Matsutake Sushi

Love, love this place… I will fly into Reagan just to go here! It is absolute 5+ stars for airport food in the US. I have actually come to the airport early so I could stop and eat here before getting on the plane.
Positives
Great selection — basically a Japanese restaurant set down in an airport, full selection of choices you would expect.
Good quality
Staff are incredibly gracious and kind
I have eaten here alone, with A, pregnant, doing homework and with an infant — always a good experience.
Negatives
Sits right next to security so you get a great view of the line
Can be a little loud from the noise of the airport
I have never been disappointed coming here but understand I adjust my expectations, this is sushi in an airport so they as a restaurant in an airport have a certain number of challenges they face and they do it well. I don’t expect them to have the best quality, my expectation is it will be good and that their presentation and staff will carry it to fantastic and they meet that.

**As an airport restaurant, I give it 5 stars. It would be more like 4 in the real world!**
I travel frequently from DCA and, unfortunately, always travel through Gate B. There isn’t too much good food past security (especially gluten-​free options). Thus, after arriving with an hour and half to kill before my flight, I decided to try Matsutake. I’m so glad I did. It is now my go to meal before flights (I actually arrive early to the airport so I can be sure to get this sushi!)
So far, I’ve been sticking to the Chirashi. I’ve been wanted to try some rolls but I’ve enjoyed this dish so much that I always end up ordering it. I think it’s a great value. Tons of fish! And the rice is perfect. They are also so accommodating. They will sub out tuna (which I dislike) for more of the other fish.
The service is fast and reliable. They usually offer to let me sit and give me some water while I wait for my order, which is great when I have lots of bags. And my order has never taken more than 15 mins (usually under 10). Plus there is the added benefit of being able to see the security line from the restaurant so I never feel anxious during my wait!
Do yourself a favor and enjoy one of the best airport meals you will have at a price that isn’t much above what you would be paying at any other airport restaurant.

I’m kicking myself right now (yes, literally) that I walked past this restaurant in the DCA hall of pre-​security concessions for the last 8 years. My luggage didn’t make it on the AM flight with me so I had several hours to kill before the PM one arrived or I would have bypassed sitting down to dine. With one couple seated out in the open seating area and another at the sushi bar, I sat down with more than a little apprehension given the prices listed on their menu. My experiences with DCA concessions three different gate areas haven’t been stellar so perhaps my low expectations prepared me well for the meal ahead.
Matsutake features a good sized dining area with clean and neat tables. The staff are all Japanese-​speaking which is shocking in these days and times. The host was very gracious and delivered my $ 17 chicken teriyaki still bubbling and steaming hot in it’s cast iron dish. It’s probably one of the most memorable versions of this dish that most Seattle-​ites take for granted. Not only does it arrive sizzling to your table, but they give you a good portion of tender chicken breast tossed in an awesome teriyaki sauce that is neither cloying sweet nor sickeningly salty. Pair that with the grilled carrots, broccoli and mushrooms (they even picked my favorite vegetables) and a bowl of rice and you have the colorful ingredients of perfect proportions.
Agreed that most will balk at the prices (which probably explains the low number of diners in retrospect), but since you’re either going to balk at prices here or at either of the other three sit-​down restaurants which include a Legal Sea Food, you may as well do it here. I’ve never paid over $ 20 for any teriyaki before but I’d gladly return here and do it again.

Don’t let the fact that you are currently in an airport deter you. I am sitting here with some soup, sushi and a beer and life is good. The people are very nice, too.
I can’t take a picture because I’m almost done. I would pick a soup other than miso soup. It’s just OK. The sushi is solid (I got an Alaska Roll) and the beer is beer, so it’s solid.

Best airport food at DCA. Soup like my Grandmother used to make. Simple seating at small tables but great for light travelers.

Forgettable. Was here for lunch today and am not surprised at the cost, but am surprised that they mailed it in.
Had the sashimi combo which was like $ 25. That’s fine if you put reasonably fresh fish on there. No, the tuna was very cold and chewy towards the center. Possibly still slightly frozen and not likely fresh. Most of the other fish was just very cold. The salmon was good, but then of course when have you had bad salmon? Our server came over to ask if the meal was ok? I told him the tuna was bad and still frozen. I got a shrug as if he didn’t seem like he knew what to do about the criticism, and certainly made no effort to inquire further or take action. The least he could have done is replaced the fish with something else, cut a few bucks off the bill, or offered a free dessert, etc. There are ways to placate customers and make them feel like you’re listening and care. This is not a place that cares. So I shrug right back at them.

Attentive service and a very good chirashi, after a day of flying, really hit the spot. I’m very glad I ate here before heading to my hotel.

I was craving sushi in an airport which I think it’s quite dangerous! I’ve had my fair share of airport sushi and 90% of the time it’s just awful.
This location was a nice surprise. Specially when I looked at the menu and saw that they even offer Uni! I had their sashimi special which came out rather quickly. And the fish tasted fine to me which made me oh so happy.
This sushi restaurant is outside security so if you’ve got time to kill, I recommend you coming here.
PS. I found it a bit funny seeing the waitress wearing a kimono even though she is Korean hah.

Please note that my stars are based on 2 items from the menu, and may not reflect the assessment of the other items on the menu.
1. Tofu agedashi — well made and dressed with strips or nori and Bonito flakes.
2. Spicy Ramen (Korean style) — this was disappointing as it was my main dish. It was a dressed up version of Nong Shim Shin bowl noodle soup. It had 3 E-​Z peel shrimps, about 3 pieces of seafood cake slices, a few pieces of scallions and shit keep slices. The rest was the pack of reconstituted dried noodle with the spicy soup base.. I came to this conclusion because some of the noodles was still dessicated in a few strands, and the dried reconstituted dehydrated carrots had its tell-​tale flat shape.
I was expecting to have them at least try some type of fresh noodle, especially since it’s an entrée item. This would be similar to an American restaurant serving you Kraft Mac and cheese made from the blue box with a few crumble of sharp cheddar.

Sushi at the airport, kinda risky, no? Nope!
We had a number of hours to kill since our flight kept getting repeatedly delayed… We wandered by thinking of the brew house beyond, but the staff has been lack luster every time i have considered eating there… so back down the row to this place again… No-​one was there, but it was also between flight times… We sat the bar.
The chef and the «other guy» mostly talked to each other the entire time we were there. The sushi chef had to ask us if we wanted a beer — hello up sell? so easy yet not done by the «other guy»
Food was definitely tasty and a good option for us — pretty quick and portable if need be. Might be a way to keep people our of your row on a southwest flight if they see raw fish… hmmm

I had noodles and gyoza and both dishes were low quality. The food was dry, there was almost no meat and the food was also very oily. I do not suggest to come here if you are a picky eater or just someone who enjoys good food.

EXCELLENT AIRPORT FOOD
My wife & I had a very good lunch here. This place is outside security and well worth a pit stop if you have a little extra time.
We had the Calamari Tempura, Avocado Salad, California Roll, and a Yaki Udon with Chicken. Everything was just right and perfectly presented.
Nice place.

Airport sushi? In this case, yes! This place is amazing! All of the fish is incredibly fresh and flavorful. I especially recommend the salmon.
One note, this is outside of security.

Flying home with a layover in Washington National around dinner time. I researched beforehand to see what the «dining» options were.
They airport layout is a bit odd since it is older and there are food establishments near the differ gate areas and in the small concourse that connects the wings.
My inbound and outbound flights are in terminal B while Matsutake is in the concourse, which meant leaving the secure gate area to eat and then an extra trip through security to get back to the gate areas.
I had time and the security wait wasn’t too bad. Since the restaurant got fairly good reviews and I love sushi I figured it was worth a try.
I was pleasantly surprised. Miso soup was tasty. I sat at the counter and ordered alacart. Yellowfin and Fresh Salmon sashimi (3 big pieces of each) and Spicy Tuna Roll (6 pieces).
All were great. Total cost with tip $ 29. I have spent as much on lousy airport food. This was very good meal. As good as other Japanese/​restaurants I have been to. If you are in this airport and like sushi it is a must.

This is probably the best airport sushi I’ve had. The raw fish selection was delightfully fresh. The dragon roll was delicious except the tiny bones weren’t completely removed. Service was typical family business style. They did their best to multi-​task as the host, and wait-​staffs. Regardless they were friendly and attentive. It’s an airport restaurant. Ambience is as good as it goes for any airport restaurant at the lower end. I certainly would grab a quick bite here the next time I visit DC

Service at first was slow to initially welcome us, but eventually once the order was placed the food was quick.
We both loved our sushi rolls and it was a welcome alternative to the normal airport fare.
The meal was expensive, even for airport sushi standards.

Came here for lunch before flight. Ramen was good because it was spicy compared to my other choice, udon. The ramen tasted like shin ramen except with more fresh vegetables and more water. Sushi maki rolls were yummy — Philadelphia, white tuna, spicy tuna, and rock ‘n roll. Green tea was good. Service was good. Pretty ahjoomas are also nice.

I know, I know.
I know what you’re thinking — am I taking my life into my hot little hands eating Airport Sushi?
Great question and one I asked myself. The answer is that is was fast, fresh and pretty damn good.
I would recommend this to friends & would def go there again, so there ya go.
p. s. I ate there two days ago and I’m happy to report that all systems were & are go — definitely a good, healthy spot!

I had quite a few hours to kill once I landed in DC and needed to grab lunch before heading to the hotel, as I did not have a car. I did my research of DCA prior and Matsutake was in terminal B. Good location and I have to say I love the renovations done as well. Now the salmon Nigiri was good — the tuna I was not sure was fresh or not really as it was a bit dark in color. Otherwise the Rainbow roll was tasty. If you like fresh brewed iced tea like I do you will be disappointed in the iced tea from a machine. Much better off going with something else to drink.

I do not often find sushi bars in airports, but when I do, it seems to be on the east coast. I used Unilocal before arriving at DCA to figure out where I would have my first meal of the day after 1:15 PM. I was starving after getting from DuPont to DCA on the metro and skipping breakfast. I knew I wanted to treat myself to sushi. I easily found Matsutake on the airport map and it was right outside the TSA checkpoint for my gate. I ordered chirashi to go, and was offered a seat. The chef did not take long (there was hardly anyone else in the restaurant) and I took my special lunch through TSA pre-​check and sat in a comfortable place to charge my devices while eating.
When I opened my styrofoam, I found a stunning display of sushi (see my pic). There were fish and treats of all kinds: salmon, tuna, kani, ebi, tamago, escolar, hamachi, saba, tako, kanpyo, takuan all on top of sushi rice, accompanied by shredded daikon, a shiso leaf, and ginger. I was very satisfied with this fresh, tasty meal and would stop here again and eat when I am back in DC (there are locations outside of the airport too).