I’m so hyped to finally tell you guys about Koi Sushi, my friend Maggie’s brand-new sushi spot at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Full disclosure, Maggie had @minjesuh and me in to try it, and I walked out genuinely proud of what she’s built. It’s a fun, newish Japanese spot right on the water, with instagrammable cocktails and sushi that actually delivers.
If you’re deciding what to order, the crispy rice sushi and the Ecstasy Roll were my standouts, and the whole vibe makes it a great pick for a date night or a great night out with your people. Rio Lakefront’s already a whole scene with the lake and the boardwalk, and Koi fits right in. Let me put you on, Nomsters.
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What Makes Koi Sushi a Standout New Sushi Spot in Gaithersburg
Koi is one of the newest additions to Rio Lakefront, and it’s leaning into the waterfront setting hard. You’ve got the lake and boardwalk right there, a sushi menu that runs from classic nigiri to over-the-top specialty rolls, and a cocktail program built around Japanese flavors like sake and shochu. For anyone hunting down a new sushi option in Montgomery County, this one’s worth putting on your radar, especially if you like your sushi with a side of cute drinks and a view. If you want more MoCo options, my roundup of where to eat in Gaithersburg is a good starting point too.
What to Order at Koi Sushi
Crispy Rice Sushi ($18)
This was one of my favorites of the night. Crispy rice sushi has been having a moment for good reason, and Koi’s version hit. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing way to start the meal.
Ecstasy Roll ($20)
If you order one specialty roll, make it this one. It’s made with king salmon, white tuna, avocado, fatty tuna, a wasabi cracker, and toasted garlic. A knockout, no notes.
Truffle Salmon ($16)
Another favorite of mine. It’s truffle and salmon, a combo that’s just hard to say no to.
Sushi Tacos ($35)
These were so fun. You get three different kinds, and the toro, oshinko, and scallion combo was the yummiest one for me. Great for the table and very much made for a photo before you demolish them.
A few other things on the menu worth knowing if you want to build a bigger order:
- Signature rolls like the Rio Roll (lobster, avocado, mango, spicy tuna), the Maryland Roll with blue crab, and the Emperor Roll with seared wagyu.
- Ramen options, including one they call the Hell Ramen if you want the heat.
- A rice-free roll (the Ocean Jewel Roll is wrapped in fish instead of rice) for anyone skipping the carbs.
- For drinks, the plum wine was my favorite pour, and the presentation was so pretty. The cocktails are the instagrammable move.
What’s Crispy Rice Sushi, Anyway?
Basically, it’s a little block of sushi rice that’s been pressed and crisped up (usually pan-fried) until the bottom’s golden and crunchy, then topped with something like spicy tuna or salmon. You get the warm, crispy rice against the cool, creamy fish, and that contrast is the whole appeal. It blew up online a couple years back and now shows up on menus all over, so if you’ve seen it on your feed and wondered what the hype’s about, Koi’s a good place to find out.
The Vibe and Experience
Koi leans trendy and photo-friendly, which tracks for a spot known for its cocktails. The Rio Lakefront setting does a lot of the work, you can pair dinner with a walk around the lake, and the whole area’s built for an easy night out. It works for date night, a birthday, or a group catching up over rolls and drinks. And if you want a livelier scene, the Saturday late-night party turns things up a notch.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 203 Boardwalk Pl, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, inside the Rio Lakefront development.
- Hours: Monday through Thursday 11AM to 10PM, Friday and Saturday 11AM to 10:30PM, Sunday 12 to 10PM.
- Price: affordable for a sushi spot, with most of the standout rolls in the high teens to low twenties.
- Parking: free, with parking garages right around Rio Lakefront (there’s one basically behind the restaurant).
- Happy hour: Monday through Thursday, and it’s a great way to try the place for less.
- Saturday nights: Club Rising Sun Koi runs late with music if you want the party version.
- Ordering: dine-in or order online through their website.
If you want sushi with a fun, drinks-and-a-view kind of energy, definitely make sure to hit up Koi. Yes, Maggie’s a friend, but I’d send you here regardless: the crispy rice sushi, Ecstasy Roll, and truffle salmon really delivered, and the waterfront setting seals it. For a new MoCo sushi night out, it’s an easy rec. If you’re a sushi person exploring the area, I also like Uzu Revolving Sushi in Rockville for a totally different vibe.
And for something even more distinct, Sushi Masato in Bethesda is doing Osaka-style pressed sushi and omakase if you want to go the elevated route in MoCo.
So there you have it, Nomsters, another gem for the MoCo sushi list, and I could not be prouder of Maggie and the whole Koi team. Have you guys been to Rio Lakefront yet? Let me know what you’d order in the comments, and if you go, tell Maggie I sent you. Save this one for your next date night.