O-Ku

I had an incredible experience at this restaurant! From the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding. It was my birthday, and every staff member made a point to wish me a happy birthday, which made the evening feel extra special. They even surprised me with a custom menu that had “Happy Birthday” printed on it—such a thoughtful touch. The food was phenomenal. Every piece of sushi was fresh, beautifully presented, and featured unique flavor combinations that really stood out. What truly impressed me was the extra effort the staff made to accommodate my dietary needs. My partner had arranged ahead of time for a dairy-free lava cake, and not only did they deliver—it was delicious—but they also brought it out as a surprise and didn’t charge us for it. From start to finish, the experience was flawless. Amazing food, exceptional service, and truly memorable hospitality. A+ all the way!

Went in for my bday treat from my wife and loved it from start to finish. One of the best service in Charlotte with a mix of some of the best Sushi around with unique flavors & lovely ambience. Situated in the happening neighborhood of South End, O-Ku won’t disappoint at the least. Tony, our server was great and recommended some of the most flavorful dishes to us.

Went on a date a few days ago with my fiancée and we had a great time. Beautiful place with great service. We ordered the Volcano Roll and the Red Dragon Roll and both were amazing. We also ordered the Duck Buns (😅) and the O-Ku Crispy Rice and they tasted great too. Cocktails were really, really good! Definitely a place we’ll come back very soon!

I had the pleasure of having the omakase at O-Ku recently. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was a special guest. The hostess and waitstaff (I believe my waitress’s name was Jasmine; I wish I had asked again) were beyond welcoming and wonderful. I had seven amazing courses over about 2.5 hours. Every dish was thoughtfully created and beautifully executed. I loved learning about the seafood in each dish and that a surprising amount comes from Tsukiji Fish Market in Japan. I could not sing enough praises for this experience. The atmosphere, the staff, and the food were beyond incredible and out-valued the cost of the experience tenfold. I will visit O-Ku every time I’m in Charolette. Thank you for a truly wonderful experience.

We opted for the local legendroll, get in my belly roll, duck buns, saba, queen city carpaccio and everything was amazing! Madison provided excellent service by explaining the menu, checking on as frequently, and making sure we were well taken care of for our time there. I've been there twice in one week and will be bringing more friends friends back.

Great sushi & service, the happy hour is pretty good. The price is $9 for six different rolls. There was enough variety that the three of us were able to order something we would enjoy off of the happy hour menu. They have a good drink selection as well though we did not drink. Good for a date night or a ladies night out. The cost depends on how much sushi you eat - I love sushi so I eat more.

I really, really wanted to like this place. The space and vibe seem cool when you enter. However, they had a lot of strikes on a not so busy Tuesday night. They said they could t move a reservation up :30 even though when we got there it was 1/2 empty. The drinks were pricey but good. The food ranged from bad to delicious. The special was a king crab hand roll and it was great. So was the Fuji roll. The South end shrimp and red dragon were good. The teriyaki chicken was mid and the truffle toro was terrible. The toro was tough and rubbery. I would have sent it back or complained but a) we waited over an hour, again on a not busy Tuesday night, for our food and b) our waitress disappeared for a while. 5 people ate, 2 drinks and 1 appetizer was over $260 with tip. I won’t go back.

The vibe was great for Valentine’s date night! The appetizers were pretty good, one note would be the duck buns didn’t have much flavor without the sauce. We were not a fan of the spider and red volcano roll as the tempura batter had a weird bitter taste, along with straying from crispy to rock hard 😅. The rainbow roll was delicious and will definitely stick with non-fried rolls here going forward (didn’t have this issue with the Raleigh location though). The Valentine’s pavlova was a miss for us as we were not a fan of the “crust” that made up most of the dessert, along with the jam tasting generically sweet (like one note but super sweet).

A lady told us we can sit down we came back and she told us we couldn't then a lady continued to look at us very rudely she was at the front with curly brown hair, giving us a stink eye so disrespectful! Food is good, but customer service iss ...... at the front no

First time visit. We had been craving sushi and had been recently disappointed in the quality of some of our previously favorite spots. We tried O-Ku on friends' recommendations. Ryan was an excellent server, and all of their suggestions were 100% spot on. My partner does not care for sashimi, nigiri, or carpaccio but tried all options brought to the table and may now be a convert! The suternes pairing with the foie gras was a delight I had not had the pleasure of enjoying before, but I will definitely be ordering everywhere going forward. Lauren (newer GM) came out and gave us a sample of their o-ku nori, I will be ordering this next time as a starter. The space is open and modern while feeling intimate and not loud. We thoroughly enjoyed our date night dinner at O-Ku and will be returning and recommending. Keep up the excellent service and delicious food! Ordered: Traditional edemamme Yellowfin carpaccio Foie gras nigiri Waygu nigiri Red dragon roll Green eggs & hamachi Duck buns

If you're looking for an elevated dining experience in Charlotte but are also into shishito peppers, then this is the place for you. There's a mix of items for most budgets, including grilled shishito peppers. As far the rest of the menu is concerned, you'll find similar quality to Yamazaru. Fish is fish if you really think about it. Doesn't matter the ocean, if you're enjoying wild caught, then the quality will be similar no matter where you dine. There is no secret ocean. Anyhoo, the vibe here is great. It's chic for Charlotte. Service is pretty good. The menu kind of sells itself but everyone is nice so that's a perk. Parking is atrocious. No valet and the closest deck is 2 blocks away. So if you're looking to impress, then better to pick her up or send a car. You're welcome...

I visited O-Ku in Charlotte for the first time on Monday night between 4pm-7pm. On Mondays and Wednesdays between 4pm-7pm all sushi is half off except for the kouyou and hot & heavy rolls. This deal is for dine-in only! I ordered the spicy tuna crunch, mermaid, and spider rolls. The spicy tuna crunch roll was meh and nothing special. Just a typical spicy tuna roll with tempura crumbs on top. The mermaid roll was spectacular and super tasty. I loved the tempura batter on the outside which gave it a nice crunch and all the ingredients inside paired really well together. 10/10 sushi roll. The spider roll was not like any spider rolls I have had in my lifetime. I really like the salmon on top of the spider roll. Overall, a really yummy and tasty roll. Also, a 10/10 and would 1000% recommend!. The ambiance was really nice and service was incredible. Although, I did not order a drink, the drink menu looked really good! They have other locations in other cities like Raleigh, NC, so go on their website and see if there is a O-ku near you! Give this restaurant a try!

This was by far the best experience in a restaurant I've had in forever!!! The ambiance , the staff, the lighting, menu items, food, connectedness and thoughtfulness of the staff was incredible. I celebrated a special occasion here and got custom menus based on that, every staff member (or so it felt) came to speak and congratulate us, we had impecable service by our waitress Kay, and felt completely welcome and special by every one of the staff we encountered, even the ones behind the scene. While the food and vibe of the restaurant were great, I would come back just to experience that hospitality we experienced. Absolutely a must try!

This restaurant was flavorful but I felt it was more of a tapas style when it came to the portion of the hot plate we ordered (the chicken teriyaki), the sushi was fresh. The restaurant was clean and decorated nicely. The waiter was good but when we were ready to order he seemed to be taking care of all the tables around. Overall I probably will not be back due to the portion size for the price.

I am a HUGE fan of OKu because, in my opinion they have the best sushi overall in Charlotte, but also because of their service. My previous visit months before was something to be less than desired. The manager that evening, Sam, went out of her way to make up for it after I had expressed some concerns coming in that evening. Im back to feeling like OKu continues to provide the 5 stars it deserves. Thank you, Sam and team.

We ordered the chefs special at the time which was crispy rice topped with tuna toro, Uni and caviar. It was so good and fresh. If this is available, I would definitely order this again. We also ordered the assorted nigiri combo. The waitress told us which pieces were which which was nice but I would've loved to know what was included on the menu before. The spider roll which was delicious. I don't have a picture of the fried rice but it was flavorful and a great takeaway to eat the next day. My favorite drink that I absolutely would go back for is the Curried Away. Its a curried Smirnoff with dark rum, house sour and Coco Lopez. It is soo smooth and a very unique taste.

Do not walk to O-Ku. Run...and take 5 of your foodie friends because each of you are guaranteed to LOVE it! Totally unassuming exterior, neatly tucked a bit off the beaten path in Atherton Mill. If "Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner" were a restaurant, O-Ku would totally be it! Beautiful interior & excellent service are just the tip of the iceberg that dovetail nicely into a well-balanced menu with a captivating array of nigiri, classic & creative sushi rolls, specialty entrees, & Oma Käse. The menu literally leaves no stone unturned! For my first visit, I was in an all sushi mood & delighted in the yellowtail tuna nigiri--they had me at Thai Basil pesto!--followed by the red dragon roll (delish) & spider roll (delish-est of all!!!). Pro Tip: 1/2-priced traditional & signature (minus 2) sushi options on Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00, make starting & getting over the hump of the work week even better. Cheers!

We went there for my birthday and we were sadly disappointed. The service was lackluster and sub par. Typically we make it a priority to go to Ok-u for special events (birthdays, anniversaries, etc). We were disappointed to not experience the typical treatment we expect when celebrating special occasions from previous birthdays/anniversaries. We will think twice before celebrating anything there again.

This update is long long long overdue. My husband and I did indeed come back and give O-ku another chance on Dec 30th and to say the new manager, Lauren, has restored the peace and order to one of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte would be an understatement. The restaurant was once again full! Everyone was truly enjoying themselves and everything was clearly explained. No off the menu offers without pricing. We had a lovely server who paid excellent attention to detail and they took great care of us. The hostess were also doing a phenomenal job. I am happy to report my bad experience was an exception to a normally wonderful restaurant. Food was great and we can not wait to return.

Whether you sit at the bar or seated at a table, the service is great! This is hands down the best sushi in Charlotte for appetizers, nigiri, rolls, entrees, etc. I would consider this a date night spot, so the ambiance is more dressy! This is my absolute favorite place to get sushi. Our average bill for 2 people would be anywhere between $150-$250, depending on the amount of drinks! Some tips: - they have happy hour specials on Mondays and Wednesdays - they have a rewards program, which they do not advertise! (We didn't find out until our 5th visit here, very bittersweet to find this out lol) - make reservations at least a week in advance or you can take a chance on the first come first serve bar option

My wife took me to O-Ku for my birthday celebration, and it was remarkable in every way! We started with drinks at the bar and were greeted promptly with a smile. I highly recommend the "Mandalorian" for the perfect amount of citrus and spice before your meal. Our server once seated, Reggie, was terrific. Not only did he help us with our order being first-timer's, but he did all the little things that made us feel like royalty during our visit (ask about the Japanese sweet scallop). The salmon and lemon roll is perfectly light and flavorful, while the potato roll had a great blend of sweet and savory. If you want to go nigiri, try the wagyu, you will be happy you did. The restaurant has a great open floor plan with a welcoming atmosphere as well, just off the East/west Blvd light rail stop. We will be back!

Miso Soup for Omakase at O-Ku? I came with my sushi-lover cousin to O-ku for their (150) Omakase, but unfortunately left disappointed. We were told that it would be 6 courses followed by dessert. The interior of the restaurant was dimly lit and very clean. Our waitress was lovely, and spent a lot of time checking in on us. We started off with the Kampachi Crudo: lime juice, sea salt, Yuzu Kosho, kaluga caviar, and herb aid. This was a pretty good start, anything with caviar usually is. It had the signature yuzu tangy aftertaste, which I enjoyed, but the Crudo wasn't especially spectacular. Next we had the Bluefin Tuna Tatashi (Akami): truffle ponzu, volcano salt, uni, and chive. This was probably my favorite out of the courses. The uni in combination with the tuna was fantastic. Truffle ponzu is a weakness of mine, the aroma of the truffles scorched through the tuna and brought joy in every bite. It was a fantastic course. For our 3rd course, we had the Nigiri. From left to right: Kinemadai: yuzu kasho, sea salt, and shiso leaf, Ora King: miso mustard and chive, Kama Toro w/ Kaluga Caviar, Hamachi Toro: volcano salt & pickled shallots. My favorite were the toros from the nigiri set. I have to say, it was comparable to the Toro I had from the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. Next we had the Chef's Sashimi Moriawase (chef's choice selection): yellowtail, octopus, and toro. The yellowtail wasn't great, and neither was the octopus. It felt like the octopus was soaked in water the way water bursted in my palate. Wasn't the biggest fan. The toro; however, was great. For our 5th course, and what I personally considered as our last course, we had the Teppanyaki with Japanese A-5 Wagyu Beef. The truffle butter and chives to prepare the iron griddle made for a delectable experience. It was fun grilling our own meat and controlling our fate. Our 6th dish, and the real final dish, was unfortunately just a plain miso soup.... To add insult to injury, a miso soup that is very comparable to the miso soup you'd get complimentary at your local Japanese store after ordering a bento box. For the ending of an Omakase, I expected so much more. I expected something grand, or at least not Miso Soup for my final dish?! This left a very bad impression for me. The miso soup wasn't exceptional either, it was just... a disappointment. For the desserts we had a chocolate roll cake and Mashi upside down cake. Wasn't a big fan of the chocolate roll cake, but the Mashi upside down cake was pretty good. I've had Omakase in both the United States (SF/LA/NYC/CLT) and Japan. But unfortunately, this was the most disappointed I've been with an Omakase experience. I've never once had Miso Soup considered one of the courses for my Omakase. Especially with it coming at the end, when I was anticipating a grand finale to wrap up the fine-dining experience. Omakase, from my knowledge, is supposed to be a grand culinary journey the chef takes you through. And although it started strong, it unfortunately came to a sad ending. For $150, I definitely expected a better Omakase experience. I can't speak on the quality of their rolls, as I didn't get the opportunity to try, but needless to say, I won't be coming back for their Omakase. Hopefully if you ever try their Omakase, miso soup will not be considered one of their courses.

The location was kind of hard to find. My GPS put me in the area but not in the right parking lot. I've never heard of the restaurant before and only knew of it from a friend. O-ku Charlotte opened in 2016 due to raving reviews from their home location in Charleston. Only took me 7 years to hear about them and boy am I late. Good place for an impressive first date. The decor; modern, the service; high, the food; remarkable! Order: lobster temaki, pork belly, duck buns, black magic and braised short ribs. I did not eat one thing I did not like, including the garnish! The lobster temaki is a hand roll sushi wrapped with butter-poached lobster and asparagus topped with chives, cilantro aioli and black salt. The lobster was so soft and just melts in your mouth. Next were the duck buns; confit, hoisin sauce, arugula and picketed shallots served between a bao bun. Dough was fluffy and soft. And the pickled shallots paired nicely with the flavors of the duck and the sweetness of the hoisin. The third dish was the pork belly. Who doesn't love pork belly? Pork was served on top of braised greens and pickled daikon. Only thing about this item was that the menu described it as tonkatsu. I believe it means breaded deep fried pork, which the dish was not. Fourth dish, black magic - an 8 piece lobster, shrimp, and squid ink sushi topped with masago, scallions and fried onions. At this point. I'm full! But the food is so good, I had to keep eating. The last dish was the short ribs; braised in miso and served on top of charred kale and a side of garlic squash puree. The meat was tender and just fell off the bone. The kale was bitter as kale usually is, but it was offset by the savoriness of the pork and the sweetness of the purée. Overall a wonderful dining experience. Will definitely return for more mouth watering creations.

I love Oku and especially this location. Great vibes. Love happy hours and sitting at the bar. They have amazing sushi and the best hot food. I love their wine selection as well. I will be back here 1000x over.

O-ku has a nice dimly lit atmosphere which makes it great for girls nights and date nights. The servers and hostesses were all super kind and attentive. If one wasn't around someone else was always quick to help. I appreciated that. It's in Southend located in a plaza where there's a parking lot right in front and you don't have to drive around for street parking or pay for a deck. This was a relief. For food we got the spider roll, salmon & lemon roll, lobster & wild mushroom, and spicy curry udon. I go to the Raleigh location often so I didn't expect the menu to be different but was excited to try it. The rolls were good, the spider was the better out the two. I always get the curry laska so I thought the spicy curry udon would be similar but it was actually really dry and not super flavored. We didn't enjoy the chicken in it either. We actually sent this dish back because neither of us were a fan. The mushrooms in the lobster & wild mushroom were so good. This dish just looked good and tasted good. Could've used more truffle butter but it's fine. The fried doughnuts were a good dessert to top everything off and were really hot and fluffy. I wish it came with chocolate sauce though. I wasn't full when I left here so I would say this is a good place to go before you go out. The drinks here are always fantastic. Make sure you get a dessert menu to see the drinks on there too! We got the sugar and spice cocktail, nospresso martini, and dolce de matcha. The nospresso martini was amazing.

Service was fine, ambiance as well, but the presentation and quality of food was underwhelming, inconsistent, over rated and over priced. I will not return and I do not recommend if you understand sushi culture and quality. Total façade.

It's been a while since we've been to O-Ku and it is as good as I remember it with a little bit more options than just sushi. I always enjoy the modern but intimate vibe here. This time we got to sit at the bar which was perfect! I enjoy watching the bartender making drinks LOL. The service was nice and easy since our bartender is also waitress and she was great! Would totally recommend, especially for date night :).

We visited O-Ku tonight as a family of 4 with two small kids and we all loved the experience. Our server, Trey, was top of the line and really took everything to the next level with his recommendations and even a couple of complimentary surprises. The whole staff worked together seamlessly, the ambiance was gorgeous, and the food was beyond all expectations.

My first experience at O-Ku was absolutely incredible. I booked a reservation for 6 for a friend's birthday and the staff at O-Ku made sure the birthday girl felt special by paying close attention to detail with bright smiles and kind words. Our waiter, Joari, was professional, welcoming, and so helpful when it came to food selection. We ordered appetizers, and about 5 different sushi rolls. The food and its presentation were amazing. The ambiance in the restaurant was moody, calming and well kept. I would recommend this restaurant for any and all occasions. I will be returning again!

So me and my man stumbled upon this restaurant while trying to find parking for somewhere else and with good reason we decided to just eat here, I'm so happy we did because absolutely everything was 10/10 first of all the immaculate service our waitress knew the menu like the back of her hand she was sooo soo sol helpful I'm sad i can't remember her name. The ambiance is so inviting perfect for girls night or date night and now let's get into the food, i had a roll and it was soo crunchy on the inside it was so delicious. My man that's doesn't like sushi loved it as well. I also had a miso soup. My man had the ramen and we shared the lobster it was amazing and I'll definitely be back.

Always a great time here. The food is delicious but it's definitely overprice. I think it's overhype for sure. You can still find good sushi at a medium average place. The service is good, they are attentive. The ambiance is nice and busy. A little loud because of the amount of people in it. But still a good time.

Picture this: you're having an awesome day with your girlfriend walking around a new city with the sun shining from above and you stroll into Oku and you're day goes from awesome to perfect. Well that was me yesterday. We had no expectations walking in, but got everything we didn't know we needed. O-ku's coziness is perfect for date night. The food was so yum and our server was lit. Idk if every table gets this, but she brought us this special salmon sashimi that was soooo buss. Personally I think it's cause we're a hot gay couple. Yea she was awesome. Anyway, I had the best day of my life and I'm glad to say O-ku was part of it.

O-Ku never disappoints!! If you like spicy, do yourself a favor and start with the sugar and spice cocktail. I warn you... it's got some heat to it, but it is such a fun drink. As for food, the sushi is phenomenal. My favorites are the red dragon roll, the tuna crunch roll, and the green eggs and hamachi. I had never tried "box style sushi," but our whole table loved it. The asparagus wasn't overpowering, and it was fresh and flavorful. The only roll I didn't love was the salmon lemon roll, but that's more so a matter of preference. I was equally impressed by the service as I was the food. Our server was fun and attentive. We were celebrating a birthday, and every server/runner/busser that came to our table said happy birthday, and they brought a complimentary appetizer. AND if you can manager to get in on a Monday or Wednesday, their happy hour from 5-7 pm is a great sushi deal.

Ambience: lots of Edison bulbs, brick, exposed warehouse struts and soft lighting. Dark tones overall but small hints of Asian influences. Music was more modern and upbeat. 9/10 Customer service: Reservations are on a texting system that reminds you when you're getting close to your reservation time AND when your table it ready. I did not receive that second text and had to ask about my table after 20 minutes of waiting at the bar. Server was pleasant and knowledgeable and gave an immediate alternative for wine that was out of stock. 8/10 Cocktails: Unimaginative and incredibly boring appearances. Both drinks listed below used the same exact glass. For a place with a "specialty cocktail" menu, you'd expect some creativity and craftsmanship for a $14-$15 drink. Sugar and spice cocktail - too spicy, not well-balanced. Sugar did not help. This burned my tongue. 4/10 Lychee Martini - smooth, subtle lychee flavor. Very balanced, not liquor-forward. Garnish needs work. 8/10 Spider Roll - creamy, fried to perfection, fresh 9/10 Edamame - perfectly salted and steaming when presented to us. 10/10 Squid sashimi - bathed in citrus, full bodied flavor 7/10 Octopus sashimi - bathed in citrus. Good and fresh but nothing to rave about 6/10 Hamachi Nigiri - fresh, easy on the palate 7/10 Negihama - it's good but definitely the least exciting. Good for people experimenting 6/10 Kuri Squash Custard - complex and delicious. Tastes like a mix of pumpkin spice and butternut squash soup. This dessert alone warrants a visit to O-Ku 10/10 Overall: I spent a little over $80 (excluding 2 cocktails at the bar and including 2 glasses of Malbec we had) but I left hungry. It's sad to say that only 3 menu items really stood out to me. I'm a bit of a harsh critic for sushi since I've spent 2 years in Japan, but most everything was fresh and room temp, just not fantastic. Worth a visit. Not worth a second.

The sushi is the best I've had in Charlotte! The service is amazing! I received a free appetizer my first time going and the ambiance is super cute and sexy! Good for girls night and great date night!

We LOVE O-Ku and put it on our regular date-night location. Their ambiance and service are top notch. We try to go on M/W for the half off sushi roll special, (but you need reservations about 4 months in advance for this.) My husband doesn't love raw sushi, but loves the Red Dragon & Potato Roll. I love the Mermaid and Salmon/Lemon roll. Drinks I love to order include rhe Thai Basil one with a sweet/spicy sugar rim or the lychee martini.

A group of us ladies went to celebrate a birthday. I love the ambiance of this restaurant. It's dimly lit but just enough light for an evening dinner. The staff is simply amazing. They're so attentive and friendly and have great knowledge of their menu. Let me just clarify that I am not a big sushi fan. I'll eat it but it will never be my pick for a place to go. I will try anything and everything at least once though. I've tried uni at several establishments and have always wanted to spit it back out (although I haven't, yet ). When I say the uni is good, I mean I had several spoons. Yum! It was uhhhh, so good! We had several dishes and I can't remember them all but I've got pics for your eyeing pleasure (sorry pics aren't that great. We were hungry and I did rush photography) Definitely, will return!

This place is an amazing place to go for any occasion. The setting and vibe of the restaurant is moody and modern. The dishes are artistic and offer a variety of flavor for the experience. The manager and staff are so kind and truly care about the experience you have. I went for my anniversary and felt so well taken care of. It's quite the experience I'd recommend to anyone.

"A South End staple, a real gem, one of the best sushi spots in all of Charlotte" says....everybody. I was late to this party, but I will gladly echo the sentiment. I popped in with my girlfriend for their happy hour, which was a great move on our part because we are not raw sushi eaters. So everything needs to be fried or seared, the happy hour allowed us to experiment with the menu and pick off each other's plates. Vibe: The ambience is really relaxed and elegante, but maybe a bit too dark. Don't be fooled by the decor, the patrons come in a wide variety. From shorts and baseball hats to sport coats and full suits at the bar. Customer Service: Before I rave about the quality of the food, the one low-light was definitely the server. We felt kinda rushed by her the whole time, and the responses to some of our questions came across a bit cold and condescending. For example, I had a last minute change of heart on my order and I asked could I switch, she said yes. Then I followed up with what was on the new sushi rolled I ordered, and she asked me "what do you mean what is on it?" Honestly I don't know how to ask the question in a better format. So I just asked her again, and she replied back with the toppings (one of which I wanted removed) which is why I asked from the beginning. Food: Wow! I've been all over Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill and this is definitely top 3 sushi spots in the city. We ordered the Spider Roll and fried rice. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, the rice was my favorite part but the torch they put on the salmon was perfect. I absolutely would come back and hopefully and gradually branch out to the rest of the menu.

Excellent service, elegant ambiance and delightful sushi! Our go to shushi place in QC.

So fire. I've tried the chicken teriyaki, potato roll, shrimp salad app and 2 raw fish dishes and loved them all. I don't even like sushi and this potato roll was sooo good. Worth the price and experience. Staff was very attentive. I love going here for a special occasion/night out.

I've been trying to get here forever. The first time we were a walk-in on Wednesday night and didn't want to wait the 2 hours and the second time I had to cancel my reservation. Third times a charm. I was able to get a same day reservation on Open Table and had no issues checking in. I love the inside vibe, dim and well decorated. Spaced out tables so you could enjoy your company and not be on top of others dining. We were seated right away and offered a citrus for our water (orange, lime, lemon, cucumber). I also ordered a jasmine hot tea with my meal because it was freezing inside. I'm not really a sushi eater but it was 1/2 price Wednesday and this was the whole reason we came. I asked a couple questions to the waitress but she didn't really give off the vibe that she wanted to spend time at our table. I chose the potato roll. I said, I'll try the potato roll and her response was, "that's it?". She seemed annoyed. I went in with the mindset that I would try one first and then order more later. That didn't happen because 2 rolls and a side of fried rice took 35 min to be delivered to us. To redeem the service, the food was delicious. I really enjoyed my roll and my bf enjoyed his as well. We split the fried rice and it was very good. I think the potato roll is good for "fake sushi" eaters like myself who won't dare try raw fish and who don't really care for seafood in general. It's a safe choice. Again, I wanted to try other rolls but passed on the thought it would take another 1/2 hour to get our food. As we ate we noticed a manger going around to the various tables introducing himself and asking how their evening was going. He walked past our table several times as we sat nearest the citrus trays but he never stopped and spoke to us. At the time of dining (4:15pm) there were only 5 other tables sat so it wasn't too busy. I found it odd he didn't acknowledge us. The couple next to us was celebrating an anniversary and he brought them two glasses of champagne which I thought was nice. We enjoyed our food. I don't know if they have dessert because we weren't offered a menu. I could of gone for something sweet but the bill was already at the table. Pros: Online reservations (I used open table) Nice ambience Great food 1/2 price menu on mon/wed evenings Cons: Service wasn't great Food took just about 35 min to come to table We weren't offered a dessert menu or option The hot tea was $6 I'm not 100% sure if I'd dine here again. The food was great but I'm more of an overall experience person. I know this place is highly rated so I'm glad I finally got the chance to stop in.

If you are looking for delicious sushi spot, look no further. Someone recommended O-Ku to us while we were living near the area. We have been here many times since it was suggested we stop by. It is absolutely one of our favorites. The atmosphere is upscale but very modern. The food is excellent every single time. The service is always top tier . Everyone is friendly and very accommodating. Your glass will never be empty. Today Reggie took care of us and he was phenomenal. He was attentive but also fun. There is plenty of seating inside. I do not believe they have outdoor seating. It can be very busy especially on Mondays and Wednesdays for happy hour. It is from 5-7pm. I would definitely recommend coming here during happy hour and MAKE A RESERVATION. They do allow walk ins but making sure you get a seat is going to be key here. It is good for smaller groups ..less than 6 people I think would fit well. Overall if you haven't come here, what are you waiting on

The sushi here is always fantastic! The spicy rainbow roll is one of the best rolls I've had! Service is great. We request Trey every week! The ambiance is cozy and comfortable!

Everything about this restaurant was outstanding. Very nice setting. The service was perfect and the server was knowledgeable. Most of all the quality of the sushi was beautiful and incredible. If I ever go back to Charlotte, that is definitely a place I will be taking my clients. I left very full and very impressed.

Came here for the first time for my boyfriend's birthday celebration dinner. Opted to do the omakase dining experience which was $150/per person which made me skeptical cause that's expensive! It was well worth the price. Our server was wonderful and even brought us some champagne for his birthday. Each of the 6 courses was beautifully explained. I was also worried about not having enough food but we had plenty to eat! Such a beautiful restaurant as well :) will be coming back and I highly recommend

This is an upscale Japanese and sushi restaurant. Food is very good but pricey for the amount you get. We went on a Monday so they have half price sushi rolls which is a great deal. The sushi roll menu is pretty limited. Not many rolls have whole pieces of fish in it. The food is very good and fresh. Drinks are expensive but really good and the have a lot of unusual/different cocktails. Service was great at first but our waiter was hard to find near the end of the meal. I wanted to Oder dessert but couldn't find him so when he finally showed up we just got the bill. You definitely should have a reservation.

We came here for a group dinner when some of my coworkers were in town. I had always heard great things about this place and I'm happy we chose to listen! The ambiance is intimate but it's a very open concept. It's pretty dark and noisy though so I wouldn't recommend it for groups much larger than 6. I gave up on conversations coming from the other side of our own 6 person table quite quickly. I ordered two mocktails and both were very good but all of their mocktails seem to be very sweet. I enjoyed the peach one though and would definitely get it again! This is a great sushi place if you're looking for some variety as a vegetarian as well. Most sushi spots have the same two rolls every time and I feel like I'm waisting money on cucumbers but they really pulled through. After two rolls I was quite stuffed and happy. We split a few deserts amongst the table and y'all, the chocolate lava cake and the mochi green tea ice cream were both fabulous. I totally recommend them. I would definitely suggest this place again but maybe for more of a casual night with friends or a double-date or smaller group!

I came here for happy hour. Nothing really wowed me however with the happy hour prices it wasn't too bad. I don't think I'd come when it's full price.... Service was good. Server was helpful and attentive!

I love O Ku! It's such a great spot to grab sushi. They have some of the best rolls in town! My advice would be to check it out on a Mon/Wed for the half off sushi happy hour from 4-7. All of our rolls were fantastic! My favorites were the potato roll and mermaid roll. But honestly you can't go wrong with any of them! The seaweed salad was delicious as well. I loved the Pinky's out cocktail, tasted like a margarit Parking can be tricky i front of the restaurant but there's a deck not too far away...if you can walk or light rail then that would probably be easier.

Ok so I must admit. If you are anyone who loves sushi this is a place to go! I find myself indulging sushi more then I should, but O-Ku never fails to let me down. The Salmon and Lemon roll is by far my favorite dish on the menu, the lemon enhances the authentic flavoring making it just right. O-Ku has always been my go to for post game meals, or just enjoying something after with friends and family!

Great ambiance just a long wait unless you are able to find a seat at the bar. I highly recommend setting a reservation before just walking in however. Food was great and flavorful. Service was great! Sushi was extremely fresh!

Meh...just meh and overpriced, even with their drinks. I don't love how they build it up to be fancier than it is. Atmosphere is nice but I wouldn't say it's worth it unless you're i to that instead of good food. If you want good sushi, look at other places in Charlotte.

Likes: Classy ambiance. Good for a special event. Excellent service. Amazing sushi...it's one of the only places I'll eat sushi because I am picky. Great drinks. You can't go wrong here!! Dislikes: It's on the pricier end but so worth it.

I've become a regular on Mondays and Wednesday here where the sushi is half off. It's a great deal and sitting at the bar is the perfect place to be. Chat with others or dine solo but the service is great. I really enjoy the ambiance, it makes it a great date spot with the low up lights, house music, and dark wood. It does tend to get crowded with long wait times despite open tables. My one knock. I highly recommend the lemon and salmon roll. Light and easy, nothing too crazy with mayo, sauces, or various crunchy toppings that for me can ruin a good sushi roll.

Came here with my husband to celebrate my graduation. Came here for the 1st time with a friend a few weeks before. Had a great time at the bar with Chelsea as our server, so I had to return. It was hubby's 1st time and we both enjoyed our meal. Chelsea did not disappoint with the drinks and service. I will definitely come here again, and will sit with Chelsea for great drinks and friendly service.

Visited O-Ku on NYE after telling myself to not come back after my last 'OK' experience. We got really lucky and were able to snag a 5 PM reservation literally just 2 hours before. We got there around 5:10, and were seated right away. Our waitress was SO nice. And I am SO happy they started their 'citrus tray' thing back up. I think that's one of the coolest things, and I love being able to choose which citrus I wanted in my water. I got fancy this time (vs my regular lemon slice) and asked for a slice of orange AND lemon. We got a few drinks which were both absolutely delicious, I believe they were called 'No Filter' and 'Rum Away With Me'. I loved the No Filter more but hated that there was so much ice in the drink. I drank it pretty fast while my husband took his dandy old time without the ice ruining the drink. For appetizers, we got a miso soup & the SouthEnd tofu. The Southend Tofu was SOOO delicious. A big step up from my last experience. It was super flavorful & the crispy parts didn't slide off - huge +! Ya can't go wrong with miso soup, so no comments there. For dinner, we both got the Potato Roll. I made mine into a vegetarian version & my husband had it as is. Both were filling & tasty. Definitely recommend & can't wait to be back again.

Let me start by saying the server was bad in multiple ways - just tired of poor service When they are charging you so much Tofu - 5/5 Cucumber sushi 0/5 Avocado sushi 1/5 They fry potato sushi is fried in fish/meat oil and he brought it out even though we told him 3 times we are vegetarian They made us veggie Noodles 1/5 Chocolate desert 1/5