O-Ku’s menu provides a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine. Located in the Warehouse District of downtown Raleigh, the restaurant offers rare and unique dining options with traditional sashimi and specialty rolls, highlighting seafood from the finest fish markets in Tokyo and Hawaii alongside local and seasonal ingredients. Reminiscent of traditional Japanese culture, O-Ku’s menu is comprised of signature starters, contemporary Japanese entrees and seasonal traditional sushi that reflect the uniquely designed space. The beverage program is built around quality ingredients that celebrate Japanese culture .
Came to dinner with a friend who introduced me to O-Lu. Now I don’t know if this particular visit was special or it happens every night but during my visit customer service was so good I felt like royalty.
We didn’t have a reservation and was able to get a table inside fairly quickly. Our waiter was nice, attentive, and checked on us regularly. We ordered dumplings, miso soup, and two rolls (the Dillon & Tsunami). The food was delicious and flavorful. Even the water with lemon was refreshing. The ambiance in the dining room just brought it all together.
I have passed this place a few times and never gone in but now I am putting it in my dinning rotation.
Visited 2 months ago
We went for my roommate’s 21st birthday and it was amazing. Her favorite food is sushi so I knew this had to be the place. Our server Travis was great, very professional yet talkative and really added to the atmosphere.
The menus had “21” printed on them, they gave her flowers that she then got wrapped and got to keep, she got a personal card signed by the staff and we got some free food which was extremely appreciated.
The food and drinks were great, this level of care and quality will definitely make us come back.
I had come here once with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday before my roommate’s birthday, however that was a lesser good experience. However, as someone who also hosts and serves in restaurants, I understand sometimes things happen and therefore I will pretend like that did not count.
Visited 3 months ago
We came for my brother's birthday. They treated us so well! The service was really fast and so nice. We ordered a bunch of different things all at different times and the waitress stayed on top of everything like a champion. We also brought an ice cream cake and the cake service went perfectly. They even printed special menus for our little party. I highly recommend for any special celebration!
Visited 3 months ago
OKU was a fine place for Sushi, given its high end menu, great staff and ambiance. We ordered Obaby and Mamushi rolls, with Ikura, and although they were fresh and tasty, it was just a bit overpriced. I like Obabay the most. The taste was westernized and well blended in.
Visited a month ago
I came here for a birthday dinner, it was my 20th birthday. My parents called in advance to make a reservation, what I wasn't expecting was how they made my experience absolutely wonderful and made my day feel special. From the menus to the details on the table and even the little birthday notes at the end, it was all so lovely. All of the staff were super friendly and welcoming. Our server was super awesome and so was the AGM working at the time. The food was super good as well! The atmosphere was really comforting, but I really just want to shout out the staff for being as awesome as they were. You guys really made my night, and probably one of the best, if not the best birthday dinners I've ever had. You made me feel special and welcomed!
Visited 4 months ago
Took my better half here for a Birthday celebration. We couldn't have been more pleased. O-Ku staff went above and beyond! They put together a little gift basket, personalized a menu l, added some extra treats to our meal and gave us a great table.
This was perhaps one of the best birthday restaurant experiences either of us had ever received. We did go on a Monday, so with perhaps lower traffic they had a little extra time, your mileage my vary, but clearly this is a great place to celebrate.
The service was top notch, as we had our questions answered and suggestions made that enhanced our experience. Our food was excellent and fabulously presented - you really will eat first with your eyes.
Visited 6 months ago
Lovely Japanese restaurant. Excellent service by Travis for early dinner. Had the pork wraps and they were amazing, ate them so fast we forgot to take a picture.
I had the seared salmon entree and it was excellent.
They brought us complimentary donut balls and they were delicious.
10 stars will return.
Visited 6 months ago
The atmosphere is absolutely amazing. The food is fine, I wouldn't say that it was something special for me, especially when I ordered black magic rolls for 32 dollars and they were dry and bland. Wagyu roll had a bitter taste. The biggest disappointment of our dinner was our waiter. Initially, everything seemed fine, but then he forgot to bring some of our dishes and also failed to split the bill, even though we emphasized it twice. All of this might have been forgivable if he had at least cleared the table or provided napkins so we could do it ourselves. At one point, a piece of sushi accidentally fell onto the placemat and stayed there throughout the meal. The waiter later brought new dessert plates but simply placed a clean plate next to the fallen sushi, completely ignoring it. We had to take a placemat from another table and replace it ourselves.
Visited a month ago
Visited a month ago
My wife and I were in town from Charlotte to celebrate my birthday and chose O-Ku for a celebratory dinner. The entire staff made us feel extremely welcome and was the first in such a long time in which we felt such amazing service. Management had a cute gift wrapped for me in sushi themed wrapping paper, with a personalized birthday card and hand written warm wishes from the staff. Gina was our server and she was so kind, helpful, and such a breath of fresh air. We had such an amazing time, I have already shared my amazing experience with so many people, can’t wait to continue to evangelize. Thank you, O-Ku for the experience. We will definitely be back and will try the location here in Charlotte.
Visited a month ago
Planned Omakase for a party of 4. Scheduled it three weeks in advance. Got called 3.5 hours before reservation and got told they couldn’t do omakase bc “the chef wasn’t going to be there”. Frustrating because I had friends driving 2+ hours for this dinner that we had planned the previous month. They sent out a couple free dishes which were okay. Just really disappointed they couldn’t let me know further in advance.
Visited a month ago
OKU was a fine place for Sushi, given its high end menu, great staff and ambiance. We ordered Obaby and Mamushi rolls, with Ikura, and although they were fresh and tasty, it was just a bit overpriced. I like Obabay the most. The taste was westernized and well blended in.
Visited a month ago
Visited a month ago
Food is good but not worth the price. There are at least 3 other sushi restaurants in Raleigh that are better. Atmosphere great for downtown. Worst part is the wait. Reservations at 730 but didn't sit till 8. The didn't have drinks for another 30 mins. Our server was lovely thought. Just poor management maybe? We will go back if someone else wants to go, but I won't rush back.
Visited a month ago
Visited 2 months ago
More than just sushi, but I think O-Ku may be the best sushi in Raleigh. The whole experience and presentation of the food is great. One guest in a recent visit cooked their own Kobe beef and it was delicious and a fun experience. We enjoy sitting outside. It's one of those places that's easy to visit again and again. The quality is always fantastic
Visited 2 months ago
Great selections of Sake for overpriced. Atmosphere and service were the best part of my visit. Food was bit disappointed for what I paid for. Half chicken breast on my expensive Chicken Donburi, with that price not even the whole breast was bit disappointing. Definitely not traditional Japanese food like they said in their description. I’ve experienced once, I doubt I’m coming back here and will not recommend my friends to go there.
Visited 2 months ago
Nicole was great, she made our anniversary celebration extra special. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great.
Visited 2 months ago
Went there for our Anniversary dinner date and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Food was amazing and the service was even better. Overall a great experience and definitely worth it.
Visited 2 months ago
Came to dinner with a friend who introduced me to O-Lu. Now I don’t know if this particular visit was special or it happens every night but during my visit customer service was so good I felt like royalty.
We didn’t have a reservation and was able to get a table inside fairly quickly. Our waiter was nice, attentive, and checked on us regularly. We ordered dumplings, miso soup, and two rolls (the Dillon & Tsunami). The food was delicious and flavorful. Even the water with lemon was refreshing. The ambiance in the dining room just brought it all together.
I have passed this place a few times and never gone in but now I am putting it in my dinning rotation.
Visited 2 months ago
Best meal I had in 2024. The quality of the fish was outstanding, the drinks exceeded expectation, and the service was impeccable. Eric was our server and he walked us through the menu, helped guide some choices, and really made my birthday dinner special. Can't wait to come back!
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
Such an incredible dining experience!!! Food, service, and atmosphere were all wonderful. Upon making our reservation, I let them know that it was my son's 18th birthday. Everyone from the hostess to our server, Eric, greeted us warmly and wished him a Happy Birthday. Eric brought him a special birthday dessert along with a birthday card that was specifically for an 18th birthday wish, signed by staff. WoW!!!
Visited 2 months ago
Perfect for sushi lovers
Visited 2 months ago
O-Ku exceeded my expectations on every front. Our server Gerry was amazing, the entire staff and service were wonderful, the food was delicious. We celebrated our wedding anniversary here and they threw in several nice surprises that made it a special evening. Would highly recommend this restaurant and can’t wait to go back.
Visited 2 months ago
Dope spot!!
Visited 2 months ago
Visited 2 months ago
This spot on Hargett Street for Japanese fare fell short of expectations. Having had a fantastic experience at the Ok-u in Nashville, I was excited to try this location but ultimately left disappointed. While the tuna crudo was the standout dish, the rolls were poorly prepared and lacked freshness. The atmosphere didn’t help either—pop music played too loudly, making it hard to fully enjoy the dining experience. If you’re a sushi diehard like me, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.
Extras: Good for date night or small groups, plenty of parking, sit-down eating, perfect for drinks & appetizers
Visited 2 months ago
We came for my brother's birthday. They treated us so well! The service was really fast and so nice. We ordered a bunch of different things all at different times and the waitress stayed on top of everything like a champion. We also brought an ice cream cake and the cake service went perfectly. They even printed special menus for our little party. I highly recommend for any special celebration!
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
Awesome date night spot with delicious food, unique cocktails, and great service. Literally everything I’ve had here is worth every penny.
Visited 3 months ago
Starter kamo negi (duck) was great. Our main dish was the chef selection of sashimi and nigiri and it was 100% delicious. We saved room for dessert, which was the miso "brownie" and donut holes. My only complaint is that we were seated next to a drafty door that was constantly being opened.
Visited 3 months ago
Had a few small plates and the Moriawase. Everything was fresh and delicious! Our server Zach and the rest of the staff were awesome. Pro tip, do not skip dessert!
Visited 3 months ago
Visited 3 months ago
We visited O-ku last night for the first time. It was my husbands birthday, and we also had my very picky 7 year old with us.
The atmosphere unpin walking in was calming and clean, and the person who sat us was super friendly.
Once we sat down, we immediately met our server, Clint. I preemptively let him know that our smallest guest was very picky and only wanted “chicken sushi” (wink,wink) and he understood the assignment! Clint was attentive, friendly, and absolutely accommodated our ask.
When the food came out, it was beautifully laid out, and was delicious. From the miso soup to the shrimp to the various rolls we ordered- there wasn’t anything that wasn’t great! Even the “chicken sushi” (modified California roll)
When dessert came, we ordered the donuts, and they also brought our an absolutely delicious cake for my husbands birthday, along with a sweet card that every employee had signed. Very thoughtful and unique!
Overall, the experience was fantastic. We will be regulars, for sure. Prices were appropriate, our server was the best, the food was delicious, and even the grumpy kiddo ate a ton of the food!
5 stars O-Ku! Thank you!
Visited 3 months ago
Went to celebrate a birthday and was not disappointed! Smaller sized portions for the price but great quality and presentation. Our waiter Eric was awesome, knowledgeable abot the menu and provided great recommendations when we weren't sure what to order. They personalized the experience and helped make it a wonderful night out to celebrate!
Visited 3 months ago
I dined at O Ku recently to celebrate my husband's birthday, but unfortunately, the experience did not meet our expectations. The food was mediocre, and we encountered several service issues. Our rock shrimp and dumplings were cold when they came to our table. Our server, while nice, was incredibly slow and went very long periods of time without checking in on us. After paying the bill, we were only acknowledged for the birthday celebration, and we had to wait an additional 15 minutes for a to-go dessert if we wanted?. Additionally, we went without drinks or water for about 30 minutes during our meal, and dirty plates remained on the table for too long. I hope the restaurant can improve on these aspects in the future. We were so disappointed based on the reviews online being so fantastic.
Visited 3 months ago
Sashimi, hangar steak w/demi, bourbon glazed salmon over orzo. All excellent. Thanks Ok-u.
Visited 3 months ago
Chris one of the host a dive star 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟 all on his own. & the waitress was Everything as well. An all around great experience. Food DELICIOUS.
Visited 3 months ago
Best pork belly I've ever had.
Visited 3 months ago
My husband and I had a 5pm reservation and from the moment we walked in we were treated like royalty. The host was really friendly and showed us to our table. The server( KoKo) was amazing and very informative. She asked was it our first time here and we responded yes; so she proceeded to answer and recommend dishes that we would like. Nowwww the food was DELICIOUS lol. We got the O-KU shrimp and Cali Crunch which was on the happy hour menu and for our main entrees I got the pan seared salmon and my husband got the black magic sushi roll. The customer service was amazing as well as the food! I would definitely recommend this place.
Visited 3 months ago
My family have gone to O-Ku twice and each time our waitress Cinthia was AMAZING!!! She made our dining experience fun and recommended great meals and drinks! Thank you Cinthia stay amazing!!!
Visited 3 months ago
We went for my roommate’s 21st birthday and it was amazing. Her favorite food is sushi so I knew this had to be the place. Our server Travis was great, very professional yet talkative and really added to the atmosphere.
The menus had “21” printed on them, they gave her flowers that she then got wrapped and got to keep, she got a personal card signed by the staff and we got some free food which was extremely appreciated.
The food and drinks were great, this level of care and quality will definitely make us come back.
I had come here once with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday before my roommate’s birthday, however that was a lesser good experience. However, as someone who also hosts and serves in restaurants, I understand sometimes things happen and therefore I will pretend like that did not count.
Visited 3 months ago
Came here a week ago for an anniversary. Our server was phenomenal and made our experience so wonderful. The food was excellent. Highly recommend and cannot wait to come back.
Visited 3 months ago
We celebrated a birthday here, the server asked me what the birthday boy likes, I told him Dallas mavericks and we went about having our amazing dinner I also remember ordering a hand roll that was not on the menu, and they delivered! When it was time for dessert they brought out a personalized printed mavricks cards signed by the whole staff! We were so surprised it was incredible effort they really went above and beyond!
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
The food here is excellent, but we were disappointed with the service. I made a reservation a couple of weeks in advance and clearly mentioned it was for a birthday celebration. When we arrived, the waitress asked if we were celebrating a special occasion, and I reiterated that it was for a birthday. Despite the reminders and confirmations, there were no birthday desserts or special touches, which I had expected based on the many reviews praising how special they made birthdays feel. I chose this place to celebrate my husband's birthday because of those reviews, but unfortunately, our experience didn’t match. The waitress also didn’t offer any menu suggestions and seemed distant. Overall, it wasn’t worth the drive.
Visited 4 months ago
Excellent wait staff, very attentive, pleasant and able to remember and not miss anything you ask. Asked for allergies, if it was a special occassion, and provided a free dessert and a candle but best of all, most thoughtful is a birthday card signed by all kitchen staff! Food is great, kurama sushi with truffle is my favorite. Price point is downtown date night price, but worth it. A bit loud and tables are a bit close to each other for upscale.
Visited 4 months ago
I came here for a birthday dinner, it was my 20th birthday. My parents called in advance to make a reservation, what I wasn't expecting was how they made my experience absolutely wonderful and made my day feel special. From the menus to the details on the table and even the little birthday notes at the end, it was all so lovely. All of the staff were super friendly and welcoming. Our server was super awesome and so was the AGM working at the time. The food was super good as well! The atmosphere was really comforting, but I really just want to shout out the staff for being as awesome as they were. You guys really made my night, and probably one of the best, if not the best birthday dinners I've ever had. You made me feel special and welcomed!
Visited 4 months ago
If you’re looking for a good sushi/asian spot in downtown, look no further! Everything from the drinks and appetizers to sushi and desserts is amazing. Not to mention the super cute atmosphere. I have been to Oku several times, but my most recent experience was review worthy. We went to celebrate a colleagues 10 year work anniversary. The STAFF at Oku all signed a congratulations card for her. It was beyond thoughtful and made our experience truly special!
Visited 4 months ago
Absolutely delicious!!! The waitress Jinah was a amazing!!!! She guided us through the menu, we followed all her suggestions...she gave us a special treat. Pricey but will definitely go back for special occasions 🧡
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
Visited 4 months ago
The food was really good, but I was a bit disappointed with the overall experience. We were there for a birthday dinner, and at other restaurants we’ve celebrated at, we’ve always been given a free dessert or something extra. Surprisingly, that didn’t happen here, even though I saw another customer receive a small dessert with a candle. The service wasn’t impeccable either—there was some confusion with the menu, which added to the overall letdown on an otherwise enjoyable night. Felt more like a quick stop for sushi than a special night.
Visited 4 months ago
Our server was Austin, she was amazing! Great food, atmosphere, and service. Definitely we return! Akira and angry salmon were delicious!
Visited 5 months ago
The place is fine, the service wad good but the food is over priced. I had the chefs choice nigiri, rainbow roll, and a5 wagu tartar. The food was not brought out together or in an order that made sense wagu tartar was last when it should have been first and the whole point of wagu is to taste the high quality meat not to have is smothered in so much cheese that it's all u can taste. The rainbow roll was fine, nothing more special than what u can get anywhere else, same with the nigiri. So in conclusion, sushi was fine. wagu tartar was okayish not for the price tho. In the end what's not okay was the prices. dinner for 2 comes out to about 200 without tip. For 200 I would have hoped for better.
Visited 5 months ago
Amazing food and experience! Our server Travis was awesome and so helpful. He recommended the most perfect dishes and surprised us with a yummy dessert. Best meal we’ve had in Raleigh. HIGHLY recommend!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Sarah is amazing! It was my first time coming in & the knowledge that she has of the menu made this experience one to remember. As long as she’s bartending here, I’ll keep coming back!
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
This place is STUPID GOOD. The sushi is fresher than any other restaurant in Raleigh. My husband and I would both put the tasting menu here up against Nobu. And our compliments to the pastry chef - he/she combines flavors like miso and yuzu and green tea with INCREDIBLE desserts.
***Update: I wrote that review years ago after our first visit. We have been here countless times since and even had a birthday event tonight. They went above and beyond to make our family feel special. I tell everyone about the quality of the sushi here, but now I will also tell them about the amazing service, too. Thanks for making our night, O-ku!
Visited 5 months ago
My experience at O-Ku was awesome! I was celebrating my anniversary and out waitress, Zen, and the crew treated us so well. We had complimentary glasses of champagne, and desert, as well as a signed card from the staff. The food we ordered was also delicious! Will definitely be back
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Visited 5 months ago
Lovely Japanese restaurant. Excellent service by Travis for early dinner. Had the pork wraps and they were amazing, ate them so fast we forgot to take a picture.
I had the seared salmon entree and it was excellent.
They brought us complimentary donut balls and they were delicious.
10 stars will return.
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Sushi just okay, especially for the price. Good service and ambiance.
Visited 6 months ago
Took my better half here for a Birthday celebration. We couldn't have been more pleased. O-Ku staff went above and beyond! They put together a little gift basket, personalized a menu l, added some extra treats to our meal and gave us a great table.
This was perhaps one of the best birthday restaurant experiences either of us had ever received. We did go on a Monday, so with perhaps lower traffic they had a little extra time, your mileage my vary, but clearly this is a great place to celebrate.
The service was top notch, as we had our questions answered and suggestions made that enhanced our experience. Our food was excellent and fabulously presented - you really will eat first with your eyes.
Visited 6 months ago
Hospitality Excellence💯! Ok-u seriously wowed us!! We came out for dinner to celebrate my friend’s engagement. When we arrived before the couple our server Eric asked if we were celebrating anything special. We told him yes, that we were celebrating our friends who just got engaged. He asked a few questions about them and how they met. Little to our knowledge, Eric was in the back working his magic! We had an amazing dinner and at the end of the night Eric brought us dessert and a customized card signed by the whole staff! It was decked in green and white an ode to where they met, Michigan State! We were all floored at how thoughtful this was. It made my friends feel so special. Thanks for going the extra mile o-ku, you guys are the best!
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Called to ask about a waitlist and the worker said it’s first come first served. I asked again how long is a waitlist and they states there wasn’t. Got there in 5 min after the call and was told there was a hour waitlist
Visited 6 months ago
Travis was amazing, give that man a raise!
Visited 6 months ago
Very nice sushi restaurant with very friendly and professional wait staff. The cocktails are great and the food is even better.
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
Visited 6 months ago
I came to O-Ku for dinner with a friend during a recent trip to North Carolina. The restaurant was beautiful and my server Gerry was amazing. He was friendly and took the time to explain the menu to me and made recommendations based on my preferences. I had the Usuzukuri, rock shrimp, and Negi Hama roll for dinner, then ordered the matcha parfait and Sata Andagi donut holes for dessert. Everything tasted delicious! The sushi was fresh and flavorful and the parfait was creamy and decorated nicely. I would definitely come to O-Ku again next time I am in the area. Cannot recommend this place enough!
Visited 6 months ago
Excellent all around. Nice location, nice interior design, excellent service and incredible food.
The wakame is top notch, the carpaccio was incredible, the rock shrimp are so good, and all the sushi was amazing.
The specialty maki rolls are THICC so be aware!
Visited 6 months ago
Nice sushi restaurant with a modern interior and kind service. As most Japanese sushi restaurants are, food tastes good but is expensive as they mostly serve small size dishes. If you are looking to get some 'snack' or trying to 'impress' someone, this place would be very good. But if you are really hungry and make your whole family happy, go somewhere else. Food might be a bit too spicy for kids.
Visited 7 months ago
Visited 7 months ago
The only bad thing about this place is the lack of free parking around. There are a few parking lots close-by and it was about 13$ for 2 hours. We had the Rock shrimp, the spicy tuna crunch roll and the White spider for food. Everything tasted great but the white spider was definitely our fav. We also had the Mont Blanc Cake for dessert. It was light and yum. The service was good and the atmosphere is decent as well. Overall a great experience.
Visited 7 months ago
Fantastic sushi,nigiri,sashimi. Charismatic and knowledgeable staff with great attitudes. The decor and vibe to the place give the perfect atmosphere for dates, anniversaries and special events. 5/5 would recommend!
Visited 7 months ago
My second time at O- Ku was disappointed
My ten years daughter birthday did not receive a free cake or a card “she was very sad”
Service was vey slow and poorly delivered , dirty dishes were not picked up for a long time
Waited over 30 minutes for our sushi’s rolls to arrive
Left over 18% tip !!!!
Our total bill was not happy either!!
I know the manager does not care
I am sure I will get a computer generated apology but it does change anything
Visited 7 months ago
We went to Oku for my best friend's birthday celebration and Oku exceeded our expectations. The ambience was sophisticated and calm. The food was delicious and our waitress, ZEN was so kind, attentive and knowledgeable! They even gave her a personalized birthday card! I can't wait to go back.
Visited 7 months ago
This place is great! My new favorite restaurant ever!
Visited 7 months ago
The last couple of menu changes we’ve lost some of our favorites.
Visited 7 months ago
We love this place! The food is amazing, it's got a great vibe, and the service is above and beyond
Visited 7 months ago
10/10, unbelievable service and experience at O-Ku Sushi! We had just gotten engaged an hour before and came in with no expectations other than to enjoy some sushi, but Travis went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. Seriously I have never felt so special or celebrated by people I did not know. And the food of course was amazing and delicious. Could not recommend this spot more for any outing!
Visited 8 months ago
Fantastic!
Visited 8 months ago
Very overpriced given the food quality. Not impressed at all by the nigiri and the omakase dish. The nigiris were all super thin cut that night, and there was one that doesn't taste super fresh. Maybe it was because we ate late on that day (9:30pm) but we were very disappointed. Two stars for the service - the staff were very nice.
Visited 8 months ago
Amazing food! Ordered only sushi rolls.
Visited 8 months ago
Loved the food and the vibe of the restaurant! Also the bartender was so fun to chat with about movies and shows that we should watch. Can’t remember his name but we had a good time!
Visited 8 months ago
The food was fantastic…..my favorite sushi in Raleigh!
Visited 8 months ago
Extremely overpriced, and not fresh fish. Our server was fine but the service was slow and the restaurant was only half full. Sashimi came out warm. And the sushi rolls are small in portions. I am really not sure why there are so many 5 star reviews.. I have had much better tasting (and much better priced sushi at literally every other restaurant I have tried in this area (in Cary, Apex, North Raleigh). We spent about 250 dollars (not including tip) on two sashimi plates, two rolls, and an appetizer, and we were still hungry when we left... No thanks, I won't be back
Visited 8 months ago
Very nice looking restaurant and good rolls - very bad chefs choice nigiri and sashimi and slow service
Visited 8 months ago
O-Ku was one of me and my husband’s favorite restaurant experiences we’ve had in a long time. Every aspect of our dining experience was fantastic, from the food and cocktails, to the atmosphere and service. We were very impressed with our waitress, Nicole. She provided a level of service that genuinely elevated our dining experience. In today’s service industry, it’s hard to come by the degree of professionalism and attentiveness we received from her. We’ll be adding O-Ku to our regular dining rotation!
Visited 8 months ago
Visited 8 months ago
Such a great spot! I made a reservation for Friday night and was immediately sat! I noted that I was there for an anniversary and they took that into detail. The inside was a tad loud so we sat outside and it was perfect! Jinah was our server and went above and beyond with service! She catered to our every need and was extremely kind. Jinah ensured that our anniversary went well and deserves amazing things in life!!
Visited 9 months ago
It was my fiancée and I’s first time this evening and it was beyond an amazing experience!!
From us getting there early thinking we were going to run into traffic 😅 to the amazing wait staff instantly seating us and operating with nothing but smiles and great vibes!
Cinthia was out waitress and she gave us a detailed description of some staple menu items and it didn’t feel overwhelming at all.
The food was delicious and the drinks…you guys aren’t playing with those!
But the best part of our evening was you guys really showing my Fiancee tons of birthday love today! You all went above and beyond the typical “birthday dessert” gesture and I truly appreciate you all!
10/10 highly recommended and we will be back soon !
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
UPDATE from previous post.
If we could give this place 10 stars, we'd gladly do so. They are doing everything right, food & service, consistently.
We chose to celebrate our anniversary dinner there.
From the moment we arrived, til we left, they made us feel so special.
The intimate booth was welcoming & made special by a card (signed by staff) and flowers on the table. Special "treats" were presented by Emily, FOH mgr. They were selected based on our food preferences from previous visits. WHO does that??? Impressive.
Every dish came out perfectly, fresh ingredients, flawless seasonings. Zach our server was attentive & kind. He had big shoes to fill as Austin, our fave server from previous visits was off that evening. As we were prepared to leave, they presented us with a bouquet of flowers to take home.
They are doing everything RIGHT!
If ur looking for a place with impeccable service and excellent dishes, this is ur spot!
Our new fave spot! Our 2nd time here. We wanted to see if it was going to be good as the 1st time.... It sure was & more! We started off with shishito peppers, octopus, & wings to share. The octopus was exceptional! So tender & the sauce was a perfect accompaniment. Our 2nd time ordering the wings because they were soooo good!
We ordered the Dillon roll to share. Delish!
Husband ordered the hamachi kama (yellowtail collar) which was presented in a most unique way....deboned and served alongside roasted veggies and came with a tableside cast iron skillet over flame to sear as you like.
I ordered the yellowtail belly nigiri, which is my favorite. Perfection. The sushi rice was prepared perfectly. Yes, Im very picky about my rice.
When I was a little surprised to learn they serve sashimi as two pieces, but nigiri as one piece, our server provided us with a sample of the yellowtail carpaccio which was also very tasty.
Finally, we opted for the ice cream mochi (an uninspired choice, on our part), but were curious about the okinawan donut holes with miso caramel. To our surprise, they brought a sample for us to try.
Our server, Sengh (sp?) was fantastic. She was very attentive & almost had a sixth sense of what we might need next, without being obtrusive.
Finally, Erica, the manager stopped by to graciously convince my husband to try sashimi (he's not a big fan).
From the welcoming host, to our server, and the manager, we found them all to be so warm & welcoming. It is so refreshing to to find a place with such great food & service in one place.
Our new favorite place! ♥️
P.S. We'll b back next week!
Visited 9 months ago
My partner and I both literally shed a tear.
If you dont have the same reaction you need to order something else because there's such a variety.
Visited 9 months ago
The food is very good, atmosphere is very nice, there’s light music, and service was fast and friendly. There is also indoor and outdoor seating. Big thank you to our server, Nicole!
Visited 9 months ago
My wife and I are expecting our first little one so we went out to O-Ku to celebrate (and also mourn our ability to eat out just the two of us!). Paul and his staff made the evening special from the moment we arrived. They sat us earlier than our reservation time, the service was quick, the food was delicious and the team were so friendly. Definitely one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Raleigh.
Visited 9 months ago
I had Miso Soup, Dumplings, Lemon Salmon Sushi, and Chocolate Cake. All were phenomenal!
Visited 9 months ago
If you celebrate with friends don't show them this review...
They're all tapas which I love, the food was amazing which I love...
And then they gave us this card ... which I can't figure out how to post. Some friends took us here to congratulation me and my fiance on getting engaged... and the staff of the night all signed it, and they brought us desert. Amazing feels and amazing food
Thank you o-ku!
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
Visited 9 months ago
Service was fine and atmosphere is good, but I've had better sushi in Brevard, North Carolina. The eel nigiri had no eel sauce and in general the sushi was a bit flavorless.
Visited 9 months ago
O-Ku Raleigh just launched a happy hour, and it's a must-try! They offer delicious small plates like Shishito peppers and Dumplings, perfect for sharing alongside their sake, creative cocktails, and wine pairings.
For dinner, their menu impressed. They have a great variety, including fantastic vegan options! I enjoyed the Haru and Kappa rolls, and my fiancé raved about the Carpaccio and Hamachi Kama. Special shoutout to our waitress, Emily, whose recommendations were spot-on!
The ambiance at O-Ku Raleigh is beautiful and upscale, making it a perfect spot for a special occasion downtown. We can't wait to return and explore more of their menu!
Visited 9 months ago
O-ku was surprisingly good. I am a "sushi aristocrat" so to speak, after 8 trips to Japan I tend to only eat sushi over there and find European and American sushi generally very bad.
The quality at O-ku seemed decent, and obviously came with a pretty high price tag.
Sashimi wasn't the best tbh, cheap and very fat fish was used.
Visited 9 months ago
4 stars only because omakase wasn't an available option even when reserved days in advance, but honestly the food was great and the sake options plentiful.
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Phenomenal
Visited 10 months ago
Expensive treat. High quality, good service. Recommended for special occasions
Visited 10 months ago
walked in on a Saturday night for dessert, It was quite crowded and we had to wait a while on the bar, once we ordered the dessert it was ready in within 10 minutes. The texture of the meringue was wonderful, however, it lacked the sharp flavor of yuzu. Will probably come back to try their food, reservations are recommended.
Visited 10 months ago
Went there for my anniversary was blown away with how wonderful the service was. Everyone was so nice and they gave us a card for our anniversary! The food was great as well. You can trust the recommendations of the staff. Everything we had was fresh and flavorful. 10/10 recommend for others.
Visited 10 months ago
The food was amazing as always, but they made the night extra special with their extra touches! We were celebrating my son’s 16th bday and getting his license…and the special dessert they made included a custom chocolate in the shape of a drivers license, as well as a personalized card for him. It was unexpected, which made it all the more special! Thank you for a great spontaneous night out!
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
The food was great but I had a terrible experience here with the staff/management. I work in the customer service and food industry and this was the worst experience. The manager/staff was a female and instead of her being professional she cursed at me. Honestly I don’t care who she was I just wouldn’t recommend this place and I would never go back.
Visited 10 months ago
I’ve been to this place many times; the food is exceptional. My sister who was visiting at the time can attest that the nigiri is as good as what she can get in Japan, but honestly I haven’t been compelled to leave a review until I celebrated my partner’s birthday there. I won’t spoil it for anyone who wants to celebrate with O-ku, but it was very special: we’ve dined at Michelin star restaurants where the service is not nearly as memorable.
Visited 10 months ago
Hard to imagine a way for this meal to have been better. From the salmon to the shrimp to the sushi to the sake, everything was exceptional. Our server Adam was also *top-notch*, which rounded out a beautiful evening in their covered outdoor seating area.
Visited 10 months ago
Visited 10 months ago
Absolutely phenomenal restaurant. The food here is scrumptious and delicious. Make sure to save room for dessert because their desserts are all so amazingly good. The service is always impeccable and so many of the staff have a great personal feel and have deep knowledge on the menu and drinks, especially Nicole!
Visited 10 months ago
Visited a year ago
Always excellent!
Visited a year ago
This is the first place I ever tried sushi with my boyfriend. A year later and we celebrated our one year here. Such a great place. Every single waiter/waitress we have had here the past year has been nothing but nice, cool, and gives great recommendations for the menu. The general manager here is friendly. The assistant manager, Erica, is nice. Nicole, would be one of our favorite waitresses here. Can't go wrong at O-Ku!
Visited a year ago
Just had a birthday day dinner here and this is by far our favorite place to go. The manager went above and beyond for us, the food/drinks were delicious, and the service was great.
Most of our favorite restaurants fall off and we stop going, but this place has remained top notch.
Thanks again to the team for a wonderful night. Can’t wait to go back.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
My wife and I decided to go to O-Ku for our 10-year anniversary. It was a special dinner date for us, exactly ten years later to the day.
When planning, I sought something contemporary in the sushi variety 🍣. O-Ku delivered on both counts and much more.
Eric, our waiter, made our special evening extremely memorable. He was professional and attentive, giving us just the right amount of space to enjoy our night—a perfect balance.
The presentation of the dishes was beautiful, and it was clear that the team takes the time and effort to ensure each plate meets their high expectations.
We spoke with the manager, Paul, who played a significant role in making our night memorable. He presented himself as a true professional. He seemed to be a manager who prides himself on being actively involved in the operation and was often seen assisting the crew with whatever was necessary.
Everything we had was wonderful, but some highlights of the experience included the o-toro spoons, rock shrimp, A5 Japanese Wagyu (an amazing experience as you get to cook it yourself), and the signature nigiri, which was truly out of this world. The sea bream, salmon, and o-toro nigiri were bursting with flavors.
Truly, this night was one we will remember and talk about as we continue through life. We will cherish the memories of the amazing staff at O-Ku and how they treated us. We will certainly be back to enjoy their hospitality.
Thank you sincerely!
Visited a year ago
Just ok.
Very loud club music, does not match the atmosphere.
Service good and fast.
Food is pretty good but not worth the price imo.
Visited a year ago
We celebrated my husbands birthday here. This is the second time we have been here. Both times the food, service, drinks and atmosphere were amazing! This last time, the restaurant went out of their way for amazing service and thoughtfulness. They got a personalized gift for my husbands birthday and took amazing care of us. I wish I could rate them higher than 5 stars!
Visited a year ago
Amazing experience! We’ve been to many Michelin restaurants and Oku should definitely be on that list. The GM, Paul, is outstanding. He has a fantastic team behind him who is very personable and delivers top notch service. We will be coming here more frequently now that we moved here. I would give them 10 stars if I could.
Visited a year ago
Had a friend in town. She loved it. I thought everything was fresh, tasty and very well prepared. Delicious.
Visited a year ago
If you are a sushi fan. This is not the place to enjoy good sushi. First, the rice for the nigiri was hard and cold, this gave the texture an unpleasant, “grocery store” sushi feeling. Gourmet sushi rice and fish should be slightly warm/room temperature. I ordered the sashimi/ nigiri combo for $75, it was only a few pieces, at this price point the quality of the sushi was extremely underwhelming. We also ordered a sushi bowl, where there were scraps of fish on top of rice. It was okay, but definitely not worth $28 that we paid for.
The decorations and lighting looked nice, it was a cozy dimmed dinner vibe. On appearance, it gave off the impression of a good date night spot, however, the music they played in the restaurant was awful. I feel like every restaurant downtown feels the need to blast noisy club music and unfortunately this restaurant is not an exception. When I go out to eat sushi, I don’t want Taylor swift blasting in my ear.
Visited a year ago
Great service and food but flat coke
Visited a year ago
I thought I loved sushi, but after eating at O-Ku I quickly realized I never tasted amazing sushi. This is the best sushi I've ever had, above and beyond. We ordered two rolls to split and decided to order a third one. Akira, Angry Salmon, Ha Ha Maki recommend those rolls in that order. Usually when I've had sushi the spicy description has always been lackluster but I can say for Akira and Angry Salmon they actually have a kick. I'm excited to go back and try this place again, it was fantastic. Now let me speak about the service, we went for our anniversary dinner and I've never had such a wonderful experience from a restaurant, we received a signed card from staff and a gift. Our server Emily was amazing, she and the restaurant truly made this a memorable anniversary dinner.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I just had the best birthday dinner celebration ever (out of 61 birthdays) at O-KU in Raleigh! The food was excellent, our server Jinah was exceptional! Kind, funny, attentive! She even had the staff all sign a birthday card that she brought with a special treat for my birthday! This was an absolutely perfect night! Thanks to Jinah and to everyone at O-KU in Raleigh!! It is a must do experience, a best experience in the Triangle for sure!!
Visited a year ago
Loved everything about this place! Lovely decor, warm ambience, and a delicious variety of Japanese food... The vegetarian rolls were excellent and you can't beat the dessert! Great place to come with work colleagues. And plenty of parking in the parking garage right by Barcelona.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
This is now my favorite Japanese restaurant!! By far.. food was AMAZING and Fresh! Great atmosphere but over that the service was like no other, from the hostess to the server, to the manager Chandler, she was on point!! Chandler and Clint made a special day even more special… seriously they went above and beyond! We are looking forward to returning with lots of friends!
Visited a year ago
This place! 🤩They gave me a custom gift for my birthday dinner after doing some research on me! 😁Amazing food, service, and such a personalized experience! Made my birthday one of the best ever!
Visited a year ago
Great food, atmosphere, and staff. Nichole made our first night here special. Thank you!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Not then actually went above and beyond when we told them on reservation that we were here to celebrate Chinese New Year. They gave a Year of Dragon card, and even a red pocket, plus dessert. The dinne is amazing too. Will definitely come back. Thank you Oku
Visited a year ago
This place is amazing. Very cool atmosphere, excellent food and service
Visited a year ago
Great food and service!
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Fantastic
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
I want to start by acknowledging the actions of Oku's management to help me better understand a situation that was perceived negatively by me and my family. Oku is committed to providing excellent service, food, and experience. This, along with the amazing food, makes Oku a restaurant that will become a regular! It will always be the place we bring family and friends when they visit.
Visited a year ago
Food was decent but not so great to justify the very high prices. Rice in our sushi rolls were too dense and dry. Our server was very nice but forgot to put in one of our appetizers and then when he finally did he only brought one of the two orders of the dish we placed. Also was not on top of drink reorders which when we were able to request them took forever to be delivered.
Visited a year ago
Enjoyed dinner after a game (GO PACK!) - our server was fantastic, the menu amazing and the food outstanding - already made a future reservation based on the positive experience -
Visited a year ago
Overpriced for how mediocre the food was. The soy sauce and the wasabi were extremely low quality like what you’d get in a sushi all you can eat. The background music was disturbingly loud.
Visited a year ago
If there are at least two of you, be prepared to spend about $150. The plates are small, so you will likely need to order at least a couple dishes unless you get a full entrée (which starts at around $30ish). Despite the expense, the food is worth it. I liked finding a Japanese restaurant that doesn't just serve hibachi, sushi, or ramen. The food is incredible with great flavor, the drinks are super fun, and the atmosphere is relaxing. We will definitely be coming back here for another date night!
Visited a year ago
First time at O Ku, had to wait only 15 extra minutes past my reservation and received multiple free appetizers as a compensation. Also the manager came out and helped the servers filling out waters etc. I have been a server before and it’s great to see a manager help his employees! I will definitely be coming back
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
This place is a Raleigh treasure. My husband and I went here for our anniversary and everything was perfect, from the service to the food to the atmosphere. I can't remember the last time a restaurant made everything perfect for our anniversary. The Hamachi is absolutely to die for. The salmon and tuna tasted incredibly fresh. Our server was the absolute kindest and sweetest person on earth. The drinks were amazing. The o-toro spoons are a must. Seriously, if you want a wonderful nice out with some incredible people and food, this is the place to go. Absolutely incredible. The Okinawan style donuts were so good my husband wanted to take a box home. The staff also gave us a complimentary donuts for our anniversary along with champagne flutes. They made it a night to remember! My husband and I are officially making this restaurant our anniversary go-to, any time we want amazing seafood, and any other special occasions.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
We came here after they reopened from being closed during the pandemic. The service was phenomenal. They were very inviting. The food was fantastic and they treated us very well for a special night out away from our children
Visited a year ago
The place was nice. The managers in the suits were generous and polite, and the food was delicious. I tried the matcha parfait dessert, not sweet, but a nice texture to it
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
My husband and I went for date night for the second time. We had miso soup, spicy edamame, angry salmon roll, curry noodle with shrimp, and wings. All were very delicious. We also had sake (see picture) that was recommended by the server and was very good. The wings were very delayed coming from the kitchen, so we had it boxed to go. The server surprised us when she brought us the bill and already took the wings off the bill. Excellent customer service.
Visited a year ago
Overall, we enjoyed our experience. The food was very good and service was good. They should definitely NOT seat people on the outdoor patio when it is below 60 degrees. We were sat outside, and it was miserable. If you are going to seat people outside in colder weather, you need to have proper heating. There were heat lamps, but they were just a band-aid. For what we paid we should not have to be shivering.
Visited a year ago
Fancy, serving upscale crowds. But food was awesome and Sake was excellent, luckily I had a waitress that didn't seem to mind my country looking hick self.
Visited a year ago
Beautiful space, friendly staff, delicious food. Quite expensive, but all-in-all, it was worth it.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Great sushi
Visited a year ago
If I could give more than 5 stars I absolutely would. Brought my girlfriend here for her birthday and she could not have been happier with the experience. The sushi was very fairly priced (especially for how good it was), atmosphere was perfect for a date night, and the establishment was very cleanly. Clint was our server and was prompt with service, making sure our food was perfect, and gave us donuts holes to go that actually made me believe they should be a donut shop. Very personable and felt as though he genuinely cared about our quality of service. Highly recommend.
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Visited a year ago
Awesome food and saki
Visited a year ago
Cozy, brooding, upscale sushi spot. Good service, good food (if you like sushi). Good selection of sake as well.
Visited a year ago
- 11 sushi photos
- 200 sushi reviews
- 4.6 Sushi Rating
- Reservations: +1 919-792-3777
- Menu Website: https://www.o-kusushi.com/location/o-ku-raleigh/?y_source=1_ODE4NDQwNjUtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
- Sushi Address: 411 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States
- Sushi Map: 35.778398599999996, -78.6456084
- Japanese restaurant
- Lounge
- Sushi restaurant
- Sunday: 5–9 PM
- Monday: 5–9 PM
- Tuesday: 5–9 PM
- Wednesday: 5–10 PM
- Thursday: 5–10 PM
- Friday: 5–11 PM
- Saturday: 5–11 PM
- Outdoor seating: Available
- Kerbside pickup: Available
- No-contact delivery: Available
- Takeaway: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Delivery: Available
- Great tea selection: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet: Available
- Alcohol: Available
- Beer: Available
- Cocktails: Available
- Happy-hour drinks: Available
- Happy-hour food: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Spirits: Available
- Vegetarian options: Available
- Wine: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Seating: Available
- Bar on site: Available
- Toilets: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Romantic: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Upmarket: Available
- Groups: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Dinner reservations recommended: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- Debit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- High chairs: Available
- Paid parking lot: Available
- Paid street parking: Available
- Parking: Available