Niwano Hana Japanese Restaurant
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
30 Reviews for Niwano Hana Japanese Restaurant
My favorite sushi place, by far. Their Nigiri is generous and tasty. Hana's specials are creative in both appearance and flavor. Could eat there every day!
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I now know what "good sushi" is!
After my semi-annual dental check-up at my long time family dentist in Monkey County (see my Yelp on Dr. Robert Hislop), I had lunch with my bella who works up that way. We met her mom and her mom's friend at Niwano. Service was prompt and friendly, prices were good, and the sushi was really, truly, amazingly yummy! I had the "sushi lunch" that came with 6 tuna rolls, 5 nigiri sushi, 2 futomaki and a tofu shusi... I also got a miso soup and a salad, but I'm not sure if that was part of the lunch special. I keep forgetting to take photos with my iPhone! argh! Sorry :)
The rice in the sushi was perfect, the fish melted in my mouth and was super fresh - just the way it should be.
So many cool lunch options on the menu, you'll always be able to get what you want. I can't wait to try some of their box specials and their Nabeyaki Udon! Really I can't wait to try so much more sushi here!
I now know what "good sushi" is!
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The food is excellent - particularly the specials, sashimi in all forms, and several of the soups. I usually prefer broiled items, soups and rice dishes - the unadon is quite good here - when I go to a Japanese restaurant, but somehow Niwano Hana makes the sashimi platters and box lunches so appealing that I go for them instead. The service has always been very attentive and efficient, and yet the management has always apologized to me for some failings I have not noticed. It's very nice to always be greeted and saluted as I go out as a long-lost friend. This is a delightful restaurant to visit.
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I never cared for Sushi, but this place changed all of that! They make GOOD sushi!!! I especially liked the volcano rolls, Scalloped rolls, and the Katsudon. OMG, the Katsudon was to DIE for. I have a really LOW tolerance for sushi, so when my fiance is in the mood for sushi, but I am not, I will just order the Katsudon.
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I am a regular at this restaurant but despite a somewhat small limited menu, I get the same items every time I dine here. The chicken and beef teriyaki beinto boxes with shrimp tempura is delicious and the chicken and beef is always tender. The combination is sure to fill anybody with a big appetite because it comes with quite a few items. The miso salad dressing is the BEST!! The sushi is delicious too, I get the Volcano roll-it has that spicy mayo with tempura, and the alligator roll is good too.
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I love this place. I miss living in Maryland. They have this amazing spicy raw fish salad appetizer that I would highly highly recommend.
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I was really surprised this small restaurant packs some mean sushi but man it's good. Anything on the menu is just as good but it is small so the place gets filled up pretty quickly. Definitely a great place to go for sure.
I've been going here for probably close to 10 years now and its always been an enjoyable experience. Recently, I've been ordering the spicy scallop roll and yellowtail jaw. If they have it, the grilled yellowtail jaw is a great side dish. I've only had one real bad experience there and that was a couple years ago and I attribute the dry fish to the late hour I went. Otherwise, it's always been a pleasant meal there. I like how they haven't expanded and made this huge, because the little sushi bar would not be able to handle much more patrons at one time. Service isn't slow, but you def want to leave some time. One of my favorite places to go.
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Great sushi, lots of really yummy specialty rolls. I pretty much like everything I've ever tried there. This place is busy (packed on weekends) so make reservations or come early. At some visits, service has been a little slow, the waiters rushed because of how busy they are; but they are always friendly.
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I've been coming to Niwano Hana for YEARS and I absolutely love it here. In response to Liz K - no, it's not really the best sushi in town. For me, it's just a comfortable place to come and get some pretty good sushi. If you're a true sushi lover, though, sit at the bar and ask the sushi chef to fix you up whatever he recommends - This is the best way to experience Niwano Hana. But other than that, they have great lunch box specials, very friendly staff and a cozy dining room. I especially love how you're greeted with shouts of Japanese salutations as you enter and leave (I have no idea what they're saying, but I love it!).
Don't be confined by the menu and take a look at the specials on the wall. The tofu steak is a great appetizer.
Not a great place for big groups; Try to keep your party no bigger than 4 (6 at most!).
This place is great for anything from taking a date, your parents, younger sibs -- anyone who's not allergic to seafood~
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I hadn't been here in ages, but went last night and regret not having gone in so long. Friendly staff, great sushi, excellent prices! None of the glam and glitz of some other close by sushi restaurants.
I'm glad I have re-found Niwano Hana!
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I don't eat raw fish so when I come here I order their rolls. They have a huge selection of different rolls and all of them have been so yummy. I especially love the volcano and dragon rolls. Everything tastes even better dipped in their spicy mayo. I love the salad with ginger dressing that comes with each meal. I think their dressing is the best around the area. I haven't found one restaurant that can come close to a similar dressing without a heavy ginger taste! Their other menu items are good also. I've tried the sea bass and salmon teriyaki. I recommend both! In addition, service is always friendly.
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This is what East Coasters call "the best sushi in town" ?!?!?!?!
Oh god.
I need my Alameda Sushi House NOW!
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This is without a doubt my favorite sushi restaurant. The food is amazing, and well worth the wait if you go on a Friday or Saturday night. The restaurant is a small, but does not feel that way when you are sitting down to eat. Don't be discouraged if there is a wait - it doesn't usually take long and is well worth it.
The menu offers a great selection, and there are always specials and new things to try. The sushi chefs are amazing and work behind the bar within sight of almost any table. The presentation is fantastic and often reflects the name of the roll (so watch what you order).
Everything on the menu is excellent, but as a personal favorite, I recommend the crunchy shrimp roll as well as the Miso soup to round out the meal.
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One of my favorite sushi places. It's small and does tend to feel a tad crowded at times, but the friendly and efficient staff more than makes up for it. The sushi is consistently fresh, delicious, and satisfying. Highly recommended. The Volcano Roll is a must, as is Toro when they have it.
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Great sushi place. They have some other items on the menu, but sushi is definitely the focus here. I'm always on the lookout for more vegetarian-friendly places, and this one has been added to the list. The fish-free a la carte selection was bigger than in most places, and for once I got to order something completely randomly (an experience usually reserved for meat eaters who want to try something new). I'm not quite sure what it was- the name was japanese- but it was very good. It's a popular place- full on a weeknight. The service was friendly; the sushi chefs were very enthusiastic in greeting us when we came in ("Hello! Welcome!") and when we left ("Arigato! Good night! Come again!").
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After coming to this shopping center for several years, I finally wet to Niwano Hana just recently. A friend and I went together, and ordered the Volcano Roll, the Dynamite Roll, and then an Eel Maki and a Spicy Tuna Maki. These 4 rolls (22 pieces in total) came to $30 after tip. We arrived at 5:30, just as dinner service started, and the restaurant was not crowded in the slightest.
Let's start off by saying that it was all incredible. I have a weak spot for special rolls, and these in no way disappointed. The volcano roll is structured as something of a mountain covered in spicy mayo "lava", and the dynamite roll has a little wick coming out of it. You could tell that both were made with very fresh ingredients, and I really can't express my satisfaction. The eel roll also was perfectly flavored, and this was one of the best eel rolls I've had.
I want to take a special moment for the spicy tuna roll. Now, I've loved sushi for a while, but I only started looking for great sushi in the past year or so. Usually, my tuna rolls end up a little tough and rubbery. But the spicy tuna here was so fresh, you could bite right through and just savor it. This really struck me as the ultimate indicator of just how fresh and good the sushi is.
There's a large selection of specials that aren't mentioned on the menu, which I need to start looking into. My friend and I both forewent sodas (there are no free refills), but the tea was very good. In fact, the waitress's timing was perfect, and at no time was my tea empty. And of course, on our way out, the chefs said goodbye to us.
I'm far from a super experienced sushi eater, but this was certainly among the best sushi I have ever had. I will definitely be coming back to try more of the special rolls, and I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for some great sushi in the Potomac / Rockville / Bethesda area.
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Awesome dragon roll and rainbow roll for sushi. fish is fresh. Great place. Been here about 12 times so far, never misses.
Just went here for the first time earlier today. Amazing food. Everything I ordered was delicious except for the spicy tuna, the spicy tasted off, and the unagi rolls, too sweet. I had about 12 other rolls which were perfect. The specialty rolls were presented really nicely and tasted just as good. I'm sorry Shrimp tempura, you've gotten old and boring. We had good times but I've met someone else. I am now in love with the Volcano roll. If it were a woman I'd slip her a ruffie and ram my...err...maybe I shouldn't go there.
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My favorite place for sushi! The place is a bit small, but never feels cramped. Prepare to wait a bit if you come during busy times.
There always seem to be at least four sushi chefs behind the bar when I come in. They all must be top notch, because I've never gotten a bad roll here. They have a great selection, including some really nice specialty rolls. The presentation is excellent, and the chefs have some fun with some of the rolls (the volcano and the dynamite roll come to mind).
If you order enough sushi, you'll get a salad and miso soup with your meal. Both are very simple, but very good.
Price is moderate and reasonable.
My favorite part is that all the chefs look up from their work to say goodbye and wave to you as you leave. That's service!
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Delish sushi! cute set-up not too crowded, good parking, good service, and lots of choices!
i'm reviewing this place because it was the only decent sushi i had around the DC metro area. i had a sashimi combo, and didn't have to wait long for a place to sit. it was a sunday night, and it was the last meal i had with the cutest saddest boy in DC. actually, this review is probably useless because i couldn't really taste the food that night. all i could remember was what last things do i want to say to him... what is he thinking in his head right now... thank gosh it's impolite to talk while you eat.
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One hot Friday night the lovely Alissa and I wanted to have some sushi. We drove down Rockville Pike thinking we were going to get the same old sushi we always get. We then decided to drive further down the pike and see if we could find a new place. We stumbled upon Niwano Hana. First thing we noticed was the place was packed and the menu had a ton of specialty rolls. We ordered a bunch of rolls but the rolls that stood out were the Volcano roll & Salmango roll. Do not leave this place without having the Volcano roll. This is now our new sushi home!
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Since there's absolutely no good Asian food, let alone sushi, in DC, I had to go out to the 'burbs to take my mom out for her birthday. Luckily, Niwano Hana is near where my parents live and after having not been there years, it didn't disappoint. First of all, as soon as we walked in, I was impressed with the decor (for an Asian restaurant) and with the number of people eating there on a Monday night. We had the agedashi tofu followed by a sashimi plate and a variety of rolls (dragon, rainbow, etc.). The fish was very fresh, service was good, and the price was right. I'd definitely go here again...I wish there were more places like this in DC!
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I've been to a lot of sushi restaurants in Boston, the Boston metropolitan area, and a couple in NYC, but this little sushi shop in Rockville is the best of the bunch. Their presentation is just amazing. Volcano rolls look like angry volcanoes. Caterpillar rolls look like cute little caterpillars. The dragon roll is a dragon. The presentation is sooo good, that you're dying to try all the specialty rolls just to see the presentation. The food is very fresh. The workers are extremely personable, particularly Andy. The agedashi tofu is good, but my wife (who spent the better part of a summer eating there) recommends the chirashi and alligator rolls.
Japanese cuisine.
Good place to eat sushi, one of the very few places I enjoy and like to eat. I usually get the spicy tuna here along with the huge tuna maki with spicy tobiko rolls. The food here is fresh and the service is good. The prices are very affordable and reasonable. It's not anyway comparable to the places I eat in NYC, but it's the best I can get while I'm in the MD area.
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for suburban maryland, niwano hana has pretty tasty sushi. the restuarant is small, but it didn't feel congested. the soft shell crab tempura was OFF THE HOOK. the fish was fresh, and the service was good. we were a bit rushed at the end of the night, but other than that, it was a pleasant dining experience. i will definitely go back.
At first look it appears like another strip center dive, but upon entering one soon realizes that everything is wonderful. From the food to the demeanor this place ranks up there with the best sushi places in the area. The only negative might be the size which is very small so there is a possibility you might have to wait if you come with alot of people.
The only thing worth trying here is the Sushi. This restaurant was the first that was recommended to me when I came back to DC from Japan, so I was pretty optimistic. After giving it about 10 chances, I came to the conclusion that it just wasn't very good. The only reason I can see for people recommending this place is that it's just slightly better than the generally terrible "Japanese" restaurants in the DC area. The owners are Japanese, but everything in the restaurant is heavily Americanized...ick.
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my fav. pick for sushi/noodle in md. the best so far japanese place. of course, my steroid kicks in too. owned by japanese!!! that is why it is sooo good. while there try noodle and maybe some to go tea at a shop located outside of the restaurant into the same plaza. nice buble tea they have.... alas, i dont know the name :(
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