Sushi Express

This is not gourmet sushi, hence the name sushi express so don’t expect that. But for $ 5.50 the rainbow roll and miso soup are palatable and satisfy my lunchtime sushi fix. I haven’t tried anything else on the menu to comment on other dishes.

2.5 stars. I really wanted to like this place for its affordable prices, but I was disappointed. I went with a friend and we both ordered the combo. I got the chicken teriyaki and shrimp with veggie tempura and she got the tuna and avocado roll and squid teriyaki. My chicken teriyaki was the biggest disappointment for me. The chicken was bland and hard and the sauce was just a bit too sweet for me. As other reviewers have noted, the chicken doesn’t appear to be cooked in teriyaki sauce and rather just bathed in it. The other entrees were average. The tempura was okay though nothing special. My friend’s squid teriyaki was better than the chicken, but was overcooked (beats undercooked though!) and also had the same problem with the sauce. Lastly, I didn’t eat any of my friend’s tuna rolls, but she said she felt as though the tuna wasn’t too fresh.
The man who prepared our food and rang us up (we went around 5 and he was the only one there) was cordial and got our food ready as quickly and efficiently as he could. Since we took our food to go, he handed our bag to us a certain way and let us know to hold it like that while walking back so the miso soup wouldn’t spill, which I thought was nice to do.
Unfortunately, the taste of the food was too mediocre for me to find $ 9 that great of a great deal. I might give them another try for the sushi, but I wouldn’t bother with the non-​sushi entrees.

Just had the $ 5.50 rainbow roll and soup or salad special. Sushi wasn’t the best, but it was OK for lunch and a good deal.

I’ve been going to this place since 2004. It’s a very decent lunch choice for cheap sushi if you are close to GWU.

I figured, I owe this place a review. Probably it’s the first place that makes me develop a love for Japanese ryori. I won’t comment much about its sushi cause i never eat sushi there, but I frequently order their combinations like tempura, chicken teriyaki, unadon. They are very good. And their miso soup is my favorite. I love their homestyle taste and the warm feeling it brings to me.

Just finished a delicious (and cheap) sushi lunch! 2 rolls, soup and a bowl of rice for under $ 10! Went around 2pm and there were only a few people in there, but i imagine it gets crowded around peak lunch hours (and might take a while). I enjoyed my two rolls (salmon and tuna/​avocado). Definitely not the best sushi ive had, but you cant beat the price! Glad to have this as an option near my work!

Finally walked 0.48 miles to eat at this place from work and don’t know if I would say it was worth it for what I got.
For 6 dollars, I bought a rainbow roll while my friend had teriyaki for 5 dollars. Personally, the fish was not bad, but there wasn’t anything special about the sushi. I rather have got a combo with teriyaki as the sushi was just not filling! Huge kudos to the «free» miso or soup with your meal.
For 9 dollars, you can order a combo of sushi and other meals (see my picture for pricing) but I am Still not convinced that this is any deal what so ever! I would def want to try out their hot meals as they did give a good amount of my chicken to my friend, but they do need to improve on their flavoring. Not asking for the works, but asking for something more than just your regular fare!
This place is also inside a business building — there are signs in the directory outside the building! Hope you can find it!

3.5 Stars
I came here on the recommendation of a friend because while living in DC we missed having good Asian food that wasn’t somehow infused with another culture or that got super Americanized that was also decently priced!
First things first, it’s located INSIDE an office building on the second floor. So if you don’t keep your eyes open for the address or signs or whatnot, you just might miss it. Once you find it, however, you’ll see it’s not too big and it kind of has a hole-​in-​the-​wall kind of feel. There’s nothing too special about the design or décor and if ambiance is what you’re after go elsewhere, but if you want a pretty good and affordable meal, look no further! This location is especially nice because it’s nearby so many businesses and office in Downtown DC! Great grab & go kind of meal.
While I felt like I did get bang for my buck and the sushi quality was pretty good, it was not amazing! I must say that for DC sushi standards on a budget? It’s pretty darn good since you get your food shortly after ordering it! It is what the name of the place sets out to be Sushi EXPRESS! So if you’re on a rush and in a budget and craving some sushi, look no further and get your fix on K Street!

I come here often and their onigiri is a LIE. It is the second time that I get salmon onigiri except that there is no SALMON in it. It is just plain rice with nori. Last time I ordered Salmon onigiri I got a plum in it instead. So I’m paying more than what I am getting. Will not go there anymore. You lost a loyal customer.

Just as the name suggests, this is a grab-​and-​go type of place. The staff are Japanese, and they prepare good, cafeteria-​style Japanese food. Besides sushi, you can also find yakisoba, curry rice, onigiri (rice balls), and other popular Japanese dishes.
At Sushi Express, you definitely get what you pay for, not less, not more. The good news is that prices are very reasonable, especially for downtown DC. The bad news is that portions for non-​sushi items lean more towards petite. I got the vegetarian yakisoba today, which was very tasty but had almost no vegetables, aside from some cabbage and onions. The pickled relish on top of the noodles was great, but I really wanted some broccoli and maybe some carrot to give the dish more color and texture. Perhaps they didn’t want to stray from the authentic version… While the sauce was spot-​on, I was left wanting more noodles.
Also tried two rolls before, though I only remember one of them, salmon. Again, tasty but not remarkable. Don’t expect local, super fresh fish or anything, but know that this is more of a jack-​of-​all-​trades establishment that caters to area office workers who are hankering for sushi or casual Japanese dishes. The sushi chef prepares the various rolls offered with nimble fingers and his assistant cook whips up delicious dishes, but ingredients are okay quality.
What I like most about this place:
1. Friendly and efficient staff
2. Dependable sushi
3. Cheap prices
4. More unusual and authentic menu and miscellaneous items for sale (e.g., Japanese snacks, harder to find in this area)

The value you get from this place is crazy. My chicken teriyaki meal which came with a side salad was only $ 5.50 and I added a small miso soup for only a dollar. And the portions aren’t small at all. As I said, crazy value.
The food itself is pretty good, I wouldn’t say great but surely a fine lunch option. The miso soup was yummy and the salad was fairly standard. I enjoyed the chicken teriyaki but it clearly felt like a cheaper version of it (as I expected given the price). The chicken didn’t have that teriyaki taste to it. It was just grilled chicken bathed in teriyaki sauce. And it wasn’t bad by any means, just lacking. Thankfully though there was an abundance of sauce in which to dip the white rice.

Great place for sushi! Service is quick, food is fresh and tasty, and the price is very reasonable so what’s there not to like about this place? They have great lunch specials but I usually go for the salmon roll + tuna & avocado roll combo… delicious!

This place is legit. So happy I’ve finally learned that a quick, cheap, and tasty sushi place exists across the street from my work building! Now, I realize I’m not going to any Makoto here, but I got a $ 9 combo meal with a tuna avocado roll, five slices of sashimi (two were huge, really nice pieces of tuna!), a salad, and rice. That’s a great deal for lunch in DC. Also, on the menu are $ 3 rolls – what a steal! Looking forward to going back.

I love this hole-​in-​the-​wall sushi restaurant! Beware of opening and closing times (they are closed on weekends and after 6 pm on weekdays).
Just fresh, high quality food for a really low price. You can’t beat that, especially in DC.

I have been looking for cheap sushi and found this gem right in my office building! Came here for lunch twice. The first time I ordered Arizona rolls ($ 3.5 shrimp tempura) and Hawaii Roll ($ 4.5 eel, egg, cucumber). Although it took a while to get my food because it was freshly made, everything was so delicious, especially the Hawaii roll! Price was very reasonable and for each roll you get 6 pieces. There are other options available like bento box, sashimi, udon, etc. Highly recommend for lunch.

I love the sushi here, it taste fresh. The staff was friendly here. A great place to eat and economical. I had a vegetable noodle bowl and shared California rolls w/​my husband. It is a little far for me to walk to for lunch, but I have to admit it is worth the trip.

So greaaaaaat. I love the sushi and tea they sell in the restaurant. And they accept credit card now!

This place is to die for. I’m only reviewing it since I’m leaving my job right across the street and no longer have to keep this gem to myself since it’s extremely well-​hidden in the second floor of an office building. I wish I knew the sushi maker guy’s name, but he has to be a member of Mensa. I’ve never seen someone with such a good memory– not only does he usually know what the regulars want when they order, but he can remember a stack of 20 orders deep with incredible precision.
Beyond that, it’s really the prices (paid cash only) that really keep those of us lucky enough to know about this place coming back. The $ 9 combo platter is a great deal– one basic roll and one order of varying teryaki or tempura are two of my favorites served that way. Otherwise, I usually go for the $ 5.50 Rainbow Roll special– the special being that it comes with miso soup or salad. That roll can go for $ 12 at some specialty restaurants for the same size and quality, so it really is a true bargain.
Some recent reviewers complained about the wait, so I want to address that as well. Typically, you’ve got the man on sushi, the man in the kitchen, and Hungoro on the counter. Those 3 really had it going on. Since Hungoro has been out on maternity leave, though, the wait has gotten really, really bad. However, I’m convinced this is only temporary and once she’s back the Express will come back to Sushi Express.
I am tearing up knowing that my at-​least-​weekly trists over to Sushi Express are soon to come to an end. Do yourself– and these small business owners– a favor, and head there for lunch today.

I’m quite torn about this place.
The sushi is CHEAP. Like gas station-​sushi CHEAP, but not the quality. However, I do get disappointed every time I order, despite my numerous visits.
Sushi isn’t top notch restaurant quality, but it’s food. Treat it more as something to eat that isn’t subs/​gyros/​burritos. There’s just things are are off-​putting. First time, my sushi kept falling apart — the sushi here is definitely not sturdy. Second time, I think their low-​sodium soy sauce expired. It had a funky taste to it. It’s like something goes wrong each time (but not terribly!).
Price-​wise, you can’t beat them. However, you have to deal with the long wait (one person works in the back, another works as the sushi chef, and another one works mainly as the cashier). I stood in line for 25 minutes one time during the rush hour. You really have to be patient.
I’m a bit confused why I keep going back, but keep posted on another update. I may just change my mind or just keep going.

Lunch in DC for under $ 4?! Impossible, you say? Think again. This hidden away sushi spot (disguised location is on the 2^nd floor of the building on corner of K St and 20^th with little signage) is worth a trip for prices alone but its sushi is delightful as well. Although it is not the best ever, Sushi Express offers tasty rolls and definitely has my business for a cheapie-​quickie bite. Oh, and BYO-​Cash – S. Express accepts no credit cards.