Hinata Sushi Carry Out

I used to be a huge fan of this place, despite the quirks.
Quirks include the chef being very sullen (almost angry or depressed looking). They are also pretty confused about whether they want to be a sit down or cafeteria type place. They don’t come take your order if you sit down at a table, but people will come out with your food. And unheard of for a real sushi spot, they charge for green tea.
All was forgiven because the sushi was good. Now the sushi is no longer good. And the service runs hot and cold. So the unfriendly sushi «chef» can go *#&(% himself.
The guy who makes the sushi makes you feel unwelcome in your store, talking through intermediaries who are given no authority of their own, so it is like talking through translators. He does this even though basic English isn’t a problem for him. So it is a stupid power play, to make you feel less in control of your food.
His wife is friendly, but it doesn’t make up for her husband’s bizarre hostility. Even after you become a regular, the staff can’t remember whether you have an allergy.
Once, they filled my chirashi with multiple items I had told them a dozen times that I was deathly allergic to. This was in a carry out order that I had walked out of the store with, completely trusting them. Imagine my disappointment. I couldn’t drive it back since they had closed. I forgave them without saying anything because the sushi was normally good, and it could have just been an odd mistake.
But to make matters worse, slowly but surely, over the months, the quality of the chirashi began to deteriorate. Suddenly, it was impossible to get a bowl in about 20 minutes, the previous waiting time. Now they said it would take over an hour. Then an hour and a half.
I waited. Multiple times. No complaints. But the previously perfect bowls began to show little black specks of fish skin or scales here and there, or a particularly sinewy piece of fish. (You know, with actual pieces of tough white stuff — something that shouldn’t happen). Then the last time I was there, they omitted a vegetable ingredient without mentioning it, only explaining when I called them on it. This is ridiculous, dishonest behavior.
If you run out of an ingredient, just be up front about it, and maybe I wouldn’t have ordered the thing. Instead you charge full price on something that is missing a normal ingredient, and don’t even offer to substitute something else for it? Shame on you.
I called in today to place a carryout over the phone, since the last time I just showed up and again waited over an hour for food. But this time, through an intermediary, the «chef» gave me new and even more hostile attitude over the phone. I’m speechless. Congratulations, Hinata. You have lost my business forever.

Unbelievable selection of Japanese goods considering just how tiny this market is. Didn’t expect to see every item in stock but you can get a majority of food and snacks here. Considering how rare Asian markets — let alone Japanese stores — are in the DC area, this is definitely one of best small markets.

I stopped by for the first time today for lunch… With all the positive reviews I was expecting something great. Sadly, I was disappointed. The store was easy to find, and parking was very easy. The lady at the register was very friendly. However, I was disappointed that they only had very simple rolls– I enjoy some variety and would have liked to see some other specials. I ordered two spicy tuna rolls and two shrimp tempura rolls– cost just over $ 20. I waited about 10 minutes, and it was ready. When I opened the box to eat it — I was not that impressed. The tuna rolls were very small and lacked a good amount of fish. The shrimp tempura rolls had what appeared to be just Cooked shrimp– not a tempura batter at all. The tuna rolls were not spicy– it was hard to taste the fish– the nori was the standout flavor. The shrimp tempura rolls were a litter larger– the had rice, shrimp, and some lettuce/​green. Did not have the crunch you expect with a tempura, and the shrimp was pretty bland.
Overall, if I ever needed Japanese groceries this would be the place to go– the selection was huge! Sadly, though, I will not be coming back here for sushi. The flavor was just not there.

Varied and authentic market complemented by pithy sushi menu with fresh and decadent fish.

I like the store and the sushi and like that they have ume-​shiso rolls and willing to add shiso leaves to my other rolls.

We went for a Sunday bike ride today starting in Georgetown up the CCT to Bethesda. Didn’t know Matsuba is closed on Sunday for lunch, so looked up sushi in the area on Google Map, and found Hinata. I had no idea this store was here. It’s more of a small Japanese grocery store than a sushi bar, but the sushi was made to order and very fresh tasting, beautifully presented and reasonably priced. It was a perfect lunch break for our bike ride, and if we didn’t come by bike, I would have probably spent a bundle on all the great Japanese foodstuffs they have here, from unusual imported items like mattcha KitKat bars to fresh Japanese veggies from Suzuki Farm. And the people were so friendly. A great find!

Such a quaint little spot for quality sushi! Coming from Hawaii, no sushi is quite the same but this place definitely hits the spot. Some options can be more pricey than others, and as many have said, it is not your typical «American» portion of sushi. I do have to say though, it’s always fun to roam the aisles as they make your meal… you always tend to leave with one or two extra things than you originally walked in for.

I came here on a Saturday afternoon with my mom because we had been craving chirashi.
In short, hinata’s deluxe chirashi is indeed expensive (~$ 23) but definitely worth the money. The fish were fresh and rice was seasoned perfectly. If you are looking for a quality, authentic bowl of chirashi, this is the place to come. Don’t expect fancy atmosphere or extraordinary service, but in turn your belly and taste buds will be amazingly satisfied.

Great little Japanese grocery store that also serve sushi. The rolls are simple cheap fresh and delicious. Tako wasabi is one of the best in the DMV.

For sushi on the east coast, this is pretty damn good. I am a bit of a sushi snob as I have ate the best sushi in LA countless times, so I am always let down when I eat sushi in the DMV area. This place stacks up well for any sushi spot as the fish is very fresh and the rice is prepared very well. I will be back for sure.

This was the best sushi I’ve had in the area, hands down. It was well-​priced, hand made in front of me and the people were super nice. It’s our new favorite place.

Not sure what all the fuss is about on the Sushi… not that great, not that cheap…

The take-​out sushi here is amazing. It’s better than any of the other sushi places in Bethesda that we’ve tried, AND it’s better priced! Really great quality of food. Just don’t go expecting a ton of ambiance, it’s not there. You can’t beat the price and quality.
There’s also a ton of fun Japanese grocery items, even though the store itself is quite tiny.

I was looking for non-​GMO natto (fermented soybeans that have lots of vitamin K2) and instant miso soup — and as soon as the Japanese woman behind the counter saw me puzzling over labels I couldn’t read, she came over to offer assistance. With her help, I found both items I was searching for and more! Before I left I also sat down to a seaweed salad that I spotted in the refrigerated section. What a great place for quality Japanese ingredients! I plan to go back whenever I can!

Shhhh, don’t tell anyone. This is the best sushi in Bethesda.
Reasonably priced for the quality they deliver. Friendly enough, and cozy.
But seriously, don’t go here. I like nobody in line in front of me, and being able to grab one of two outside tables. Go somewhere else. You’re not welcome here.

I love this place. Fresh, delicious, inexpensive sushi made to order — what more could you ask for? The staff are also super nice and accommodating.
Only issue is that you often have to wait a while (~15 min) for the sushi, but it’s worth it.
Can’t really speak to the grocery area of the market, but it looks like they have quite a selection. Definitely come for the sushi — one of the healthiest, best lunch deals in the downtown Bethesda area.

Took a walk with my coworker on a day that it wasn’t freezing for once. This is about 3 blocks away from office at Metro 2, which is on top of the Metro station.
Walking in, at first you think, ok, nice quant little store that sells authentic Japanese food products, but then you get to the back where we saw I assume the owner/​proprietor taking her time explaining the different times of sushi to a clueless older woman. It gave me time to see a lot of the stuff that they sell, all Japanese… authentic Japanese…
Go for the daily special on the board in front of the register… The quality was good, portions were decent… however, not the cheapest in town, as you might assume with it being a small place with only 3 tables inside…
The prices of the groceries were a tab bit on the expensive side, but for the convenience (if I lived in the downtown Bethesda neighborhood), it can’t be beat!!!
Remember: This is a «carryout» place, so if you’re looking for a nice sit-​down, go somewhere else!

3.5−4 stars.
Small little store on St. Elmo. There’s a Mont. co. public parking lot next to the shop & street parking… and it’s close enough to the metro (walk/​circulator).
The front of the store is the grocery store and the back is the sushi bar.
Staff — the staff are super friendly and nice. Very very helpful and explained their menu to me after the look of my utterly confused face.
Sushi — The sushi is TINY! I was confused where the food went after I ate it because I did not feel it in my stomach. But if you get their combos (if you’re facing the register, look to your left and you’ll see a poster of all the combos… pick something off that menu), it’s cheaper. You can substitute any roll in the combo for a different one, as long as it’s of something that’s priced the same. They also have a special of the day that changes (I believe ~$ 9.00). Despite being small, their sushi was delicious, ingredients pretty fresh. :)
Grocery store — I’m so happy that I can now stock up on my Asian groceries even if I’m too lazy to go all the way out to Rockville. That being said, there isn’t a large selection of fresh veggies and such. I did grab some green onions that were wilted a bit. They have a little frozen food selection. Most of the seasonings and ingredients that you need can be found here with a pretty good selection of Ramen also. If you’re looking for Japanese face products (Shiseido’s face/​hair care), you can get them here!
Overally, I’m a fan of this little shop! The only thing is that it’s a little pricier than if I were to go to my usual Asian grocery shop in Rockville… but it’s a trade-​off I’m willing to take for the convenient location.

Friendly and quick service. I am giving it three stars because while the rolls (priced from $ 3.75−4.50 or so) were relatively inexpensive, they were small and didn’t have much fish.
I do agree with others that the place is on the small side with the sushi bar in the back of the store. There are Japanese items such as condiments, candies, sauces, and noodles. The fruits and vegetables were located in the back and not labeled with prices.
The sushi did taste delicious and they obviously know how to make sushi. The rolls were nice and tightly wrapped but I really wish they were bigger and had more fish.

I came here for a late lunch today and was really happy with what I got. It’s definitely a hole-​in-​the-​wall little market, but they have a lot of interesting Japanese groceries and pastries packed into the small space. They also sell fresh fish by the pound to make sushi at home. They have three small tables inside and two outside, so don’t count on being able to eat in. Even though I was there at an off-​hour, there was a steady stream of people coming in throughout the time I was eating.
They have a wide variety of fish, including some specialty ones, like toro, at a really reasonable price. I got the miso soup, a california roll with imitation crab (I’m allergic to shellfish, otherwise I’d have gone for the real crab, which they do offer), an eel and avocado roll, and a few pieces of tamago. The miso soup was excellent and was a generous portion. The fish was all really fresh and the rice was well-​cooked. Each roll was around $ 4. The tamago was really good, as well. I will definitely be back!