Izakaya Nana in Chantilly, VA: Chef Junzo Miyajima's Most Popular Izakaya Dishes, Worth the Drive From Montgomery County

Izakaya Nana is an IVEA restaurant. We publish this story to introduce our own restaurant; it is not an independent review.

Izakaya Nana is a Japanese izakaya and sake bar at 13882 Metrotech Drive in Chantilly, VA, in Sully Place Shopping Center. It opened in early 2025, and Resy shows 4.7 stars from about 1,400 reviews. Northern Virginia Magazine called it "an almost-theme-park-perfect representation of a Tokyo street," with themed rooms and a 22-seat main bar.

Chef Junzo Miyajima created the menu. He is IVEA's Executive Master Chef, and Izakaya Nana is one of the izakayas behind the title we give him, the father of the izakaya in the DMV. For Montgomery County diners who know his cooking from Rockville, Nana is one of the most complete izakaya menus he has, and the best reason to cross the river.

The chef's recommendations. Two plates sit under "Chef Recommendation" on the menu: Ika-Sugata, a whole squid sautéed in teriyaki sauce ($23.49), and Jumbo Lump Crab Maruyaki ($26.49). The squid is the best plate for a table to share: it comes sliced into rings with the tentacles at the end.

The most indulgent bowl. Ramen Nana, $37.49, is tonkotsu ramen topped with lobster, Wagyu, scallion, a soft-boiled egg and seaweed. For a simpler bowl, the Tonkotsu Ramen is $17.49.

The critic's favorites. Northern Virginia Magazine's reviewer was steered to the Mentaiko Cream Udon ($18.49), which "combines the European-style satisfaction of a creamy pasta dish with pollock roe," and loved the Tornado Omelet Fried Rice ($20.49): "the swirled omelet that covered a chunky portion of chicken fried rice." The Crazy Nana Roll ($31.49), with shrimp tempura, spicy lobster and fried soft-shell crab, is the most loaded roll on the menu.

Skewers and sushi. The Yakitori Platter of five is $21.49, and single skewers start at $4.50 for king mushroom and $5 for pork belly or chicken thigh with leek. Hako Sushi, boxed sushi, is $23.49, and the Sushi Dragon Balls are $27.49 for seven.

Drinks. Cocktails include an Ume Highball ($15), a Matcha Colada ($16) and a Nana Peach Paloma ($15). Sake runs from a small bottle of Dassai 45 Junmai Daiginjo ($35) to a large bottle of Dassai 23 ($260). Prices may change, so check the menu before you go.

Plan the trip. Book on Resy: tables are held for two hours, or two and a half for parties of nine or more, and the bar and high-tops are first come, first served. Our best order for four: Ika-Sugata, a Yakitori Platter, Mentaiko Cream Udon, the Tornado Omelet Fried Rice and one Ramen Nana to pass around.