy salmon inside, rice with nori, topped with raw salmon (it so tastes of a cross between smoked and raw salmon) and more spicy salmon. One of those flavors that converts the uninitiated to the initiated.. Crazy Horse Roll - the menu says it is chopped tuna, white tail, red snapper, et cetera...umm..yeah, could not discern ...but definitely chopped krab (with a 'k') and something, not spicy with masago...new find and will order again in the future. Sweet Angel Roll - have had previously...the tempura flakes, sweetened AND spicy outside and inside .... confusing and sooo soo good with asparagus and tuna inside. Today - for 'service' or "free - gratis" we were given warm edamame. Previously I have been given a huge bowl of chopped salad with sesame dressing and once at a dinner outing (on a terrible date!), crudités (carrots & celery) with a yummy mayo, savory dip - but never since, bring back the crudités with dip!! Some tables (sorry, but usually Asian diners - just being truthful) I have seen roasted salmon head - not sure if it was ordered or just "service". I have also had the Shiitake Roll with eel inside - sooo good, sweet but good and different. Rose Flower - soo pretty but do not remember if it was spicy tuna or spicy salmon - good. Osaka Roll - so touted here on yelp - good, I think there are just better choices. Many many times I have seen big sushi boats on tables. So often, the place is packed and rightly so. Hot tea on this visit was constantly refreshed and kept us warm on a chilly day....I really love this place.

    (5)

  • Connie M.

    For sushi buffet in Montgomery County or even Maryland....this is the place to be! Be forewarned....there is always a wait. Lunch buffet during the week AND weekends. Who knew that a little hole-in-the-wall on the end of a strip mall is the best place to try sushi. You have safe choices like California rolls, avocado rolls and even cucumber rolls. Sometimes you will even find a tempura sweet potato roll. There are always special maki rolls including a shrimp tempura! The best thing is that lunch buffets are not only stocked with maki rolls, but lots of nigiri options. There is tuna, salmon, fatty tuna, whitefish and my favorite smoked eel. There are quite a few cold salads like kimchi and seaweed. Hot food too. Spicy pork, bulgogi, noodles. Even tempura veggies and shrimp if you catch it when it first comes out. There are fried dumplings, bbq meatballs and even tempura bananas. Be nice to the ladies in the kimonos. They have a system and yes, it does work. You do not seat yourself during buffet time. Even the seat at the sushi bar must be waited for. Tip well, my friend!

    (5)

  • Amalie M.

    I've been here on multiple occasions, so I am reviewing collectively for dinner, and the lunch buffet. Starting with the service, though, it's pretty good. The waitresses are decently attentive, and pretty good about getting drinks/food out as quickly as possible. The dining, and food prep areas are kept in good shape, and I don't feel like I'm going to get a disease from their bathroom. The lunch buffet is okay, nothing to really rave about. I think it's a bit overpriced for the small selection you have to choose from. They do have a roll, or two that I enjoy, but a lot of them have spicy sauces on top, and not everybody likes spicy foods. The cooked foods are alright, too. I've definitely had better hot foods at other buffets. The space that they cram the buffet into is uncomfortably small, as well. I'm constantly getting my heels kicked, or pressed against a wall. It's very poorly planned out. Dinner is alright, as well. Again, I feel like some of their rolls are overpriced, but maybe it's just me. Their portions are alright, I've definitely seen places make bigger rolls - that coincidentally cost less - than Yuraku, but that's not to say Yuraku makes bad food. All of the rolls, and fish I've had from here have been fresh, I've never gotten sick after eating their food, which I take as a good sign. Overall, a 4/5, rated most highly for their service, cleanliness, and freshness of their foods.

    (4)

  • Leigh M.

    PROS: Very Good Sushi, intimate cool vibe, All you can eat sushi buffet (lunch) & decent prices CONS: Always a wait, Always Packed, sushi buffet line is cramp & wait staff seem stretched thin plus distracted This place would be good for smaller groups or ultimately just a date spot you can sit at the sushi bar & the chefs are super nice and will make you off menu sushi creations!

    (4)

  • Chris H.

    I don't get it. All these raving reviews seem SO convincing. Maybe that's why I tried it 3 times to make sure I'm not going crazy. Maybe I was just unlucky all 3 times. First time, lunch buffet. Fair, it's obviously not going to be quality but I couldn't believe they sold this crap. Second and third time, tried some tuna dishes, salmon, unagi, volacano rolls, and other miscellaneous rolls--they were all NOT fresh. I don't know if the people writing reviews claiming it's the best in the DMV have never tried sushi prince or sushi yoshi, places that serve truly fresh sushi. I don't get it. I wanted to love this place so much. it's so close to home and could have had so much potential. I won't lie, they're generous with their portions for the price but I'm willing to bet it's because they cheap out on quality. The proportions are all off on their nigiri--more isn't always better. I'd rather pay more for quality food that has been prepared with thought and attention. Even the unagi didn't taste fresh. I don't even know how you mess UNAGI up. I did like the starter salad, miso soup was okay, and this strange appetizer roll received (very korean style but nothing wrong with that). Everything else was awful. I couldn't even finish it because my appetite was slaughtered as soon as I tried the sake (salmon) nigiri. I'm not even that picky when it comes to sushi but what the f*ck! I just spent $80 on food that I ended up throwing away. Obviously, I'm pretty pissed. Long day at work, going out and getting a shit ton of expensive sushi dishes to leave so disappointed does make me a little angry. I definitely will NEVER go back. Originally, I was going to give this place 2 stars but the service was pretty damn awful, too. OH! Before I leave. LET ME ELABORATE ON THE VOLCANO ROLL (SEE PICS). This "ROLL" looked like a failed souffle, merged with a failed casserole. WHAT THE HELL IS IT? Just look at the picture and you'll get it. Holy f*cking sh*t. This place blows.

    (1)

  • Kseniya P.

    We love Sakura! Only thing is we never seem to get our appetizer as an actual appetizer.

    (5)

  • Lily Z.

    I come here to dinner and they do not disappoint! Yes, there can be a wait and they dont do reservations but it's worth it. I just realized I have been coming here once a week for about the past couple month to fill my sushi cravings. When ever you go you usually get free appetizers. And who doesn't like free stuff? I've gotten steamed egg, miso soup, the fish, salad, and 2 piece sushi, I guess it depends on the day. The sushi, my favorite roll is the spice girl roll. I absolutely love it! And I recently discovered the dragon roll. I heard really great things about the volcano roll but it was too greasy for me. There are soooooo many other speciality rolls to choose from, you'll definitely find one you love! The best part is consistency, I go back every week receiving the same quality and taste. The service is always great as well, all the ladies are always super sweet and kind. The restaurant is really nice a cozy. The back wall is full of pictures from customers who have celebrated their birthdays there, super cute. If you're in the area, you have to try this place! I love it. And Roy Rogers is right next door for dessert ;)

    (5)

  • Dawnn J.

    2nd time here within a week... Lobster Madness (I think) very good!! Some of the freshest white tuna I've ever had (although not as buttery). Love this place!!

    (5)

  • Melanie K.

    We came back for lunch yesterday and tried the buffet. Surprisingly, it was considerably better than our first experience here and much more cost-effective. There were lots of different types of sushi and sashimi which they were bringing out pretty much constantly. All the sushi I tried seemed to be the right temperature (which was my main concern on our last visit). I was keeping an eye on whatever boats and plates they brought out and picking from those. Even at 2pm there were a lot of people there and the sushi really didn't seem to be sitting out for long. I do wish they labeled the items that were on the buffet... we were just kind of playing a guessing game when we picked. They also have some other non-sushi items in the buffet including mozzarella sticks, salad with imitation crab meat, fried asparagus and fried sweet potato slices, egg rolls, and fried rice.

    (4)

  • Tom P.

    Another must visit restaurant!! I'm on the road again, looking for sushi at dinner time and through the reviews here on yelp chose this great place. The fish absolutely fresh, sashimi well presented and the service was on top. Wish I could give three thumbs up......do enjoy this place if you are in the area. P.S. The saki wasn't too sweet, just right.

    (5)

  • Tommy T.

    This place is amazing. I've been here for both the lunch buffet and dinner. price have gone up for the lunch buffet since i've been here, but it's still a great deal. $15 dollars will get you a nice filling sushi lunch buffet including tip and tax. The buffet selection is extremely appetizing, you get your standard sushi rolls, korean side dishes, noodles, salad, tempura, and my favorite, nigiri sushi. They have a lot of different sushi, and will replenish when it's running low. You never have to worry about not having a good selection to choose from. I usually go for the salmon nigiri, and will eat plenty of that whenever i see the guy bringing a new tray out. The key of eating lunch buffet here is to pick the right time to go; either early, meaning when they're just opening, or after main lunch hours, maybe 1:20pm. Sometimes, the waitress will give out some complementary sushi and bring it to your table. I avoid eating it, not that it's bad, but I need to save room for the salmon nigiri. Dinner at this place is similar to its lunch buffet....crazy busy. The food is also delicious at dinner time, if you don't care for the wait, then it's probably one of the best spots for sushi, imho. I work around the neighborhood, so I try to come here at a couple times during the month.

    (5)

  • Irene B.

    Yuraku is my favorite sushi restaurant in the entire DMV area. It is family owned, with very diverse and interesting menu, and freshest ingredients delivering the best possible flavor to your palate. Despite the popularity, the owners are not looking to expand, which is smart. Otherwise, the restaurant will lose its authenticity and get lost amidst thousands of other sushi restaurants. I cannot think of any favorites to suggest because every single roll is absolutely delicious! However, make sure to try their house salad with home-made dressing. I don't know what's in it but it tastes divine!

    (5)

  • Brittany K.

    Best sushi around for a buffet. Pretty small so you have to get there early to get a spot. Great food and worth the wait

    (5)

  • Joy B.

    Say,"Yes" to Yuraku! This delightful sushi house puts the v in variety. We went for this months yelp supper club and there were so many rolls too chose from. We had the sunset roll with tuna,Avocado, and crab. It was fresh and filling. There was the crunchy roll with Asian Pear. It was sweet and delicious. The rainbow maki had three different types of fish and was dynamite. We also had the firecracker roll that had an added kick in the flavor. Vivian ordered the White Russian roll that was a big hit of the evening. Then,there was a sushimi boat that boasted tons of fresh tuna,sublime salmon, and red tail fish. We started off with rich miso soup and a sea food custard dish. There was salad and endomi too. It was a banquet of food fit for a king. The huge sushi boats were brimming over with choices to choose from. No one left hungry or happier than I. No doubt that when Chris L recommends a restaurant it will be a smashing success. I was so glad that my pants were elastic waiste. The servers were kind a patient with the size of our party. They even added two extra dishes for our dining pleasure . I really liked the creamy shrimp dish. So say yes to Yurako and eat to your hearts delight.

    (4)

  • Yo S.

    This is one of very few restaurants out there that keep me going back over and over again. It is authentic and tasty. If you like sushi, this is the place to go! Their all you can eat sushi lunch buffet is amazing. You better get there early, because they usually have a long waiting list. Dinner is a la cart, but there is a larger variety of both sushi, and traditional Japanese & Korean dishes.

    (4)

  • Diane H.

    If only Yuraku wasn't so far from College Park :( Came here for the first time yesterday with two of my native-to-MoCo friends. When I opened the menu, I was so overwhelmed - there were so many options! On top of that, they had a separate menu for specialty items, furthering my indecisiveness and strong need to order one of everything and stuff my face. I ultimately decided on the Flower Roll and the Yuraku roll. While waiting, I stuffed myself with the complimentary foods (salmon, egg thingy in a bowl, miso soup, white tuna tempura)...so much so that I didn't leave myself much room for the sushi. Oops. I still ate as much sushi as I could and everything tasted so fresh. For the amount of food we got, the prices were definitely worth it. On top of that, service was lovely. We never had an empty glass of water. Our server was friendly and polite but not overbearing. On top of that, FREE STUFF! I just ate the leftovers for lunch and they still tasted fresh and not-mushy. A+ for Yuraku.

    (5)

  • Katie N.

    Worthy of your wait! Great sushi. Fantastic portions and great selection. The specialty rolls are varied and there is something for everyone. Mr. Tim was tasty. The Firecracker hit the spot. The rice balls were delicious. The toro appetizer is so fabulous. The meal starts with a salad. The servers and sushi chefs are awesome. Sit at the sushi bar. Run here!

    (5)

  • Hannah H.

    About a 2.5: I was really excited in finally trying out Yuraku. My husband and I were in the area, and we thought that this place would be a good option for lunch. I've heard about their sushi lunch buffet at a bargain price ($13.95), so I was all up for it! This place is Korean-owned, so they had a lot of Korean entrees available (like spicy pork, etc.); they also have an a la carte menu on sush, rolls, and tempura, sashimi, and a special rolls menu. When we walked in, we were greeted right away by one of the servers; we were seated next to the buffet, but the sushi chefs were sort of backed up on placed orders (the sushi boats looked fantastic!). Even though the place opens at 11AM, the buffet was not set up yet, and the dining patrons that came in, we actually had to wait another 15-20 minutes or so to get a 'decent' selection on the rolls and for the buffet space to be 'filled up' on food. We were given a cup of hot green tea as well as a small bowl of miso soup, which both were pretty good. There was a Korean-style salad with soy sauce (that was pretty good and fresh), chop chae, spicy pork (looking a little pale, but actually had good flavor), Asian fruit salad, Japanese seaweed salad, soba noodles with the sauce, soy-glazed salmon cutlets, mozzarella sticks, tempura (sweet potato, shrimp ((literally, fried shrimp with tempura batter), green beans, rolls, etc.), kimchi, other ban chans (pickled radish, spinach, etc.), and rolls (spicy tuna, nigiris, California rolls, crunch rolls, etc.). There was a lot of traffic and congestion up at the buffet area since the space was a little tight; plus, there wasn't really much of a 'start' and an 'end' part of the line, so people were cutting in, left and right! I've also noticed that some loaded up on their plates for their patrons back at the table, knowing that the line was super long, so most of the rolls were gone by the time it was our turn. Some parents were bringing up their young tots with them in the line, which added to the chaos - there were dropped plates and craziness as the kids were grabbing the them, just spewing broken pieces everywhere! In addition, the rolls weren't replaced for a while, so you had to make several trips back. The rolls themselves were okay (it really reminded me of the style and quality of House of Sushi & Noodles back in Chicago, another AYCE spot); nothing too crazy, but it was just okay. Everything was presented neatly and in a clean way, which I appreciated. You can only eat so many rolls until you get stuffed, so after about 2 trips, I was pretty much done; plus, I didn't really want to deal with the crazy crowd! There was a waiting line by the time we left, so you can tell that this is a pretty popular spot for their buffet special. You have two options to pay: cash or by cc (cash is cheaper with no tax). I am recommending to skip the lunch buffet and maybe stick to their main menu! +sushi lunch buffet daily (weekends included!): 11AM-3PM +miso soup +shrimp 'tempura' +green bean tempura +'spicy' Korean pork +some specialty rolls, like the spicy tuna on top, filled with crunchiness within +chaos in the buffet line (unorganized) +pay with cash = no tax!

    (3)

  • Norry H.

    So many years have passed since a Japanese friend of mine had told me how great sushi place Yuraku was. And finally today, I went there to try, thanks to Cathy H's wonderful review and photos of this place. We got there around 1pm (Saturday) and were welcomed by a long line of waiting people. Put my name down, and we got seated after waiting for 35 minutes in the crowded and kind of humid waiting area which is connected to the kitchen with a small door, and the sushi bar kitchen with a large glass door. I ordered a Yuraku Salad (only $1.50), Sushi Appetizer - 5 pcs ($6) and Osaka Triangle Roll ($12). Sushi Appetizer and the Osaka Triangle came on the same large rectangular shape plate with beautiful presentation. The fish were all fresh both to my eyes and mouth. The owner's son Sonny was working diligently right in front of us. The appetizer sushi 5 pcs was really nice. Not only the fish were fresh, but they give you more fish and less rice. That is so ideal to me. But I would not wrap salmon around all the nigiri. I would use the same kind of fish to wrap each nigiri to enjoy each fish alone. The Osaka Triangle was beautiful. Colorful with so many fish. Mine had, salmon, tuna, squid, imitation crab, tilapia, cucumber, avocado and sea weed. (It was different from the menu description. The MIAs were, white tuna, octopus and red snapper. )This was a very unique experience for me because being a pure Japanese, we usually put in our mouth one kind of fish at a time to enjoy the flavor and texture of the fish. This dish quite confused my taste buds but I still enjoyed it. Again this roll has a lot of fish, fresh fish. To me, this roll alone can be a meal. In fact, I could not finish 6 of 8 pcs after my salad, 5 pc sushi appetizer, and two aburi salmon nigiri topped with guacamole (Thank you, Chef Sonny!). Overall, it was a delicious experience despite the distance, wait, and mediocre service of staff. I will definitely go back to try some more dishes.

    (4)

  • Paul J.

    By far my favorite sushi place. The price is perfect for the amount that they give. If you order a platter they offer delicious appetizers before your main meal. The service I experience was exceptional. The waiter was exceptional. After a long delay for a spider roll we ordered he gave us a complimentary small hot sake. I've been there a few times and it's always been a great experience.

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    The best sushi I've had in the area. Come for the lunch buffet though - great price and value. It seems like every time I go they have something new to try. My personal favorites are the spicy tuna, eel, and salmon - classics that never get old. They also have a good array of other dishes - various tempura items, bulgogi, chap chae, mini tonkatsu. My only complaint is the buffet area isn't the easiest to navigate, especially when it gets busy. Get there before 11:30 to beat the lunch rush and maximize sushi intake!

    (4)

  • Natasha S.

    Impressed. I was not expecting it to be as good as it was. Yes, I read the reviews. But I'm always misled when it comes to sushi. We walked into and saw that the restaurant was half full, and it was only 5 pm. Good sign. Once we were seated for 20 minutes or so, the place was almost completely full. We ordered a smorgasbord of special rolls and basic maki rolls. While waiting for our order, they brought out veggie sticks and dip to nibble on, then edamame. We ordered seaweed salad to start while we wait for our sushi. The seaweed salad came with imitation crab, shredded cucumbers and some daikon. While it was good, I didn't care too much for the sauce. It was more of a ponzu sauce and not the traditional seaweed salad dressing, which made it way too salty. I could pass on the seaweed salad next time around. The sushi came out, and it was on point. The fish is so fresh. We could taste the quality in the fish and the rolls were rolled PERFECTLY. The fish vs. rice ratio was just how I like it. A generous amount of fillings and rice rolled thin. The presentation is very beautiful here. You can tell they take pride in their work. We were pleased. Looking forward to coming back and ordering a sashimi platter now that I know how fresh and thick their fish is cut. Mouth is watering right now! The service is prompt and good. Restaurant is not too big or small. But it's gets pretty crowded so get there early! Parking is plentiful and easy. Prices are standard but well worth it.

    (5)

  • Karen S.

    Everyone I know says this is the best spot for sushi in the MD burbs, and the lines certainly back that up. We got a seat a the bar easily at 5:30 on a Saturday, but when we left around 7, there were a ton of people waiting outside. We got a couple of pieces of sashimi: salmon, yellowtail and flounder. All seemed reasonably fresh-- we liked the salmon the best. Roll-wise, we got a spider roll (my default) and a tuna ninja, which had seared tuna on top and spicy tuna on the inside. Some places will fry the soft-shell crab to death so it doesn't even taste like crab anymore, but they fried it well here, and the roll was pretty sizeable. The tuna ninja was just okay-- we didn't realize the tuna on the outside would be cooked, so that threw us off a little. We also got a salmon skin hand roll. It took quite a while for our food to come (weirdly, a couple that came after us and sat next to us got their food first), but they gave us some free salads to tide us over. They had a peanut-based dressing and surprising japaleno bits that made it spicy. After getting our sashimi and spider roll, there was again quite a lull until we got the tuna, so they gave us some fried fish on the house. It was okay, but not something I'd order on my own. Finally, when we got the hand roll, they threw in an extra, again on the house, to make up for the wait. The free items were a nice gesture! Unfortunately I don't have that large of a stomach and sushi isn't a great thing to take home, so it was a little bit wasted on us :( I don't recommend sitting at the very end of the bar close to the cash register area, because waiters had to reach around us to get take-out orders. I'm not a big sushi person overall, so you can take my review with a grain of salt!

    (4)

  • Cindy N.

    Came in for their lunch buffet on a Saturday afternoon, recommended by a friend. We had a party of three and the wait was around 15-20 mins regardless of how packed it was in the entrance room. This place is not your regular order how many pieces you want and get it made spot. I'm used to that style of all-you-can-eat instead of a buffet style (literally). The island that held that sushi and other cooked foods were small and tight that people were basically bumping back to back on each other when grabbing food. There was a small island filled with Korean styled cuisine, and only limited variety of sushi. The price of the buffet was blind for our party until we decided to ask for a menu and choose additional add-ons (for an additional cost). Anyhow, the lunch buffet is priced at $13.96 from 11am-3pm. Please note that they have other lunch specials and it may be a better choice versus the buffet. Overall, food quality was not bad, service was sparse but servers did treat us well and came back quickly regardless of the level of traffic. I'd say definitely come and give this place a shot but do check out the food on the buffet table before deciding whether or not it may or may not be worth it to get the buffet or just order off the menu! :)

    (3)

  • Lester R.

    I love a place that gives you freebies when you order a lot of stuff. It's really hard to pinpoint what is what because they constantly rotate their specials and that's where the gems are. From sashimi, sushi rolls to grilled tuna the quality is top notch. They NEVER skimp on the sushi at all and they even try fun stuff like their Godzilla roll (just in time for the movie, folks!). The servers are very fast and what's amazing is that every time I've been there it's been packed and the servers and the sushi chefs do an amazing job getting orders right and still putting out a quality product. Also what separates this from other places is just how inexpensive it is by comparison to other places that aren't as generous with their portion. I have no complaints about this place as you can eat your fill and never feel ripped off. Needless to say it's worth the trek to Germantown.

    (5)

  • Alex H.

    This place is very far from where I live. I come here with my family only on special occasions and every time my mouth takes a bite...I am so satisfied! Yuraku has a wide range of selection from sushi and special rolls. Their dishes are so creative too, it really stuns your eyes! I can't even say which dish to choose, there are so many and all of them are just terrific. In my whole life, this is by far one of the best places for huge sushi fans! If you are in the area, you must eat here. Just letting everyone know though, the place is very small so seating can take a while. Still it is definitely worth the wait

    (5)

  • Ben S.

    Food: Very good. Probably one of the better places to get Japanese/Korean food on the Maryland side of D.C. other than Moa. Competes with Northern Virginia quality. Price: Decent. Most everything is decently priced considering portions and quality (Dinner entrees are around $12-$22). Service: Good. Servers are sharp and well trained, but are very busy. Busboys are very observant and refill water consistently and courteously. Ambience: Casual, but can get a bit noisy during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Milton D.

    This place is the Sh.. If you like Sushi, look no farther. I dont know where to begin. The Specialty rolls are amazing. There are so many to choose from. I always try something new and this place never fails. So to have the best experience, eat at the bar. The boys are fun to watch no mater if you dont know what they are saying, they know how to make an awesome roll.. Sometimes they will even give you something to try out. Normal people can eat around 2 - 2.5 rolls. The only thing is if you don't get there by 6:30 pm you'll might have to wait an hour to be seated. But MUST MUST GO.. OH, and they have an all you can eat buffet during lunch. It doesnt have all there specialty rolls, but its still a good selection.

    (5)

  • Adam J.

    My favorite sushi restaurant in MD! I make sure to come here every time I'm back in town. Their lunch buffet is unbeatable but unfortunately I only had time to go on Sunday and they don't offer that on Sundays. I always have to get at least one order of the maui black pepper roll. It's seriously amazing! Loaded with tuna and avocado on the outside and more tuna inside the roll. The triple salmon sushi may have been too much salmon. Everything is soooo good and you can't beat the prices! Service is usually questionable but I'm willing to overlook that for the quality food

    (5)

  • Jasmine N.

    I love yuraku with a passion, this is all where my sushi obsession began BE AWARE if u like sushi and have never tried this place get ready to spend a whole lot of money because your gonna be eating here a whole lot ! you will get addicted i can tell ya that ;) the waitresses are super friendly and nice and wow the chefs are perfect lets start with the lunch buffet - tuesday-friday 12pm-3pm $13.99 for adult children under 11 are $8.95 i believe. They don't give you a lot of rice like other places seem to, the fish IS NOT thin and covers all of the rice, its fresh and the rolls are fantastic the nigiri selection in pretty good consist of salmon,tuna,eel,cooked squid,mackerel wrapped in ginger,crab and maybe I'm missing something else idk but all great omg dinner dinner dinner y are you so good ?!!!! my favorite rolls are triple salmon roll $12 great for salmon lovers like me, spicy salmon on the inside and wrapped in salmon and topped with more spicy salmon titanic roll $13 huge pieces !!! lobster tempura crab avocado and idk what else but than fried and topped with a variety of fish eggs fire cracker roll $12 spicy tuna roll wrapped with salmon and topped with spicy crab i also love getting the sashimi boats they come with a huge variety of fish and all thick, fresh and yummy slices of sashimi great for big parties the nigiri is amazing as well, the fish is super fresh its probably 2 times larger than how much rice the give you and is usually garnished with broccoli sprouts overall i love coming here its just so epic and i don't even know what u would do with my life if yuraku wasn't in it, i order to go too much that they have me on speed dial lol! I've spent 4 of my birthdays here already its kinda become and annual thing you know and tomorrow is my b day so guess what ? you know it yuraku here i come !!! i cant wait i am drooling btw I'm turing 14 so I've eating here since i was 9 Sooooo its pretty good and sushi is my favorite food :)))) if you haven't already seen haha ok try this place out if you haven't already :)

    (5)

  • Kate O.

    My mom really likes this place so she picked this restaurant for her birthday dinner. We got to the restaurant around 6:45pm and we were quoted about 20-25 minutes for a party of 5. The waiting area was cramped so some of the waiting customers were waiting outside. The host was kind enough to pop his head out to check when he called out names and got no response. We ordered a sushi, sashimi and rolls combo platter along with beef tataki appetizer, dragon roll and spider roll. I thought the food quality was really good and they weren't stingy with the fillings for the rolls that we ordered. We also go plenty of side dishes - steamed egg tofu (I think), salad, veggies and dip, grilled fish head, and miso soup. Even though they were busy, our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time. Service was fine. Our bill for 5 people before tip came to around $100 so I thought it was a good value.

    (4)

  • Ataya P.

    Love this place!! I come here for the sushi lunch buffet. Ah! definitely a place where you can overeat, but I don't care! I definitely suggest lunch here. It's affordable and plentiful. If we bring a large group, sometimes it's a bit of a wait and the seating is a little tight... but it's totally worth it!

    (4)

  • Kiana Z.

    I honestly never do reviews unless I am extremely pleased or disappointed but this is by far the best sushi place in the WORLD. I'm back from town for the spring break and the first place I came to eat was here. Best sushi in the world by far! Will eat here forever lol

    (5)

  • Jason S.

    Good sushi but good luck getting it. After going there 4 times in a row and encountering a minimum of an hour wait for a table for two, and a 2 HOUR wait for pickup (both times most recently, and both times on a week night), my patience is up and I'm giving up on this place forever. It's not worth it. Get your shit together and get the service/kitchen/location/whatever straightened out. Bye Yaruku

    (1)

  • Jeff N.

    My wife and I went to Yuraku last week after previously enjoying their amazing sushi boats at a catered party. I decided to order "fatty tuna" sashimi for the first time, also known as Toro. Chef Sonny described this cut of fish and suggested that I try it both raw and slightly seared. It was delicious. By slightly searing the Toro, the marbled fat in the fish melted together perfectly.......similar to that of Wagyu Beef. Overall great experience! We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • David H.

    Yuraku is a favorite whenever I am in the area. If you order over a certain dollar amount, they throw in a fish head. Might sound gross to some, but there's a lot of fatty meat in there and it is very tasty. The fish is fresh and plenty full here. One time the fiancee and I ordered a 64 piece (sashimi, one roll, and nigiri) party platter and finished about 98% of it. It was that good. I would try to come on off hours, because the wait can be long sometimes.

    (4)

  • Jimmy D.

    This review is for the lunch buffet. Food: Really meh. Most of it did not look like it was being rotated (i.e. fresh) and the selection was small. Overall the layout and food did not look appetizing. There were literally food pans stacked on one another. and some of the sushi was sitting on the top shelves with no cover...might be a health code violation. Staff: The front house staff lacked serious professionalism. The lady up front never once looked up at any of her customers and just kept doing other tasks while people asked questions. Decor: The waiting area is cramped and really depressing. There is random clutter and unfinished fixtures. The inside looks dated. Really no clue how this place gets 4 or 5 stars. Those peeps need to leave the burbs and explore.

    (2)

  • Kimberly T.

    I love this place for their sushi buffet. They are super popular so you might have to wait for a table. The set up for the buffet is weird since it is in one corner of the restaurant and you have to wait in line for the people on front of you. But the restaurant has been here for a long time, and I wish they would expand since it is always cramped in there. The dinner menu is rather big, they give you veggies and dip as a free predinner munch. The staff is really attentive and nice, they also weird kimonos.

    (5)

  • Amir Matin S.

    Hands down the best sushi I've had. Anywhere! EVER! And I've had sushi all the way from the east coast to LA. If they'd let me, I'd bring in a big wooden barrel tub (like the ones the cowboys bathed in back in the days of the wild west), get inside of it, and fill it up with a bazillion Yuraku rolls. That, boys & girls, is what I imagine Japanese Thanksgiving is like. Yuraku was my favorite sushi place even before they added about a hundred new special rolls to their menu. Now, it's just sushi heaven! My favorite rolls are: SPICE GIRL ROLL. Words. Cannot. Describe! Hot Fuzz Roll. If you like coconut (or anything ridiculously delicious going into your mouth, GET THIS!) Lobster in Paradise. I feel like the chef got a little fancy with this one, so I'd get this without the strawberry sauce (or get the sauce on the side and try for yourself). Honestly, I could go on & on about the rolls, so I'll spare you the dissertation. Just know that what sets apart Yuraku from other places is their cooked rolls, although the raw sushi is also great. Some of my other favorites include: Viagra Roll, Isobe Roll, November Rain, there's just too many to list. P.s. The sushi buffet is just average, so I don't recommend it. P.p.s. They're closed Mondays. I know ... I hate it too.

    (5)

  • H B.

    Hands down the best sushi in the area. Fresh fish, inexpensive, good variety of classic rolls, contemporary styles and their own creations. What more could you want? The chefs also bring you additional samples of their creations.

    (5)

  • Jeana C.

    I wish there was 3 1/2 stars. Food: Awesome. Had sushi from all over and this place's sushi is pretty yummy. I can't say anything bad about the food. Service: not bad. Had lunch buffet and one of the ladies brought miso soup. Pretty fast w taking the finished plates. Environment: This is where I am little disappointed. Wayyy too small, and packed. Buffet line/area is super duper small and cramped. Good lord! you definitely can fit two people side by side unless you are a small, petite lady who weighs 100 pounds. Tables are very..VERY close to each other. Will i come back? Hmmmm...that's a great question. Perhaps...when I am in the area. Food is so yummy so yea, why not.

    (3)

  • Khang L.

    First of all the service is top notch. All of the waitresses and waiters are polite and really pleasant. They work so hard to bring the food out to us customers. The food was outstanding, I like how the fresh the food is, and the rolls selection is huge. I would definitely recommend the Tuna Fiesta, and the Lobster in Paradise.

    (5)

  • Opie M.

    I really prefer Hinode because they label everything, this place is really cramped where the food is served and too many little things make it back up. Anyone under 5 feet tall cannot really see and manage the food on the top shelf, its funny and sad. I've been here many times, and have been looking foreward to it every time except after this time. They were open before the Indian buffet so I went right in.

    (3)

  • Kaye N.

    my favorite sushi restaurant in germantown/gaithersburg area. and so does everyone else because no matter what day it is this place gets pretty crowded. normally we would wait 15-20mins which is not bad. its a small quaint place. i love how they also have complimentary appetizer to munch with before your meal arrives. love this place!

    (5)

  • Jack F.

    You've heard of burrito's as big as your head but have you seen sushi rolls as big as your mouth? Mind you, Yuraku is no Sukiyabashi Jiro (see "I Dream or Jiro" documentary) and the fish isn't purchased each morning at the local fish market (hard to imagine one in Germantown). But you're also not here for the prized delicacy of bluefine tuna from Tokyo's Tsukiji market (once sold for $8,000/kilo). No, you're here for sushi and lots of it. After all, the authentic sushi experience is already ruined by overwhelming usage of spicy Japanese mayo, yuzu sauce, and other confections. But as comfort food, there is none better is quantity and quality. The fish is still among the best for the price point. The portions more than generous. The flavor combinations between avocado, fish roe, and tempura flakes still amazing. This is sushi comfort food at its best. 4 Stars - Order what you think you want and then cut that menu down by 30%. The last thing you want to do is ruin a perfectly grand meal by forcing yourself to eat the left overs (trust me - there will be plenty). [Last Visit: May 2014]

    (4)

  • Angela P.

    My husband and I have been here many times and have brought local and out of town friends to enjoy the food. I am not a seafood eater so I was never in to sushi. However, I have a new found love of avocado so we decided to check it out as we heard it's the best sushi place around (and it's very close to our house - bonus!). Their portion sizes are generous and their ingredients are always fresh. Much to my surprise they also have a Special Roll menu which contains some different non-seafood options as well as some cooked seafood options which I've tried. My favorite is the Cowboy (marinated beef with avocado and mango - SO DELICIOUS). I always order the Cowboy Roll and without fail, it is always the last item to show up. I know it has to be cooked and takes longer than the other items we typically order, so I haven't been so put off by that because I now expect it. However, I wish that they could somehow speed up the process, or wait to bring out some of the other dishes so there's not such a lag of time in between. The last time we went we had finished eating all the other food and my husband and his coworker forgot I still had the Cowboy Roll coming out. We like to go when it first opens because it is usually very crowded. We have done take out a few times, which they usually have ready earlier than they estimate, but I prefer to eat the Cowboy Roll in the restaurant while the meat is still warm. Overall the portions are great (which is maybe why their prices are on the higher side), the food is fresh, and they almost always bring something out on the house (shrimp tempura and/or edamame). Oh and my husband loves their sushi and is a seafood eater so I know it's not just my love of their avocado & Cowboy rolls that will keep us coming back to this place!

    (4)

  • Stacy M.

    Food was fresh and tasty. The Lindsy Roll was my choice for tonight and it was great.

    (5)

  • Ruth C.

    Three and a half stars. I'm so impressed by how fresh their fish is that I can overlook being bummed by less than awesome ginger and the stray scale left on the mackerel. Our sushi platter came out in good time after our miso soup and salad. Sashimi cuts trend conservative, but nigiri is sliced long to compensate. Octopus sliced thin, smaller surf clams. Salmon belly was phenomenally decadent, and I definitely preferred the unseared tuna. I'm very picky about rolls, and just haven't been impressed by their execution so far. While they have a bible of conceptually interesting combinations, I'll probably stick to my purist sushi habits here. Tons of parking in the shared plaza lot. Great service: my green tea was regularly refilled, and being sung happy birthday to by pretty ladies in formal garb made my night. Lots of $5 birthday polaroids on the wall. Skip the edamame. Wasabi aioli and seaweed salad garnishing the tuna tataki are tasty. Osaka Triangle is an intensely dense roll that's nearly impossible to fit in your mouth in one bite without smearing sauce all over your face. Firecracker roll and dobin soup are okay. I'm curious how their lunch buffet is, but my future hit list includes fried scallops, conch/uni/akagai sushi, chirashi, shabu-shabu, hae dup bap.

    (4)

  • Leo Y.

    Best buffet deal in town for lunch if you like Sushi,lots of selection and they keep it filled up, line can be long sometimes due to The popularity of this restaurant, most buffet places serve you lots of junk, not here, everything here is fresh and well made, yes the sushi is cut thin but still great , I came by myself and sit at the Sushi Bar and is great, the chef even offer me a fresh cut piece of Salmon. Wow that was cool! Definitely coming back with my family.

    (5)

  • Henry M.

    I love Yuraku their sushi might not be authentic but I love the different creative combinations and the generous portions. Nothing like a ice cold Sapporo and a humongous piece of sushi. Recommendation: If you love salmon or tuna you should definitely try the "Triple Salmon Roll" and the "Double Spicy Tuna"

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    If you want massive rolls stuffed to the brim with tasteless fish, this is the place! Okay, now maybe I made a mistake by ordering only rolls, and I shouldn't have ordered rolls with 6 different fish crammed in them. Looking around their sashimi did look better, but the quality of the fish I got wasn't very good. They stuffed our rolls with as many different types of fish as possible, so it didn't have much distinct flavor. They also used WAY too many sauces - it seemed like they were trying way too hard to be creative with new rolls. None of it worked. The fish itself was ice cold - it should be served at room temperature, a little chilled. I love sushi but I could barely choke down some of their fish. It just tasted off to me. Didn't seem very sanitary, either. There were flies buzzing around and it just didn't seem very clean. The prices were cheap, I guess, so you get a lot of fish for what you pay, but it's all mediocre. I'm honestly not sure why this place has 4 stars. Did I miss something? Did I order the wrong things? I don't think I'll be coming back, regardless. My last visit left me feeling extremely unhappy. Never trust a sushi place that has a buffet.

    (2)

  • Zara K.

    This place is disgusting ... I don't know I didn't turn around and go elsewhere... I don't know why I even ate ... I don't know But ! What you should know is, don't try this place, don't be hopeful about a sushi paradise, don't even dare The wasabi was mushy and sickening . My husband tried the kimchi and it was stale and bitter , everything tastes like bad refrigerated food The sushi is messy and has a dirty feel and taste I wish I just asked for a refund and had left.. What a waste of my sat morning calories Oh and the place and crowd is depressing as heck I just hope I don't die of food poisoning now.. And I'm Not joking.

    (1)

  • Ginnie S.

    Best Sushi Ever! The owner, Sonny, has been serving my husband and I at his sushi for over 5 years now. They make the best sushi: the fish is exceptionally fresh, the size of the fish served is larger than what you are paying for, and his combinations can not be matched! He does traditional Japanese dishes very well, which is evident by his clientele, but he is always coming up with new dishes.

    (5)

  • Alex Y.

    Best sushi restaurant in town. But expect some waiting time for table.

    (5)

  • Farha K.

    I can't believe this place is hidden away in a strip mall in the middle of nowehere, MD! It is by far the best sushi I've had in the DMB, excellent quality fish for the sashimi and nigiri. Fantastic choice of rolls where you actually get to taste the fish and it's not hijacked by a bunch of funky sauces and spicy mayo. The wait's long, sit at the bar if you can and watch the chef's work their magic.. but take whatever seat they give you cuz it gets packed!

    (5)

  • Carla K.

    Delicious high quality sushi! The specialty rolls are huge, actually so large that I have trouble eating them in one bite! The service is also very friendly and fast. My only complaint is the size of the rolls, I like smaller rolls with less raw fish. Don't get me wrong I love my raw tuna and salmon, but the size of the slices was overwhelming. I also noticed they use a lot of tempura and sauces in their specialty rolls, both of which are delicious but too much of either covers the real flavor of the meat. I think the best part about this place is their lunch buffet, I really like to sample different rolls and their dinner prices make it expensive to do so. At the end of the day the sushi is great but for the price I would rather go to Tokyo Sushi in Germantown.

    (4)

  • Alana S.

    I just got back from my birthday dinner here. AMAZING. We ordered 4 special rolls, and had differing tastes so the two I didn't like the SO liked and the one I LOVED the SO wasn't a fan of. Ordered the Godzilla Roll, the King Kong Roll (both were meh in my opinion, both were warm rolls but SO went nuts for them) and the When Tuna met Mango roll (we both loved this one, very fresh and mild) and the White Pearl (my FAVORITE a really fresh scallop roll). The service was prompt and the server was quick to suggest some really good cold Saki when I mentioned I wanted to try some but had never had it before. Quick Service, the spacing on the tables were a little close but easily overlooked for the experience with amazing food and excellent service.

    (5)

  • Xtine C.

    I can't believe I haven't written a review here! Def the best sushi you'll get in the MoCo area. It's owned by Koreans but they sure know how to provide great service and food. If you want good quality rolls I would recommend coming here during dinner hours. They have all types of special rolls that will surely satisfy you. A free appetizer on the house they provide is a fried salmon head! If you know anything about eating any type of meat, you know the cheeks are where the best meat is! Make sure you eat the salmon cheeks!!! Haha - that sounds weird... The lunch buffet is the best sushi buffet hands down! They have all types of sushi rolls, korean side dishes, and japanese style tempura! They're very good at keeping up with the demand and keep the rolls coming non stop! All this for $13? Can't beat it. If you get a chance to sit at the sushi bar, DO IT! The sushi chef always seem to provide me a little something extra to try on the house! ;) ooh la la~ I also have ordered their catered sushi platters and it's well worth it! I got a huge sushi platter once for ~$75 and it fed my entire family of four with 20% of it still left over. Avoid the weekend lunch and dinner prime hours, it will be forever until you're seated.

    (5)

  • Jéssica N.

    First time there today and it is safe to say that I will definitely be going back for more. Delicious and fresh variety of fishes. Love!

    (5)

  • Mitchell H.

    I've been coming here for a few years now. I love this place. The front is a bit slow and not always super friendly but the wait staff is great and the food is amazing at reasonable prices. The true gyms are in the custom rolls. You have to experiment to discover what you like best but I'm a big fan of the Viagra roll.

    (5)

  • Sana H.

    Horrible service. The waitress asked us for drinks and didn't come back for at least 20 min. She kept socializing with co workers and other guests eating. We didn't even order fancy sushi it was supposed to be a quick sushi dine in. Although she did bring us a small bowl of edamame -on the house for making us wait so long. We had spicy salmon & a shrimp tempura roll. The pieces were too large, I took my aunt and it was her first time eating sushi. She didn't enjoy it and the pieces were falling apart. I asked for spicy mayo 3 times she brought a very small tray with barely any. I asked for jalapenos in my spicy salmon roll & when she brought our sushi the jalapenos were laying on top of 2 pieces and the rest were falling off in the tray. I was too annoyed & hungry at this point to complain so I just ate it. It was pretty busy but there was a lot of waiters.. that isn't an exception to sucky service. ALSO, some RANDOM waiter came up to us & grabbed our check twice before we were ready, she was literally grabbing it from our hands when we were still adding money LOL. SO obnoxious. Not coming back here.. it smells funky inside too.

    (1)

  • George M.

    Consistently good, but gets crowded at lunch. As far as sushi buffets go, especially in this area, this is one of the better ones. A decent selection of items on the buffet, including hot dishes and soups. It's hard to go wrong with choosing this for your next lunch destination with coworkers. Be aware, it does get crowded on Fridays for lunch.

    (4)

  • Ray L.

    Service is awesome and sushi is stellar! The ambiance is decent. If you go on a weekend, plan to get there the second they open or you may be in for a wait!

    (4)

  • Monica P.

    Exterior: Located in the shopping center of Great Wall Supermarket and Honey Pig. Interior: Moderately sized. I guestimate at least 15-20 tables? No pictures to show (I apologize. Distracted by food..upcoming) The usual laminated wood, japanese sushi house look- except it is a korean owned restaurant. The original owner's son has taken over and mmf. He knows what he's doing. Thank God for passed down sushi makin' skills. Service: Happen to come during lunch or dinner time? Expect to sign in on a list. Yes, they are popular like that. Service was good. FOOD: Sushi. Nigiri. Special sushi some some. Just get the sushi here okay? I have yet to feast my eyes on any...ANY sushi serving restaurant that gives more fish than rice. It was an amazing experience of fresh fish and minimal rice. I left crippled with a lower back problem from overeating. By the way.. they double wrap the salmon (aka sake on the sushi menu). Could not be more pleased. Love

    (5)

  • Sisley C.

    This is my favorite sushi spot! It's always packed here, but hey... It's worth the wait. They probably have 100+ rolls to choose from... No I'm not exaggerating! Some of the most memorable rolls I've had are the triple salmon roll, jay roll, Brian's roll, seven color rainbow roll, and crazy horse. You can read all the descriptions on their website. Otherwise, you'll be reading paragraphs and paragraphs of text here. The rolls are packed with stuff and they're large! Honestly, I am a big eater and can only finish one special roll and one regular roll. I tried ordering two special rolls and I could only finish about one roll's worth!

    (5)

  • Lawrence D.

    One of the few authentic tasting sushi places around the DMV. Came midday Saturday for their lunch buffet. Around $15 for an all-you-can-eat assortment of sushi, traditional Korean dishes such as Kimchi and Kimbap, as well as more Americanized cuisine such as fruit salad and orange chicken-style wings. The sushi comes in many varieties, from simple, well-known rolls such as California, Phily, Salmon, and Tuna to higher-level rolls that could be called "Chef's Specials" somewhere else. There also is a large array of different types of Unagi and an inexhaustible amount of ginger and wasabi for the taking. However, the buffet area is very cramped and the line is organized in a snake-like manner that is at times confusing and slow during peak hours. It would also be a great addition if Yuraku would add labels to their different sushis and dishes, as many sushi rolls look extremely similar when the only change in ingredients between two rolls is replacing cucumber with avacado. All in all, those are marginal complaints and the quality of the food greatly outweighs any annoyances I have with the set-up. Come here with an empty stomach and it'll definitely be worth it considering the price for the entire buffet will get you 1-2 rolls of good sushi anywhere else.

    (4)

  • Mark R.

    I am not sure if I need to add anymore to all of the reviews that people have posted except couple of things: - Small space so you might need to sit next to strangers - The buffet space is limited and there's NO SASHIMI selection at all (it's all rice so prepare for your carb intake) - Korean side dishes are very good especially the diakon radish salad with cucumber - Did not try the fried food so I cannot say much about that - Soba is offered but the soba sauce is not so fresh It's just a normal sushi buffet. I have not had their normal menu so cannot really or comment on that. So take it for what it is. It's a sushi buffet that is just that. It's not the seafood/chinese buffet that offers incredible selection of seafood and fried foods.

    (3)

  • Charles E.

    Their lunch buffet is great. If you arrive past noon, you probably have to wait. Make sure you sign your name on the roll call. The best sushi place in the DMV! They also have other food: noodles, soups, tempuras, all yummy! There is a option to pay in cash and save a couple dollars.

    (5)

  • Robert W.

    good stuff. My friends and I made the drive from Baltimore via the ICC (a bizarre Ezpass system IMHO). We called ahead to put our names on the list and still waited 15 minutes. Service: quick, efficient. If you want or need to be coddled, don't come here. They don't rush you, but you never need to flag someone down for anything. Menu- quite extensive and didn't really get a chance to peruse because we wanted to share the "boat" Ordered the 120 piece boat which comes with 3 rolls. The quality is quite good and the fish is fresh. I guess not all pieces are my favorite, so I can't rave about each type. But we ordered uni and the sweet shrimp which were great. In addition to our order, they send out all these random fish dishes... tuna collar, salmon pieces, salad.. etc. My count, at least 7 additional dishes. I'm not sure if these come only with the boat, or served when you order over a certain amount. Anyways, the food here was good and worth the drive. I'd like to check out some of their rolls next time... even though I don't love weird rolls with weird sauces.

    (4)

  • Talon K.

    A year ago my boyfriend and I bought our first house!! Yay! However, we now live in Silver Spring... We are no longer 5 minutes down the road from Yuraku and oh how I miss it. Because of the distance, I have had to try some of the sushi places that are close by, and did I mention how much I miss Yuraku!!? Nothing comes close to this place, it's hands down the best sushi I've ever had. Best in the DMV. I have exhausted the sushi options near me and will now only go to Yuraku when my sushi craving hits, yes- even though it's now a solid 40 minutes away. The staff is amazing (I love you Choi) and the food is incredible. This is where my boyfriend and I went on our first date and we go every year for our anniversary. Hopefully we can venture over for some amazing sushi very soon.

    (5)

  • Harith D.

    I heard many good things about Yuraku, so my party came for dinner and ordered the 40 piece sushi special, 2 of the special rolls, and the tonkatsu and chicken katsu. Both katsus were the worst we've ever had. The meat was dry, the only sauce was ketchup, the vegetables were badly steamed (no pickling here!) And worst of all... the rice was bad! The sushi was passable. Overall rating: not worth my time or tongue.

    (2)

  • Ashley F.

    Best sushi in the DC metro area! They make so many fun and creative rolls! The presentation is outstanding and the service is great! My favorite is Dr Atkins! Always packed but worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Zhi Z.

    Best sushi buffet in DMV. I go there once a month on Saturdays and it's always packed (usually need to wait 20-30min for a seat). The service is also good, the waitress will refill your water often and take your dirty plates. Food is great also, the sushi is fresh and tasty. I only ordered from their menu twice and both times were good experiences. 99% of the time I come here for the buffet and the sushi is good. Compared to the menu, the buffet is much lower quality sushi (less fish/more rice, less variety). But this is still my go to place when I want to eat a buffet. Any other buffet, the food would be greasy and makes you sick if you eat too much.

    (5)

  • Daniel O.

    My favorite sushi place. For the value, this has to be the best sushi restaurant in the area. Tucked away in an unassuming shopping strip in Germantown, MD, the two things you'll notice when you pull up is its unimpressive appearance and the line out the door. Be prepared to wait for a table but revel in that moment as your hunger grows uncontrollably. The servers are always busy, but always courteous. The freebie appetizers you get are inconsistent; the salmon head and egg are a given, but sometimes you'll get a salad with fish or some mackerel sushi. I like the miso soup here. The portions at Yuraku are very large. A $25 meal at any other sushi establishment leaves you thinking about where you should eat afterwards for round 2; at Yuraku you must unbutton your pants. To know how much to order, I follow a general rule: take the number of people in your group and subtract 1. That's how many rolls you should order. We pick two or three pieces of sushi we each want and we also each get one hand roll. There are two go-to rolls that I never fail to get: the Triple Salmon and the Osaka Triangle rolls. The Triple Salmon roll is an incredible roll-up of spicy salmon, regular salmon, and more spicy salmon that will turn you into a selfish person when you take more than your friends. This is my favorite. The Osaka Triangle is a hodgepodge of different fish that come together perfectly in your mouth. Beware...it takes two or three bites to eat one slice. Ask for "chojang" when eating the Osaka Triangle. It's a Korean spicy red chili paste that goes well with it. They give you very generous portions of the sushi pieces. I usually get a salmon, tuna, and a spicy scallop. Sometimes a raw beef or hamachi gets thrown into the mix. My go-to handroll used to the be Triple Connection (tuna, salmon, hamachi, spicy mayo sauce) however I have since moved on to the Scallop hand roll. Large chunks of scallop embedded in mayo and masago (fish roe). Both are highly recommended. Knock the sushi down your gullet with gulps of Sapporo or Asahi and you'll experience no better refreshment. Or if you're in the mood for something warm to sip, get a pot of the hot sake, although the price of the pot is kind of steep (only item there not worth the money). Yuraku may not have the highest quality of fish in the area, but it's the best value for sure. The aftermath is always full of hate: hating myself when I secretly unbuckle my belt beneath the table, hating myself as I slouch on the long drive back to Virginia, and hating myself the next day when I think that I should have eaten one more piece of sushi. I must be a masochist because I always come back for more.

    (5)

  • Henrique S.

    Great sushi! Really like the volcano roll. The spot is small and it is so good that it tends to always be busy... so you will likely have to wait but it is worth it. The rolls are really big and the food is always fresh. I might venture to say it's the best sushi I have ever had... Without being an expert.

    (5)

  • Nancy R.

    Omg what happened to Yuraku? Would not recommend this place. We used to come here often but quality of food is so bad and you can see flies on top of sushi. Not sure why even bother to go to this place for the buffet.

    (1)

  • Agnieszka S.

    Ay ok. I've had better sushi at many other hole in the wall spots. It's crowded but the wait wasn't long. There is nothing bad to say about this place but also there isn't anything extraordinary. Just a normal sushi spot.

    (3)

  • Mina C.

    Far off the beaten path for me, but I will always come here for my sushi fix. I love the sashimi, and the rolls. I can't really complain about anything in terms of the food I've tried. They also give several complimentary items when you order. This can be anything from soup, salads, a salmon fish head, or some veggies with dip. A large warm sake is cheap, so you can have a nice warm drink with your food. It's fun and me and my friends end up ordering several bottles every time. The wait is just what kills me. If I am bordering hangry, the wait will push me over the edge. In the colder months everyone crowds in the front as well, so if you come in and try to get your name down you might have to push through. Also, why is the wait always 20 minutes? Even if there are 2 people in front of you or 6 people. Anywho, I will wait. Because I love it.

    (4)

  • Beth C.

    I have been to this restaurant once before and had a pretty good experience. However, today I had an awful time. I was with two friends, the wait was about 20 minutes so not too bad considering it was Saturday. The service was spotty, we waited 10 minutes for water and our friend ordered off the menu and she ended up waiting a while for her food. The buffet was an extreme disappointment. I am a big sushi fan and I'm not a fan of this at all. First of all, the sushi is lukewarm and kept out in the open for who knows how long, getting touched and breathed on by everyone in line. The hot items were somewhat cold, which implies maybe the food has been kept out for a while. I enjoyed some of the food, but what put me off most of the sushi is that it is all covered in some kind of sauce. Surely a better idea would be to keep the rolls plain and have sauce available for people to put on if they please. There are no labels on anything so it's a lucky dip on what you're getting. I finished the meal and was on my way home when I had to pull over to the side of the road and throw up - a little gross sorry-. This has never happened to me before after any meal, and I have eaten a lot of sushi at many places and it's never happened. When I got home I telephoned the restaurant to express my concern about what happened and to also suggest they check the fish to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else. The first person who answered the phone was very rude and kept telling me to hold on. I finally got to speak with the manager who was very apologetic and embarrassed about what happened. Overall this trip to Yuraku was a bad one, but I know this place has great reviews so perhaps it was just some bad fish but still just a heads up to be cautious.

    (1)

  • Christine P.

    Absolutely love this place!! They don't take reservations, but it's always worth the wait. My favorite roll is the Osaka Triangle :) There are so many different rolls, you are definitely able to find one you'll like. If are you are able to go for lunch, try their lunch buffet as well.

    (5)

  • Preet M.

    Service: The only times I've eaten here are for their lunch buffet. My water never fell below three quarters and I had soup hot and ready on call. That being said, the lines are short since the staff is so ready and everything works out perfectly despite how small the place is. Food: Everything is great! Sushi, meats, veggies noodles...I have never heard a single complaint about the restaurant's food....I can't say the same about my belly after eating here however. Also, their sushi boats are HUGE if you order correctly...well worth the $30 for them. The best part however, is that I paid $16 including a hefty tip and tax last time I ate here..and I ordered the buffet with a drink. Amazing right?! Environment: The place is nice and cozy. Intimately close seating and very chatty dining area. It kind of reminds me of Indian street vendor restaurants to be honest. Love it!

    (5)

  • Kimberly T.

    This is my fave sushi place by far! I've been here for both the lunch buffet and dinner. You can't beat a $10-$13 pricing for all you can eat sushi and they definitely give a good variety. Just make sure to arrive before 11, otherwise you will be stuck in the crazy line waiting for a table. I've been here twice for dinner and both times were just as good. Shared a boat of sushi with a large group on one occasion and shared 6 special rolls with my boyfriend to celebrate our 2 years on another occasion. We underestimated the size of the special rolls, we should have just ordered 4 rolls to share but they were great for take home leftovers!

    (5)

  • Sunny H.

    My coworkers recommended this restaurant.... I guess today was not normal day. I just ate dry sushi...... :(

    (2)

  • Amira H.

    I love this place!! It does get super crowded and can be a little pricey, but it is totally worth it! It does feel congested and loud, so when you go, prepare to use your outside voice! I had a hard time hearing people who sat right across from me. The first time I went, I ordered the Spice Girl roll and the Caterpillar, both were amazing! The second time that I went, I got the November Rain. It was good, but it was huge! The wait staff was very friendly and patient. I really want to try their buffet! Maybe next time!!

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    Best sushi lunch buffet, ever. Worth the price. I feel like something is wrong when I go eat sushi somewhere else because this is the place to be.

    (5)

  • Sheel S.

    I went here for the lunch buffet, and I must say for $14 it wasn't a bad deal at all. The only issue I had is that there was a wait on a Tuesday afternoon. I presume this may be because Sushi buffets are hard to find and this is a predominantly ethnic area. As far as the food, they brought out fresh maki rolls and Sushi pretty frequently and there was other variety as well. The one thing I did not appreciate is that they charge more money if you pay with a credit card rather than cash. I mean who does that these days!! They don't even notify you of this, rather they just put the two different prices on your bill. I thought that was absolutely absurd. I would probably come back here again for the food, but there are other options out there as well!

    (3)

  • Paul D.

    BEST Lunch Buffet EVER!!! WHOA! I'm impressed (and I'm not easily impressed). I finally decided to see what all the hub bub was about, and went here for their weekday lunch buffet. WOW...Wa-WOW-WOW! I was able to sample well over 30 freshly-made, DELICIOUS, different, and unique Chef's Sushi Rolls, for only $14. You can't beat that ! I gorged myself to the point of nausea. I lost count at 30, but I think I ate around 40 pieces of sushi. Totally worth it. The key is to pace yourself. Don't load your plate too full on the 1st trip. I was dinning alone and so I sat at the bar and watched the 6 Chefs make roll after roll. Then I went to over to the Buffet as soon as the different rolls, that I had just watched being made, were put out. Fantastic! The Buffet also has other items besides just sushi. For example, Tempura, Soups, Noodles, & a hot bar of miscellaneous Chinese food. My one complaint is the tong situation on the buffet. There is a bucket of ice with used tongs in it, and you grab a tong out of it, use it for all the sushi items, then you put the dirty, used, tong back in the bucket for the next person. This is most unhygienic. Why not have separate tongs for each item? If I wasn't painfully aware of the Fukushima Radiation rapidly contaminating the Pacific Ocean, I'd eat here again. "Your days of eating Pacific Ocean fish are over" Educate yourself: activistpost.com/2013/10… But this is still some excellent Sushi!

    (5)

  • Emily R.

    Best place for sushi in the DMV!! The rolls and sashimi are huge! We drive about an hour just to get sushi here with friends. Definitely worth the drive!

    (4)

  • Leila A.

    My boyfriend brought me here as a late lunch surprise and we both love the place. The buffet is the best buffet for Sushi so far. I've been to other places but not one could top this joint. Yuraku has plenty of choices to choose from so rest assured, you won't get bored of what you're eating. It's also a bang for your buck! About $15 a person for the buffet. I mean where else can you get that price for good quality Sushi buffet? Service was A+ We got our drinks right away and they even serve you Miso soup if you want. The Miso was complimentary to the buffet and I think you can ask for seconds (out of observation from the table next to ours). The only down side, of which I'm sure y'all can recover from, is the waiting period and the cramped space of the buffet. But really though, why do you need a huge buffet bar when all you wanna do is grab a plateful of food and run back to your table to devour them all? Anyway, it's a great place for Sushi lovers and special occasions. I would love to have my birthday dinner there! Try it already!

    (5)

  • Jeff B.

    Now this place is on point! I ordered the avocado and asparagus rolls since the buffet is not vegan/vegetarian friendly. Two pieces of the avocado roll were wrapped in avocado! They were amazing. The asparagus rolls were amazing as well. Everything was about $13 with tip. A salad came as well. The dressing was wonderful. We saw a Polaroid picture of a former Gaithersburg Trojan cheerleader broad from 2004. We couldn't determine who it was. She was alone in the picture. It's a mystery. The service was very good. My friends ordered the lunch buffet. They liked it. We arrived at 11am. Make sure you arrive at 11am for the buffet. This place gets pretty crowded with white people at 12:15.

    (5)

  • Jenny N.

    This place is small but it is a gem! Every time I drive into the shopping center, I wonder if they are the only business at full capacity. This place is open for a buffet lunch which to many people doesn't sound too appetizing but YOU'RE WRONG. They have so much to choose from and the chef will create a different roll every time something runs out. I will warn you, this place is pretty small and can get pretty crowded. The decor isn't anything fancy but you can tell everyone enjoys coming here. There are pictures of people who have been here for birthdays and the staff is always more than friendly, greeting new guests and welcoming back returning ones. The menu itself doesn't have too many specialty rolls to choose from but you are always able to ask your server or the chef (if you choose to sit at the bar) what they can make for you. The presentation of the food isn't like a lot of other places but the taste more than makes up for it. It's all just going to end up in my belly anyway so I don't really care that they're not lighting a fire on my plate when I order the volcano roll. :)

    (4)

  • Jess Y.

    The boyfriend & I are huge fans of Yuraku! We've ordered several different rolls and sashimi platters and have never been disappointed. Recently, I stopped by to get hwae dup bap (sashimi veggie rice bowl) and it was spectacular. There was a variety of fresh veggies and a delicious mound of seaweed salad. The hostess added extra fish to the bowls because of the wait. Outstanding customer service! The fish here is always super fresh, the restaurant is clean, & everyone is super friendly. Would highly recommend to dine in or take out. Side note: They do not accept Amex.

    (4)

  • CC C.

    Love love LOVE this place! The only downside is the wait. The fact that people are willing to wait means they must have amazing sushi! I only wish they would expand their space. It's great that they bring out the free sides (carrot & celery sticks, steamed egg cup, miso soup, and salmon head) while you are waiting for your sushi order.

    (5)

  • Marshall G.

    Great sushi!! Very fresh & tasty! Great service. Always crowded so plan ahead. Been there several times over the years.

    (5)

  • Jake D.

    We have been to this restaurant two times with family and guests. The foods were very good and fresh. We especially liked the fish head and soup. Every time we ordered the "Big Boat" combo which gave us varieties without going through all the menu items. The only thing to complain a little bit is the waiting time especially during dinner time.

    (5)

  • Amy E.

    The best sushi in the DC area. Best selection of rolls. Best quality fish. Best prices. Good service too. DC residents, break free from the chains of mediocre, overpriced, metro accessible sushi and get yourself here! It's worth the 40 min drive. You will laugh when your bill comes (or maybe you will cry when you realize what you've been paying for in DC).

    (5)

  • Lillian C.

    This is still the best sushi buffet in the area which is why I refuse to give less than 4 stars (for the time being), but they are definitely cutting corners the last few times I've been here thus the update. 1. The shrimp tempura, OMG! Wut happen? No longer large, thin, crispy shrimp with the tail still on- it's bulk shelled baby shrimp battered and fried, not much different from a shrimp basket. Not good eating anymore. Not to mention, they've tossed in a few deep fried makis in there (gross, don't eat this. ) 2. The more and more I visit, the crazier and more ridiculous the sauces get. Blue sauces, bananas, incredibly unnecessary and undelicious. Do not go down the Sushi Chalet path, plz. don't. 3. Korean fare still consistent! Every other Asian out there is probably shaking their heads because I'm carbing up at a sushi buffet when real asians know to hit up the seafood (watch the old Asian folks with a plate of nothing but shrimp tempura. ) but don't miss the japchae. 4. Not fascist about leaving A BIT of food on the plate. I was always paranoid that they would charge me for the stuff I took but didn't like, but turns out if it's not a ridiculous amount (say, 1/4th cup or less. ) they ignore it. Oh yeah, a totally saw a cockroach scurry across the floor but that does not deter me from eating here. :) :) :)

    (4)

  • Bob W.

    This place is amazing! Best sushi in the USA and a heck of a lot less expensive then Nobu. Sonny Lee is a culinary genus. When I sit at the sushi bar I always ask to be surprised, and one after another beautifully delicious creations are presented from Sonny. It's an authentic Japanese food restaurant with a everyone's family feel. Better then tsukiji fish market in Tokyo (really) and you don't need a plane ticket. And yes for the adventuresome Sonny will do a sake bomb with you (just one).

    (5)

  • Wendy C.

    Living only 5 minutes away from Yuraku is so dangerous! Their sushi is always really fresh and during the weekday lunch buffet, the sushi chefs bring out fresh sushi every few minutes. When I went during the weekend for entrees, they even gave us a few samples of different sushi to try out, on the house.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    I've been to so many sushi restaurants. Some great, some not so great. This place isn't even on the same scale. This place is AMAZING. The service is exceptional and the rolls are Delicious and SO HUGE. This is hands down my favorite sushi place!

    (5)

  • Dennis S.

    This restaurant is the only one I know that offers buffet Sushi and its actually good. I guess their popularity is also their downfall. During lunch this place is pretty packed. If you come during that time count on waiting in line for 10 -15 mins on average. Sushi is very nice and fresh, however they put the tables pretty close to each other since they don't have much space so if its packed you may be seated with someone else elbow-to-elbow. Service is fast. Good place overall.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    Came here for dinner on a weekend with Eric L. and others, so super packed and tons of people inside. This is a Korean-owned Japanese restaurant, so I'm not really sure why people would come here to actually enjoy traditional Japanese dishes, but I don't think it's fair if I rate Yuraku by non-sushi items. The rolls are definitely a better measurement. - Cherry Blossom (Boring) - Yami Yami Jumbo (Basically a soggy mess... skip it) - California Sunset (I like this one!) - Flying Dragon Roll (So so...) - Osaka Triangle (Basically they put in almost every single type of fish that they have. Get this one!!) I guess when I crave for "japanese"/korean sushi, I want sauces and maybe sometimes fried. Yuraku has a decent balance between the extremes and the traditional types. Good for MD, not so great compared to the West Coast. Dinner also comes with miso soup and a fish head. (I've never been to the lunch buffet, but I'm sure it's probably worth going to. Dinner is a bit expensive though) -- PHOTO: yelp.com/biz_photos/do9C…

    (3)

  • Extremefoodie F.

    Fresh good tasting sushi, with great service. I have finally found a sushi place where quality, atmosphere, and efficiency of service have come together, and that place is Yuraku in Germantown, MD. The atmosphere is void of any gimmicky pseudo feng shuei which tends to be a mainstay in the typical sushi restaurants of America today. Sitting up at the bar with my girlfriend, watching the chefs preparation, there was a very simple easygoing atmosphere that made me want to stick around for awhile. Even during a busy Friday service it felt like an excellent nightcap to a long day- not something I can say about all restaurants. The noise level was typical of a crowded room, yet I did not feel stifled. The servers were very attentive, but again did not crowd me- which are what I consider to be the main facets of excellent service. We got the Osaka triangle, one other roll, and Gyoza as an appetizer. Overall price with a drink and tip came to be $40, which is acceptable for the quality of service and the roll size. I recommend Yuraku, and will be back!

    (5)

  • Rebecca R.

    Just came from the lunch buffet at Yuraku Japanese Restaurant. I have to say the sushi was the most delicious, creative, and fresh that I have ever had! And the place (it is pretty small) was packed---although the four of us were quickly seated. I am looking forward to returning with my coworkers. My only complaint was that the buffet tables were cramped. Somehow, though, we all managed to get back to our seats with our yummy food without incident!

    (5)

  • Al M.

    The best sushi bar in Montgomery County and arguably one of the bests in DC area. I really recommend to try the chief special sushis and creations. They are simply the best. The way he vombines and presents the ingredients is just fantastic. On the downside, it does not have the nicest furniture or nicest decor. It looks basically like any other asian restaurant.

    (5)

  • Javier F.

    I've Been going to this restaurant for the past 10 years and this place has never disappointed me. From the free apps and to all their sushi specials. So delicious! Their sushi rice is always cooked to perfection which is what makes good sushi. only down side is that it's very small and waiting time to get a table can be long if you aren't early enough. I learned that 10 years ago. So come early!

    (5)

  • Sharon H.

    Love this local place!

    (5)

  • Doña R.

    This place is amazing,specially when coming for lunch. I love the combination of ingredients on the rolls, the creations and originality on them. My only issue is the space, the place gets packed and is not that big, so usually you have to wait a little bit the be seated and the tables are kind of close to each other. Personally, this is not a big deal, quality and price cannot be beaten!

    (4)

  • Kerry R.

    This is the best sushi in the DC metro area. A co-worker said they have a lunch buffet abd that it's not as good as the sushi they serve for dinner. This is the only place I've ever been that adds fruit to some of their sushi - it's FANTASTIC! Come with a big appetite, it's filling! Call ahead and out your name on the list, this place is VERY popular!

    (5)

  • Ernie V.

    My family and I have been Yuraku regulars for almost 10 years now and the place just keeps getting better. Sonny has done a wonderful job evolving the menu to some of the best, unique, and freshest sushi in the Mid Atlantic. The lunch buffet has so much variety, even shrimp tempura, you wonder how they even make any money. The staff from the bus boy, waitresses, all the way to the sushi chefs are very friendly and truly top notch! You will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Claire C.

    That's my second time visit this place, I usually come with group of friends. The sushi boat with sashimi&sushi combo is perfect with group of four ppl!! The only thing bugs me in this place was that they don't take reservation, and the waiting line usually takes abt 20 mins long at least, and it was after 830PM! Overall, this place is worth the price!!

    (5)

  • Gaby D.

    I am sorry, but this place put me off sushi for life. We had to wait for 50 mins. Waitress always says wait time is 30 mins regardless how far down you are on the list. People say, long queue is the sign of good food. WRONG!. Maybe good value for AYCE Sushi, but lesson learned, Sushi is not buffet items. I have metallic, mercury, glucose taste in my mouth from consuming rice. I have eaten good Japanese food before, I am afraid this is not even close. I guess you only measure things on what's available in your area.

    (1)

  • June K.

    I first want to say that the food was average, but it seems to be the best for the area. But this review is more centered on the service, or lack-of. I've been a waitress myself, and my mom makes a living as one still (she has a tendency of over-tipping despite how good or bad the service is). I understand the hardships that come with this occupation, but never have I ever felt the urge to scam a customer. We were visiting family, and came to dine here. We met a friend of the family, whom paid for out bill including tip. Once we were done, we asked if we had to pay tip (the friend told us he paid the actual bill) and they said we did. Keep in mind the tip was $30. We left but returned because my grandma and mother left their glasses there, they could've chose to return the money back and say they made a mistake. But no. The family friend later told us he hoped we enjoyed the meal because he paid the bill and tip. So my aunt called, saying we would come pick it up the next day. When I went back to get the $30, they made me wait. I even made eye contact with the server who waited on us yesterday and she pretended not to see and walked away. They made me wait 5-10 minutes (I only got the money then because my aunt called, since I was taking so long inside) and didn't even apologize. I was met with attitude and hostility from the waitress who handed me the money. Yes, there is the off-chance that this was all just a misunderstanding, but the fact an apology was never given is a bit off putting. Now, they have a decent lunch buffet for the price, so if you do choose to eat here make sure you remember that if you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip (and if you ever decide to pay for someone else's meal, let them know that you either payed the bill/tip or both). It's unbelievably hard and demanding to make a living as a server. However, I personally am glad I won't ever have to come back to this establishment again where honesty and decency seem to be a foreign policy.

    (1)

  • Maja M.

    I came here 1 time before on a day they were closed. I was in the area today & they were open, so I was happy to have a chance to try them out. When I walked in there was a line if people. I was happy at this site thinking the food must be really good if there was a line. Then I was able to see the dinning area which is pretty small. So they could only sit a few people at a time. But still no one was leaving. Everyone was okay with waiting. I was sitted at the sushi bar. So I got to watch them making the sushi. As well as sample some sushi that was not out on the lunch buffet. It is advertised as a Japanese restaurant, but they also had Korean food on the buffet. Also the staff was speaking in Korean, so I would guess that is is a Korean owned Japanese restaurant. There was a good variety of food to choose from. Everything was really good. The staff is also really nice. I have since been here for lunch 2 more times. I definitly recommend it at least for lunch. I have never been here for dinner, but I sure it is much the same. I only gave it 3 stars because of the small dinning area which can be a bit crouded during the busy lunch rush. Also, I can't eat large amounts of food at one time, so all you can eat restaurants always seem to be a waste of money for me. However, they do allow you to sample small portions of many different dishes.

    (3)

  • Megan H.

    Reliably fresh fish and a lot of unique rolls! Be sure to ask for the special menu that lists them all (the list can also be found here: yuraku.com/special_menu_… ). My favorite is the Salmon Ninja roll that is a chopped salmon and avocado roll, topped with salmon and seared and spicy aioli sauce. They sear the salmon with a blow torch and it adds a unique smokey flavor that is in every way awesome! There was a wait on a Tuesday night at 8:30... hopefully that gives you an idea of how popular this restaurant is~ Be prepared to wait, otherwise just order your food to go and enjoy it elsewhere! *Side note about service: They typically provide complimentary miso soup, egg, and salmon head with "larger orders".... or really, just how they feel about the people at your table seemingly. Every time I've been here, they automatically send out those complimentary items, but this last visit, we had one of the older waitresses and she said that those were only provided if you order at least $18pp. Well then. The bill came and our total came out to be $19.57pp, pretax & pretip... not cool!!

    (4)

  • Irene C.

    I've been here several times and each time, it has been a solid experience. The sushi rolls are delicious and the service is great. The times I've gone, we were seated quickly and service has always been very quick. Although I do find it funny that they charge people for bringing a birthday cake to the restaurant. They also offer $5 birthday polaroid pictures with a Japanese umbrella, which they would then place on the Birthday Wall.

    (4)

  • David K.

    Came here for Father's Day and apparently they no longer take names over the phone. Not much of an issue as we were there pretty early and waited approximately 20 mins before we got a table. While we were awaiting a significant amount of people showed up and the lines got pretty big. I didn't realize they had the lunch buffet on weekends! We got the sashimi platter (medium, I believe). Our server brought out all sorts of appetizers and side dishes (FISH HEAD!!) She even got us some japchae from the buffet... Wasn't long before the wooden boat/tray with all that sashimi landed on our table. Everything tasted fresh and delicious! We were treated very well. The sushi chef even made me a little dish "for being a good son". I tried to see if they treated non-Koreans any differently and I didn't even notice. A lot of diners were moving around since the buffet was on fire. Some guy even got a birthday song from all the servers - they even put a little kasa on his head. lol We'd go there more often if it wasn't so far...

    (4)

  • Lucy B.

    Gasp. I can't believe I never reviewed Yuraku. Yuraku = Bliss My most favorite rolls are as follows: - Treasure Island Roll - Tuna Trio - Triple Salmon AND every single special on their menu. This place does it right. The salmon nachos are so weirdly fantastic, no stop, don't think mexican nachos with salmon sprinkled on top.. it is 4 carefully constructed pieces of art that dance in your mouth! YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM. OH - I almost forgot.. My MOSTTTTT Favorite thing is the Fiesta Salad with Tuna. Think fireworks and glitter. Heaven.

    (5)

  • Agatha S.

    If you come here, you must heed that this is not a meal. This is a sushi experience! I ordered off the menu not the lunch sushi buffet (which is only $13.95 btw!). I ordered the crazy horse, volcano roll, salmon roll, and shrimp tempura roll. They first gave us a salad to start which had a peanut type of sauce. I'm not a vegetables kinda girl but that was delicious. Plus it was complimentary! We got three out of our four rolls and it was simply amazing. They also gave us a complimentary dish, crab meat and avocado rolled in a type of sauce, and topped off with this sweet orange sauce on top of it. Holy mother of everything that's good, this dish was amazing. We couldn't even finish our fourth roll. The food was fresh and tender and delicious. I thought I knew what salmon roll and shrimp tempura roll was all about because I've been to so many sushi places. But I can tell you this, no I have never ever tasted sushi as delicious as this. Everyone who worked here was super friendly. The food came out pretty fast. Did I mention it was delicious and the best sushi I have ever had. If you're in the area, you must try this place!!!

    (5)

  • Carl B.

    Solid sushi buffet lunch option. They often have some tasty dessert rolls. Very busy at noon most days.

    (4)

  • Mary R.

    DELICIOUS... small hole in the wall with fresh sushi and nice servers. Spicy tuna and tempura were awesome! Beef teriyaki was so tender...will definitely go back. Reasonable prices

    (5)

  • Shelley L.

    very good lunch buffet!

    (5)

  • C J.

    Such high quality sushi. And they take such pride in the visual. Service was great too.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Uhm lol. So it's 5:20 and I have just been told "it will be a LONG time before we can get your order done." I was ok with that. Then the girl says to me "wait, wait..." And there is commotion in the background. She comes back on and says "sorry, but we aren't taking any more carry out orders tonight. We are too slammed with orders." Daaaamn, Yuraku. You guys are great food-wise, but you are making it hard not to go elsewhere. Tonight is the night...!

    (2)

  • Horejah B.

    Best sushi everrrrr! My boyfriend & I love it there ! Great waiters too :) ! Definitely must go sushi place in Maryland !!

    (5)

  • Jeanne C.

    So good. A definite GEM in Germantown, seeing I've lived in NYC and SF after my suburban life in MD. It's definitely worth going back to again and again. This place is simply delicious!!

    (5)

  • Mark N.

    Yuraku, Yaraku. I usually come here for the lunch buffet but opted out for dinner service since my uncle was picking up the tab. We ordered the sashimi platter that came with shrimp tempura and avacado rolls. In addition, we got the "Boston" Roll, Flying Dragon roll, chicken teriyaki, and seafood udon noodles. When I repeated the ordered to the waitress, she said these exacts words. "So you want the Monstar roll right?". I explained to her: "No do not want the monster roll, I want the BOSTON roll". I even said it again for her. When my order came out it was the "Monstar" roll. I couldn't believe it. I told the waiter that she got my order wrong the first time. When my boston roll finally came out and it had two pieces of lettuce sticking out of the roll. No one in the group wanted to touch the roll. I ate the roll myself and it was probably one of the worst decisions ever. Not only do I not like Boston in general, but the roll was even worse. On another note, the Dragon roll and udon noodles were delicious. The sashimi platter was made me full instantly. The added avacado and tempura rolls were typical rolls. Overall, the sashimi here is above average. The special rolls(Excluding the monster or boston) do make me want to come here back again.

    (4)

  • Annie L.

    Yuraku may I send you my love and kisses for sushi? I absolutely love this place for the freshest and "get your $$'s worth" sushi in town! I come here for the lunch buffet, and dinners, the amount you get is so worth it, and the extra's like fish heads, steamed egg and salads, oh, you are so kind! My favorites to order are: - Sashimi Martini, hey, can't a girl have some fish in her martini? - The Salmon Nacho, Nacho Nacho Man, I wanna be a Salmon Nacho Man, so yummy and crunchy and tastely! - And the oh, so special rolls, with their unique creations, like chunky monkey, with a fried banana in the middle wrapped with eel. - Sashimi Regular or Deluxe, always a must if you like rawness and freshness. Always so full in my belly and full in my pocket, sorry Niwano Hana, my one first love and first job, but I have gone up north of 355 and found more of what I love, Yuraku.

    (5)

  • John J.

    For those who don't eat a lot of sushi, it's fine, I guess. If you have had GOOD sushi, you'll know this place doesn't have it. 2 stars for the price point. Surprised it's as popular as it is - always a line.

    (2)

  • Chris C.

    Best sushi in the area. Sit at the bar

    (5)

  • Tiffany H.

    LOVE this place, I would go more often for the lunch buffet if it wasn't so far away :( All of the food tastes amazing to me!

    (5)

  • Jack K.

    What to say here? Yuraku is THE BEST sushi restaurant in Mont. Co. i found so far. By price, by taste, by service, by freshness of the sushi, the best! I've been a sushi connoisseur for many years now.... I eat everything- sashimi, ikura, uni, quail eggs - not your usual food "items" and must say that Yuraku comes up on top of my sushi eateries list. Also, while you wait, most of the time or maybe if they like you- they will give you free small salads, appetizers or a couple of special sushi "on the house". I've been going to Yuraku for 7 years now and they never disappoint me.

    (5)

  • Noah K.

    I've been coming here for 16 years and the word is out now. In fact it's so crowded at dinner, that I usually just go to EN Bistro in Germantown Town Centre. However, the crowds at Yuraku do indeed speak for the quality and value of the food. They have the best Asian lunch buffet I've come across. Sushi that keeps turning over, therefore stays fresh, in many varieties. A hot bar of Japanese and Korean specialties that tend to be quite good. Lots of Japanese and Korean salads, and fresh fruit. It's still a steal at $13 a person, even though it was only $8 when I first started coming here for lunch. For dinner, the sushi as well as the non-sushi entrees are just wonderful. Edimame is free, they just bring it to you as well as a plate of crunchy vegetables with a Japanese mayonnaise dipping sauce. They also are sometimes generous, as they have brought us free handrolls to end our meal many times (even though we're stuffed by then). The value for the quality is tremendous. I'm not going to downgrade for these things, because I'm keeping this review about the food and the value, but the place is very tired inside and in dire need of remodeling. They could also use more space to accommodate more diners. Service is not always overtly friendly, but it is efficient and the freebies are a great touch. I would argue you have to drive down to Bethesda or DC to outdo the sushi here. This is a real suburban gem. Prepare for the crowds and check it out, if you haven't already!

    (5)

  • G R.

    Had the all you can eat buffet. Sushi options are plenty and good. Food/price ratio is awsome. Good quality, taste for reasonable prices. The high price you pay is putting up with the large crowd in a small place moving around always 1 inch close to brushing or hitting you, including the wait staff. Avoid rush hour crowds, if possible.

    (4)

  • Minn L.

    We went here for my birthday dinner on a weekday. Getting to Yuraku was quite a journey; we had to drive through rush hour traffic + early Thanksgiving drivers on Rockville Pike, and it took us about an hour to get there (minus the pit stop at TGIF to wait out some of the traffic). Yet, we trooped on as my friend promised it would be worth it and was dead-set on going there, and I trust my friend (at least when it comes to food and drinks :) He'll be happy to know that I'm glad I kept my mouth shut and listened to him! First of all, we got there around 8 and the place was packed, even as we were leaving people were still coming in. Seriously, sushi at 9 pm? But yes, it's that good. Also, sometimes when you step into a sushi joint, it smells fishy, which is a sign that the fish is not being kept well (here's looking at you Sushiko at Friendship Heights). However, I didn't notice anything of the sort here. Just boat loads of sushi and rolls at every table in very colorful, yummy displays. We ordered the sashimi deluxe, the Flying Dragon roll, and uni with quail egg. The sashimi was cut thick and very fresh, and the uni and quail egg was a delicious combination that just melted in my mouth. The Flying Dragon really does come with a whole eel on top, so I would definitely recommend it to eel-lovers such as moi! Sakes and beers were also reasonably priced with various serving sizes so that you could order accordingly. On top of all the yummy food (and awesome company), the waitress made my day by checking my ID haha, 30 must really be the new 20!

    (4)

  • Anna Y.

    ..................................................­................. I know. :( I don't eat sushi. What am I doing at a sushi place? It's funny where life will lead you sometimes. Case in point... me....sushi restaurant... middle of a so-called "hurricane." So, everyone raves about the lunch buffet that is really cheap. The people next to me who have been here before were practically jumping up and down in there seats. They were... excited. I flipped through the menu looking for non-sushi options. They have a respectable assortment of dishes to make even the non-sushi eater happy. Anyways, when our boat... yes, sushi boat. Note: To my dismay, they do not let you take it home. Oh, yes, the sushi boat. It came out laden with our selections. You could tell that they took time to artfully construct each piece of sushi. Even if you don't like sushi, you can respect the artistry behind it. The table loved it! Not a single piece of sushi was left. They were very happy. Honestly, who am I to rate this restaurant, so I asked the people I went with. They are huge fans of this place. They told me that it's cheap and affordable, and you get a lot of sushi (huge cuts) for what you pay for. Worth the drive up to MD if you are a sushi fan.

    (4)

  • Robert C.

    I'll give this place 3 1/2 stars for taste, but 4 stars for their lunch buffet. For $13, their lunch buffet is a good deal! All you can eat sushi (they have about 15 types) along with some Korean meat, tempura, fruit, miso soup, kimchi, noodles and rice. The sushi's pretty legit, even though some are Americanized, overall it's pretty good. I definitely recommend this place over Hinode. Con: The place's kindda small. If you come during lunch time, you'll probably have to wait for awhile to get seated.

    (3)

  • Lydia S.

    You must try this sushi place in Maryland! This place has the best Sashimi out of all Japanese restaurants I have visited. The price are fairly reasonable with ample amount of appetizers that will fill you up before the main entrees. The sushi rolls are huge, almost 3/4 of my palm. I've been living in the area for a pretty long time, and this is the sushi place I visit regularly. During dinner time on the weekends there is usually packs of people waiting for table, and the wait takes about at least half hour to a hour. It is worth the wait though cause you'll be waddling out while holding your belly, hoping to come back for some more refills. Free Appetizer (order above $60) : Steamed Egg Salads ( Japanese salad + celery + carrot + dip) Soup Smoked Salmon Fish head: the fish head is crispy and well cooked with a delicate charred smell,. If you turn the side of the head, the fish has a rather vicious look, so I recommend not to do that. Rolls Recommended: Alligator Roll Fried Spice Tuna Roll Pacific Roll? ( has a tropical look with avocado and lots of veggies) Eel Rice (yum!) Punk and Rock Roll ( a must order! ) Sashimi boat (they are gigantic topped with a splendid sort of tender meats!) Chef's Special: If you order over $60 or $100, chef will give out a special free dish, and they always tasted fantastic!!!

    (5)

  • Deborah B.

    As I have now become a regular at Yuraku, it has definietly earned the coveted 5 stars. The fish is always generously portioned, the origional ideas always keep on flowing and the service is friendly. The team of chef's behind the bar are always busy, as the take away orders are also a good potion of the revenue. Dishes are a work of art, and the traditional offerings, such as grilled fish head are seasoned perfectly. The lunch buffet is good, but nothing beats the dinner service. And try the Nirgori Sake, a cold, unfiltered type, with under tones of melon, served in a hand blown ice contained carafe, very elegant presentation, be sure to shake it first!

    (5)

  • Xianglong C.

    First, on the plus side: Very good and polite service. I was also impressed with how busy the place is. That's it for the plus side. WORST SUSHI WE HAVE EVER EATEN. Really. I have had better sushi at Wegman's, and that is not saying much for Wegman's. My daughter and I usually go to a very good Japanese run Sushi place in Wintergreen plaza, and we have other favorites (Macarthur Blvd in D.C., also a couple in Baltimore)... I grew up in Taiwan eating very high quality sushi, and it boggles my mind that there is great sushi to be had there, in Hong Kong, LA, San Fran...even Rochester! Yet here in Montgomery county there are only one or two that have decent sushi. In any event - the rolls were poorly made, the rice was not fresh, the seaweed wrapper was low quality, the ingredients were not as listed (imitation crab roll is not crab), the deep fried parts tasted of slightly rancid oil....disgusting. We also had Udon noodles - they were miserable - like canned spaghetti. Although the price was moderate, we left feeling vaguely cheated and nauseated.

    (2)

  • Kelvin F.

    If you live within 20 miles of exit 13 and you're looking for quality sushi on a budget, look no farther. Sure the drive will most likely take you a little out of your way, but the $12.95 AYCE sushi lunch buffet is well worth it. Unlike most sushi buffets, Yuraku serves out generous portions of fresh sashimi spread on reasonably sized balls of rice. The lunch buffet provides a variety of sushi, rolls, sides, and hot dishes but if you're like me, you'll get your money's worth from the freshly cut salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. If you happen to miss the buffet deal (which lasts until 3PM on weekdays), don't worry because dinner is still a steal. The prices are about standard but the portions are generous. The sashimi is sliced thick, the rolls are stuffed with anything you can imagine, and the spicy tuna handroll looks like a heaping sushi ice cream cone. On top of that, if you order enough or get chummy with management, you'll get a pan-fried salmon head and a steamed egg gratis on top of the standard miso soup and salad. Huge servings of fresh sashimi without breaking the bank? I'm gunning for this dukedom.

    (4)

  • Dan P.

    Great sushi. I often don't like going out for sushi because at most places, I feel like the portions are too small for what I pay for them, but this place gives you very good sized portions. My only complaint about this place is that it can get very crowded on Friday nights, so you may have to wait a while for a table.

    (4)

  • Evonne L.

    When do you give 5 stars to a place? I give Yuraku 5 stars because of all the sushi places I've been to so far, this one is my favorite. Miyagi and Sushi Yoshi both in Tysons/McLean would be my second choice. Sushi is probably my dinner option of choice, and I've tried a good amount of places.. so yelpers, if there's other places you think are better- let me know! I'm always trying to find/yelp good places. I've gone for lunch/dinner and have had great experiences every time. Got rolls and sashimi and both are amazing in terms of quality and taste. Just the right amount of fish and rice. My favorite rolls are the dragon roll ($7.95) volcano roll ($6.95) and sunny sunshine ($7.95). This place is also good because they give you all this food even before the sushi comes out! Soup, salad, and a fish head that some love (old people) and some dont know what to do with (young people). But you try to eat it anyways right- when free food is put in front of you. There's also a steamed egg that you can get, but sometimes only if you request. They also give you fruit at the end. This place looks nothing special since its at the end of a random shopping center, but its become a hidden jem in Germantown. Call ahead or be prepared to wait at LEAST 30 minutes to be seated during normal dining hours. And by waiting I mean wait outside, since there are 4 chairs in the waiting area, but the wait is worth it.

    (5)

  • Tom N.

    Love this place. Very large portion sizes for the price. Quality is excellent and their non sushi entrees are great too.

    (5)

  • Eli And Caitlin L.

    PROs: Extensive sushi menu with a wide variety of ingredients in creative combinations. The rolls and sushimi platters were beautiful, and expertly crafted. Portion sizes were large and filling, containing as many as 9 rolls with generous portions of fish. The ingredients were very fresh and exquisitely flavorful. The meals were delivered in a timely manner despite the busy crowd. Also, before the rolls were brought out, several FREE appetizers (small vegetable dishes) were provided. The staff was polite and attentive. Prices were below average (between $9-13/ roll), but quality and quantity was above average. CONS: This is a small establishment with limited seating, with tables close together. Also this restaurant is popular enough to have a wait on weekdays, especially for larger parties, but was worth it. The decor was nothing fancy, but didn't affect the mood or experience. Recommendation: Osaka Triangle (for something more classic), Chunky Monkey (for something more exotic). We definitely recommend you go here, definitely get the bang for your buck.

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    You would not expect such awesome sushi from the look/location of this place, but it really is. The wait is worth it. Whenever we have a chance to go for the lunch buffet we do (AMAZING DEAL), but coming for dinner and ordering rolls is still a good move. I moved away, and can't help but compare any sushi I go get to Yuraku now. No one lives up :(

    (5)

  • Jill M.

    The food was really amazing, but the service was pretty bad. I was there on a Saturday night, with a large group. My friends had eaten there before, and based on their recommendations, I knew it would be worth the long and uncomfortable wait in the cramped entryway of the restaurant. We were finally seated, and I ended up right by the door at a wobbly table, so I started folding up napkins to shove under the unbalanced leg. As I was leaning down to fix the wobble, one of the servers literally walked into my head, twice, without saying a word. That was annoying, but shortly after, the food arrived. The sashimi appetizer I ordered included about 12 large cuts of assorted fish, nicely displayed in a boat, and it was only $10. The rest of the food arrived - colossal sushi rolls, large servings of seaweed salad, and house salad with ginger dressing. Everything tasted great! However, throughout our meal, we had to really work to get our server's attention for drink orders and anything else. Even though we were seated right by the high-traffic area of entrance, bar, and beer refrigerator, she kept walking right by without acknowledgment. Regardless, we were really happy with our meals, because the sushi was tasty, fresh, and filling. When we got the check, we did that thing where we give them a few credit cards with specific dollar amounts to put on each card. A couple of us included tip in the dollar amount to be charges on the card, and some only included tax, and wrote the tip in after getting the receipt back. When everything was done, some of the credit card receipts had the tip written on the tip line, and some had included tip so that there was no additional tip written on the receipt... it all worked out so she got a 20% tip total. The waitress collected the receipts and then came back to our table, citing the slips on which people had included tip before the credit card was run, and accusingly asking, "no tip?" At which point I wanted to ask for my tip back.

    (3)

  • Jin H.

    BEST sushi in NOVA. Everything is very fresh and tasty. Very reasonable prices. I recommend their rolls and the sashimi boat. I would come here more often if this was close by.

    (5)

  • Emily N.

    Best Sushi place around the DMV area. For the pricing of the sushi and the sizes of the portions, it's remarkable with how they're still in business. Coming here for years now and the chefs know our family quite well. Constantly sending over complimentary dishes and what not. Really a great place for sushi. As for the hot food items, i can't say much cause in all honesty, my family and i come here for the sushi and only sushi. The sushi lunch buffets also note worthy. For around 15 bucks you can get an unlimited amount of gourmet, hand roll, spectacular array of sushi. Not to mention the incredible selection of hot food items. Though the area may be a bit tight.. it's well worth the fight. The wait is also rather long but again there is sushi at the end of the tunnel!

    (5)

  • Norman H.

    Favorite place to stop by if I'm in Germantown during lunch time! Lunch sushi buffet from Tuesday-Saturday :) Been here for dinner a few times, still worth the money. Free salmon cheek and custard...which is nice. Sushi presentation is very nice.

    (5)

  • Sam S.

    O.M.G.!! I was living in Germantown for a few months as an intern. EVERYONE told me about how good this place. Best sushi place in the area. I love seafood and this place is heavenly. I have: - Reserved a table and had to wait for +30 minutes. - Lunch buffet - Sushi bar - Sunny's Special (usually done on weekdays and $$$$$ but well worth the cash) I have never been disappointed. I always enjoyed there lunch buffets. I usually get there at 11am when they have everything out all at once. If you come at noon they do not have the variety because everything is finished / being remade. For dinner the sushi bar is the best. I usually would get a free salad and after I'm stuffed the sushi chef will surprise me with a piece free piece of sushi. 2 rolls is more than enough. I did 3 my first time, MISTAKE. Couldn't move for 15 minutes Service is not perfect but I am not expecting the Ritz Carlton. Wait, eat, and enjoy :)

    (5)

  • Mary R.

    Holy sushi... !!! ;D For all intensive purposes this is the best sushi joint in Montgomery County, let alone the tri state area. They have sushi and sushi they have! A immense variety of the classics in addition to fabulous chef made specials. Fun fact, if you order enough sushi they bring out free samples for you to try (yes, me and my BF are those fat kids at a sushi house). Also, they start you off with a big bowl of edimame and huge chunks of fresh veggies with this amazing garden dip (pretty much would be epic on coleslaw), which is an added bonus! It is not a huge place, but I have never had to wait for a table. Service is quick, but you are not rushed (esp when you order as much sushi as we do haha..) which is very nice. If you are looking for great sushi, this place is a must try. Needless to say, we're going to need a bigger boat. ;-)

    (5)

  • Kat And Liz C.

    Far from the best sushi restaurant in the area, but the only place with a decent sushi buffet at a relatively low price. There is a large variety of sushi rolls ranging from classic California rolls to more fusion type rolls stuffed with cream cheese. There is a good selection of Nigiri, but the quality of the ingredients are average and not especially fresh either. If you are not a fan of fusion rolls, do not come here. They had a good variety of other non-sushi foods, but really, if you are going to a sushi buffet...you are probably there to enjoy the sushi. The sushi was also made quite sloppily. Even though it was peak hours and a sushi buffet, it cannot be excused since there are plenty of sushi buffets that do not have this problem. Sushi is an art form, there are no shortcuts!

    (2)

  • Kapo L.

    I have heard a lot of hype about this place for quite some time and I am glad to say that I wasn't disappointed. Knowing there is usually a long wait, we went for the lunch buffet around 1:30 pm and we still had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. It turns out around 1:45 or so it starts to die down. Highlight is definitely the sushi and the large variety that they serve. It is a great deal for only $13.

    (4)

  • Tran C.

    BEST of the BEST!!! I drove 40 minutes for sushi here. It's worth the drive. Recommended Dishes: (MUST MUST TRY) 1. Viagra Roll (to DIE for) 2. Flying dragon 3. Dragon Roll

    (4)

  • Kirsten L.

    I don't really understand how this place has such amazing reviews... I went here on a weekend and it was PACKED. I got there before my date and put us on the waitlist, they called our table as he was parking but since he wasn't physically in the door yet we lost our spot and had to wait again. Things didn't get much better once we finally got a table, I'm not sure who our server was but we were bugged by three separate employees constantly. I guess the tables around us weren't set properly because employees kept taking silverware and sauces from our table and giving them straight to others. Kind of unsanitary. I understand they were busy but if I'm going out to dinner I'd like to relax a bit! They don't have a liquor license so we got beer and sake. We asked one of our servers if we could put in our soup and appetizer orders while we decided on dinner and she said no, we had to order it all at once. So, we ordered it all at once and of course it all came out at once. We got edamame and an assorted sashimi platter as an "appetizer". The edamame was served cold, my date says some places do that but I've always had it served hot. The sashimi wasn't that great either, most of the fish was grainy or chewy, the mackeral was really the only one I liked. We also got three sushi rolls, the spicy tuna tasted like catfood it was so overprocessed, the philly roll was mostly cream cheese, and the third was some kind of tempura roll which wasn't terrible but it was rolled very loosely and cut very thin so it just fell apart. And the fish in all three were the same quality as the sashimi.

    (3)

  • Ben R.

    Excellent sushi and a wide variety. The fish is very fresh and they don't over stuff the rolls with rice like some places. I have never had a bad meal here. If you are coming here at prime dinner time expect to wait, often up to 45 minutes. Making a reservation usually doesn't help any and you have to be attentive to the hostess because we've had people who came in after us sat before us on more than one occasion. Another plus is they don't mind if you pound the table for Sake bombs

    (4)

  • M K.

    Yelp was not exaggerating. I'm not sure about the entire DMV, but this is definitely the best sushi I've had in Montgomery County. (Forgive my ignorance of the correct Japanese names for the dishes.) I was by myself, so I got a seat at the bar right away. Right after I ordered, the chef handed me a free salad and sushi pieces (salmon like other reviewers said?). The fish was excellent. I'm a heathen who lokes rolls, so I ordered two, the Viagara and the spicy yami tuna. The waitress brought me a spoon, which I was confused about, but then I saw why: the Viagara "roll" came in a huge dish with mountains of roe, shrimp, and tempura flake topping. Somewhere under there were the actual rolls. Absolutely delicious, and a steal at $12.95 if you're a perpetually hungry person like me. The spicy yami roll came a little later and was piping hot (it is deep fried). Also yummy. Then the chef gave me another freebie of a tempura shrimp with avocado, mango, and a single jalapeño slice. It blasted my taste buds into heaven! I quickly grew full and the chef wrapped everything up for me. I didn't have any actual sushi or sashimi, but sitting at the bar I could see the plates, and the fish slices looked succulent and hefty. I will definitely order it next time. Overall, amazing service, amazing food, and if you don't go a few more miles up 355 than you are used to doing, you are missing out.

    (5)

  • Sydni R.

    This place is awesome!!! I LOVE the titanic roll, Nom Nom Nom. I would advise you to get there early because it is a small place that gets packed quickly. Oh and they have a lunch buffet, but I suggest getting there at 11 when they open because by 11:20 there's already a wait.

    (5)

  • Kara F.

    I thought I was never going to find good sushi in this area, but I finally did! No thanks to my state of the art Global Positioning System. Good luck finding this place. Its in an obscure location in a strip mall. But when you do find it, you are in for a treat! I LOVE Yuraku! I've been there twice now and both times its been a 5 star experience. Great food, good saki, excellent service and at a fraction of the cost of anywhere else I've been in this area. This is my new go to place for sushi.

    (5)

  • Ian D.

    The best sushi place in the DMV area. Only taking a star off because it gets way too busy during lunch and there is limited seating. Get there early or be prepared to wait. It's well worth it though.

    (4)

  • Margaret Z.

    Time to update this to 5-star status. Came back a couple nights ago for a date. We were seated right away, and they got busy really fast around 7 PM even though it was a Thursday night. He ordered the hwe dup bap (salad greens, shredded radish, seaweed salad, and sashimi cubes all mixed together with chojang - spicy/slightly sweet Korean chili sauce). I ordered the Titanic Roll (don't remember but there was lots of roe on the rice) & Viagara Roll (scallops & shrimp...it's cooked and then poured on the sushi rolls). We got loads of free appetizers which were delicioussss... some steamed egg, a grilled fish head, another fish dish, and some cucumber/carrot/celery pieces with this creamy dip. And the miso, of course. I didn't care too much for the Titanic because it wasn't too flavorful. Viagara roll was yummy but I'm not really a fan of scallops so I'm not sure I'd get that again. Both were definitely worth trying though. The REAL star of the night was the hwe dup bap... I had my doubts at first because lettuce & sashimi just didn't make sense in my head, but mmmm it was SO GOOD. I'm going back this weekend to have it again with my mom. The sauce is pure perfection and they are NOT skimpy with their fish portions! Fun night, yummy food... lovely server who told me I was pretty (whether it be a lie or not!) - what else could I ask for from a restaurant, really?

    (5)

  • Randy S.

    Short review: I have been coming to Yuraku for probably 15 years. It is always great and reasonably priced, especially for metro DC. Sonny has an extensive menu and his list has only grown since I was last here (I don't get up to DC from Norfolk as much as I used to.) The variety is stunning and I have never had a bad sushi item. Word to the wise... make a reservation! (By the way, I have eaten at a LOT of sushi restaurants in the US and around the world and Yuraku is in my top 3.)

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    Yuraku was further up north than I thought since I was already in the area I figured why not. It was on the "weird" side of Germantown as in not in the central area and separated by the highway. I used to go to this strip mall for the Indian and Vietnamese restaurants thus I had a "so it's in this strip mall" epiphany. The first thing I walked into was the take-out counter it was full of people. Then I walked into the restaurant proper it was also full of people. I wondered what's the hit with this restaurant. I couldnt decide if I should try the alacarte or buffet. The buffet would appear to be much quicker for lunch. The buffet was situated in a tight area two lines of food on a narrow path. You would hit the elbow of the other person taking food from the side. The hot food counter clearly had Korean banchans and other dishes. The sushi was all the way in the end with a bucket filled with not water but ice where the tongs were returned. People made a beeline in a cul de sac to get the tongs then to the sushi. It was crazy. I sat at the sushi bar since I was alone. There were 5-6 sushi chefs making lines of sushi. After taking two of each nigiri I went back to my seat where a bowl of miso soup awaited for me. The cooked sushi rolls were well-made. The nigiris with fresh slices of fish were well worth the drive. The fish slices were superb especially the salmon it was definitely much higher grade and better cut than most buffet or even imitation Japanese restaurants. I was sold! Definitely would come back again.

    (4)

  • L. B.

    If you're a sushi purist, you're not going to like this place. I had the tekka don, which came with a bunch of things that are NOT supposed to come with tekka don. The tuna was too tough, sliced badly, and tasted like it had just been unfrozen, and the rice was not seasoned well. If you like Americanized rolls, you'll like this place. They have plenty to choose from and they're generously sized. My baby brother loves the volcano rolls. The service leaves a lot to be desired. At one point I was sitting without hot tea for a good fifteen minutes. The waitress spilled my father's sake all over the table but didn't offer to comp it or get him another sake. She was too quick to take dishes away, to the point where it felt like she was rushing us. She brought the bill without asking if we wanted any desserts; when I said I wanted the tempura ice cream, she said they were all out of ice cream, but I got the feeling that it was a lie because: 1) she didn't feel like having to change the bill, and 2) she wanted to rush us out so that she could seat more customers. I have no idea how this place can have so many good reviews, especially with so many people saying the fish is "fresh," which the fish definitely isn't (and I myself fish often, so I know what fresh fish tastes like). Maybe the restaurant owner/staff have a lot of friends willing to leave them reviews.

    (1)

  • An T.

    As previously noted by a friend, I just don't get the hype. Nothing in particular about Yuraku sets itself apart from all the other buffets I've come across. With that being said, it's small and cramped, and you're almost always guaranteed to bump into someone while trying to get food! Pair that with a ridiculous wait time around the lunch hour, and you have my verdict: simply not that great.

    (3)

  • Yaka H.

    Came here on the weekend lunch buffet. Good deal for the variety of food. The buffet price ($12.95 per person) also includes choice of drink and a miso soup. It's a Korean-owned sushi joint, so there's a lot of Korean food offerings (basically there's 2 parts of this buffet: the sushi and the hot/cold Korean food). The Korean banchan/cold dishes were quite good and don't skip out of these (the beansprouts, the shredded radish salad, and the cucumber-seaweed salad). The sushi wasn't of the highest caliber, but it's a buffet with a nice variety. However, my sister complained that there seems to be too many fried things offered in the hot food section and the sushi section of the buffet. The buffet setup itself does lead to some traffic jams, but just be patient and try your best to maneuver around the crowd. There's a lot of food and they do seem to do a decent job with replenishing the sushi section of the buffet. They do have a few rolls topped with fruit (ie: a strawberry and banana topped salmon skin roll+ cream cheese) and a few odd rolls (ie: a tortilla wrapped, salsa topped sushi roll).

    (3)

  • Joy G.

    For the love of God, get the volcano roll. Thick layer of fish roe and tempura flakes on top, the inside stuffed with avocado, crab, cucumber, and I think some sort of spicy mayo. I want to be wrapped up in that and left to eat myself free. You can also do sake bombing here. I haven't consulted my sake bombing etiquette book yet, but apparently high-pitched shrieking, banging on the table, and getting smashed at around 8:30 inside a crowded restaurant is perfectly okay. I mean, why shouldn't one be allowed to bring every conversation to a skittering halt and bask in the stares while chugging? I usually prefer to partake in the sacred act of bombing on sake during the day, by myself, in a corner, but to each his own.

    (5)

  • Jean C.

    Came here for lunch buffet,long lines and wait to be seated,they will call your name twice and if you don't listen to it,or you dont understand the way they pronounce your name,you are in trouble,means they will skip your name :( rude staff !

    (2)

  • Keith B.

    Get the white tuna sashimi. Better than anywhere else.

    (5)

  • Sean B.

    Germantown, I don't know anything about you but I now know there is at least one reason to visit you. Best Japanese I've had in the DMV. I'd say it is the 2nd best meal I've had this month (Pasta Mia being #1). Fish was decent quality, the rolls were good combos of ingredients, and the fried calamari was perfectly done: not too deeply fried but enough to have a good crunch. Would go back in a heartbeat. There is a reason why there are so many people waiting in line to get a table here. Tip: ask for the seared tuna. It isn't on the menu but it is YUM! I think you can either get seared yellowfish or white, whichever you prefer.

    (5)

  • Albert Y.

    Great restaurant, almost always busy! On some nights, you have to wait on a waiting list for a while but the turnaround time for tables is quick as the staff are fast. The main attraction here is the sushi and sashimi but there's plenty of other Japanese and Korean items to try out. There's also a bar side for those who like sitting on stools. The decoration here is great, the food is great, the staff are great. I believe it's Korean-owned so if you have family that only speaks Korean you will be okay! Along the walls are polaroid pictures of people who have celebrated birthdays in the past. You can get your picture taken with a Japanese style umbrella and be on the wall of fame if you wish. Great place, just expect a wait if it's a busy night!

    (5)

  • Jenny T.

    Great quality, fresh sushi! They really don't skimp on the slices like a lot of places. Very very authentic. Even though they are really busy a lot the waitresses are friendly as they are hurrying around everywhere. They sent around lots of complimentary dishes as well, since my party was buying a ton of food and sake I suppose. I have absolutely no complaints about this place. I sincerely wish it was located closer to where I live.

    (4)

  • Mark R.

    I have been to Japan before and this is the REAL DEAL!!! Sushi is made fresh, each order takes time to bring out (a good sign!). The atmosphere is great for a casual dinner, date night, or lunch. The soft shell crab roll was AMAZING! A+++ for presentation! Service was excellent - prompt and attentive! Servers are dressed in kimonos and all have big smiles. I will be back!!! Thanks again!

    (5)

  • Joe P.

    Best sushi I've had along the 270 corridor, hands down. I am a salmon fanatic and this place did not disappoint at all. Each nigiri sushi has the amount of fish as two pieces anywhere else, add that to plethora of chef special rolls they offer as well as other kitchen entrees and you have a place that suits almost any taste. Bottom Line: Best fish in town + great service + extensive menu = my top recommended sushi restaurant.

    (5)

  • Sean K.

    my family absolutely love this place. must get the sushi course! the small courses are fantastic (especially the salmon head). very tasty and innovative dishes. And that's not even the main course. absolutely best sushi place. been to expensive and fancier sushi place but hands down the best sushi place

    (5)

  • Marc F.

    By far my favorite all-around sushi restaurant of all time! (I've eaten a lot of sushi in DC and across the country) This place rocks, when considering quality and value! Rolls are huge, fresh, and delicious. The grilled salmon head appetizer is wonderful! And the price is right! Only downside is that everyone else knows this place is awesome too, and you have to get here early for dinner, else risk waiting a while for a table. It is a casual place with an OK atmosphere, but what they lack in decor is more than made up for in their sushi.

    (5)

  • Anne C.

    my goodness...what a big disappointment! This place is seriously overhyped. I have tons of friends that drive from va to germantown all the time to get sushi here...I finally decided to try it and I was disappointed. I tried the tuna mountain which i read rave reviews about and although the sauce was good, the spicy tuna was oddly fishy and it's a big ball of it on iceberg lettuce. In fact, the tuna in general in any of the rolls we ordered tonight were slightly fishy. The Crazy Horse roll? Basically just a bigger version of spicy tuna with a tiny section of crab meat. The spicy scallop roll though was awesome. the triple salmon roll and nigiri pieces were fine. Overall, i like that they don't go crazy with rice and their nigiri and salmon pieces are big. I think they are definitely going for quantity over quality here. Some of the rolls were not made well and fell apart while people were grabbing them. Also, the restaurant is not necessarily clean. It's not just that decor is lacking, but I just felt like especially as you got closer to the back of the restaurant, it was less and less sanitary. In a restaurant serving raw fish, this did not settle well with me. the wait is not worth the food (because they stopped taking reservations by the time I called) and unless I was somehow in germantown (Never....) I won't be back. I enjoy even kotobuki more than this place even though the rolls are smaller there; quality is better. surprisingly though, their complimentary miso soup was decent.

    (3)

  • Vi N.

    I've never actually dined in at this restaurant, since it's always super crowded, but my family orders for take out all the time. Sushi is always fresh, the price is great, and the host is super nice. Lee always makes sure we get everything we've ordered. (Our family is huge!!). I can't wait to actually dine in!

    (4)

  • Sam C.

    If you want an amazing sushi dinner, this little hole in the wall is where you want to go. Period. Unfortunately, the secret is out because the lines get pretty long if you don't have a reservation. I live in Columbia, which is about 40-50 mins away, but I still look forward to going to Yuraku because there simply isn't any sushi restaurant in all of Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia that even compares in the quality. Add to that the fact that their portions are extremely generous and very well priced, this place is just perfect. Their sushi boats are huge and always fresh. Really, there isn't much more you can say about sushi boats b/c they're always the same except quality and portion, where Yuraku excels. For strict traditionalists sushi eaters like myself, eating rolls would be considered a huge sin, but oh, what a way to go to hell.. The larger, more expensive ones ($10+) are phenomenal in both taste and artistry. I especially recommend the titanic roll, which I guarantee will not disappoint. Also, don't be afraid to ask for recommendations or off-menu specials. One word of caution: be prepared to eat a lot. They provide a lot of extra free "service" items in addition to the ban-chan found at traditional Korean restaurants. There's no point in ordering appetizers. In fact, be careful not to order too much food like you would at a regular sushi restaurant. The portions will end up being huge. Also, for Asians, they serve a baked salmon head as one of their "service" items, which can be a little off-putting at first. But once you get over it, it tastes pretty good.

    (5)

  • Evelyn T.

    Great restaurant. I like their salmon heads. They also often give out free dishes towards the end. This place is usually packed so I usually take the sushi bar.

    (5)

  • Tony C.

    Amazing sushi! We go every week and not only is the sushi wonderful and fresh but the staff is friendly and efficient!! We love this place!!! Try the Kani salad.

    (5)

  • Vicki C.

    One of my favorite sushi places in Germantown! The place tends to get crowdy on weekends and Friday nights and the wait can be up to an hour or more. The sushi is amazing and they don't skimp on flavor. A must try is the volcano roll and spicy crunchy tuna roll. It is higher priced than most sushi places but you really do get what you pay for.

    (5)

  • Catherine K.

    I came here for dinner last weekend and enjoyed it. The appetizers which consisted of miso soup, salad, and fish were tasty. The sashimi platter that we ordered was also fresh and fulfilling. We also ordered a scoop of green tea and red bean ice-cream for dessert. The ice-cream cleaned my palate and was a nice ending to a great meal. They have such an extensive menu so I am looking forward to trying some of the other items on the menu in the future.

    (4)

  • Nick F.

    Thumbs up! The best sushi place in the area. I also like the lunch buffet, but the buffet area is a little tight. That doesn't keep me from coming back!

    (4)

  • R M.

    The only downside of this wonderful Sushi restaurant is that it is crowded and there often is a long wait. You want a seat? Be there when it opens, 11-11:30 a.m. It has a lunchtime sushi buffet , for around 13 apiece plus drinks, and as long as you stick to the sushi you will not be disappointed. at night, you order off a menu and can be a sushi boat, sized to your appetite and number of guests. My experience is that they you pick ingredients. I've been there many times, and I'll be back

    (4)

  • Mark L.

    Food here is excellent but service is just horrible. They dont take reservations, but were told the wait time is about 30 minutes. Waited for 30 minutes just to hear we have to wait 40 minutes more. We looked at the wait list with all the names and saw that parties with a similar amount of people that were listed after our name scratched off the list. Not sure how to take it or why that would happen. I guess the only time to visit this place is in its non peak times.

    (1)

  • Ryan B.

    Came here with a big group of friends. It is always crowded here, but the service keeps up and is excellent. The food was awesome, and the sushi was even better. The only bad thing about this place is that it is always busy and the waiting room for a table is always slammed with no room to stand.

    (5)

  • T L.

    Great place.. food is great and prices are great as well.. recommend very much to everyone!

    (5)

  • Cynthia L.

    I'm not as crazy about this place as other people are...personally, I prefer Yoyogi's Sushi over this place. I Do like that they give you so many little complimentary appetizer (celery & carrots sticks with this mayo mix dipping sauce, egg soufle, fish head). Their waiters are also very attentative & friendly. Minus: Their prices are a bit higher than average. I had their tempura udon soup (shrimp tempura on the side): hot & tasty. I've been here for lunch as well and the selection is not bad for the price you pay (all you can eat), but there is always a wait & it is always packed during lunch times. I would say if you're craving sushi & you're in Germantown, it's worth trying.

    (3)

  • Christine R.

    Just ate at Yuraku for the first time today for lunch and I was impressed. Their buffet is an unbelievable value for the quality and range of selection, and I am not someone who typically cares for buffets. The sushi was very good, as well as the many Korean items. Attentive and warm service. I will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Jenny H.

    Yuraku is THE best sushi restaurant in the D-M-V area! For the price, you definitely receive more compared to other sushi spots, not to mention delicious and an absolute orgasm for your taste buds. The restaurant is small and is consistently packed but totally worth the wait. The service is excellent as well. If you've never been, it's a must-go!

    (5)

  • Louis S.

    I have been here every Saturday for the past Month, and will continue. I live in College Park Maryland and i make the hike down there. In my opinion, everyone is friendly, although the area is pretty sketchy and a bit dumpy... but the to the point.... the sushi quality and imo is super fresh. Their philosophy worked. You come .. go to the buffet (you'll see just a few of the enormous plates i gathered...) ... come again... go to the buffet... come again ... go to the buffet... and while you are there you notice the regulars and so on ordering off the menu.... and the dishes are AMAZING. Yes the buffet is an amazing deal, but im not driving a bazillion miles for an amazing deal... wasting gas... its an experience and i would 100% recommend ordering off the menu although numerous special rolls, signature rolls and so on are found at the buffet. Ultimately, out of all the buffets in the area. the only other place that even comes close is Todia or whatever in Fairfax.... and this pace is way more fun and way more artistic and cosy/friendly and cheaper! So yea. Yu Raku is the best place i have been for style, creativity adn freshness. Other great places include. Nawanahah and Tapei Tokyo. I like Yu raku for their creativity and generous portions! Hope this helps!

    (5)

  • G S.

    The best sushi at an amazing price. Normally I don't like to talk value with Sushi because it makes the place seem cheap. Not in this case. The food is AMAZING and even better than Sushi I have gotten in NYC. Portions are huge. It does get very crowded so plan to wait....

    (5)

  • L A W.

    Best sushi around!! They give you generous portions on beautiful big sushi boats!! Love Sonny-he is the best!!

    (5)

  • Eric L.

    Always worth it to go here! The sushi is awesome and the hugest I've had ever. The lunch buffet is great since they have lots of variety. Dinner is the best because if you order their specialty sushi rolls, you will seriously be wowed. We spend about $20 per person and by the end, we are seriously stuffed. My stomach is like an aquarium, there's so much. Seriously, if I lived closer I would probably go there all the time. Just know that it gets really crowded since everyone in Maryland comes there to eat, especially at dinner time. It's because they all know it's good. Just be understanding, even if you reserve a table, if you aren't there, they probably won't wait that long for you. Somehow we usually order the salmon fiesta salad. We get a flying dragon roll. So if you order enough per person, like $15ish or something, they will give you miso soup and a egg cup. And then I think if they see you're Asian they will give you a salmon fish head, else they will give you edamame. It's weird how they do that.

    (5)

  • Michael y.

    Come Early, and Come Hungry!!! Authentic Nipponese. The waitress was put off when we requested up front to have separate checks, due to we were all on corporate cards. One of the other yelpers were right on with this observation. I definitely recommend the Zen platter. Too much food, it was a 3 course meal. SEE my pics. the sushi pieces presented were works of art. my colleagues had the scallops and steak and it was served on a traditional hot plate. with a sterno burner to keep things warm. very nice. I cannot believe my bill!! For the quality and quantity, this easily would've been a $80. I was worried when they didn't list the price on the menu. Final bill, $30 with green tea. Domo arrigato, yuraku san

    (4)

  • Cynthia C.

    I cant remember what we had but it was all good sushi, sushi, marinated kobe beef, crab lobster,loved it. Going back soonll

    (5)

  • Milen T.

    Have not had a chance to try their lunch special! Still on my must-do list.. My #1 favorite sushi place! Do sit at the bar and watch the chef does his magic, and if you're lucky, he'll toss you some free tasting =).

    (4)

  • Eddie D.

    We finally got a chance to check out their lunch buffet, and we were not disappointed, it was everything we expected to be. If you are a fan of sushi roll and nigiri, their lunch buffet is heaven. Seeing plate full of sushi being gobbled up as fast as they are put out was amazing. Beside their sushi, they also offered hot courses like Yaki (beef and chicken BBQ) and assorted tempura. Many assorted cold side dishes like Kimchi. Don't forget to get some of their cold cinnamon tea after your meal, it will refresh your taste bud. Saw a table ordered one of the Chef's Party Platter, and the first word out of my mouth was "I want that".... next time. And if you not into buffet, they have many special rolls you could get. Sky is the limit here.

    (4)

  • Val V.

    The Real Deal in Japanese Buffet ! They also have some Korean dishes to choose from. One important tip, Get there before 12 noon or you will have to wait to get a table. Japanese fried rice is great, fish in terriyaki sauce is very good and most of all the Bulgogi is top notch! A variety of fresh Sushi Rolls to choose from and none that will disappoint you. At $12.75/head includes miso soup and hot tea, a very reasonable price point and good dollar value. Of note is the service, they are on top of their game. they fill up your cup, clear the used plates and always checking to see if you need anything. Keep up the good work!!!

    (4)

  • Maggie F.

    Really popular place, every single whoppin' time I go, I find myself stuck in the waiting room with a million people, whom extend their ears eagerly to hear their names be called. And rightfully so--for dinner especially. Lunchtimes are appealing--why? Because its a buffet for 12 dollars! The sushi/sashimi are pretty standard... nothing too surprising. Decent. But I went there for dinner--that's like a whloe new world! Tried like 5 different types of rolls, all with such exotic and surprising flavors. Every single bite was an adventure--a brilliant one at that! My advice is to be step out of your comfort zone and try all the ones with weird names and contents! Go for it! Free bowl of miso soup and salad are provided.

    (4)

  • Sherry C.

    I absolutely love coming here for their sushi buffet on Saturday. The place gets packed really quickly since it's such a small restaurant, and I have waited as long as 45 minutes to get seated for their buffet, but it's so worth it. The sushi are always prepared fresh, and they aren't just boring maki rolls either. There is always a wide selection of sushi, and FRESH sashimi. Yuraku also serves hot dishes and sides, but I always go straight to the sushi bar to get my money's worth. If you're craving sushi and don't want to pay a lot, this is the place to go! The service wasn't anything special, but it was still very good. All the waitresses wear kimonos, which I thought was kind of neat. They always clear our plates pretty fast and frequently come by our table with the tea/water pitcher. I've never ordered from their menu before, but I'm sure it's just as good! Go to Yuraku and you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Taylor T.

    This is some of the best sushi I've ever had in one of the most unassuming locations. I probably would've driven by the strip mall if my friends who recommended the place weren't with me. We went right around noon on a Saturday at a time when they offer their buffet and there was already a 30+ minute wait. No big deal, I had a feeling the wait was going to be worth it. Here's my biggest recommendation: SKIP THE BUFFET! Seriously, do not waste your time schlepping through the line. Sit down, order some green tea, and sharpen your pencil. Go through the list of a la carte sushi and prepare to be wowed. I let my friends do the ordering because they're regulars and every single piece of fish I had melted in my mouth. The nigiri and sashimi slices are so big that the sushi chef typically slices them in half for you. This has to be one of the best 'bang for your buck' sushi places in the DC metro area. It's worth the hike to Germantown if you're craving fresh, authentic Japanese cuts of fish.

    (5)

  • Alice K.

    If you during dinner time or weekends, be wary of at least 45 minutes wait! It's definitely worth the wait though. While their sashimi dishes are not bad, their best stuff are the rolls! They have a LOT of variety when it comes to their rolls. Ask for their special menu if you aren't given one- more rolls and dishes on that one. I can't even begin to describe the rolls I've had there. They have so much variety that I would be typing pages. One that sticks out is the viagra roll- the roll is hidden under a good pile of sauce, scallop, mushrooms, onion, and shrimp and fills you up fast! Entrees come with a free appetizer of carrot sticks, celery, and cucumber, with this home made dip. Depending on how much you order, you'll get other complimentary appetizers also, such as salad, miso soup, and/or fish head. I've been to the buffet a few times and it's pretty good- fresh with lots of options. There's always a long wait though so get in line!

    (5)

  • Janet H.

    Although we ordered a bunch of special rolls and not on menu special appetizers... which were great by the way.. I'm just going to talk about the wonderful and delicious sashimi boat special we got. A huge boat of sashimi goodness came to our table. I'm not even sure how many pieces were in there but a lot. We did not specify what we wanted and just let them give us whatever fish they want. Everything was so fresh and the pieces were thick and 'juicy'. My favorite would have to be the salmon and fatty tuna. I wish I wasn't so busy eating and took a minute to take some pictures. If only they weren't so busy all the time and we didn't have to wait 45 mins for a table.. our experience would have been perfect!

    (4)

  • Batman B.

    Love this place but it is too crowded and small. The owner needs to expand. However, the wait staff is amazing even with the craziness around them. Best (fresh) sushi in the area. Bar none.

    (4)

  • Teresa H.

    Best sushi for the price in the DC metro area. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! These guys don't skimp on their sushi. They give free appetizers for dinner and their portions are huge. Unheard of sizes of fish. Not too much rice. Everything is good, but my favs are: - Tuna Mountain (not on the menu, but it's delicious! Slices of tuna tataki around a salad drenched with peanut sauce, topped with a fist-size ball of spicy tuna) - Hard Rock & Roll (Fresh scallops, eel, avocado inside, 3 types of tobiko outside - beware the green tobiko, it's wasabi infused and it'll get to you) - Spicy Scallop Hand Roll (Exactly what it is, but their helping of scallops is huge!) - House Hand Roll (A mix of chopped up fish and masago mixed into a huge hand roll) This place is always busy. ALWAYS BUSY. Lunch and dinner. From open till close. Whether it's Wednesday or Friday night, If you come at peak hours, better plan on about an hour wait. They close on Mondays. They also have a lunch buffet with a good selection of sushi and korean cooked food. Be careful, cuz it's a madhouse in there. The lines for the sushi is ridiculous, and that's AFTER the wait to sit at a table. It's good, don't get me wrong, but for $15, I'd like a little peace with my meal. Regardless, still my favorite place for sushi.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    My boyfriend and I trekked 30+ miles out from the Tysons Corner area to check out this place. Let's just say, it was worth the trip because you get (more than what) you pay for. As it's Korean-owned, they provide a generous assortment of free side dishes, based upon the amount you order for your main course. The bill came out to be much cheaper than we expected, especially considering the amount that we ordered. We couldn't even finish half of our rolls because they gave us so much free food on the side. The quality of the sushi is not the best, but if you're looking to get stuffed off of rolls, then Yuraku is your best bet (they have a pretty extensive rolls menu; we had a hard time choosing). However, the only downer is that they are located so far from where we reside, and I'm not sure that I loved the food enough to trek all the way out there again (not anytime soon anyway). If we were already in the area, however, I would definitely suggest eating there!

    (4)

  • Caroline L.

    4.5 stars. My entire extended Korean family has declared Yuraku to be THE place to go for great sushi for a somewhat affordable price. Their salmon is ... omg... *wipes off drool*... amazing. SO soft and fatty and delicious. Their portions are very generous! You can get this huge sushi/weird foodie experience if you order one of those huge sushi boats. Before the actual scrumptious boat comes, you get an array of maybe 10 dishes that are for the more adventurous. Raw calamari in sesame oil... fish head... etc. Love it love it love it. But only when my family pays. Their lunch buffet is probably my favorite buffet. I am probably the unofficial queen of buffets so I think this in itself gives them the 4.5 star rating. It's amazing how their portion of raw fish is bigger than the rice they stuff it with. That's how you know they're not trying to skimp on you. Why not the 5 stars? It's too cramped. There's never enough space for all the food. During the buffet, lining up to grab food can be sort of awkward. You can only grab the tongs from one bucket... but when you're done grabbing everything, you find yourself in a predicament of having to go back to the front of the line just to put the tong back in the bucket. 2 buckets please! Oh and also the whole thing about reservations and still having to wait awhile.

    (4)

  • M C.

    This place is terrific. Everytime I travel to town for business, I always have dinner here. Amazing sushi and delicious Japanese dishes. Large selection for anyone's tastes. The place is not fancy, just a small Japanese restaurant in a strip mall...low overhead. You will dine with locals and out of towners here. Wait can be long, but there is usually a stool at the sushi bar. If you are in the Montgomery County, MD area, definately stop in for dinner.

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    Decided to give this restaurant another try and ordered take-out because I didn't want to wait in a long line. How come soup and salad are not included in take-out orders?? Verdict: Overpriced for mediocre sushi. Pass!

    (2)

  • Lee F.

    Best sushi around hands down. Mostly get carry out as the wait can be horrible during peak times. Oshitashi salad - wilted spinach with sesame oil, and mirin that's out of this world. Tuna Mountain - not on any menu I found but is amazing. Seared tuna sitting on top of a nice salad with a HUGE ball of spicy tuna mix in the middle. For $14 it's a steal. Punk rock and roll. - my absolute favorite. Crab, eel and avocado. Covered in 3 colors of tobiko. Tuna tempura - crisp and light with a nice dipping sauce. Delish. Kantonese soup - for well under $3 you can't beat this soup. TONS of veggies, fish cakes and crab. Honestly everything I've tried is amazing. The Buffett is ok, but nothing beyond amazing, but that's only due to people who abuse the generosity. I'd happily pay $19.99 for a better Buffett but the public likes cheap / easy. I go there 3-6 times a week and love every single bite. Anyone wanna join me? I want it NOW!

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    I've had West Coast sushi and East Coast sushi and so far, we've been losing the sushi battle. And on several levels, prices, quality, customer service. Koreans are not known for great customer service especially not outside LA and NYC. In this area, al lot of Korean owned businesses are by older, mostly 1st gen immigrants so culture comes into play. Plenty of places treat me less than stellar b/c I look younger than I am and the employees sometimes see you as a burden who won't be spending a lot of money (but I do!). THIS is where Yuraku is so different! The best service of any Korean place I've been to in the MD/VA/DC area. Period. The mul kimchee is the best I've ever had in my life. And I should know, my mom makes fresh kimchi at home (she gets the red pepper flakes directly form Korea and has a kimchi refrigerator as well). I told her waitress it was so good and she went ahead and brought out another one! And I ate the second dish ....and then drank the kimchi mul :P We had a bunch of rolls and sushi (the volcano roll...i wish I could eat one every day) and chicken teriyaki and veggies (it came out bubbling over a small, itty-bitty fire on a metal plate) all very good. And a three-piece caviar/roe dish - very fresh. I don't think this place is good for kids at all. It's too crowded for their obnoxiousness. hmph. little bastards need to stay home.

    (4)

  • Hung T.

    4.5 stars. I love this place! Pros: Great friendly service, nice environment, ambience, food quality, FREE appetizers, reasonably priced, creative sushi. Cons: Really can't think of any cons. Service can be less than stellar during peak hours. Place is kinda small, but it only adds to the ambience! Everytime i go here, the waitress always gives us a free appetizer to try (not including the usual salmon head/soup/salad). So nice of them! And its awesome having this place less than 10 min from your house! HOLLAAAA

    (4)

  • Nathan O.

    This is best sushi spot in DMV area (d.c, md, va) in my opinion. for lunch it's 13$ a person and there is plenty of nigiri, maki rolls, and side food to keep one happy and full! The level of freshness for lunch is not on par with dinner. I've been coming here for 5 years and only recently have they taken eel off the lunch buffet menu, because of the increase of eel prices. For dinner, the experience is great and the prices are unbeatable. All maki rolls (6pc) are between 4-5$ and the sushi meat-to-rice ratio HUGE. Try ordering the salmon 6pc maki and you will see how big the portion of salmon piece is! Usually for dinner my family and I (4 people) can order and be SO FULL, for 20$ max after tips, yes after tip. To finish the review, my recommended rolls include: *flying dragon roll *california sunset roll *fiesta garden salad with salmon sashimi and *triple spicy salmon roll

    (5)

  • Adil B.

    Yuraku is a great Germantown sushi restaurant! The specialty rolls on the menu are unique and have interesting names. Plus, the waitstaff will offer you free appetizers (edamame, salad) while you wait, and the layout of the menu is straightforward. Every time I come here, I watch as a table of ten or more people orders the sushi boat - a wooden serving tray that is full of sushi. Good idea if you're there with a large enough party. The small reception area outside the restaurant seating room is rather small. I've been here on some weekday nights and have had to wait outside for a little while. Not a big deal though, since the food is always great!

    (5)

  • Oracle P.

    Long waits, food is average. The hostess doesn't know what she is doing! Looks like a zoo. Over priced crap at best

    (1)

  • Monica R.

    Yuraku, you are delicious! My friends scoffed at me when I told them that I've never been to this wonderful gem of a sushi restaurant located in Germantown. The rolls are huge, priced reasonably, and whimsical. Depending on how much you order, the waitresses bring over a lot of complimentary appetizers (edamame, fish heads, huge salads, etc.) Usually at Niwano Hana in Rockville, the boyfriend and I get around 5 rolls (maybe 6 - we're hungry people and it takes a lot of sushi to fill us up!) The first time we went to Yuraku, we ordered some crab wontons (awesome), and 4 rolls. We had LEFTOVERS. LEFTOVERS! We thought we learned from our mistake the next time we went and ordered the crab wontons again and 3 rolls. We forgot about all the free appetizers given out before the meal, and we went home with more leftovers!! We definitely need to figure out the correct hungry : sushi roll ratio. There is one thing that did annoy me though, and I'm wondering if I this rating should really be a 4.5 rating. The first time we decided to trek up north to Yuraku, we called on a Friday night around 5pm and asked if we should make a reservation. They recommended that we did, so we made a reservation for 6:15. We get there at exactly 6:10, and they told us that no tables were available, and asked if we wanted to wait 15-20 minutes or sit at the bar. We chose the sushi bar, which actually turned out to be very fun! However, why take a reservation if it doesn't even matter? It's like that Seinfeld episode, the reservation keeps the car there! Even though this place may be farther away from me in Rockville, and the reservation hiccup wasn't ideal, I think I found a new sushi place. See you later, Niwano Hana! I'm heading up north when I have a sushi craving.

    (5)

  • Israly E.

    I must first note that I am not the type of person that craves sushi. I can eat it, but I don't crave it. I am basically the type of person that eats sushi when everyone else is going for sushi. Well, tonight I went to this place because a friend of mine asked me to come with her. I am so glad she brought me because this is the best sushi I had so far. We had the Flamingo, Spicy Tuna and Titanic (deep fried lobster tail, cucumber and crab) rolls. They were delicious! The pieces were huge! Everything was fresh. The service was friendly and fast. (But keep in mind that it was middle of the week and raining outside) We were served some fried fish and steam egg on the house. The place is nicely kept and you can see pictures of previous clients on the walls. I am definitely coming back to this place and recommending it to all the sushi lovers in my life! :)

    (5)

  • Caroline G.

    If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. My friend and I go to Yuraku every time she comes back into town. My all-time favorite is Yami Yami Jumbo Roll. I would eat here everyday if I could. They give complimentary miso soup and other stuff too as you are waiting for your sushi to arrive. Order from the paper they give you, their crazy fun rolls are the best ever

    (5)

  • Eva O.

    LOVELOVELOVE. My last visit was a little supbar but I'm just going to go ahead and give them the benefit of the doubt. The lunch hour was ending so they were running out of food. I definitely come here for their lunch sushi buffet. I've seen others complain that its too crowded and popular...there's obviously a reason for that. I've seen others say the there's not enough to choose from...that's cause it's condensed into a tight little space so it looks limited compared to places that spread their food out over large buffet-style tables. They don't do a lot of filler/ run-of-the mill rolls like California rolls, avocado rolls...everything is creative and fresh. So it usually takes 15/20 minutes to get my foot in the door but by then I've worked up my appetite and anticipation. Yuraku is the ONLY place that makes volcano roll the way I like it, smothered in roe and spicy mayo. Also love their rainbow roll and nigiri. And the fried bananas. And the kimbap. And just about everything else!

    (5)

  • Erica P.

    this food is nasty. i ate from the buffet at lunch. they dont stock the food much either. tried some sushi ugh. my first and last time here.

    (2)

  • Nat T.

    Very nice sushi in both quality and quantity please do not go there for lunch buffet .. the quality is so different from dinner ..

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    This is my all-time favorite local sushi spot. I'm not a sashimi person, so I always go for the rolls. You can't pick badly - even their most basic sounding rolls turn out to be the best California/Shrimp Tempura/Spicy Tuna/Whatever Roll that you've ever had. My faves are the Volcano, Firecracker and anything with eel. Don't miss their special rolls of the night. But whatever you do, DON'T OVER ORDER! I guarantee they will bring out something extra to surprise and delight you - we've been given the following on any given night: veggie sticks with a house-made dip (this seems to be standard), salad, miso soup, salmon jowl (more delicious than it sounds), whole fried butterfish, a tuna hand roll, or a small bowl of cellophane noodles with shrimp. Some nights, they're remarkably generous and we have to waddle out to our car. There's often a long wait, so be patient. It's worth it.

    (5)

  • Lucy X.

    Let me just start off by saying this is, BY FAR, my absolute favorite place for sushi. Why? First of all, their sushi NEVER fails. it's packed with whatever, and made to perfection. And they also make some of the most interesting, extravagant and delicious sushis you will ever see. Just ask for the "Special Menu", order anything from it and you'll know exactly what I mean. I will always and forever keep coming back to this place for sushi over and over again, as long as I live in the DMV. Before I die, my goal is to try everything on the special menu, at least once... :)

    (5)

  • Sandy C.

    I love sushi. And I love Yuraku. For the DMV...this is definitely the place for sushi. What can I say...the prices are reasonable, the service is great, and they even throw in freebies! Complimentary (that is, if you order a certain $$ per person but that's not hard, since there's sooo many yummy items), you get salmon head, miso soup, steam egg, and salad. It gets really busy here, so prepare to wait or Call ahead, I think they started taking reservations (something I did not know till after a recent visit and 35 minute wait). The rolls are great here and so is the sashimi salad. I'm not sure what to recommend cause everything so good, so you can't go wrong - so order away!! Great place for some great food! :)

    (4)

  • Seong L.

    This was second time I visited so far. Ordered Sashimi and some rolls. Taste are always great and fortunately, we got some extra stuff for ordering some expensive dishes. Their customer service is also great too.

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    I have been a customer of Yaraku for years, and have never been disappointed. This is, definitely, the best sushi in town! The sashmi and unagi (my favorites) is a "Home run!" When I get that sushi crave - this place is first on my radar. EXCELLENT service and food! You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Joe C.

    I like it when my last memory is so fond, it causes me to forget the one before. I left yuraku with 3 pleasant reasons to smile... the first is my cute date, the second is for my full belly and the third is for leftovers. I'm not a connoisseur of raw fish by any means... it need only be fresh, colorful, have a good texture. Thin, thick, small or large cut... it makes no difference. I found this place to meet all my reasonable expectations and was glad for it. I'd recommend anything on the menu. Tape the menu to the wall And throw a dart. Whatever you hit, I'm almost certain you'd be happy you went there to eat. That's how much credibility I give the single roll, sashimi platter and sushi that we ordered. It's legit. Price was quite reasonable and if you're like me thinking that there isn't a single dish that you can't put away, think again. Order small, remember you can always order more. We left with enough to feed another person. That's all I really have to say... You get miso soup on the side, a lil bowl of steamed egg puree, and if you're lucky a something extra. Service is pretty good and decor is comfortable. Come here and you'll come again for sure. I'm from VA and I definitely plan on coming here at least a third time.

    (4)

  • Micah P.

    A friend of mine said there was a place in Germantown with really great sushi. Although she never gave me the name of this place, I have a feeling it is Yuraku Japanese Restaurant! The sushi here was very fresh, tasty, and unique. I had the chunky monkey roll (not sure about the name, but I remember it had banana in it) and it was delicious! They even threw in some salmon fish on the house.

    (5)

  • Kikumi P.

    As someone who lived in Japan for 8 years this place is AMAZING. The sushi is delicious and with large portions. The only negative aspect is the wait and the size of the space. It's time they think about expanding because I've never gone there (even on a week day) and not waited. My last wait time was 30 minutes which I would never do for any restaurant other than Yuraku!

    (5)

  • Sina E.

    I went during their lunch time buffet time, and this place gets really busy. We had to wait 30 minutes as the lines were going out the door, but it's worth it for the lunch buffet special. It wasn't anything too fancy, and a little cramped, but the place was well kept together. When we sat down, they brought us miso soup and the sushi was pretty good. Overall, if you're in the area, I highly recommend this place, because lunch buffet is a great deal.

    (4)

  • Matt B.

    Great place for sushi, I've been coming here for many years and have never been disappointed. Good prices for the portions and quality of food given. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Min K.

    This review has been long overdue. I actually discovered this place 4 years ago when my friend took me here for my birthday. Its clean with exceptional service and the sushi is awesome! Not to mention, its korean-owned, so that didn't hurt either! Its a decently sized place with a good amount of seating. I love how they give you an umbrella, green tea ice cream, take your picture, and tape it on the wall (birthday). When I had first discovered this place it wasn't too crowded. No one knew about this secret hot spot! Now you have to wait an hour at least just to get a table! Make sure you call ahead of time for reservations. The sushi here is amazing! They also give free appetizers. Miso soup, salad, veggies with their special dipping sauce (mix of mayo and something). Sometimes they give a fish head (basically the head of a salmon cooked) and gyeranjjim. I like how they don't waste food! I'm never disappointed when I come here. I've also taken my friends and family here. They love it too! yummm

    (5)

  • Robert R.

    Best sushi for miles around. Busier than a whorehouse at the end of the world though.

    (4)

  • Trevor M.

    Sushi knows no bounds here. This hole in the wall (actually endcap of a shopping strip mall) is one of the most uniquely, undistinguishable places in all strip malls. And that's the secret...which everyone apparently knows now. But, hey...here's my two yens worth. I'm a Jap...I can say that. I'm not going to follow my usual format for this review. Here it is... One of the best sushi bars in Maryland. Why? Is it the highest end of decor and fashion? Is it because cradled behind the bar is the secret of their strength...Mr. Coffee machine actually. No, It's because in this unassuming hole in the wall is the most dedicated artisans of sushi to come across this area in a long time. Is it mass quantities? Actually, yes...but, it is also incredible quality with fish being flown in almost a daily basis. You are guaranteed freshness and quality. (yes, they do have the obligatory buffet during lunch...that's just to get people into the door). The people in the know go to the bar where at it's peak time can make you wait for up to 45 minutes. Why do sushi-o-philes come here? Mr. Lee and Sonny (think Korean version of Morimoto) And in some ways...it's also a school and training ground for new talent. These guys can handle blades that will amaze you. Rolls, maki, temaki, tempura...all standard, but great work in their hands. I once had a spicy tuna stuffed into an Anaheim pepper and fried tempura style...yeah....that's the stuff. Russia with Love is one of my favorites...a collection of roe on singular beds of rice wrapped in nori with quail egg on top. Decadent and simple, but beautiful in it's presentation...I have mine with Uni, just to kick it up. Holy Mackeral is it crowded!!! yes...small place, big crowds. Get there early and go to the bar and get your fill. Bottom line: There is a reason these people rock...and I will never stop writing good things about them. Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Ajay A.

    Very good sushi, have been here many times for lunch over the years. Only complaint is that it is very small, so it fills up fast, resulting in a long wait. If you do not want to wait, make sure you get here before noon.

    (3)

  • Ting W.

    BEST sushi in the area. Whether you go here for lunch or for dinner, you won't lose. The buffet is unparalleled in Rockville area - I like the quality and the price of it. Less pricy than Todai but just as good (if not better). Even if you come for dinner, the size of their rolls is gigantic compared to other places. I recommend going for the speciality rolls because that's where they really shine. Good all around for catching up with friends, dates, or special occasions.

    (5)

  • Krad K.

    If your into Sushi you have to checkout Yuraku in Germantown. I enjoyed their lunch sushi buffet and I was surprised with all the great choices of fish. I even tried their dinner titanic roll which was huge, had to take 3 bites to eat one roll. But ohhh so tasty! The decor however could use an update...considering how many visitors they get I'm sure budget is not an issue. Avoid noon thru 1pm lunch rush.. Usually a waiting list for 20mins.

    (4)

  • Sachith D.

    The reviews on here for the sushi made it seem a lot better than it is. Maybe my experience was mediocre since I went on a Sunday (no lunch or dinner specials were available; apparently, that's a Tuesday-Saturday only deal), or because it was just as they opened, so everyone was still a bit tired, but I did not feel the sushi measured up to the hype. Some pieces were absolutely brilliant, and some sort of flopped apart if I accidentally nudged them with my chopsticks. The dishes ordered from the kitchen were chicken and salmon teriyaki, neither of which seemed particularly special. The wait was less than ten minutes, and there were a surprising amount of people waiting to enter for a Sunday afternoon. Service was more prompt than the reviews led me to believe. Even when we left, the restaurant was full. I will swing by again at some point to try their lunch buffet and see if I just caught them on a bad day.

    (3)

  • Stephanie D.

    I took one star away for the wait...but that is a testament to how good the food is. I'm a big fan of their ginger house salad...I think they add jalapeño to it, which adds a nice kick. The sushi is some of the freshest I've ever had and their selection of rolls have yet to disappoint.

    (4)

  • Crystal Lynne C.

    I know 5 Stars is a stretch, but the criteria is "As good as it gets!"... and it is... for Montgomery County. Cuong took me here after my 41 week pregnancy, and we ordered 8 pieces of Salmon, 2 scallop handrolls, and an order of Volcano rolls. It could have been the sushi hiatus, but I wanted to cry from happiness at being able to have salmon again. Lobster Rolls are a must have when in season.

    (5)

  • Kenneth K.

    Yuraku is one of my "go to" sushi restaurants. The portions of the fish are fairly large, which IMO is plus. (I despise restaurants that skimp out on the fish) They have a pretty respectable variety of sushi and rolls to pick from and like most korean owned places they typically serve little side dishes (pan chan) with the food. To be honest though, I've been to Yuraku probably like 5+ times. The first time I went there, I ordered some sushi thinking it was your typical sushi joint (and as expected they didn't disappoint). My following visits however... I've ordered nothing but the rolls. Let me tell you this, the portions of the rolls is what really sets Yuraku apart from all the other sushi places! They are pretty darn big and delicious, especially considering the price. If my memory serves me correct, it's about $5 - $8 a roll. What's nice too, is the more you order the more extra side dishes they tend to give you (fried fish head is typical). FYI though, If your going to go, make sure to make a reservation. The wait without a reservation is pretty darn long during the dinner/lunch hours. And don't be surprised if you have to wait like 10 - 15 min even with a reservation. I know, you might be thinking, whats the point of a reservation then? But trust me, it's worth the wait. If your in the Gaithersburg/Germantown area you should definitely check it out.

    (4)

  • sonia g.

    Really, really good sushi. All kinds and varieties, a very extensive and creative menu. Pretty casual decor, nice staff, but it's really all about the food there. The only downside is that it's sometimes a long wait for a table, even on weekdays.

    (4)

  • Joe L.

    Best sushi place I've ever been to. Magnifcant food and presentation. WIsh it was closer (to me)!

    (5)

  • Muriel H.

    I would love to return to Yuraku sometime soon, but its gets so crowded so fast. Prepare for a long wait, however, it is worth it. The "all you can eat" sushi is appetizing and the other items at the hot bar are also great. Nice selection of sushi so go..ENJOY! I wish they were open longer during the week rather than just lunchtime. They need a happy hour!!

    (4)

  • Linda P.

    This is my go to place for sushi in MD whenever I have a craving (which is pretty often). The service is consistently good, the sashimi/rolls are always fresh, it is very reasonably priced, and they give complimentary appetizers. I don't know any sushi restaurant who does that, do you? My favorite roll is the crunchy scallop roll (off the menu)--scallops are ginormous! I also have been to their lunch buffet several times and they have a pretty decent selection of a variety of rolls. My only gripe on this place is the wait area. They take reservations but you still usually have to wait at least 10-15 min. If you walk in, you have to write your name on a paper to get called. Come on, as busy as this place is they really need to incorporate some sort of efficient computer system. Regardless, I love this place and will be coming back again...and again.

    (4)

  • Erica Y.

    It is the best kept secret in Germantown, although I think the secret is out as more and more of my friends are asking me if I know about this great sushi place they heard in Germantown :) I don't think it has the best sushi in town, but it is good quality, and sushi chef Sunny does a great job and it is definitely the best value in town. You get ALOT for very reasonable price, and the wait staff are very friendly, although if they are busy you might have to have some patience. They are known for birthdays, where they will give you this lovely huge fruit plate with green tea ice cream in the middle (courtesy of the restaurant) and make you take a polaroid photo with a paper umbrella. It's not my thing but most people seem to enjoy the attention.

    (4)

  • Rae K.

    This is the best Sushi place in all of DC area. I live in VA but always get my sushi here. I've been too many sushi restaurants and nothing compares this place. As many others have said, the sushi buffet is great. Has a variety of sushi/sashimi items, but has other korean/japanese dishes as well. The restaurant is a little small and it is hard to get around the sushi area during peak hours but well worth it. Although the buffet is great, I find the regular menu items even better during dinner. If you order a $75 boat, it comes enough sushi/sashimi combo for 3-4 people. They do not hold back on the quality and quantitiy of fish. Portions are very big. You can go to another sushi restaurant and it will be twice as expensive. They also give lots of free items before the main course to keep you nibbling. The only downside is that the ambiance is little poor. It is an older restaurant, but I call it a hole in the wall type of atomsphere. One other little thing is that it is very hard to get a seat during peak times. This tells you how good the place is. There is even a line for take out orders! You have to plan ahead if you want to eat here to avoid wait. Best sushi in town. You will not regret!

    (5)

  • Andrew L.

    Can't really say enough about this place, except that I'm usually in food coma mode after going to the lunch buffet. On weekends, the wait is generally 15-20 minutes during the busy hours for lunch, and sometimes during dinner as well. Anyways, of the multiple times I've been there for lunch, I almost always see some type of roll that I haven't had before. They don't overload on rice and add good portions of seafood unlike some of the other Japanese sushi places around Moco. The quality of the sushi is really good, I would have said the best I've ever had but I recently went to L.A. which changed my mind. But it's still the best quality sushi I've had in the area and what gets me to come here again and again is their creativity. I've never seen the mix of sushi ingredients in the rolls conjured with different toppings and sauces. If you love sushi just come here and dont even give it a second thought. Also, if you come here for dinner, get the volcano roll. MIND = BLOWN.

    (5)

  • R C.

    This place is 4.5 stars. So I had just been to three other sushi places that week. One was very good but I didn't order enough and so started my week long search for a good sushi place. By Thursday last week I finally found it and came home happy. I sat at the bar and watched the sushi chefs and had wonderful sushi. It had the regular rolls you expect but also more exotic rolls as well that nicer/fancier sushi places have. But what made it great were some of the really rare stuff that not all sushi places have (fatty tuna prepared three different ways on the plate). It was amazing. One was just lightly seared with peppercorn and it tasted like a rare piece of beef tenderloin. It was surf and turf all rolled up into one...but it was only fish. The fish was fresh and they gave a lot of fish with the rolls and the chirashi bowl!! Wow I've never had a larger chirashi bowl in my life. I can not wait to go back. I had also ordered some salmon so at the end of the night, the chef gave me a spicy salmon hand roll on the house. Just awesome.

    (4)

  • David O.

    First off, the sushi here is very good and so is the price. If you live in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area, you know it's not easy to find a nice sushi spot. The staff is very friendly and I've always had a good experience there. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the decor (inside and outside), but maybe that doesn't matter if the sushi is great! There are lots of other things on the menu, but I haven't tried too much of it. Go!

    (4)

  • Sunny S.

    awesome buffet, the sushi is not (obviously) the same grade as a non buffet style, but its still pretty dang good, they have sushi with fruit which was different and good i love the papaya salad and they make a really good one, i also liked the mussels i did feel a bit rushed by the waitstaff, they brought us the bill after we just sat down with our first plate! but they are busy so that should say a bit right? price is good, parking is a plenty, ambiance is so so

    (4)

  • Kelly J.

    Holy Freaking Sushi!! This place is by far the best Sushi restaurant you could ever go to (well at least in Maryland) They have such a wide variety of sushi. The sizes of each individual sushi really makes you glad you are getting your moneys worth. Sometimes if you're lucky, at closing time they'll give you extra food (or maybe they just like the look of us) The only downside to this place is the long wait (even on a Wednesday night this place is beyond crazy packed). We come here every week, no matter what the day, or time, expect a wait! They are short staffed and can sometimes forget about you (when you do finally sit down) but you can understand when you see the amount of people in this place. There is only one hostess and she also can get caught up in the crowd (she has forgotten to write us on the wait list a couple of times) but that will never stop me from coming here. I have tried almost everything on their menu and there is nothing I don't like.

    (5)

  • Jenn B.

    This place as already earned it's awesomeness as other reviewers has pointed out! But I did want to let people know that even if you don't LOVE japanese food and mainly sushi, this is still a great place to try out at least once! I came with my partner who (1) hate sushi and (2) is extremely picky and we both looooved it! We came for lunch, and the buffet rocked my world! For such a tiny place they do offer a lot of hot and cold options for the price you pay. The only thing I don't like is if you're sitting in the middle area you're right on top of the people next to you...which is not desirable if someone, say sneezes. But whatevs- I can let that go due to the deliciousness of the food here. Quite the jem!

    (5)

  • Ardeshir G.

    When it's time for sushi, fresh is even more important than well-prepared. Yuraku scores on both. The sushi here one of the best in the greater northwest Germantown area [a region known for it's legendary sushi establishments.] ;) The prices are sushi prices. Sushi is never cheap but Yuraku is not over-priced either. It goes without saying that you probably don't want to eat cheap, day-old or 50%-OFF sushi. Expect a 20-30 min wait if you get there at lunch or dinner time.

    (4)

  • Mei-ye J.

    While the toro may not be great at any time during the day, I'm a salmon fan so it doesn't really matter. I've had dinner once here and have been to the lunch buffet twice. Both yesterday and today. I must say for 10.95 before tax I think it's an awesome deal. I thought the salmon nigri was both fresh and well portioned. I loved the variety and I must say it's true about how they have sushi prepared in advance and sitting, especially the toro. Most people I observed were not fans of the toro and it didn't get taken as quickly as the salmon. I think that's why the salmon was fresher. The dessert selection is lacking and you pay extra for any drinks other than water and tea. Seating is very limited. My advice come early for an abundant variety, but don't come for the tuna (all they have is toro, which didn't seem very fresh).

    (4)

  • Jessica D.

    I stopped in here on a lunch date with a friend, and I was really pleased. They do what looked like a pretty amazing lunch buffet, but we just ordered off the menu at the bar. They have a nice selection of sake and a decent selection of sushi and sashimi-- I'm from California and I've not had a lot of success finding the kind of variety that I'm used to since moving to Maryland. We ordered a lot of the typical sushi pieces-- salmon, tuna, eel. Everything was excellent. They also do the fried shrimp heads here, but they were out that day. The sushi chef also sent a few complimentary items to our table, one he called the Crepe Tartar was absolutely amazing. For rolls, we got a Philly roll and a volcano roll. The Philly was pretty typical, no complaints and the volcano roll was phenomenal. I see why it's such a popular item with other diners. Probably my one and only complaint would be the length of the wait, but that's like complaining that the food is too good-- the wait is well worth the food.

    (4)

  • Don K.

    Food is great. They have a great nigiri sushi spread, as well as other things. Everyone complains about the wait to get in and not a lot of wait service inside, but these are symptoms of this place being extremely popular. If they hired anymore waitress's, there wouldn't be any room to the buffet and back. The only way this place could improve would be to move to a bigger location, or increase their price. If raising their price kept enough people away to shorten the lines and make it less crowded inside, I'd pay extra for that

    (5)

  • Rhan K.

    Went for dinner today and had the chef's special. They bring out a lot of small dishes for each person (its $$$$) but it is nice because you get to try a whole bunch of things that aren't on the menu. But the only problem I had with it was the amount of fried foods. Fried sushi and fish isn't bad but if you are trying to enjoy a lot of food, it just gets to be too much.

    (4)

  • D V.

    Delicious sushi but extremely unorganized service. They didnt take our reservation but said they would put us on the waitlist. When we got to the restaurant, they seated all of the asian customers before us. Ended up waiting for almost an hour to get a table. Does this place discriminate against non-asians?

    (1)

  • Marshall M.

    Always go there with my friend, but didn't like it, cause my friends order a sashimi boat, that has a lot of fish I don't like.or some Korean cuisine dish, I do love raw fish ,so I gave a so so for my point of view. But once dinner with my family, my eye was open, Yuraku has a special roll menu, list of 10-15 kind, that was SUPERB, TORO ( fatty tuna) sashimi that melted in your mouth, That night was my real experience with YURAKU...

    (5)

  • Jeanne Y.

    A year or two ago, Yuraku would have been a solid four stars. My friends and I would go for lunch or for dinner, celebrating birthdays or just looking for a fun place to go for good food. After all, cheap all-you-can-eat-sushi is quite a draw, and the long lines attest to it. However, when I went a few days ago, I was disappointed. Very disappointed. Don't get me wrong. The cooked food was alright. The Korean food they had out was decent (the place is owned by Koreans). But the sushi was MEH at best, and while there's a wide selection, there was nothing spectacular about it. I consoled myself by saying that it would come out to be ~$12 per person (after factoring tax/tip). But when the bill came, I discovered they had jacked up their prices to $12.99 per person! That REALLY blows. We paid our bill and left, somewhat bitterly. I know the recession is hitting us all hard, but even if Yuraku were right across the street from my house, I don't think their lunch sushi buffet is worth the money (or the wait). Especially when I have to drive to Germantown to get it. It's going to be a while before I go back.

    (2)

  • D M.

    Hands-down my favorite sushi restaurant in Maryland. My friends and family and I always have a blast sitting down for a meal at Yuraku. I've never been disappointed by anything I've eaten and find the servers very kind. The kitchen sometimes sends out complimentary salads and rolls, which I love. They do wonderful things with strawberries and bananas on their sushi rolls - pretty neat! I'd suggest making reservations - it can get very busy and seating is somewhat limited.

    (5)

  • Dave W.

    A follow up from my first post - I go back to Yuraku monthly, and they continue to stay fresh, delicious and probably the best value in sushi. I appreciate the consistency, and that I can take a group, eat ridiculous amounts of sushi, and not run up the national debt doing so. The only downside? The place is popular and lines form early, so if you don't like to wait, get in early (I've never waited more than 5 minutes Mon-Thur, if I'm there by 6:00 or 6:15). Looking forward to the next shipful of sushi next week......

    (5)

  • Ken K.

    Went here for the lunch buffet and stuffed my face silly with a variety of different rolls and sushi. The inside has sort of a trashy "all-you-can-eat buffet" ambiance, but you'll easily forget that once you start eating. Bottom Line: Lunch buffet for $15 has a good variety, so it is ideal for the sushi novice trying to get their feet wet in different types of sushi, or for the sushi lover who is trying to get their fix.

    (4)

  • Ibis W.

    I've logged countless dinners with this place in the past few years. I alone have put the owner's children through college. That's right, all of them. College. How ever many children they have. And you know what? I have absolutely nothing remotely bad to say about them. Not with all the millions of chances I've given them to mess up. This place cannot be more rave-worthy. Food is great, service is great, price is great, everything is great, every time!

    (5)

  • Paula N.

    Just came back from their sushi buffet and they have yellowtail sushi (hamachi). Yay! I love yellowtail -- but it's really hard to find at the sushi buffets around Rockville. Lunch is super-busy, we had to wait 20 minutes for a table, so make sure your bosses won't be looking for you if you come back late.

    (4)

  • Juliet K.

    one of the most affordable delicious sushi places in the suburbs of maryland. we ordered the $100 sushi and sashimi combo. this was really a 5 course meal. they kept bringing out more and more food. egg, baked salmon head, dumplings, miso soup, salad, squid salad, and then the huge boat of fish. they give you non spicy kimchi (very refreshing) and a spicy sauce to dip the sashimi in. delish. great quality sushi too and some very unique rolls. def would go back. i wish it were closer!!

    (5)

  • Tina L.

    It's a love-hate relationship with this restaurant... LOVE: -The food is awesome -For the food quality, the price is very reasonable HATE: -I get an upset stomach afterwards every single time but that's just me and my tolerance for raw fish even though i think it's still worth it, as with all raw food...eat at your own risk -Dislike the wait (i went about 3 times and even though we made reservations each time, each time the wait was still around 30 minutes) SUGGESTIONS: -it's pretty much pointless to make reservations so whether you have a small or large group, so make sure everyone shows up on time (that's when they put you down on the wait list). Last time I went, there was an angry man that made a reservation and still waited like 45 minutes and non-stop complained. I suggest them to just take way all reservations to avoid this kind of situation and just make it a first come first serve for everyone, which is what they do anyways. Avoid peak times if you can. Overall, I would still go back for my occasional sushi/sashimi fix. I would like to try their weekend lunch buffet next time.

    (4)

  • Lisa K.

    If you love sushi, then Yuraku is a must. Sushi is plump and fresh and prompt to arrive with free goodies (if you order a boat). Not feeling dinner? Well, the lunch buffet is ridiculously delicious. Lots and lots of sushi choices, hot foods are pretty limited, so i wouldn't go there unless you want sushi. Only cons are that lunch buffet wait gets pretty long, seating is a bit limited. As with most asian/sushi restaurants, beer and beverage choice is limited and expensive, for a can of soda and a large-ish can of beer. For dinner, I'd say go with a boat-- you get a lot of sushi and sashimi with free appetizers. Rolls are only necessary if have 1-2 more people than the recommended boat size. Boats/dinner works best with a group for sharing, and lunch buffet better for single diners or couples.

    (5)

  • Wee O.

    Awesome food specially sashimi deluxe.

    (5)

  • Shawn H.

    Very good sushi, super friendly staff. I don't love the ambiance or the location, but I'm always impressed with the food. Whether you want sushi or excellent Japanese and a little bit of Korean food, Yuraku is a great choice if you are that far north. In fact, this would be my only choice if I were in Gaithersburg or any more north of Rockville.

    (4)

  • Meggie C.

    one of my friends is obsessed with this place. he always wants to go their for their sushi buffet lunch. ive been a couple times, place is not bad. its actually pretty good. their sushi buffet has quite a few selections with other dishes on the side too. it can get kinda packed though so you might have to wait like 15 minutes.

    (4)

  • Toni Rae S.

    I'd been hearing from my brother about his brother-in-law's favorite sushi place, the place where he can sit at the bar and say, "make me something," and they'll create something amazing for him. So when my brother's family wanted to take me there, I was mighty intrigued about it. First of all, when you can get a two-year old kid from the suburbs to eat sushi, that's saying something. What's helpful is that they provide kiddie chopsticks, though I'm sure some adults use them too :) My niece and nephew adore this place. I'm not sure if they're slightly on the freaky side or if it's that good. I'm not a sushi connoisseur, but I've eaten enough to know what I like and don't like. I like things with lots of flavor, with a little bit of spice, and since I'm not a fan of soy sauce, something that doesn't require me to use it as an aid to choke down my food. The variety is overwhelming, so the two times I've been here, I just let my sister-in-law go to town. This time, my brother and sister-in-law raved about the Chilean Sea Bass, about how it's the best fish they'd ever tasted. Okay--when you hear someone say that, you have to be a LITTLE skeptical, don't you? So I was, and when the plate was set before me, hunks of white sea bass, slightly brown from a marinade, sitting atop some seaweed salad and some other finely stringy, crispy vegetable, I thought, "fish is fish, but I'll eat this because I love my family." It was the best fish I've ever tasted. It makes me sad to look to the right side of my screen and see one and two-star reviews, because this means some folks might hesitate before coming here. The brother-in-law has been a loyal customer for years and has never been sick. No, it's not a palace, but it's always so busy there, they probably don't have time for it to be pristine--it's certainly not going to prevent me from returning. And judging from the other diners who packed the restaurant the two times I've been there, they're going to keep coming back too.

    (4)

  • Alisa S.

    We went to Yuraku for dinner. Besides from the great company, the food was delish! Osaka Triangle roll was great. Definitely recommend it. Yuraku roll was a typical eel avocado roll. Sweet Angel roll provided a nice sweet surprise, but probably wouldn't be good in large amounts. Hand rolls were okay. The Uni and other sushi was fresh. I'm not a huge fan of large pieces of sushi, I end up eating it piece by piece. However, the sushi chefs had given us some complimentary sushi which was great. The service was kind of slow, but understandable because the restaurant was really busy. Overall, we'll definitely be coming back again!

    (4)

  • Eve G.

    Absolutely the best sushi place in the Germantown area! The all you can eat lunch buffet serves a wide variety of foods, a spread of tastes and colors - yaki, tempura, rice, noodles, vegetables and of course, the sushi. Crunchy tuna, banana crunch, smoked eel, avocado lover, mango madness...everything is yum! And if you go for supper and order from the menu, you will be just as satisfied with your meal. The portions are large, the rolls are well made, and the sushi is fresh and melts in your mouth. For the food and the price, it is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Mikey W.

    I've come here twice. Once for their lunch buffet, and another night for their regular dinner. Their lunch buffet is a 3 at best. The sushi/entrees weren't fresh, some of the meat was questionable, service wasn't great, etc. the buffets a good deal for quantity, but quality wasn't. i had a much better experience for dinner. me and 7 other came and ordered 18 rolls. yes, 18! they gave us two complimentary salads, and two plates of salmon heads. The salads were definitely good, one included little pieces of tuna. My other friends enjoyed the cooked salmon heads more, but i honestly was a little grossed out. it was cooked and oily and just didnt have a nice color to it. anyways, onto the 18 rolls. we got pretty much a wide assortment of spicy, crunchy, fried, and sweet rolls. in terms of roll quantity/quality/price, this probably is the best deal i've had. big rolls, good quality. i also got a few pieces of sashimi, but I wasn't as impressed. It didn't taste as fresh or as good as I've had at other places. with rolls you can mask some of the "freshness" factor with all the other ingridients. with sashimi you can not. i wish this place was closer, cause I'll want to come here next time i have a sushi throwdown.

    (4)

  • Angelica S.

    At Yuraku I have had their lunch buffet and special at dinner time. At their lunch buffet they have a variety of choices. I would recommend coming earlier because there are a rush around lunch time. Their dinner time special is also very good as well. They keep on sending food to your table until you tell them to stop. The courses are very nice and artistic.

    (4)

  • allen t.

    Tuesday (8/10) One of the best sushi lunch buffets out there. I came here for a sushi buffet so don't give me a rice buffet. But that seems to be the model of the other buffets; paper thin cuts of fish, rolls filled with cheap ingredients, and all that rice. Not Yuraku. After waiting for about 40 minutes, we finally got our table. My first plate was filled with tuna, salmon, makerel, and yellow tail sushi. Portions are close to the dinner portions of other places. As usual, it's fresh and accompanied with a reasonable portion of rice. Their rolls are generally pretty good as well. Spicy tuna, california, and so on. I didn't particulary care for the roll with cream cheese though. Just a personal perference. Second plate had a few more pieces of the fish and some cooked meat; bulgogi and pork along with some kimchi. Pretty good stuff. Hmmm.... Could this place be owned by Koreans? I would go for a third but it seems age has caught up a little with the appetite. Awesome buffet for $12.95. I'd definitely pay more for it compared to all the other buffet places in MD. Just one suggestion... A better system so people can get an idea of the wait would be awesome. Seems too random for my liking.

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    Usually, raw fish+buffet makes you think salmenella as a side. Not here friends. They do a great job of rotating their lunch buffet for great freshness. We'll be trying it out for dinner soon.

    (5)

  • Paul E.

    My new favorite go to place for seafood. Everything tasted fresh and amazing. Presentation was beautiful. Service was on point. Prices are very reasonable. It's nice to finally find a good sushi place that isn't worrysome to order from if you know what mean. I'll definitely be back and now have a place I can recommend to others too. Spicy Tuna was my favorite

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    This is my favorite sushi restaurant in the area. I think it's the best place for your money- for quality, DELICIOUS sushi for a great price with great portions too. They give a few appetizers to munch on while waiting. Every time I took my friends here from out of town, my friends' eyes would light up when the waitress brought the sushi platters out- they are styled SO beautifully and taste so amazing. I recommend the triple salmon roll and the maui salmon roll if you like salmon and avocado. I usually end up spending about $10-20 per person, because our table usually gets several specialty rolls and we share. I much prefer this place to sushi buffets, because you get quality specialty rolls. But for sushi buffet lovers, they also have a sushi lunch buffet that has a great selection as well. Also, the owner (I think she's the owner) is super nice and friendly. Actually, the whole wait staff is really nice and go out of their way to make sure it's a pleasant dining experience. One time my friend ordered a roll and requested to put cream cheese in it. They forgot to add the cream cheese (which they didn't have to add in the first place), so they brought a plate of cream cheese just for her and ANOTHER big roll that they made specially for her. So nice! This is the only sushi place I go to, I love it!

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Went here with my girlfriend for the first time yesterday around 1pm after hearing so much about it. When we got there we had to wait a few minutes since there was around 4 names in front of us, but we decided to sit at the bar instead if a table which got us in there a lot sooner. When we sat down the waiter gave us a few menus and we didn't know exactly how anything worked here. Waited around 5 minutes before a waiter was able to assist us and explain the buffet to us. The food was okay, I'd give the quality a 8/10. The dinning area isn't that big, but there's not much they can do about that. Pricing is fair and we left satisfied. The sushi chefs at the bar even gave us a complimentary appetizer, I don't know if they always do this but they did for the bar at the time and it was pretty good. I would recommend this place for people who like to eat a lot of sushi and hang out with friends since I think it's best for groups.

    (4)

  • Katie L.

    One of the best sushi restaurants! Big portion and delicious food. I also like it not being expensive :)

    (5)

  • John N.

    If you have anything bad to say about this place you are freakin retarded. People complain about overpriced sushi and then they go to restaurants with half the portions for the same price....I dont get it!! This place has every type of sushi you could ask for with Ginormous Portions. You could get 2 rolls and be stuffed!! They are very creative and are constantly creating new things for you to try. Im a creature of habit so I usually stick to my go to's, but whenever I take friends and they try other things I am never disappointed. The Sushi Buffet is a great deal and they have a wide variety of sushi as compared to other buffets that I have been to. They are a stickler for not wasting food so they will get mad if you load your plate up and dont eat all of it. The service here is pretty good but nothing to write home about. Maybe its because im asian but they always seem to bring out 94857394875 appetizers for us when we go, which are always included. Overall this is a great place with high quality rolls and sashimi for a relatively decent price. Try getting as much here for the same price anywhere else!! If you find it let me know because I have yet to find one.

    (5)

  • Alec S.

    Went for the lunch buffet and it was delicious! The place was packed, but they kept the sushi very well stocked. I was very impressed with the number of different rolls that were included on the buffet, not just the typical spicy tuna and California roll. Definitely worth the visit!

    (5)

  • TereSita D.

    Came here on a Sunday night. We had called ahead and made reservations and still had to wait about 20 min. It was a full house that night. Could only mean one thing right....must be delicious! We ordered the: - California roll - Shrimp tempura roll - November Rain Roll ( shrimp crab avocado and cream cheese topped with spicy crab and sweet potato chip ) - Flying Dragon roll ( salmon avocado and cucumbers topped with eel ) - With Love From Russia ( masago, black caviar, salmon roe topped with quail eggs) Everything we ordered was to die for. It was all so good. A bit on the pricey side but well worth it. The flavored was on point and the service was great. I can't wait to come back and try out more different rolls.

    (4)

  • Ian L.

    I can't write a review good enough to do Yuraku the justice it deserves. The service is great, and the food is better. The buffet is an amazing value, but it is so much better to order off of the menu. I have been commuting to Yuraku for over a decade, and can not eat at any other sushi places, because I have gotten so used to eating at Yuraku. The rolls are super creative, and Sonny is the man. If I was to have any complaints it would be that it is so crowded, and that is only because the food is so good.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Their sushi rolls are excellent! Add to that the fact that they have an all-you-can eat lunch buffet with such delicious sushi rolls and you have a very tasty combination. They do also have a full menu of other entrees, which I have only sparsely sampled. I honestly don't tend to venture past the their deliciously unique sushi rolls and ever so tasty shrimp and vegetable tempura. Also available if you like they have a standard selection of Japanese beers or sake.

    (5)

  • Tiffany T.

    SOLID 4.5 stars. I just have a hard time giving ANY place a 5 star rating. but this place, is FABULOUS. I love sushi. A lot, a lot. I crave it so often. Most recent: LUNCH BUFFET with the bf I believe it was about $12 per person for lunch buffet including miso soup and green tea if you so wish, and i do! Miso soup was standard, yummy and not sweet like some japanese restaurants. The selection was plenty for $12. They had some korean dishes such as the cold clear noodle dish. They also had fried tempura with tempura sauce, soba noodles, shrimp cocktail, etc. As for sushi they had the standard (shrimp nigiri, tuna nigiri, salmon nigiri -- as well as california rolls, salmon rolls, tuna rolls) -- all sufficiently delicious! As for special rolls: they had some spicy tuna special roll with raw fish on top, another special roll with fresh mango on top (which my boyfriend considered a dessert sushi roll) it was pretty darn good! All in all, we left STUFFED. There wasn't any roll we disliked. And it is the best value I have ever gotten for sushi, ever! Not so recent.. few months ago outing with my best friend: normal dinner We were starving. STARVING. We both love food more than anything. So we figured, 3 rolls between the 2 of us? Of course. WRONG. First of all, they really take care of their customers. They gave all these free veggies with this delicious dipping sauce. If that wasn't enough, they made a shrimp tempura roll (fried) for us to try, on the house! Lastly, they gave us the smoked salmons head whicch is delicious. The cheeks are the best, so tender and moist. Then came the rolls... Because it was so long ago, I can't remember all 3. One of them was salmon ninja roll (not on the menu). In total we got 3 rolls about 10 dollars each. if you ahven't been to Yuraku, be forewarned, their rolls are HUGE. They're thick, they're wide.. and they're delicious!! Needless to say, we brought home a good amount of the sushi.. we ate maybe 2 rolls worth, maybe a little less. PARTY TIME: my friend was leaving for San Fran, so we booked a table of 10 people. And let's just say for 10 people, many rounds of sake bombs, 1 giant boat and 1 baby sushi boat.. and we paid for our friend -- we paid $40 each including tip and tax!! Now if that's not a steal IDK what is. We ordered the second boat because the first wasn't big enough, haha. Anyway.. GO TO YURAKU. YOU will NOT be disappointed. I'm drooling now...

    (4)

  • Negar Z.

    My favorite Sushi Restaurant. Perhaps one of the very few authentic Sushi restaurants in MD. Always busy ... for good reasons. A wide range of high quality Sushi selection from Rolls, Sashimi, and Nigiri pieces...always fresh and at a great value price. Their portions are pretty large with a great mix of flavors. I have been there many times and have not been disappointed. The staff are very friendly and attentive.

    (5)

  • Chris P.

    The sushi buffet definitely has a mass-produced quality kinda feel to it. What should have I have expected at an inexpensive all-u-can eat sushi joint ? I would hardly say this is the best sushi I have ever had, but maybe it was the buffet? I did not order off the menu. It appears Korean owned, which is fine, but can hardly equate to being "the best sushi outside of Tokyo" as one reviewer claimed. Have I become a food snob? My parents love it though and were treating, so we went. Enough said.

    (3)

  • Alex S.

    Second review update. Service here is always meh; but this time we had one of the better waitresses from my previous visits. Busy dinner time, but she actually gave us attention and checked in on us. I went with 12 people on a weekend evening, and I'm surprised they (1) fit us in, and (2) fit us in within less than 30 minutes (of course with a pseudo-reservation days in advance). Of course, food is always mighty delish: favorites being flying dragon roll (whole eel on top!), hoe deop bap (sashimi salad), tuna trio roll, and triple salmon roll. I tend to stay away from their non-sushi Japanese fare. Biggest disappointment: we received ONE banchan. Celery and carrot sticks. 12 customers, and they decide to only give us one side? No salmon head. No roasted fish. No steamed egg. No miso. No salad. No japchae. I talked to the waitress, and she said that now you have to spend at least $18 per person to receive any banchan. They couldn't just give us fewer portions of each? Or give us at least one or two more besides the dinky bowls of celery and carrot sticks? One time, I sat at the bar with a friend; we ordered one dish each, but the chef still showered us with banchan even in the middle of our meal. My experience here after each visit trends mediocre.

    (3)

  • Noreen K.

    Best sushi around. When ordering off the menu, the servings are mostly fish, very fresh. The lunch buffet has smaller pieces, but a wide variety. They have many many creative rolls. Great quality.

    (5)

  • Nancy N.

    Ok, this is a hard one because I've been going here for a while but I honestly think I eat here because it's relatively cheap and you get some "freebies" like fish, salad, the egg thing. the overall quality is not that great though. Most of the time is a hit or miss. I got food poisening REAL bad from this place couple of times in the past. I usually get their rolls but I guess i had couple of their raw pieces and got sick from it. I like their volcano rolls and their spider rolls. The servers there are pretty nice, but the receptionist is kinda rude but she tries to be polite. The place is cramp, especially with the amt of traffic they get in there, wait time is long, even with reservations. if you're super hungry, i wouldn't go and wait there.

    (2)

  • Neary O.

    My favorite so far for quality and price!

    (4)

  • THANH T.

    My favorite japanese restaurant in the area. Excellent service and foods.

    (5)

  • Danilo A.

    If you are in the mood for some good ole' sushi, look no further than Yuraku Japanese Restaurant. This is a great place to gorge yourself with sushi and specialty rolls from their large menu. The ingredients are always fresh and the service is top notch. I always rave about this place to all my friends. Do yourself a favor and just go NOW!

    (5)

  • Alex C.

    I go to this place too often. I was once a VERY frequent customer, only to go rarely now. Here's why: For Lunch Buffet - All You Can Eat!? Tempura AND fried chicken wings!?!?! All for under 12 BUCKS!?! QUALITY SUSHI!?!?! It USED to be. Food was pretty good. They served a variety of hand rolls (salmon, octopus, red snapper, tuna, fatty tuna, shrimp, eel) and along with many other kinds of rolls. However, I noticed one time that they started making a salmon roll with lemon juice in the rice. Seriously? Lemon juiced rice on a salmon roll? Has fish quality gone down that much? For Dinner - Usually, I order 2 Kamikazi's ($5.90) a spider roll ($6something) and a yami yami roll (slightly raw because overcooked spicy tuna is bad spicy tuna). The food was pretty good, and the salmon head / miso soup made it fantastic. But...Service sucked once for me when they decided to charge me an extra buck sixty for another bowl of miso (that's what they charge on the menu, but they usually let it slide). After the lunch buffet experience with the lemony salmon rolls, I haven't gone there since.

    (3)

  • diana l.

    So I've been here a few times. The first time it was okay, I came for a friend's birthday and had tempura and some rolls. The second time I came here for lunch on a saturday afternoon with my boyfriend and it was awful. We usually prefer nigiri sushi. And I've always judged sushi places by their nigiri since it really is a good gauge of how fresh their fish is when there are no sauces and gimmicks to hide behind. Well the fish was pretty foul. Definitely not fresh and the rice it sat atop was both warm and not fresh. It was probably left over rice warmed up then not completely cooled. And for the price, I felt robbed. I don't care how big their portions are, really it's about quality and not quantity. I have friends who rave about this place because of both the rolls and the size of the fish they give you. Well the rolls are decent so if you only order rolls you'll be okay. But no matter how big the pieces of fish are, if they are not fresh who cares how big it is. I'd rather go to Tachibana in VA and spend slightly more for 100% better sushi quality!

    (1)

  • E D.

    In the last week I've gone here for lunch and dinner. The sushi is absolutely delicious= I haven't had a bad one yet. I also tried the stuffed avocado and the Kantonese soup- they were delicious as well and were actually my favorites of the evening. I will definitely be going back regularly.

    (5)

  • Brian F.

    While this local place isn't large inside, $2/piece and they're Huge pieces! I used to call ahead to secure a seat when I arrived but luckily they know me by now so it's not a problem. They put edemamme and fresh veggies on the table as soon as you sit with drinks coming very quickly. Depending on how crowded it is and how much you've ordered, it can take a few minutes for your food to show but the helpings are large. They are very friendly, regardless of culture unlike other places I have been to. We have friends that come from some good distances and are more than pleased to meet us whenever we go. I HIGHLY recommend this place!!

    (5)

  • Abdul A.

    HEAVEN for any sushi lovers. MY GOD this place is amazing. Everything in their BUFFET is delicious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes sushi.

    (5)

  • Pete D.

    If you don't want to drop serious money on sushi or sashimi, go here. For example, we've been to Sushi Ko, but that costed us an arm and leg. Yeah it was great, but were we full? You can goto McD's after and get a super-sized value meal, no problem. In my opinion, it's hard to find a place in this area which gives you a VARIETY of rolls to choose from and fresh sashimi for a decent price. We've been here years and years and their prices have gone up on most rolls, but this is normal, no? If you're here for the first time, there are plenty of specialty rolls that are not on their antique menu and xeroxed 8.5 x 11 sheet. Ask your server what they are and they can explain what's in each of them. Off the top of my head, ask about the 3 Amigos, Spice Girl, and Crunchy Scallop rolls. My favorite is the 3 Amigos and their Firecracker Roll. Looking for a salad with a delicious vinaigrette, ask for the Tuna Fiesta (not on their menu). More adventurous, ask about their Strawberry Roll (that's not the exact name, but your server should know). As someone else has posted, their lunch buffet is good for it's price. They have a variety of rolls, sushi pieces, and Korean food. Go early to beat the rush, as it gets very crowded during lunch. Again, good prices for what they have to offer and quality. I recall one time we ordered a sashimi boat and their salmon was not fresh enough to serve, so they put other types of fish on the boat for us. If you call ahead to make a reservation, beware they sometimes don't have the table ready then. Beat the rush and go when they open, trust me, it's worth it and they won't rush you out, as the restaurant is not big. Note, Friday and Saturday evenings is 495 rush hour, get take-out!

    (4)

  • H P.

    Their lunch buffet is the best, although prices have been going every year. I guess it's due to inflation but you can't beat the price for what you get. The lunch buffet consists of leftover fish from the night before which is still rather fresh. I aim for the salmon and eel but those are usually the first one to go but the refill the salmon pretty often, but the eel not so much. If you go later during the buffet hours, you can get special rolls like crunchy roll or the volcano roll. I recommend going at 11:30am when they start the buffet to beat the rush. The lines can go outside the restaurant if you wait till the lunch hour. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Gary W.

    The best sushi in Maryland. That's pretty much all I can say about it. I've been there on two occasions. The first time I went to Yuraku was for dinner. While at other sushi places I would need to get two+ rolls to be full, I just got one entree and it was definitely enough. The rolls are big, stuffed with deliciousness. It was very satisfying and most of their rolls are done very very well. The second time was on a Saturday morning at 11AM for the lunch time buffet. Best sushi lunch buffet I've ever had. Lots of variety, but at the same time, there is still the same quality in the rolls. Once again, Best sushi in Maryland that I've found so far.

    (5)

  • Chris N.

    The best Sushi in Montgomery County hands down!

    (5)

  • Nathaniel M.

    Large portions of sushi and the taste complimented it very well. It's not 5 star but it does the trick with budget minded folks.

    (4)

  • Reggie N.

    UPDATE--They stopped taking AMEX. Will not return There are elegant sushi restaurants with refined style and sophistication (and prices to match)...and then there's Yuraku. Best sushi value in the DC area. It's a dive but an awesome one. Yuraku has many non-traditional sushi rolls--which is why I love it. Actually I never liked sushi before, until I went to Yuraku. I've had friends from out of town (including Cali, of all places--sushi connoisseurs) tell me later how they miss Yuraku! LOL WTF? It's that good really! Their specials are unique, generous and flavorful. must try: 1. cowboy roll --beef wrapped with rice and mango 2. salmon or tuna tartar with spicy sauce 3. fried pepper--a giant mexican pepper stuffed with spicy tuna, tempura fried 4. what-a-match roll--spicy tuna on top of a shrimp tempura roll 5. isobe rolls-avacado wrapped around cooked salmon 6. double spicy tuna roll--spicy tuna roll with more tuna on top 7. titanic roll--giant roll stuffed with lobster 8. flying dragon roll--eel, avacado...other stuff ican't remember HUGE rolls! 2-3 rolls is more than a meal. go with at least 4 people so you can try many things. it will all come out on a giant boat. first timers, bring a camera! Waitresses are disorganized. A couple are really nice though. Just grin and bear it. The sushi is worth it. Many asian customers (mostly Korean) in this place (which is a good sign for foodies). The sashimi portions are huge. They have great Korean food too. Make a reservation, show up early...and still wait 20-30 minutes!!! That's just the way it is there. Well worth it. No reservation (between 6-8pm)? Forget about it. Could be a loooong while!!!

    (3)

  • Bob D.

    Like so many if the other Yelper's I would love to give this unassuming, Germantown strip mall, Japanese/Korean restaurant 1 star to prevent the growing lines of people waiting to dine on what is the metro area's best and most reasonable sushi. Traditional or modern adaptations are here. Brave the lines and you will be a fan forever.

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    Every single time I eat here I crave it for weeks! I love this atmosphere. I love love love the buffet. The chef is super nice and the ladies that waitress as well. I eat here once every two months and it never disappoints.

    (5)

  • Dominique R.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Montgomery County. The lunch time buffet has plenty of delicious rolls, and definitely is a bargain. My boyfriend and I have been going there since we started going out (about 6 years ago) and we will go out of our way to dine here. The rolls are always very big, and two rolls could easily make a date for two. I love all of their spicy rolls, and they have a yummy seafood salad. The only negative thing about this place is they have a very small waiting area, and the place often gets too packed on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Parysa T.

    I've only been here for the lunch buffet so my review will be of that. First off, I've only been here on Wednesdays for some reason so take into consideration that it was probably less crowded. This isn't to say it was not crowded - it totally was. After about 11:30 AM the place is slammed so good luck trying not to wait for a table after that. I suggest arriving a few minutes before 11 if you can because I had no issues when I went at that time and you'll be one of the first people there. Service is decent - I mean, it's a buffet so no one is gonna hold your hand through the process. It's pretty self explanatory. You go around the little mini row of food they have set up and pile up as much as you'd like. When it gets super busy though, sometimes order is lost and there is this large mass of people trying to get sushi and its really comical because regular patrons take it upon themselves to restore order and lots of people get irritated. Thankfully that dissipates after a few minutes and everyone goes back to enjoying the awesome food. Speaking of the food...it's great! I really like the sushi spread they have and their shrimp tempura is very tasty as well! I don't know sushi names but I like them all! They also have your basic staples, miso soup, rice, all that... My biggest tip: show up early on a weekday and you will not be upset with the line!

    (5)

  • Meg S.

    I lamented to a neighbor who spent years living in Japan that I'd failed to impress a San-Francisco-based friend of mine when I took her out here for Sushi. "You should have taken her out to Yuraku," my neighbor said. "Then she'd be impressed." So last night I went with another friend (one who lives 40 miles from the restaurant but had heard about it through word of mouth, too) and really enjoyed myself. We were feeling extravagant, and ordered everything lobster they were serving - I had the Lobster tempura (moist, cooked perfectly all the way through, delicious) and she had the grilled lobster (looked a bit dry, sadly, but I didn't try it and she finished the whole thing and said she liked it). We also split a Titanic roll which is loaded with tempura lobster as well. It was all awesome. Thank goodness we didn't get the gyoza and shumai (spelled differently on the menu, but you'd recognize it). Even though both were highly recommended by the restaurant reviews in the window, we were stuffed and went home with more leftovers than I could eat for lunch the next day. I agree that this is far and away the best sushi in Gaithersburg/Germantown. And it's the first exit in Germantown (Exit 13a) so getting there from Gaithersburg only takes a few minutes. Worth the trip!

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    - Really great food! LOVE their spicy tuna rolls and shrimp tempura rolls. - Their take out system is really poor. very crowded and disorganized - Hate that they close between lunch and dinner. Have to wait until 5pm to pick up take out orders.

    (4)

  • Ja'Bette L.

    Depending on what time of day you go, be prepared to wait in line. However, this place doesn't disappoint. I've been going there for years and the sushi is excellent, with big rolls, and nice portions. The buffet can be chaotic, but it's still a great deal and they even do the buffet on the weekends. The wait staff is very friendly, but usually very busy. This is definitely a go-to of mine. It's definitely the best sushi in town.

    (4)

  • Nami C.

    Presentation is pretty, but dangerous. This is my opinion for the current Yuraku and they wasn't like this back in the old days. Popularity ruin good business. Don't take me wrong I love sushi and raw fish, but handling sushi is very tricky. The whole environment MUST BE VERY CLEAN AND ORGANIZE. I have been Yuraku's customer for quite long time but the recent couple experiences had been very bad. May be due to their business is getting better and better and they cannot keep up with the correct food handling etiquette. I got frozen white tuna sushi. I got sticky dishes as if it hadn't been wash. Also their price is not that great any more. Also, be aware their customer queuing system, even you had reserved a table and it is possible to wait for 30 mins because the waitress friends cutting in. This is by far the worse review I ever written, but the experience really make me feel this way. Thanks Yelp for provide a channel to regular people like me to yelp out my opinion.

    (1)

  • Emily R.

    When my dining companion asked me if I wanted to try out "you-rock-koo", I thought I had just finished playing a game of Guitar Hero. Then, I realized that was the name of the restaurant... We went on a busy Friday night. The wait wasn't too long. There was quite the hustle and bustle of customers there for dinner and take-out as well. I was surprised to be seated at a table for 4 when there were only 2 of us. I figured we'd be squished in with others close to our table, but this was not the case. The fresh veggies before the meal was a nice touch and appreciated since my stomach was grumbling. We tried the cowboy sushi special - beef with mango and avocado - interesting combination of flavors, quite tasty!! We also had the volcano roll, a fried salmon roll with generous strips of avocado on the top (not sure what it was called), and the Viagra roll. The Viagra roll is the busiest roll I have ever seen. It's got everything in it, or should I say, on top of it. It came out looking like something had exploded on the dish, so I guess it's appropriately named... We really enjoyed our meal here. All the sushi was delicious. I'm going to blame my sushi falling apart on my clumsy chopsticking skills. My only complaint (if you can call it that) was that the pieces were so large, I could hardly eat them in one bite. But I can't rightly complain for too much in one piece.

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    At first I thought this was nothing special. Soup and salad were good, but nothing remarkable. THEN THE UNAGI CAME. It easily qualified as the best unagi I've had anywhere. If their other dishes are like this, I've found a clear winner.

    (5)

  • Lam Ngan L.

    This used to be my favorite place when I lived in Germantown, and it still is, except it's a little far out.... We ordered the big Sushi boat for 8 people and we couldn't finish..... It was all so good and a lot of food...

    (5)

  • Diane L.

    Yuraku is the best place for authentic sushi. I love their volcano roll, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll, spider roll, hand rolls, tempura, avocado rolls, eel roll, and anything else on the menu. It's like so good. Another thing, go for their sushi buffet for only 13 dollars....all you can eat sushi. The sushi is beautiful presented and it taste so good too. What you see is what you get. Therefore, get the boat if you decided to dine in at Yuraku :)

    (5)

  • Hannah C.

    my review of this place will be a bit biased because 1) I don't live here and don't get to eat here often - consistency! 2) The owner is a family friend and loves my friend to death - special treatment 3) We spent about $550 here - got the money's worth. but let me start off by saying WOW. this place had really fresh sushi and really lives up to all the great things i hear. rumor also has it that the the sushi chef-person-man who works there now used to work at the white house in korea. but i digress. because it was a special occasion, my best friends graduation, i got to try dishes that i've never had before in my life. dishes that i have always wanted to order and try at sushi restaurants but didn't because of the hefty price tag. i felt like the luckiest person last night. seriously, i ate like a queen. aside from the never-ending dishes that kept coming all night long, the most memorable one was the sea bass. it was this beautifully presented dish with asparagus and seaweed salad. the sea bass will literally melt in your mouth, as it did in mine, and you will salivate every time you think about it. the next most memorable dish was probably their fried calamari. it was deep fried with tempura batter and drizzled in some exotic tasting sauce that most reminded me of india. perfectly crispy and crunchy on the outside, while the calamari was tender and juicy. wow. it was an amazing experience. it's actually quite funny because i am actually eating the spider roll left overs in between my typing and thinking of what to write next. and it is it's still fresh tasting!! haha. i would totally go here on a weekly basis if i lived here because to be honest, i have not found a sushi place in ny that i absolutely love. but then again, i don't usually spend $500 at a sushi restaurant either. i will definitely have to go back here again the next time i am in town.

    (5)

  • Arthur K.

    In full disclosure I want to let you know that I am not a huge sushi fan. I prefer my meat cooked and red. However, I have to admit that Yuraku has some of the best sushi I've had in MD. The restaurant is very popular meaning wait times can be fairly long and the dining area is cramped during most meal times. The restaurant attracts an eclectic crowd of eaters encompassing a wide range of ages and ethnicities. You will most likely see an anxious mass of people in the small reception area of the restaurant. Yes, people are willing to wait for the sushi here. The fish is generally very fresh, well-prepared, and tasty. Honestly, it used to be even better a year or two ago. But in no way is it less than excellent. There is a wide variety of specialty rolls. The rainbow roll is a popular choice among friends, but most anything on the specialty list is good. Often you will receive a small bowl or two of fresh vegetables to share, and individual bowls of miso soup while you wait for your sushi to arrive. Ocassionally you may receive a seaweed-based salad. These are freebies, though I think it is contingent on ordering sushi. As a casual sushi eater, the non-sushi items at the restaurant are good as well. I particularly like the udon (noodle soup) and chicken-taksu which (as the name implies) is a donkatsu-style chicken. Yuraku creates a bustling, authentic sushi restaurant feel. The interior is decorated in light wood. The waitresses and sushi chefs are mocked up in traditional Japanese-style wardrobe. Sushi arrives on wooden implements; larger orders are brought out on sushi boats. The service is fairly good. If I do eat sushi, I prefer to eat at Yuraku.

    (4)

  • Andrew K.

    Pretty good sushi for lunch buffet. I tried coming here twice before I finally was able to eat here. First, do not come here after 11:30am or you may have to wait at least 30 minutes to eat. The place opens at 11:30am but you can get there 10 to 15 minutes early and be seated right away. Second, they are closed on Mondays so don't make the mistake of driving here. The place is pretty small and the sushi layout is only about a table length long and it's in the corner where you usually have to wait in line to get sushi. But they do a good job of refilling so usually everything they have is out there. I usually stick with the salmon sushi and the rolls. They also have other korean food but the other side dishes aren't that good. The sushi is decent, not amazing quality but for $13, it hits the spot for me. I hear the sushi at dinner is alot better so I might check that out sometime. I will come back for my sushi fix when I have a craving to stuff myself.

    (4)

  • Betty W.

    I started going to Yuraku in 2001. I loved it so much that Sonny and Mr. Lee gave me free rolls all of the time. Unfortunately, I moved to Harford County in 2003 so I could only make it there maybe 2-4x a year. Now I live in PA and I seem to only go there on my way to or from visits to DC or VA. If they were closer I think I would eat there at least 4x week. Sushi is ALWAYS fresh, always consistent. Service has always been fantastic but I have been there on weekends and it gets so packed that I would imagine the service might reflect that. Go during the week and you wont be disappointed. Rolls are always changing and creative! Love it and would highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Barney D.

    Here's the skinny: The best sushi anywhere in the DC metro hands down. Here's another: salmon sashimi that will literally melt in your mouth it's so buttery good. Don't even consider another sushi place until you've eaten here.

    (5)

  • Eunice K.

    In my opinion, this is BY FAR one of the best sushi place around Germantown/Gaithersburg area. I've been here countless times and each time, sushi was fresh & delicious. The only thing that I wish was different is the space of the restaurant. It is fairly small and it gets crowded very easily. I wish I had more time to be able to eat their lunch buffet more, but unfortunately, I don't. Those of you who haven't tried their lunch buffet, go try it! They have decent amount of sushi and other menu items available for lunch buffet and price isn't too bad. Just be sure to get there a little early so that you don't have to wait with 38457389 other people in line.

    (4)

  • Guadalupe D.

    Great food and good prices for sushi! Loved the variety on their menu. I would HIGHLY suggest you make reservations before arriving b/c the place gets packed! Awesome service by the way :D I will definitely go back in the near future!

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    I feel bad for writing this review... because I feel like the only person in the area that doesn't like this restaurant. I've been to this place three times in a 2 year span and have had "meh" opinions about the place. To be fair, I haven't tried the lunch buffet which I keep hearing rave reviews about the price/quality ratio. I wasn't going to write a review but my last visit was compelling enough to write a review to share my experience. I visited with 3 of my friends so I have some variety to base my judgment on... I had the tonkatsu, my friends had the bulgoki, some sushi and some eel dish. A funny thing to note: when my friend ordered the eel dish, the waitress gave a puzzled look and it seemed like she wasn't sure what the menu item was until he pointed to the item on the menu. She then gave a half confident/half "I didn't know we had that" nod and took the order. An awkward silence followed afterwards and we all shared a good laugh after she left the table. My Tonkatsu was very plain and the sauce resembled a slightly BBQed version of ketchup and was disappointing. The best part about it was the portion was pretty large. The bulgoki was decent but then again I don't think I've ever had a "fantastic" bulgoki. I had some of my friend's Alligator roll and the batter surrounding the shrimp tempura was way too crunchy, too the point where it was uncomfortable. I didn't even touch my friend's all ready suspect eel dish and he didn't seem to like it. Other things to mention: they gave us a complimentary half fried fish head which we sort of just picked at and didn't really enjoy , the salad was pretty good, and they gave us the potato salad thing that Koreans love to eat. The staff was very friendly and pleasant. The prices were a little high for our food.

    (2)

  • Nikki A.

    Delicious! Generous portions and a local favorite! Yuraku is ALWAYS busy at dinner time - a sign of yummy food and good prices!

    (5)

  • edwin l.

    OMG - *drool* really good sushi in the DC area. reasonable price & can't beat free appetizers. when i want sushi (quantity) i go here. worth the wait!

    (5)

  • Crouching T.

    I took my family to this restaurant and it was great!! This place definitely deserved a 5 stars with excellect service, friendly atmosphere, decent prices, and yummy food. There is no doubt that i will come back here next time I'm around this area. If there is anything to complain except that this place is way too popular. It took us a good hour before we were seated.

    (5)

  • Chuck S.

    One of the better sushi places in the area and also a great value. They have a great selection of rolls, a single order or two of which is quite filling. Once your order has been placed, they are pretty quick with getting your food to you. On occasion, I have received slices of sashimi that are still a little frozen. I would recommend sticking with rolls and hand rolls. I would also suggest getting there early or making reservations; otherwise, the wait can be quite long. Once you are seated, it is also pretty cramped.

    (3)

  • Craig S.

    This is my first Yelp review and I wouldn't be compelled to write if I didn't think my intestines were bleeding from my experience at Yuraku. The price is right, hence the 2-star review. All you can eat for under $12 is good anywhere, but yes, the quality must be good, too. And while there is a shmorgosbord of things to choose from, most do not seem fresh by the time I hit the buffet. My girlfriend and I both ate here on Saturday afternoon. We had all the same meals over the weekend, and except this one, all the same meals as my parents...so that's how I know Yuraku is the most likely culprit. It could've been the sushi, the pickled cucumbers, overly salted seaweed, or miso, but something has forced us both to miss work today. If you're thinking I'm a sushi newbie or have a weak stomach, you're wrong. I can eat nearly anything and don't get sick. I had garlic meatball eggs for breakfast the other day and felt great. I mix sriracha and tzatziki sauce and I'm fine. That's my review - don't go for the buffet if you want to NOT be on the toilet all day. For those who don't mind, it can be a decent experience. ope, here I go again (sorry)...

    (2)

  • Kevin C.

    The sushi here is very good, relatively cheap, and comes in pretty large portions. I have yet to come across a better sushi place for the price and quality of food. At dinner, expect to get several free starters. These include a large fish head, miso soup, steamed egg, and salad.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    Safe to say the best $13 I have ever invested in an all you can eat sushi joint. Sides and salads make it even better, and the service staff.are like ninjas - my water glass always filled up when I wasn't looking.

    (5)

  • Den F.

    my friends and family love this place so i keep coming back. however, the lunch buffet has given me a stomach ache on more than one occasion. the fish during lunch is definitely much lower quality with smaller portions and very dry. i would much rather go for dinner. the quality of the sushi is much better at dinner and the size of the fish is bigger. they have some good specialty rolls also.

    (3)

  • jill l.

    I was visiting DC from Chicago. I was so happy to find such a great restaurant. It was packed on a Wednesday night. Thank goodness a Yelper had recommended making a reservation!!! The sushi was some of the best I have had. The chef was very entertaining and fed us some fantastic sushi. The pieces of fish are generous and the fish was very fresh. I have never eaten so much sushi at one sitting.

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    I have been going here for a LONG time! They have fabulous sushi, not that thin tiny fish on top of a mound of rice. It's not cheap but it is worth it! I love the flying dragon roll, rainbow roll, tuna mountain, fried calamari (not the usual kind) kani salad, miso soup, firecracker roll (for those who like it hot) and the spicy tuna hand roll is to die for. The waitresses are getting better (in the beginning it wasn't so good) but the guys behind the sushi bar (Sunny, Mr Lee and all the others) are great very nice and well worth the price tag!

    (4)

  • Thy T.

    Everyone I know knows this place. You cannot find a place that is this reasonable in price, excellent in service, fresh & tasty & generous portion...any where else. And THE BEST thing about Yuraku - after taking your order, they bring out all sort of free appertizers beside your usual salad and miso soup (grilled Salmon cheeks, carrot & celery stick with dipping sauce, steamed egg with mushroom - not as good compared to Niwano Hana's, but hey - it's free) It's so good and popular, you always have to wait for at least 30 minutes to get a table (reserved or not). They have much more variety of sashimi compared to any sushi restaurant in MD, they even have Giant Clam. Whenever we about to come by someone's party and don't know what dish to bring, we'll call Yuraku and order a platter of $50 or $100 of sushi and sashimi to go. Pple at the party would sure cheer up. My most fav. thing on the platter is charcoal grilled White Tuna - I cannot have enought of it. On my latest BD, my husband ordered the boat ($100) that has everything; 12 hungry, sushi lovers could not finish it. They even put in 8 slices of Kobe beef; since I was the BD girl, I get to eat some of them...ehehhehe...sooooo yuuuummmy. The buffet at lunch time is awesome.

    (5)

  • Dee P.

    The freshest sushi in town. They never disappoint. Always crowded, always waiting at least 30mins. You know it's good when there's always a wait. They give you a lot for your money.

    (4)

  • Andrey Y.

    Food is good, but the customer service is certainly NOT! ....at least if you're a non-Asian. Not sure why this place discriminates so much! Called in advance and still waited for over an hour at the door. When the wait was over, we were told to wait another 30-40 minutes, no idea why!!! Will not come back!

    (1)

  • Nuoc M.

    This place is real popular with some sushi aficionados that I know. I'm not really sure why they like it so much, but my review is based more off of the buffet instead of the a la carte items. I'll admit some of the a la carte items are pretty good, such as the dynamite or volcano roll, forgot what its called. But I'm sometimes a quantity over quality type of guy, and the a la carte menu items can get pretty expensive if you want to get full. If you go, try to go early or you'll have a long wait and it will be crowded. The area where they have the buffet food is in the corner, where at first there is food on each side, then once you get to the corner there is only sushi on one side. So the line for the sushi buffet is kind of like a U, going into the corner and rounding back out. So it makes it crowded and a long wait to get the sushi. Its kind of funny because one of the times we went there they treated me a lot better then my cousin, who is one of those sushi aficionados, who goes there often. The only explaination I have is maybe its because they come from a male dominant society so treats guys better then girls. Normally I would have thought that they'd treat regulars better. The sushi buffet is decent, but I don't think its anything special. Personally I used to like Hill House better, but its closed now. So Yuraku is probably one of the better sushi buffet places in the area and is my first choice when I want to satisfy my sushi craving.

    (3)

  • Marat S.

    Excellent Excellent sushi. Quality and creativity would be at the epicenter of this spot. I am usually here once or twice a week. For dinner, its a mad rush of people who come from all over the area for what some say is the best sushi in DC Metro area. Sure, you might have a fancier restaurant in terms of decor and level of service somewhere in city or Rockville/Bethesda area. But nothing beats the level of taste, flavor, creativity, and most importantly, freshness of this place. Since it is all the way out here in Germantown, MD, the prices are also very reasonable for the quality and quantity that you get. All i would say is be patient as you are seated or waiting for your table. Be patient with the wait staff. But it is all worth it for the food. Happy eating!!

    (5)

  • Jackie H.

    This restaurant is all about quantity, not so much quality. The portions are big and prices comparably inexpensive, but it's not the best food I've eaten. I went during dinner on a Friday night and waited ~30mins for a table, so I thought this place must be good. I think what really attracts people here is the price to portion ratio for the raw fish. I don't eat raw sushi, but my friends said that it was fresh. The cooked stuff was a different story. The cut of the rolls, the plate presentation, and the taste were all below expectations. The positive aspect of the Korean-owned influence might just be the steamed egg and cooked salmon's head gratis as appetizer. The miso soup tasted a bit stale and the salad was way too salty though.

    (3)

  • DJ J.

    Got take out from here. I was very happy with my order. The produce looked and tasted fresh! Looking inside the restaurant I was happy to order out since it looks a bit unkept...Though, my special sushi rolls were AMAZING and I will definately go back.

    (4)

  • Vivian L.

    I'm from a place where sushi is always top quality. So the quality here was only ok.

    (2)

  • Alisha T.

    Yuraku. oh the many lunch hours I have squandered away within your walls, stuffing myself with fish, rice and an assortment of korean fare. YUM! Yuraku is reasonably priced, [read: dirt cheap, lunch buffet w/ soup and a drink is around $12] and good. the selection of rolls are very good and VARIED. anytime I come, I am surprised at the number of options I am given for the price I pay! why buy a la carte? (alas, i have though. and am equally enamored by the such) the salmon sashimi and spicy tuna rolls are my favorite and seemingly everyone elses! when the plate's are put down, grab them fast! first time there? go for the rolls* with avacado, tuna or salmon. and be sure to get soup! as for the Korean food? i love the cold cellophane noodles, seasame seaweed, and some Korean barbeque. YUMMY! [did i already use 'yum' in this review?] *spelling edit

    (4)

  • Anson P.

    My friend and I are big eaters. We decided to go here on a Friday and partake of some fish and Sapporo. Friday night appears to be a big sushi night and this place had a lot of people waiting. We decided to sit up at the sushi bar to avoid a long wait. The food was pretty good. They have the standard fare, but one thing I appreciate are all of the creative rolls that they have come up with. The sushi chefs have incorporated eel and avocado into a lot of the rolls, as well as tempura. Whenever I go to a sushi place, I always get seaweed salad. The seaweed salad was decent, nothing spectacular. The sashimi was fresh. The combo came with soup and salad. The soup wasn't all that great, but the salad had a nice dressing that seemed to have a peanut flavoring to it. The prices were a little steep for dinner. Usually, my friend and I are stuffed for 50-60 bucks whereas we dropped 80 bucks here, which is a bit much. If you sit at the bar, you can get some free dishes courtesy of the owner, although we weren't all that impressed with the broiled spanish mackeral that was handed to us. The service was good and the wait staff attentive. This seems like a good takeout option. If you live in the area, this place is a good option, but nothing spectacular to make you want to drive great distances.

    (4)

  • Thugnificent M.

    $15 for all you can eat sushi that's actually made by a Japanese person? Done. Come early or you'll be waiting in line for a while.

    (5)

  • Alan T.

    We came with 13+ ppl, so it was a treat for everyone to have a little of everything. We ordered rolls and 2 boats of sushi. The foods were great and fresh. They give u a mini salad, steam egg and miso soup as free appetizers. They were ok, but I was there to eat the sushi. Prices aren't the cheapest but since we came with such a large party it wasn't that bad. Titanic roll was good. Overall, I recommend the place. Oh yeah, the place has a long line so come early.

    (4)

  • Alexis P.

    This place was a hidden gem about 10 years ago when salmon nigiri sushi was $1 apiece for a slab of fish that would choke a horse (size, not quality, heh). It's still pretty incredible now and that's comparing it to "real" sushi places in New York and Los Angeles (and those charge an arm and a leg). It certainly isn't as hidden as it used to be and while it can be very crowded at times, I have never been disappointed here. For new folks, try to arrive at "unusual" times because it can be a zoo at prime times. Also, I personally wouldn't bother with the buffet since I don't like to see fish trying desperately to hide the mound of rice under it. I have never been satisfied with any "sushi" buffet, so that's not a Yuraku-specific problem. First off, let me just say that I eat sushi for the fish. I don't go to eat rolls with strange shapes and sauces on them in pretty patterns. That's not sushi; that's Food Network. When I go out to eat sushi I expect a few things: really fresh fish, really fresh fish, well-cut pieces of really fresh fish, cool vinegared rice, and did I mention really good fish? Yuraku delivers on that front. I don't know where they get their fish from and it's a good thing for them because I'd just slice my own at that point. About the only criticism I could make about their sashimi and nigiri sushi would be that their cuts cross over into the somewhat boorish territory for sheer size. I don't personally mind because hey, I get to eat it, but some sushi purists might say, "Whoa, hold on there." Their prime cuts of fish are always fresh, always good. If you order dishes that use the scraps (chirashi, insert-fish dons, etc.), you might find some pieces that might have a tough bit or might still be very cold from the freezer, but if you can handle the price, the sushi/sashimi is really hard to beat. Once you've established yourself as a regular over the years, you practically don't have to order food as the complimentary dishes you'll get will quite literally be enough to feed 1-2 people. It's a nice gesture of respect and recognition and it definitely helps to maintain customer loyalty, but ultimately, this sushi restaurant succeeds because of the quality of their fish. The only non-sushi dishes I can comment on have been ordered by friends and include their udon (above-average, but nothing spectacular), their haedup bab (raw fish salad with rice using scraps; also okay), and their tempura (below average). Final word: it's not the absolute best sushi I've ever had, but heck, I can't afford the best sushi I've ever had. However, it is easily the best sushi I have encountered anywhere in the DMV area.

    (5)

  • Alan N.

    I love Japanese food and have tried many restaurant from dingy place to high price fancy stuff. What I don't understand is the hype of this restaurant? Granted, they have a lot of different selections but the quality of the sashimi/sushi is just so so. This also coupled with bad service and over charged on everything. If you don't like to wait in line and get seated, then like the reviewer below me said, they can't even include salad/soup for take-outs but you're paying the full price for it. I will not go to this restaurant again and DO NOT recommend it.

    (1)

  • Mark B.

    Grilled Salmon head for free!!!! That's probably all you need to know.....but to elaborate on my experience at Yuraku and my 4 star rating I shall delve into it a bit further. Like many reviews have mentioned Yuraku gives all their customers banchan "side dishes" before your meal. The day I went the pièce de résistance was grilled salmon head. The fact that we got it for free when I would normally pay 10 to 15 bucks at other restaurants was a huuuge surprise. After devouring our salmon and frowning upon the other tables that barely touched theirs we got our order of dynamite roll, Osaka triangle, and an unagi roll. The dynamite roll was absolutely delicious and they didn't skimp on lobster meat. The Osaka triangle was packed with so much fish that I could barely fit a piece into my mouth. Yuraku is not one of those sushi places where you leave barely satiated after having spent a whole lota dough. My buddy and I were stuffed for 38 bucks including tax and tip.....ridiculous.

    (4)

  • I See Y.

    A good budget sushi restaurant - go only for the buffets. Anyways, I've been there several times, 2 of which came outta my system very quickly. So, I kinda question the quality of this joint. I will agree that it's probably the best sushi joint in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area. But, it's not the freshest.

    (2)

  • Al L.

    This is the best sushi place in the MD/VA/DC area. Seriously, I've had friends drive down from Baltimore and up from VA all the way to exit 13 off 270 for this place. It can get crowded at times, so wait times can be up to 1.5 hrs, but it's worth it. The most I've spent there is $13/person and every one was stuffed. The rolls are unique and much bigger than you would get at your typical sushi joint. When I go w/ my gf we only get 2 rolls and that is more than enough for us. They have lunch buffet on the weekend which is around $12 and the food is decent, I like the Korean food they prepare but the sushi is just ok. I'd stick w/ the sushi on the menu. It is a sushi restaurant owned by Koreans so they do have side dishes, but I think you get more if you go w/ a Korean-speaking person =/ Usually you will get fish head, miso soup, vegetables and dip, and possibly an egg custard type dish. For the most part the service is good, though there was one waitress who forced my gf and I to order more food b/c she said two rolls would not be enough, but we have not had her since. I've had friends order off the regular menu, but I would just stick w/ the sushi menu, they have such a wide variety of rolls I've never tried them all ,also give their special rolls a try that are listed in the front.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Yuraku Japanese Restaurant

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