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Liz Deutermann, Well Fed on the Town - Kaiten sushi (also known as conveyor belt sushi) has been all the rage since the end of the 20th century. But aside from the gimmick of watching your food scoot along past you as if being hijacked by ants on steroids, is it any good? Happily, the answer is a resounding “yes!” at Wasabi (908 17th St. NW Washington, DC 20006). Eating in at Wasabi is a treat. While not a particularly large venue, the high ceiling, mix of rich color and dark wood, and the arrangement of small booths and individual seating along the serving area gives the illusion of greater space. After a few moments you forget you are steps away from bustling Farragut Square and the White House and instead feel you’re in a comfy little sushi-ya (sushi shop). The staff is small in number, but efficient, giving the illusion of there being an army at your service. As much fun as it is watching your food go by, one of the truly wonderful thing about Wasabi is that they also have eat-in quality carryout. The carryout portion of the restaurant is the foyer of the restaurant, so if you like what you see and would rather sit, you can, but if it’s a nice day out you can grab what you like and go. The menu is nearly identical to what’s on offer in the restaurant, including a tuna herb salad (offering a generous portion of sesame seared tuna, a spicy tuna roll and greens), a selection of unique rolls (including shrimp, cucumber and pesto) that is frequently replenished by the kitchen (assuring freshness), sushi and sashimi, regular miso and Wasabi’s own blend which includes coriander and jalapeño, green tea mousse that is decadent, teriyaki, two kinds of udon (with and without chicken), and edamame. In addition, you can also get a taste of good fusion in the form of tiradito and anticucho- the influence of an strong Peruvian population in Japan that numbers upwards of 30 million (as of July 2006, according to the CIA). Tiradito is a ceviche of sorts wherein the sashimi is marinated in a mild chili sauce which imparts it with an extra bit of bite. The anticucho is chicken or salmon soaked in teriyaki and a mix of two chilies you’ve probably never heard of–panca and amarillo–and served over sticky rice. The result is a heat that’s more flavor than pain. The food is reasonably priced, with hot dishes such as the teriyaki and anticucho ranging from $7.50 to $9, rolls are priced from $3-$3.50, salad boxes from $8 to $9, sushi mixes are $8.50 or $12, and the fusion sashimi is $4.25 or $5 and so on. There are also drinks. A roll and bottled tea make a good lunch if you’re looking for something light. Located close to a Metro stop and near many of the attractions you go to DC for, Wasabi is also a great place for drinks in the evening after a hard day’s site seeing or work. Thursdays they have sake tastings. Wasabi
908 17th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 822-2005
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Dining Out 
