Temari Japanese Cafe - Rockville

It was a busy Saturday afternoon, so you might have to wait a little to be seated. The appetizer was absolutely delicious, and the portions of rice and miso soup were quite generous.

This restaurant is truly a hidden gem. It's not fancy, and parking can be a bit challenging, but it’s one of the best Japanese restaurants I've ever been to. The food is fresh, delicious, and very reasonably priced. Even though it gets busy, the wait times for a weekend lunch are quite manageable. I ordered the mackerel combo for $27, which included soup, sashimi, and several side dishes. The place has a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. I will definitely return, even though it’s a bit of a drive for me from Virginia; it’s completely worth it. We also visited the Japanese grocery store upstairs afterward. It was a bit pricey, but they had a lot of unique and delicious treats.

When my partner's Omu Rice arrived, it looked quite impressive, with its egg wrapping and red sauce. The presentation resembled an oversized burrito, measuring about 11 inches long and 3-4 inches in diameter. Unfortunately, this dish also suffered from a lack of salt and flavor. My partner added some red pepper seasoning, which improved its taste somewhat. However, the dish was supposed to feature fried rice and chicken, and we had to search carefully to find the chicken, as the pieces were small and sparse. In summary, the food was not bad, but it was nothing particularly special, especially considering the prices—$23 for the burger and $19 for the Omu Rice. If this were a fast-food restaurant with a $25 meal, we would have been quite pleased. However, given the costs, it's unlikely we will return.

Temari Japanese Cafe has established itself as a beloved spot in Rockville for authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine. It tends to get quite busy on Friday and weekend evenings, so I recommend arriving early. During my latest visit, I ordered the Katsu Curry, which is one of my favorite Japanese comfort foods. The curry was thick, rich, and absolutely delightful—full of bold flavors and packed with potatoes, onions, and chunks of beef! When paired with the crispy pork katsu on top, it makes for a fantastic combination. They also serve a generous portion of rice and curry, though I do wish there was a bit more katsu considering the size of the rest of the plate. The service is excellent as well; the staff is friendly and attentive. I've dined here multiple times, and it’s always a pleasure!

Delicious and fun Japanese diner-style restaurant Try the curry, tonkatsu, ramen, and other Japanese comfort food. Restaurant can get packed, so come early. They do take credit card; have bar seating; and parking is readily available in the shopping center. Looks like restaurant has rotating specials as well and serves sake!