Kema by KENAKI Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Kema by KENAKI, a hidden gem nestled in Potomac, MD, where Japanese culinary artistry flourishes. The menu is a celebration of freshness and innovation, showcasing meticulously crafted sushi and nigiri that captivate the palate. Highlights include the O-Toro Tataki, featuring seared bluefin tuna belly paired with zesty ponzu, and the Nigiri Tasting that promises a diverse selection of the ocean’s finest catches.
For those seeking a satisfying lunch, the online-exclusive Lunch Combo offers two maki rolls alongside refreshing house lemonade, perfect for a quick yet delightful meal. The Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna and unique Soft Shell Crab Maki embody Kema's commitment to creativity. Diners rave about friendly service and a cozy atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for both casual gatherings and intimate date nights. Experience the artistry at Kema by KENAKI, where each bite is a journey into Japanese cuisine.
LUNCH COMBO (ONLINE ONLY)
TWO MAKI (ROLL) LEMONADE
LUNCH COMBO - 2 ROLLS + HOUSE LEMONADE. NO MODIFICATIONS & AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP ONLY.
TWO MAKI (ROLL) MISO
LUNCH COMBO - 2 ROLLS + SMALL MISO. NO MODIFICATIONS & AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP ONLY.
O-TORO TATAKI
SEARED BLUEFIN TUNA BELLY W/ PONZU. TRUFFLE OIL. SCALLION. CRISPY GARLIC. WATERMELON RADISH
SOFT SHELL CRAB MAKI/ROLL
PLUM WINE SHALLOTS. CHIVES. BUTTER LETTUCE. KEWPIE & RICE PEARLS.
SALMON SKIN
SHISO. GRANNY SMITH APPLE AND CUCUMBER.
ITOYORI
GOLDEN THREADFIN BREAM FROM JAPAN.
MASUNOSUKE
KING SALMON FROM NEW ZEALAND
HOTATE NIGIRI
FRESH SCALLOP FROM HOKKAIDO, JAPAN
SASHIMI TASTING (8PC)
8PC. CHEF'S CHOICE. SERVED W/RICE
NIGIRI TASTING (5PC)
5PC. CHEF'S CHOICE NIGIRI ASSORTMENT.
BLUEFIN NIGIRI TASTING (4PC)
AKAMI. CHU-TORO. O-TORO. O-TORO ABURI W/ PONZU SCALLION
JAPANESE NIGIRI TASTING (6PC)
ITOYORI (GOLDEN THREADFIN BREAM). MADAI (SEA BREAM). KINMEDAI (SPLENDID ALFONSINO). HAMACHI (YELLOWTAIL). HOTATE (SCALLOP). UNI (SEA URCHIN)
NIGIRI MORIAWASE (10PC)
10PC. CHEF'S CHOICE NIGIRI
KEMA SASHIMI (15PC)
15PC. CHEF'S CHOICE. SERVED W/RICE & MISO. NO MODIFICATIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS.
NIGIRI SET (18PC)
6PC of BLUEFIN AKAMI (TUNA), SCOTTISH SAKE (SALMON), SUZUKI (BRONZINO), SERVED W/TWO (2) SMALL MISO. NO MODIFICATIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS.
TODAY'S SPECIALS LIMITED QTY
NIGIRI SASHIMI (2PC)
A5 MIYAZAKI ABURI NIGIRI
SEARED A5 WAGYU. TOPPED W/ PONZU & SCALLIONS
BLUEFIN AKAMI (MAGURO)
LEAN TUNA FROM SPAIN.
BLUEFIN CHU-TORO
MED FATTY TUNA FROM SPAIN.
BLUEFIN O-TORO
TUNA BELLY FROM SPAIN.
BOTAN EBI
SPOT PRAWN FROM CANADA
HAMACHI
YELLOWTAIL FROM JAPAN.
HONEY-DASHI TAMAGO
HOUSE MADE SWEET EGG OMELETTE
IKURA
SALMON ROE
IWANA
ARTIC CHAR. HOUSE SMOKED.
KAMASU
BARRACUDA FROM JAPAN.
KATSUO
SKIPJACK/BONITO FROM JAPAN. TOPPED W/ GINGER & NEGI
KINMEDAI
GOLDEN EYE SNAPPER (SPLENDID ALFONSINO) FROM JAPAN
MADAI
SEA BREAM
SAKE
SCOTTISH SALMON.
SAKE TORO ABURI
SEARED SCOTTISH SALMON BELLY. TOPPED W/ NITSUME (EEL SAUCE) & LEMON.
SAWARA
SPANISH MACKEREL. TOPPED W/ SCALLION & PONZU
SUZUKI
MEDITERRANEAN SEA BASS/BRONZINO
UNAGI
FRESH WATER EEL. SESAME SEEDS. *CONTAINS GLUTEN
UNI (JAPAN)
SEA URCHIN.
UNI (CALIFORNIA)
SEA URCHIN.
BLACK MAGIC
FORBIDDEN RICE, SPICY TUNA, PICKLED JALAPENO. TRUFFLE OIL. TEMPURA FLAKES. BLACK TOBIKO/ROE. AVOCADO AND CRISPY LEEKS. *CONTAINS MAYO (EGG), SESAME OIL & SESAME SEEDS (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
NEW SPICY TUNA
SPICY TUNA. TEMPURA FLAKES. AVOCADO. CILANTRO. SRIRACHA. JALAPENO. PICKLED GINGER. CHIVES. *CONTAINS MAYO (EGG), SESAME OIL & SESAME SEEDS (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
GREEN MONSTER
SHRIMP TEMPURA. SHIITAKE. SPICY TUNA. ITO KATSUO. SPICY MAYO AND AVOCADO. *CONTAINS MAYO (EGG), SESAME OIL & SESAME SEEDS (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
NEW SPICY HAMACHI
AVOCADO. CUCUMBER. SHISO. TEMPURA FLAKES. CHIVES. TOPPED W/ SPICY HAMACHI, RAYU (CHILLI OIL) & SCALLION
MANGO TANGO
AVOCADO. CUCUMBER. RED ONION. KAIWARE. UME. TOPPED W/ AKAMI (TUNA), SAKE (SALMON), CRISPY SHALLOT & SPICY MANGO-YUZU TOBANJAN SAUCE. GLUTEN FREE
J-POP
SHRIMP TEMPURA. CREAM CHEESE. PICKLED & FRESH JALAPENO. AVOCADO. TOPPED WITH SEARED SALMON BELLY. CRISPY GARLIC. CILANTRO PESTO. *CONTAINS NUTS.
DONKEY KONG
EEL. FRIED PLANTAIN. CREAM CHEESE. CUCUMBER. TEMPURA FLAKES. TOGARASHI MAYO AND SWEET SHOYU
*HOT CHICK
5PC. JAPANESE FRIED CHICKEN. PICKLED JALAPENO. BIBB LETTUCE. ITO KATSUO. CHIVE. KEWPIE & SWEET SHOYU. *CONTAINS GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
OLD BAE
BLUE CRAB. AVOCADO. SCALLION. OLD BAY CRISPY POTATO
SIGNATURE MAKI (ROLLS)
STANDARD MAKI (ROLLS)
SPICY TUNA
AVOCADO. GARI. SCALLION. JALAPENO. *CONTAINS MAYO (EGG), SESAME OIL & SESAME SEEDS (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED). GLUTEN FREE
CALI
CALIFORNIA. IMITATION CRAB MEAT. CUCUMBER. & AVOCADO. *CONTAINS GLUTEN. CRAB ESSENCE. MAYO/EGG (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
SHRIMP TEMPURA
KEWPIE. BUTTER LETTUCE. *CONTAINS EGG & GLUTEN (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
CRUNCHY SPICY TUNA
TEMPURA FLAKES. SRIRACHA. CILANTRO.
CRUNCHY SPICY SALMON
TEMPURA FLAKES. SRIRACHA. CILANTRO.
CRUNCHY SPICY AVOCADO CUCUMBER
TEMPURA FLAKES. SRIRACHA. CILANTRO.
CRUNCHY SHRIMP
SHRIMP. TEMPURA FLAKES. MASAGO/ROE. SCALLION. AND KEWPIE. *CONTAINS GLUTEN, SCALLION, MAYO, EGG & FISH ROE (ALL CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
PHILLY
FRESH SALMON. CREAM CHEESE. CUCUMBER. GLUTEN FREE
TUNA AVOCADO CUCUMBER
GLUTEN FREE
SALMON AVOCADO CUCUMBER
GLUTEN FREE
EEL AVOCADO CUCUMBER
*CONTAINS GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
HAMACHI AVOCADO CUCUMBER
YELLOWTAIL. GLUTEN FREE
LUMP CRAB AVOCADO CUCUMBER
GLUTEN FREE
SHIITAKE AVOCADO CUCUMBER
GLUTEN FREE *CONTAINS SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED).
AVOCADO CUCUMBER
GLUTEN FREE
AVOCADO
GLUTEN FREE
CUCUMBER
GLUTEN FREE
AKAMI & ORANGE CRUDO
BLUEFIN TUNA. WATERMELON RADISH. SCALLION. CRISPY SHALLOT. PONZU. *CONTAINS GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
HAMACHI & GRAPEFRUIT CRUDO
YELLOWTAIL. WATERMELON RADISH. MICRO-CILANTRO. PUFFED RICE.EVOO. MALDON SALT. WHITE PONZU. GLUTEN FREE
SAKE & GREEN GRAPE CRUDO
SALMON. SHISO. RED ONION. JALAPENO. MALDON SALT. GREENAPPLE WINE GEL. SPICY YUZU VIN. *CONTAINS GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
CRUDO
DONBURI (RICE BOWLS)
OSAKI
CALI IN A BOWL! IMITATION CRAB, MASAGO/ROE, AVOCADO, CUCUMBER, NORI, AND TEMPURA FLAKES. SERVED OVER SUSHI RICE. *CONTAINS GLUTEN. CRAB ESSENCE. MAYO/EGG (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
SPICY TEKKA
HOUSE SPICY TUNA TOPPED W/ IKURA/ROE, AVOCADO, CRISPY SHALLOT, SCALLION, CHUNKY RAYU. SERVED OVER SUSHI RICE. *CONTAINS NUTS, SHELLFISH, MAYO (EGG), SESAME OIL & SESAME SEEDS (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
CHIRASHI
CHEFs SELECTION OF SASHIMI OVER MASAGO & SHIITAKE OVER RICE.
SPICY CUCUMBERS
PONZU. CHUNKY RAYU. CRISPY SHALLOTS. SCALLION. *CONTAINS NUTS, SHELLFISH, SOY, GLUTEN, SESAME OIL & SESAME SEEDS (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
KALE SALAD
DINOSAUR & CURLY KALE. NAPPA. PECORINO. WALNUTS. DRIED CRANBERRY. CRISPY RED ONION. CARROT-GINGER DRESSING. GLUTEN FREE
ARUGULA SALAD
ORANGE. WATERMELON RADISH. RED ONION. CRISPY SHALLOTS. YUZU-SHOYU VIN. *CONTAINS GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
BEETS BY KEN
ROASTED BEETS. GINGER INFUSED BEET STEM. EVOO. RASPBERRY PUREE. BLACK SESAME WHIP. PUFFED RICE & ORANGE ZEST. * CONTAINS DAIRY. GLUTEN FREE
KUROMAME
BLACK EDAMAME. GLUTEN FREE
MISO SOUP
SCALLION. SEAWEED. TOFU. GLUTEN FREE
CRAB EGG DROP
SCALLION. WONTON
CRISPY RICE SPICY TUNA
2PC. CHUNKY RAYU. SCALLION. *CONTAINS NUTS/SHELLFISH
SHRIMP TEMPURA PLATE
4PC. ROASTED GARLIC DASHI AIOLI. *CONTAINS GLUTEN & EGG (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
KARAAGE PLATE
JAPANESE STYLE FRIED CHICKEN. LEMON. TRUFFLE PECORINO KEWPIE. *CONTAINS DAIRY, GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
DUROC PORK BELLY BUN
DUROC PORK BELLY. WATERMELON RADISH. CABBAGE. MICRO-CILANTRO. PICKLED SHALLOTS. KEWPIE & HOUSE HOISIN-GINGER BBQ SAUCE. *CONTAINS DAIRY, GLUTEN & SOY (CAN'T BE EXCLUDED)
SMALL PLATES
SAUCES DRESSING SIDES
SIDE RICE
SIDE SAUCES
HOUSE SHOYU SOY SAUCE
LOW SODIUM. *CONTAINS FISH (8oz)
GLUTEN FREE SOY
8oz.
HOUSE GARI PICKLED GINGER
SUSHI GINGER (8oz)
PLAIN BAO BUN
*CONTAINS DAIRY
LEMONADE
GUAVA LEMONADE
LYCHEE LEMONADE
GREEN TEA CAN
RAMUNE - ORIGINAL
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
RAMUNE - GRAPE
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
RAMUNE - LYCHEE
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
RAMUNE - MELON
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
RAMUNE - ORANGE
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
RAMUNE - PEACH
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
RAMUNE - STRAWBERRY
JAPANESE MARBLE SODA
COCA-COLA
DIET COLA
SPRITE
SAN PELLEGRINO
SPARKLING
ACQUA PANNA
STILL WATER
TOMOMASU WATERMELON SODA
BOTTLED SODA
TOMOMASU MANGO SODA
BOTTLED SODA