Exclusive: Shibuya Eatery 2.0 opens in Chevy Chase
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Shibuya bowls return, including ramen (right), donburi and more. Photo: Courtesy of Shibuya Eatery
The couple behind Adams Morgan's now-shuttered Shibuya are launching a fast-casual reboot Tuesday in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Why it matters: Chef Darren Lee Norris and wife Candice's Shibuya Eatery keeps the same scratch-made approach, but aims to make izakaya-style eats quick and more affordable.
Catch up quick: Norris put his mark on D.C.'s Japanese dining scene 15 years ago with Kushi, a pioneering modern izakaya.
- The original Shibuya evolved during the pandemic — from ramen and sushi to an upscale shabu-shabu concept.
Between the lines: Expect similar house-made preparations like ramen bone broths and curries, fresh noodles, and aged kimchis.
How it works: "Think Cava, but Japanese," Norris tells Axios.
- On tap: donburi (rice bowls), salads, and ramen — all offered as house specialties, or customizable.
- DIY diners can pick from nearly a dozen proteins — crispy katsus, grilled items, tuna/salmon pokes and tofu — plus lots of veggie toppings, crunchies, flavored oils and garnishes.
Price: Bowls start at $19, higher-end options top out at $23.
The intrigue: Expect cheffy touches like beef cooked to order, shabu-shabu-style (swished in hot broth) "so it's perfect," says Norris.
What they're saying: Norris says he's catering to diners who crave convenience and affordability.
- "People want value," he says — especially as costs rise across D.C.'s restaurant scene.
Zoom out: After 40 years in the business, Norris says he's adapting to inflation, shrinking margins, and rising labor costs — plus factors that make D.C. particularly hairy for small businesses right now (e.g., complex politics, Initiative 82).
- Hence the pivot to nearby Maryland, though Norris still operates Black Whiskey in Logan Circle.
- Norris joins a growing list of D.C.-born spots expanding in the Chevy Chase/Bethesda area, like Salt Line, Chiko, and AP (All-Purpose).
The bottom line: Norris is done with fine dining — for now. "If you don't listen to the public … it's a recipe for failure."
If you go: Shibuya Eatery. 4461 Willard Avenue, Chevy Chase.