Masaaki "Uchi" Uchino has debuted Kiyomi, a 16-seat omakase counter at 1895 L St. NW in downtown Washington. At lunch, the snug counter is turning out a walk-in nigiri or hand-roll omakase for $40, complete with homemade miso soup. For diners trying to squeeze in something special between meetings, the bar also serves a la carte nigiri, hand rolls and maki aimed at delivering high-end sushi on a tight schedule.
As reported by Axios, the new standalone spot spins off from the Kiyomi counter Uchino previously ran inside The Square food hall and is opening with lunch service only, walk in style. The move gives the chef a compact, counter-only setup that is built for quick seatings and a dialed-in menu.
From food hall to a stand-alone counter
Uchino first built a following working at Sushi Nakazawa before trying out a faster omakase format inside The Square, according to The Washington Post. That food-hall version drew praise from reviewers and regulars for delivering carefully made nigiri in a shorter, more approachable format.
Menu and price points
Menu highlights at the counter include both fatty and lean cuts of tuna, seasonal fish such as seared porgy and dressed hand rolls like spicy salmon and yuzu-garlic yellowtail, according to Axios. Axios also notes that a standard dinner omakase of roughly 15 courses is slated to cost about $120, while a premium 20 to 24 course tasting offered Thursday through Saturday is expected to run around $200.
Licensing and what to expect
The bar plans to introduce an extensive sake program once its liquor license is finalized; D.C.'s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration lists "Kiyomi by Masaaki 'Uchi' Uchino" at 1895 L St. NW in its licensing roster. ABRA records show the business is filed under Soga Genji Hospitality, LLC with a new-construction entry for that address.
Why the $40 quick omakase matters
Making omakase shorter and more affordable has been a conscious strategy for Uchino and other chefs who want to open the format up to more diners, a shift Eater DC detailed last year. Kiyomi’s downtown counter keeps the spotlight on top-tier fish and precise rice work, but packages it in seatings and prices that can fit into a workday lunch.
How to get a seat
Lunch is walk in only for now, so arriving early on weekdays is the safest move if you are aiming for the $40 omakase. For current hours and word on when dinner reservations will open, follow Kiyomi on Instagram at Instagram.
