Day 52 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland took me to a charming little cafe on Main Street in Gaithersburg, and Japanese sandos plus a great matcha? Say less! Neko Nook’s a cozy, cat-themed spot in the Kentlands area (neko means cat in Japanese, if you were wondering), and it’s built around Japanese-style sandwiches on pillowy milk bread plus a lineup of specialty drinks. I came with a friend so we could share a bunch, and my personal picks ended up being their iced yuzu matcha and the buldak ramen sando. It’s the kind of place that’s equal parts adorable and seriously tasty, which is a hard combo to pull off.
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What Makes Neko Nook a Standout Japanese Cafe in Gaithersburg
Neko Nook opened in the old FD Book Cafe space on Main Street, and it’s carved out a really specific niche: Japanese sandos made with shokupan, that fluffy Japanese milk bread, alongside espresso drinks and some of the prettier matcha lattes in the area. It’s locally owned and leans into a cozy, whimsical, cat-themed vibe, so it feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a grab-and-go counter. What sets it apart is that the sandos aren’t a gimmick, they’re done thoughtfully, from savory options to fruit-and-cream dessert sandwiches. Gaithersburg’s quietly stacked with good Japanese food too, from here to Koi Sushi over at Rio. If you’ve never had a proper Japanese sando, this is a lovely place to start.
If you’re making the trip to Rio anyway, Orange Pocket recently opened its first East Coast location right there at RIO Lakefront, an Asian variety shop with blind boxes, plushies, K-beauty, and Korean snacks that’s a lot of fun to explore.
What to Order at Neko Nook
Buldak Ramen Sando ($14.25)
I was really curious about this one, and it did not disappoint! It’s their spicy handheld and my first time trying it, and while it’s not quite as fiery as an actual buldak ramen pack, it packs a really good kick. The noodles had great texture and it was done well. You can also get it with chashu if you want to make it heartier. It was the one I was most curious about, and it delivered.
Teriyaki Chicken Bento ($13.95)
Our first time trying one of their bentos, and it was pretty solid. The portion’s generous and the seasoning was really nice. My one honest note: the chicken could’ve been a touch juicier. But it comes loaded with Japanese pork sausage, tamago, pickled veggies, a yuzu kosho slaw, and rice, so you’re getting a full, satisfying meal for the price.
Ube Strawberry Sando ($9.95)
On the sweeter side, the ube strawberry sando was really yummy. Two big pieces of ube cream up top with chopped strawberries toward the bottom. The flavor was pretty mild, so if you’re expecting it to punch you in the face with taro-y goodness it won’t, but the cream was still super tasty and we happily finished it. If you’re on a Gaithersburg sweets kick, Pate a Cake‘s Asian bakery treats are another must nearby.
Do NOT skip the drinks:
- Iced yuzu matcha ($5.95): my personal pick, bright, refreshing, and perfect for spring or summer.
- Strawberry matcha ($6.25): their bestseller if you like yours a little sweeter and fruitier.
- Next on my list: the ebi katsu sando, which I’ve heard great things about.
What Is a Japanese Sando?
If sando’s a new word for you, it just means sandwich in Japanese, but the style’s a whole thing. The bread’s shokupan, a soft, fluffy milk bread with a tight crumb and a slightly sweet flavor, and the crusts are usually trimmed off so you get clean, photogenic layers. Fillings range from savory (egg salad, katsu, that ramen situation) to sweet (fruit and whipped cream). They’re meant to be neat, balanced, and a little precious, which is exactly why they blew up online. Neko Nook does both the savory and sweet versions really well.
The Vibe and Experience
Neko Nook’s small and undeniably cute, the kind of cozy corner cafe that’s easy to lose track of time in. Seating’s limited and it can get crowded at peak times, so it’s more of a linger-with-a-matcha spot than a big group situation. It’s great for a casual lunch, a coffee-and-sando catch-up with a friend, or a solo treat while you people-watch on Main Street. The Kentlands location makes it an easy add-on to a little Gaithersburg afternoon. Bring your camera, because everything, the drinks included, is genuinely photogenic.
If you’re building out that Gaithersburg afternoon, Chennai Hoppers is another spot worth the stop, a South Indian gem with incredible dosas and appam that’s drawing real attention in the area.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍422 Main Street, Gaithersburg, MD, in the Kentlands area.
- Hours: 11AM to 6PM daily (worth a quick check before you go, since cafe hours can shift).
- Order style: cozy dine-in plus takeout, and delivery through DoorDash. Seating’s limited, so off-peak is your friend.
- The menu: Japanese sandos on shokupan (savory and sweet), bentos, and specialty matcha and espresso drinks.
- Vegetarian-friendly options include the tamago (egg) sando and the sweet fruit sandos.
- More to try: the OG tamago sando, hambagu sando, matcha sando, and their curries.
- Find them at nekonookcafe.com.
Is Neko Nook Worth the Trip?
Yes, especially if you love a good matcha and you’re curious about Japanese sandos. It’s not a giant blowout meal, it’s a cute, tasty, well-priced cafe that’s perfect for a low-key bite and a great drink. The buldak ramen sando and iced yuzu matcha alone are worth the stop. If you’re making a day of it, my guide to where to eat in Gaithersburg has plenty more to line up.
Have you guys been to Neko Nook yet, and what did you order? LMK in the comments below, Nomsters, and if you’ve got a matcha-and-sandwich-loving friend, send this their way. On to day 53!