Japanese

photo by Rey Lopez

“Chefs Carlos Delgado & Simon Lam welcome you to Maru San the Handroll bar. Fresh rice in constant rotation. Fish worth building the roll around. Nori wrapped at the last second. Walk in for the counter, or book The Experience.”

From an email:

“About Maru San (325 7th Street, SE):

Maru San is the first solo venture from award-winning MICHELIN & James Beard award-winning chef, Carlos Delgado (MICHELIN-starred Causa, Amazonia), located in DC’s Eastern Market neighborhood. Maru San gets its name from the “Sakura Maru” boat which brought the first Japanese immigrants to Peru in 1899, fighting the common misconception that Nikkei is simply a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine instead of its own unique culinary category. Delgado, who is often credited as one of the modern leaders of nikkei-style cooking in the US, is excited to open DC’s first and only nikkei-style handroll concept in early 2026. The 25-seat counter space-only concept focuses on thoughtful, quick service offerings for guests to enjoy including nikkei-style handrolls, a la carte dishes, and a selection of beers and sake for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Delgado, alongside Chef Simon Lam, will additionally offer a fine-dining, pre-booked tasting “Maru Experience” for four guests every night. (more…)