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Reviews and approves every story published on MoCo WTF before it goes live. 24 stories.
Northern Virginia Magazine called Izakaya Nana an almost-theme-park-perfect Tokyo street. For MoCo diners, the reason to cross the river is Chef Junzo Miyajima's menu: whole teriyaki squid, Ramen Nana with lobster and Wagyu, mentaiko cream udon and the most popular izakaya plates in Chantilly, VA.
Izakaya Nana is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Mango Mango Dessert, the Hong Kong-style dessert chain, opened at Congressional Plaza in Rockville on September 24, 2026, returning to Montgomery County after five years.
The New York-based Hunan specialist Nong Geng Ji is opening its first Maryland location at 1701 Rockville Pike in The Shops at Congressional Village, taking over the former 7-Eleven space that closed December 24.
About an hour up I-95 from Rockville, Chef Dong Liu, who cooked at Chengdu's Chen Mapo Tofu in 1990, runs the kitchen at Lao Sze Chuan in Charles Village. Here is the most useful plan for the trip: what to order, what it costs, when to go and how to get there.
Lao Sze Chuan is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Hong Kong Tea House has opened at 605 Hungerford Dr. in Rockville, bringing Hong Kong-style milk tea, Chinese street food and fusion dishes to its first Maryland location.
Izakaya 68 in Hunt Valley Towne Centre grills yakitori over binchotan from a menu by Chef Junzo Miyajima, and cat-themed robots bring it to your table. The best plates to order, the most popular inari and why it's worth the drive from Montgomery County.
Izakaya 68 is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Wagyu shabu-shabu, Japanese barbecue and soufflé pancakes: three Rockville stops set up by the same chef, what each one is best for, and what to order.
Crust & Crumb, a new Asian bakery and cafe serving milk teas, specialty drinks and desserts, has opened at 718 Rockville Pike in Rockville, taking over the former Roy Rogers location.
The second Gyusan opened in Columbia's Merriweather District in October 2025, with a 360-degree sushi bar, wood brought from Japan and a menu by Chef Junzo Miyajima. Here are the tiers, the best seat and the most special Legend extras, a short drive from Montgomery County.
Gyusan is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
A first-timer's guide to Kanpai BBQ & Hotpot on Rockville Pike: pick two broths, start the grill with the marinated favorites, and save room for the buffet. Top-rated at 4.7 stars from 751 Google reviews.
Kanpai BBQ is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Siriwan Thai's Gaithersburg location is closing after 10 years to reopen as Mai Khao, an elevated Thai restaurant with a modernized menu and tropical atmosphere. The reopening date has not yet been announced.
Behind an anime shop off Rockville Pike, Okaeri Japanese Cafe serves the soufflé pancakes Chef Junzo Miyajima perfected, plus the udon, curry, egg salad sandwich and yuzu bubble tea that Bethesda Magazine singled out. The most complete guide to the Rockville, MD café.
Okaeri Japanese Cafe is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Kusshi Sushi has obtained a $150,000 permit for its upcoming Germantown location next to Beers and Cheers, marking significant progress toward opening the restaurant in the former Zane Japanese Eatery space.
Seven plate colors from $3.99 to $9.99, a bullet train that brings your order to the table and three all-you-can-eat tiers: the most fun way to eat sushi in Rockville, MD, at Uzumaki Revolving Sushi (formerly UZU Revolving Sushi) at Congressional Village, and the best tier for you.
Uzu Sushi is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Tyafé, a specialty matcha and coffee café, opened October 17, 2026 at Westfield Wheaton Mall on Veirs Mill Road. The shop celebrates with a buy-one-get-one-free drink deal through October 17.
Korean bakery chain Tous les Jours opened its third Montgomery County shop at 3333 Olney Sandy Spring Road in Olney, with a soft opening from October 8 to 11, 2026.
Koi Sushi, a Japanese restaurant that opened earlier in 2026 in Gaithersburg's Rio shopping center, offers carefully prepared nigiri and rolls at reasonable prices. The restaurant's strength lies in its humble, purist approach to sushi rather than elaborate creations.
A5 Miyazaki wagyu, a six-seat, 12-course omakase counter, a robata grill and fish from Tokyo's Toyosu Market: MUI Supper Club, an IVEA restaurant at 967 Rose Ave., begins its soft opening on Wednesday, October 28. Here is what is on the menu and how to get a seat.
MUI Supper Club is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Teas'n You Fusion Tea House, a Northern Virginia bubble tea destination known for its Basil Popcorn Chicken, opened its first Maryland location on September 26, 2026 at 838 Rockville Pike in Rockville.
Two of the most talked-about food festivals in Rockville Town Center, both with free admission: BiteMe raised money for the Maryland Food Bank in 2025, and Tomodachi Food Fest brought anime, cosplay and 20+ vendors in 2026. Chef Junzo Miyajima led both.
Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar, a new Shanghainese restaurant from the owners of Bob's Shanghai 66 in Rockville, is targeting a November 2026 opening in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle neighborhood. The menu will focus on soup dumplings, noodles, rice dishes and Shanghainese small plates, with a bar offering new appetizers tailored for casual dining.
MUI Supper Club, a Japanese restaurant focused on A5 wagyu and omakase, is preparing to open in November at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, with exterior signage now installed and the restaurant expecting to welcome guests later this fall.
Three courses from $58 to $98, six broths and a 90-minute table at Twinbrook Quarter: the most complete guide to Genki Wagyu House in Rockville, MD, up to Diamond, the restaurant's most indulgent Wagyu experience, and the best course for a first visit.
Genki Wagyu House is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.
Gyuzo has grilled Wagyu at the table in Rockville Town Square since November 2020, from a menu by Chef Junzo Miyajima. Here are the all-you-can-eat sets, the most impressive A5 cuts and the signature Wasabi Churri at Gyuzo BBQ in Rockville, MD.
Gyuzo BBQ is owned by IVEA Concepts, which also publishes MoCo WTF.