A new takeout counter slinging nigiri, ramen and poke bowls has opened on the ground floor of The Grace and Reva apartments in Crystal City. Okinami, from longtime area chef Yong Kang, is now serving tuna, red snapper and eel nigiri alongside rolls like shrimp tempura, yellowtail, crispy crab and spicy salmon.
The opening was confirmed by ARLnow, which reported that Okinami opened recently on the ground floor of the apartment building and primarily operates as a takeout restaurant. Kang has been operating locally since 1987, according to the outlet, and Okinami marks his first restaurant under that name.
What's On the Menu
Okinami's signature rolls include the Salmon Teriyaki Roll, made with cooked salmon, avocado and a spicy seasoning; the Tri Amigo Roll, combining tuna, salmon, tilapia and smelt roe; and the Yami Yami, a shrimp tempura roll loaded with spicy tuna, tempura flakes and Japanese sauce. The restaurant also serves three ramen dishes, including pork and chicken miso ramen options, plus poke bowls built with tuna, salmon or shrimp.
The restaurant's name means “offshore wave” and draws its inspiration from the woodblock print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” the outlet's report noted. Okinami is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
A Long-Awaited Arrival
Okinami's path to opening stretched back months. In March, Kang told the publication the restaurant was expected to open at 244 19th Court S. in four to five months, describing a mainly carryout concept with seating for eight guests across roughly 900 square feet. The spot sits next to Toastique and near Flight Wine Bar and Bar Chinois, joining a growing lineup of food tenants on The Grace and Reva's ground floor.
Timelines for the opening varied depending on the source. A local blog, Beltran Associates Realty, noted that while Kang's March estimate pointed to four to five months, a separate April restaurant tracker had listed a July or August opening window — and the blog's own listing of Crystal City projects placed Okinami among those without a confirmed opening at the time it was compiled. The same blog observed that restaurants moving into finished, ready-to-use spaces in Crystal City and Pentagon City have generally opened closer to schedule, while those requiring renovation or new buildout have more often slipped.
Part of a Busy Sushi Scene
Okinami isn't the only new sushi option to land in Crystal City this year. Seki Sushi opened in the neighborhood in August, offering its own wide menu of rolls and other Japanese dishes, per the same outlet's earlier report. A MapQuest review of Okinami called it great food, great service, and such a fun addition to Crystal City, though the review did not include a reviewer handle.
