MiShi, a Japanese izakaya and sushi pop-up, opened Thursday, Sept. 17, inside BirdSong at 5507 Connecticut Ave. NW in Chevy Chase. The launch marks BirdSong's first weekday lunch service, adding a new midday dining option to upper Connecticut Avenue.

Chef Mike Kang and D.C. restaurateur Aaron Gordon created the concept together. Gordon also runs BirdSong, Little Beast and Red Light. The name MiShi combines "Mila" and "sushi," a nod to Gordon's 11-year-old daughter, whose love of sushi inspired the idea, the Washingtonian reported.

"She will scream and cry at me to take her to sushi," Gordon told the Washingtonian.

Gordon said BirdSong's kitchen had room for a second concept, and sharing the space helps Kang keep prices down. Kang told the Washingtonian the goal is to elevate expectations: "We're trying to break the stereotype of cheap sushi inside of an Asian restaurant."

The menu features sushi, nigiri, sashimi and hand rolls alongside hot and cold shareable plates. Standout dishes include a tuna flight of several cuts from the same fish, soy-braised A5 wagyu shank with roasted carrot and pine nut congee, and chawanmushi with uni and caviar, according to Bethesda Magazine. The Washingtonian highlighted fries cooked in wagyu tallow and hamachi tiradito with mandarin, ají amarillo and persimmon.

Kang said in a Sept. 16 news release that he wants guests to experience high-quality fish while having fun with it, tasting different cuts and discovering what they like.

Before joining MiShi, Kang worked at The Oval Room, Oyamel and Nobu. He most recently worked at a wagyu beef company with ties to the Japanese government, the Washingtonian reported.

Guests can order from both the BirdSong Thai menu and MiShi's Japanese menu during the same visit. BirdSong, which chef Kitima Boonmala and Gordon opened in May 2025, continues to serve its full Thai dinner menu.

Though Gordon and Kang are calling MiShi a pop-up, the Washingtonian described it as likely permanent.

MiShi serves lunch from noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Dinner hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.