Chef Junzo Miyajima's Northern Virginia: Five Spots and the Dish to Order at Each

Disclosure: Chef Junzo Miyajima is Executive Master Chef and a co-founder of IVEA Concepts, which is affiliated with our publisher. The restaurants below are IVEA restaurants. This is not an independent review.

Northern Virginia has more of Junzo's restaurants than anywhere else, from a soufflé pancake café to a Japanese-Brazilian steakhouse. Here are five, what each is for, and the one dish to order.

Gyu Shige, Mosaic District, Fairfax. Best for a date or a celebration. The first U.S. location of a Tokyo yakiniku chain founded in 1988, with Junzo as the creative force behind the menu. Order the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, the restaurant's signature, and grill it a few seconds per side. As the owner put it at opening, "The taste is definitely different from Korean barbeque."

Genki Izakaya, Scout on the Circle, Fairfax. Best for an easy night out: torched sushi, binchotan skewers and highballs over clear ice. Order the Tornado Omelet Fried Rice, which the restaurant calls the dish guests mention most. Add a Yakitori Platter, and the A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Hot Stone if you are celebrating.

Gyusan, Ballston, Arlington. Best for a group that wants a lot of Wagyu. Premium all-you-can-eat Japanese barbecue and sushi with hand-cut A5 Wagyu over ceramic heat: Silver $58, Gold $78 or Diamond $98, each for 90 minutes. Eat the A5 cuts first, while you are hungriest.

Okaeri Japanese Café, Centreville. Best for a slow weekend breakfast. Order the strawberry soufflé pancakes Junzo perfected, which Northern Virginia Magazine called the region's only authentic version, and an onigiri for the road.

Churasuko, Tysons. Best for the biggest night of the month. A Japanese-Brazilian steakhouse the Washingtonian called the first of its kind, and Junzo led its relaunch program. Order the Fire & Ice Seafood Tower, then let the churrasco come to you. Founders Club, at $150, includes A5 Miyazaki Wagyu ribeye, chuck flap and brisket.

How to choose: breakfast at Okaeri, a casual dinner at Genki, a big appetite at Gyusan, a special occasion at Gyu Shige, and the night you want to remember at Churasuko.