“Sushi is the poetry of the sea.” The person who first said that is lost to the ages, but it still holds true. The patience and precision needed to prepare it. The balance of flavors, textures and presentation in the final dish. All are like the carefully crafted lines in a poem. Ashburn has plenty of places for sushi – here are four solid contenders in the area to try.
Passion Fin
42780 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn
passionfinashburn.com
Passion Fin is the 500-pound gorilla in the room. There are lots of places for sushi, but there’s only one Passion Fin. It’s been open for more than a decade, and it’s still crowded, with a wait many nights, especially weekends. From its famous Redskins roll – renamed the Ashburn Roll – to the beloved manager Star, who greets everyone with a broad smile or even a hug, Passion Fin is a “star” of the Ashburn dining scene.
Matsupoke Sushi + Bowls
44260 Ice Rink Plaza, No. 107, Ashburn
matsupokesushi.com
A relative newcomer, having opened in 2024, Matsupoke differs from other area sushi joints by being a “fast casual” restaurant. That means you order at a counter or a kiosk and then pick up your food when it’s ready. Nevertheless, there have been plenty of positive reviews for its sushi and sashimi, including fun dishes like the UFO roll, the Nippon Burrito roll and the Fire Crunch roll.
44110 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, No. 182, Ashburn
19302 Promenade Drive, Lansdowne
mrsushimrsroll.com
When it comes to cute names, Mr. Sushi & Mrs. Roll is a clear winner. It’s also a winner for its menu of both Japanese and Korean cuisine. Originally starting out as a kiosk in Ashburn’s Lotte Plaza Market grocery store, the restaurant grew popular enough that it moved into its own space in Lansdowne and then expanded to a second spot in Ashburn Village.
20035 Ashbrook Commons Plaza, No. 176, Ashburn
akirasushiashburn.com
Akira Sushi is one of the granddaddies around here, at least in a relatively young community like Ashburn. It opened in 2005 – and is still going strong. Online, fans rave about the friendly service, the fresh flavor of the fish and the signature Firecracker roll in particular. After two decades, Akira must be doing something right.
