Image: Battered in a good way.
Last Updated: August 2025
Overview:
Taking over the second floor of a building that has seen a bunch of turnover, we hope Ko manages to stick around. They have a good chance based on word of mouth and really good cooking.
They serve sushi, but it is the entrees that anchor the menu. Standouts from our sampling include the karrage (fried chicken) and shogayaki (stir-fried, ginger-infused pork). The tempura is airy. Even though the choices have many fried options they similarly tend to be done with a light touch. The delivery menu more restricted than the one for take-out or dine-in. Kaiseki and Omakase menus are available, but we have yet to try.
The drink list is limited. The décor is not fancy. You have to huff it up a couple flights of stairs to get there. That said, Ko stands out as a very good casual, affordable option on a stretch where there are not that many other good choices. The family behind the place (a U.S. Air Force veteran and Japanese wife who met while he was stationed in Japan) have decided to focus on food. It was a smart investment and it is paying dividends for the neighborhood.
Other Guidance: Stairs to get to restaurant. GF can do well, the menu is pretty meat heavy other than the sushi options, though vegetarians can pick out some dishes.
Summary:
Cuisine: Japanese
Neighborhood: Dupont
Address: 1610 20th St NW 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009
Website: https://kojapanesedining.com/
Reservations: Resy
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: No coverage yet.
Washingtonian: No coverage yet.