Koi Sushi is now open at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg (201 Boardwalk Place), bringing a contemporary Japanese dining concept to one of Montgomery County’s busiest mixed-use destinations. We first reported in August 2024 that the restaurant had signed on for the development, and the space is now welcoming diners. Preview video below.
The menu is expansive and designed to appeal to both traditional sushi fans and diners looking for more modern, creative offerings. Koi Sushi serves a full lineup of classic nigiri and sashimi, including tuna, salmon, yellowtail, eel, octopus, sea urchin, toro, and wagyu, alongside sushi and sashimi sets, chirashi bowls, and omakase-style options.
Specialty rolls are a major focus, with a lengthy chef’s roll section featuring items like the Rio Roll with lobster, avocado, mango, and spicy tuna, the Maryland Roll topped with blue crab meat, the Emperor Roll finished with seared wagyu beef, and rice-free options like the Ocean Jewel Roll wrapped in fish instead of rice. There are also luxury-driven rolls incorporating toro, foie gras, caviar, gold flakes, and sea urchin.
Beyond sushi, the menu includes a strong selection of kitchen appetizers and entrées. Guests will find items such as karaage chicken, pork buns, gyoza, takoyaki, shrimp and vegetable tempura, crispy rice sushi, and spicy tuna wontons. Entrée options include katsu dishes, teriyaki plates, tempura dinners, donburi bowls like gyu-don and curry chicken don, ramen varieties ranging from tonkotsu to black garlic oil and extra-spicy “Hell Ramen,” and stir-fried udon noodles.
Koi Sushi also offers a dedicated lunch menu on weekdays, featuring sushi and sashimi lunch sets, roll combinations, and bento-style options served with soup or salad.
In addition to food, the restaurant places a heavy emphasis on its bar program. Handcrafted cocktails blend Japanese flavors with modern mixology techniques, using ingredients like sake, shochu, Japanese spirits, and seasonal fruits and herbs. The drinks are designed to complement the menu rather than overpower it, adding to the overall dining experience.
Koi Sushi is also leaning into nightlife with a weekly late-night concept called Club Rising Sun Koi. Every Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., the restaurant transforms into an EDM-focused experience featuring a live DJ, drink specials, and free admission. The event adds a nightlife layer to Rio Lakefront that goes beyond traditional dining.
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