Dupont’s Rakuya Opens With New Look, Menu

A newly rebranded Japanese kitchen and bar has opened its doors to the public in Dupont Circle.

Rakuya — formerly known as the sushi eatery, Raku — quietly reopened at 1900 Q St. NW with a newly remodeled interior and a revamped menu last week. Though the restaurant isn’t serving lunch yet, diners can currently order from a partial dinner menu, according to partner Marcel The.

A walk through the new menu reveals Japanese inspired cuisine such as Shiokoji fried chicken with truffle parmesan mayo, braised beef tongue and bowls of ramen. The menu also includes fried skewers and inventive sushi like “fish and chips” and “wicked spicy tuna” rolls.

The restaurant’s new drink menu offers a long list of sake, wine, Japanese craft beers and cocktails.

“We’ve always wanted to do something that focuses on more specific cuisine rather than broad Asian. So we chose to specifically work with Japanese food,” The said. “It’s something we think we could do very well.”

The new eatery will begin serving lunch and an expanded dinner menu in about two weeks, The said.