O-Ku

We decided to try out O-Ku in Greenville although there is one back home in Charleston since we’re heard good things about it. The indoor area was very nice and had nice lighting and ambiance. We chose to sit outside since it was pretty nice and finally cooled down. I love me some sake so that was my first stop on the menu and hubby got the “Just got back” margarita. He didn’t love it bc of the spicy flavor but that was solely preference. I enjoyed his drink and my nigori sake. We skipped the appetizers and settled on 3 sushi rolls. The server was very helpful in guiding us towards the GF ones since hubby has celiac. We got one with shrimp, one with tuna and another fish. Everything tasted very fresh and it was quite filling. I will say we kinda knew coming in that it would be pricier so we ended up spending over $100. You can definitely tell they use quality ingredients but sushi nights like this are definitely a “treat” when you’re spending that much for just a few rolls and drinks. We enjoyed ourselves and our server took good care of us and accommodated our allergy.

The decor, style, and plating are all spot-on and congruent. The service is attentive and the food here comes at a steady pace. The biggest gripe is that their dishes are extravagantly priced considering what they offer you. None of the Hakozushi is worth it. Too expensive and fairly uninteresting at the price point. The edamame is flavorful but besides that, the appetizers also aren't anywhere worth it. For the price of the salmon usuzukuri, you could just get a full roll. It's ridiculous. You can get food comp'd for your birthday, mainly depends on how nice you and your server are. So if want to try this place, do it for a special occasion.

The food was delicious. We will definitely be back for the Omakase. Otoro Shots were phenomenal. 10 out of 10. We got the Tarusake Sake. The white pepper went perfectly with the raw seafood. The waiter was excellent.

We had been waiting a while to find an occasion to go here and my wife’s birthday seemed like a good cause. We opted for the OMAKASE CHEF'S CREATIVE MULTI COURSE TASTING MENU for us both so we didn’t have to make choices. Well done. Great way to get a taste of many things. We will go back and sit at the sushi bar for a nigiri splurge next though they offer many creative combinations.

Laura was our server, she was super accommodating to our food allergies and considerate! Think of drinking ice cold water on a hot day, the sushi was incredibly fresh and vibrant. The Rainbow Roll with Tuna, highly recommend. We went during Jazz Fest so it was lively, the atmosphere is gorgeous, super open and a clean design. This is the perfect dinner date spot!

The food and service were superb! I have a food allergy and they did an amazing job at making me feel comfortable with what they had prepared. The atmosphere is very laid back. Sushi is hands down the best in Greenville. We will definitely return!

My wife and I just got done eating here for a special occasion meal, and we will 10000% be back! Our server, David (and the kitchen staff), went above and beyond the entire meal. He made excellent recommendations, was friendly and courteous, and made the evening feel special. We had a variety of rolls, starters, and desserts, and can't wait to come back and try some more!

I loved the atmosphere and the waitresses that serve us are always so friendly! Only complaint is the noise level sometimes I have hard time hearing or making conversation. I was there by myself for happy hour last time at 4pm, then before that my friend Ashleigh and I were there. I was also there a few months ago right before the hurricane two times with my friend Caroline. I had happy hour the last two times. The place is so beautiful and nicely decorated. I received excellent service as when the miso soup was too salty, not only did they take it off the tab but also provided free salmon appetizer for us! I received the free smaller portion of the salmon appetizer twice already! Oku is easily my favorite sushi place in town and in general. I wish I knew about Oku earlier. I love the Daimyo and Reedy River rolls. Even bigger bonus that the reedy river roll is half off during happy hour! The non alcoholic drinks are great also, especially the strawberry one. I get that every time I come there. The wagyu toast is absolutely delicious. The otoro shots are too sour for me so I won’t be getting that again. The Daimyo roll is my favorite. I love the otoro sashimi though it’s so juicy and fatty which I love!! I had the otoro nigiri appetizer one time and think it’s pricey for only one piece of sushi. The rock shrimp is great also. The crab cakes were just okay so I won’t be getting those again. My friends and I absolutely enjoyed the doughnuts Japanese style as they melted in our mouths and the miso sauce is absolutely divine!! I has the lychee sorbet with dragonfruit boba once also. I love this place and can’t wait to come back!!

OMG what an experience. First the service impressed us right off the bat. We were greeted by the hostess and she handed us off to the best server I may have ever had. Alanna was our server and they do not come any better. She listened and made great recommendations. I went with the upstate and the GOAT. They were both amazing. Think of the upstate as a surf and turf roll. It paired really nice with a blending of flavors. Then the GOAT, appropriately named. That is a must, the salmon, blue crab and avacado was a flavor bomb. Alanna treated us to the Salmon UZU, holy cow. The salmon just melted in your mouth. We had the tokiyo for drinks, think of it was a Japanese Manhattan. Real good and not too sweet. As we ordered our second round of sushi we added in the fingerling potatoes. Real good and crisp and the aioli was amazing. This is the first 5 star for me in a while but this was 5 star plus service from Alanna (did I tell you she make the wasabi ) that started the night. But the food is truly on par with the service. The staff and the patrons were super friendly, great atmosphere in a cool place. I will definitely visit again when in town. Great job UKU and great job Alanna. Amazing experience!!!

Food is always delicious and creative. You do pay more than you would at an average sushi bar but worth it if you're looking for something special. Great service at the bar. The place has a really cool vibe.

Great quality food and customer service Extremely fresh sushi Unique ambience definitely needed in Greenville

O-Ku is a neat space. I would not say it's one of a kind but different than most places in Greenville. I brought my sister here for her birthday and we really enjoyed the food. We ordered Edamame and three rolls: the falls, the Greenville, and tuna crunch. The Falls was sooo good. I also ordered a piece of nigiri and it was worth the price. Our server started out strong. He educated us on the menu and some drinks. He was personable but as soon as we received our food we no longer received service from him. My water cup went empty, we waited forever to receive a to go box, and we wanted to ask him some more questions about what we ordered. I was also upset that while making my reservation I was asked if we were celebrating anything and I said a birthday. I'm sure that this is not the servers fault but it was not acknowledged at all during our time. I would go back again for a second chance but if it's the same experience I would not spend that kind of money again.

WOW. just WOW. Do not wait - go now. This place blew me away....the best service from Pressly and Justin the District Manager...the food was to die for. They gave us a complimentary salmon appetizer just to be nice and it was legitimately the best thing I have ever put into my mouth. I could have eaten three plates of it. The chef is incredible. I wish I lived in Greenville so I could eat there weekly. We will be back definitely next time we're in town. Thank you for having us!!!

First time to the new O-Ku in Greenville. Loved the airy light atmosphere and low-key vibes the place puts off. Great decoration as well. Service was prompt and friendly. Helped us make decisions on multiple things throughout the menu alongside taking us step by step through it - explaining what everything meant. Super helpful for a place of this cuisine! Truffle butter & sea salt edamame is a must have on the menu as it's cheaper and delicious! Started with the Shima Aji (sashimi - striped jack) and it was tender and scrumptious! We ordered two rolls, the Falls Roll and the Tuna Crunch Roll. Tuna Crunch was definitely my favorite as it packed more serving into the roll - definitely more filling than the Falls Roll (which was also tasty). Topped it off with "The Ringo" dessert which was *chef's kiss* to top off our hearty meal with a crisp dessert - green apple sorbet, ginger apple compote & ginger almond crumble on top. Would definitely return here.

I'm so happy that my friend group suggested we go here. It was my first time but definitely not my last. Staff was absolutely excellent, knowledgeable about the food and culture and taught the group new things! The food was incredible. Not a single ounce of food was left on the table for good reason. Here's photos of what I loved! I'll be back and write more reviews as I try more things. I definitely played it safe with the options but next time I'll branch out. Such a good place for a date night or even solo date with yourself because they have two bars and an awesome ambiance.

We love Oku Greenville. It has become our number 1 date night spot. We always try to get here right when it opens between five and 530 every single time we request outside patio seating and it is just the best for a fun intimate date night setting. During the winter time they have heaters in the patio is blocked off during the summer months it's wide open and you can play cornhole out there while taking in the breeze. Our serve Joules greeted us as soon as we sat down with refreshing accoutrements for our water, such as lemon, limes and cucumbers. We started with miso soup and we ordered an order of the crispy rice. Both were amazing and highly recommend you get so much food for the price. my go to role is the rainbow role and the volcano role is also a hit. For a refreshment we both got the just visiting drinks. The refreshing taste of the tequila, and Mezcal mixed with ambience of the outside it's just so revitalizing. Every time we come here it's never crowded and the food service is always the top of the top recommend to anybody coming into town or locals. it definitely is not like the other Okus around one of a kind experience !

I've been to O-Ku twice during my visit to Greenville, and found it to be something of a mixed bag. During my first visit, I really enjoyed the crispy rice appetizer, topped with (very) spicy diced raw fish, and a slice of a jalapeño. It's absolutely delicious. I had this again on my second visit, and it was just as good if not even better. I also enjoyed the chef's choice sushi dinner, though found it pricey for the selection at $70. Most sushi restaurants do one piece of each fish for a sushi set, but they had two pieces of each fish. I would have liked a little more variety. They do have a nice sake selection, which I appreciate. On my second visit, my friend's sushi roll was literally falling apart as she tried to eat it, which at around $18 for a fairly small roll, there's really no excuse for. I had the roasted salmon on this visit, which was just ok. Again, overpriced for the quality. The dining room is very pleasant and chic, and has an urban buzz to it. If you're looking for a place to enjoy some cocktails and appetizers, and maybe a few pieces of nigiri, O-Ku is fine, but I just can't recommend it on the whole.

Incredible downtown place for true sushi lovers. Definitely high end style of sushi. The ambiance is trendy and cool but still feels laid back, great for a date night or girls night. We have visited a few times and the sushi is always so fresh. We especially love the falls roll, the GOAT, and a side of their fresh wasabi. Most recently we tried the hamachi carpaccio and Salmon appetizers which were really unique and flavorful. The Ricotta donuts dessert are the perfect ending - SO light and fluffy!!! The service each time is always great and personable and they really make a special occasion feel extra special. The cocktails and drink list are great too!

I love O-Ku! It has a swanky, upscale vibe. It's perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. The staff is super friendly and helpful. The food is plated beautiful and very high quality. The crispy rice and salmon usuzukuri are must haves! The sesame brittle in the chocolate burauni dessert is delicious. O-Ku is on the pricier side, but it's definitely worth it!

Really nice atmosphere and great food - I ordered the Palomino roll- it was really fresh and delicious . Bartenders were friendly and provided great service . Would highly recommend

So good! I've been often to the Charleston location but decided to try the new one in Greenville... beautiful decor, friendly service, great sushi and amazing drinks... I would definitely come back for a sushi date!

Just ok. There's nothing special or extraordinary about this sushi joint to justify the prices. They don't offer your typical rolls, so expect to see only the usual fancy rolls (volcano, rainbow, etc.). Would not go back on my own dime.

This restaurant is SO GOOD. To preface, I've only ordered the sushi, it's so damn good. The rolls aren't small whatsoever and they're sooo flavorful. Service is always great and the restaurant is set up/decorated very well. Ambience is great, not loud but not blazingly quiet. I have nothing else to say than try the sushi because it will not disappoint!!

Do you want sushi? Do you want good ramen? I'll give you a tip. Go up the street to Sushi Go. They will fix you up and the owner is nice as can be (and from Japan). Do you want mediocre sushi that is worse than Harris Teeter grocery store sushi)? Do you want to post on Instagram that you overpaid for that awful sushi? If yes, Go here. The apps were actually good, we got crispy rice and miso soup, but perhaps that is where they stop excelling..... Sushi was drowned in imitation crab and mayonnaise which they euphemistically call "Kani crab" so you think it's more sophisticated. We ordered a few rolls--paladin, rainbow, and spider roll. The spider roll had almost no meat in it. No taste truly and it is always one of my favorites to order. The tuna tasted dethawed too quick. It didn't have a smooth texture it was almost a grainy right out of freezer texture and a little chewy. We were celebrating a birthday which they knew so we were going to get dessert, but after how the first part of meal went, decided not to pursue dessert. Oh and they didn't even say a word about a birthday....very odd considering literally Texas Roadhouse will make a big deal. Jianna across the street will make you feel special, even print you a custom menu.

We had a GREAT meal, and we're not pushovers! The food was creative and delicious - same for the cocktails. We thought it was the best Japanese cuisine we had in ages. And our server Sierras was superb. Could not ask for a better experience.

We absolutely love this new sushi joint. The interior design is gorgeous and the decor was done so well. The bar is cool and we sat at the sushi bar because we too didn't have reservations, which is normal for popular restaurants who have all tables accounted for. The chef was kind, friendly and engaging with us. You could tell the new staff were enjoying working there which is always nice to see. The otoro was divine. The crispy rice appetizer was so yummy my husband wanted to order more. Both of our rolls were great. My drink was tasty as well. The prices are on point with market. They offer omasake so we will be back for more!

New Asian food spot in Downtown GVL. We have been hearing good things from our friends who had them at other locations. Overall, it was good experience. The restaurant has very nice dim decor. We might go back with other friends to try other dishes or get the dessert. Food drinks and dessert 3.5/5 - comparing to other Asian/sushi restaurants in Greenville, Oku is definitely on the top. We just didn't really like what we ordered. Personally the Edamame is a bit too salty. The Akami tuna dish is slightly bland. My drinks are okay. The kakigori dessert is probably the best out of all the things we ordered. Service 5/5 - fast service and friendly staffs I recommend making reservation in advance if you are planning to come. I don't see the valet in the front but there is public parking near by.

Sat at the bar by myself a few days after they opened. It was insanely busy but a fun environment. Sushi took a while to come but was delicious! I got a few pieces of nigiri: salmon, fatty tuna, scallop and the sake signature nigiri. I got the falls roll which was so spicy and good!

Celebrating a birthday! First time at O-Ku.The restaurant decor was very nice. Our server Stacia was fantastic! She explained everything and made great recommendations. Food was delicious. We ordered several items and shared. It was a lovely evening. Can't wait to return.

Worst service ever! Food was undercooked. Drinks are weak. Server was at the table maybe twice. Nice atmosphere though.

Me and my friends went for Galentines and LOVED it. The food was delicious! If you love Sushi, I'd recommend the Reedy River Roll. The service was top tier. Our waitress was very knowledgeable of the menu and what drinks paired well with food. The Ambiance was an absolute vibe! It's great to go for any occasion.

Way overpriced. Food came out at drastically different times for everyone in our party. Just average quakity sushi. Probably won't go back. Not worth the money.

Atmosphere is excellent Sushi is okay Service is good Sashimi is not the best I have had but okay

Silly prices, spotty service, way too loud & long waits for booked reservations. Rolls were hidden under sauces - if you serve the quality fish you charge for then why drown it in sauce? Charging extra for wasabi? We'll leave this place to the younger folks who obviously don't mind a 2 hour dinner for $150 each & then leave hungry.

The shrimp appetizer was terrific. Great touch with the platter of fresh fruit to garnish your water. Disappointed with the volcano roll. Overall a great experience and will be back!

So good! Had Lobster Temaki, Crispy Rice, Rock Shrimp, and Upstate Roll as my main. Everything was so delicious. Can't wait to come back.

Awesome happy hour M-T, 4-6pm. Sushi drinks and service were beyond expectation.gorgeous ambiance.

O-Ku was truly an exceptional dinner experience from every angle. When we arrived the host and what seemed to be manager greeted us in a very friendly manner and were very accommodating of us not having a reservation. We ordered four separate sushi rolls which were all delicious and super fresh. Due to it being a special occasion, our unbelievably amazing waitress Devyn, brought us complimentary sashimi and mochi - she was the epitome of good customer service and a perfect reflection of the greatness of this establishment. Would recommend in every way.

Honestly this place is way overrated. We had to wait for the food for over an hour and the place was t even busy.. plus they were bringing everything one by one which is we really don't like. By the time we finished our food my sister still didn't get hers.

We came to O-Ku with a party of 8 for a birthday dinner. I was pleasantly surprised at the warm, natural ambiance and the friendly waitstaff that greeted us upon arrival. I started off with a Rosemary's Portico. It was refreshing & sweet. The Volcano Roll was one of the favorites at our table. It had a slight chili flavor and the baked salmon was very flavorful. The GOAT roll was fresh and light. The goat cheese was a nice addition to a roll, however, it was a bit heavy on the top. Although it was not my favorite roll, I would still recommend it to others. Elana & Ilana were very attentive and professional. They were very informative and walked us through the entire menu with great recommendations. -C&C

Food was as expected for a downtown Greenville eatery. Zero complaints about food. Service was great - for a Monday night. Ambience....to be blunt...sucked! Music was insanely loud. Impossible to have an in depth conversation with those at the table. Don't try to have a business conversation. Mercy...I've been to concerts where my ears didn't hurt as much as they did after eating at O-Ku If I wanted a concert...I'd go to a concert. There is absolutely no reason to have music so loud the only way for patron to hear one another is to yell. And that....well....adds to even more noise pollution!

Fresh high quality ingredients are the star of the show. Everything my wife and I ate was astounding. Indoor seating is a modern buzzing sight. We sat on the back patio that connects to a beautiful courtyard. Our hostess and server were both very attentive and did a wonderful job walking us through the menu and making suggestions. This may be our new weekly routine sushi spot.

Last night I took my wife to O-Ku based on their past ratings for our first visit. 5pm not packed and we were seated at the Sushi Bar-ordered drinks, Miso soup & 3 sushi rolls to start.Our waitress served our cocktails but never attended to us even once after that. The Miso came quickly but we found it way over salted. Then after an hour many other people nearby had their full orders (and those now next to us)or had left while our waitress was seen behind the bar and elsewhere. By this time we had enough & decided to leave when getting up, part of our order arrived. We explained the situation to our server & asked to see the manager who we had seen passing our seat many times never once stopping. He apologized & said he would send the GM to meet us (they Never came). Long time patrons next to us were also appalled at what they witnessed here and shared their past experiences. Having lost our appetite by this time, we paid for our drinks and left. We were so looking forward to this restaurant but sadly no one including the never seen GM, payed attention to patrons. It cannot be blamed on being packed which it wasn't or lack of wait staff at the time. Greenville has many great restaurants and this is NOT one of them. Spend your hard earned dollars elsewhere.

So amazing!! Really fresh and delicious. It is a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. I think because it has a really great vibe and the food is amazing. Parking is AWFUL!!! Walk or park far or something! Be warned. Even all the employees have such a horrible time with the parking. It's very unfortunate.

We went here today after seeing Wicked at the Peace Center. When we arrived at 5:00 pm all of the tables were empty, but we were told that they were all reserved & directed to sit at the bar. The tables didn't begin to fill up until we were there for about an hour. Our server recommended the Mushroom appetizer stating that it had a steak like consistency. It wasn't appealing to look at and many of the pieces were chewy. Definitely not worth the price. The Rolls were fair. The Nigiri was room temp. The dessert described as chocolate sesame cake was basically a brownie. We will never go back to this restaurant again. It was over priced and the reception by the staff was snooty at best. Save your money. We get sushi at Lowe's grocery store that is much better quality!

10/10. Great atmosphere. Great drinks and great food. We started with the rock shrimp (10/10) and Lobster Tamaki (9.5/10). Then we tried a few of the chefs special nigiri: creme de la creme, a5 waygu, maguro, hamachi, sake, & gindara. All of them were phenomenal. Then we had the reedy river & the falls rolls - both were 10/10. The falls roll has a realllyyy great spice too.

Ate last night for my wife's birthday. I have eaten sushi all over the world and this was very very good. Will go back soon, service was over the top, none better in Greenville!!! They sat is in a corner by ourselves, and the atmosphere looking at the Peace Center was wonderful.

Okay, I live in Los Angeles, and sushi is a big part of the food scene there so my standards are quite high! This restaurant is fantastic. Stellar and frequent service, friendly staff, BEAUTIFUL decor, and delicious food. My mother and I ordered the truffle butter edamame, the fingerling potatoes, the Reedy River roll and the Falls roll. We were so excited for the sushi that I didn't manage to get a photo of it. Everything was fantastic but the Reedy River was my favorite! We ordered a pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I was impressed by how many gluten free desserts they had. Their cocktails were amazing as well. I will definitely be eating here again. My only complaint is that almost all of the rolls have crab/shrimp in them. I can't eat shellfish (it makes me very sick), so this posed a problem for me as my options are limited here. After some confusion between the kitchen and front of house staff and myself, we came to find that even the imitation crab has crab in it... this perplexed me. Anyway, restaurant was very accommodating to my dietary need and brought me the Reedy River roll without crab and put salmon inside instead.

Food was not very good, management was very rude and disrespectful to guests. Would never recommend this to anyone. Don't waste the time and money.

Food was great, but it took over an hour to get it. Also, they were out of any Japanese beer. Service besides being slow was just haphazard and we had to keep asking about things. The pricing was exorbitantly high, especially for the slices of nigiri we received. I'll drive the extra 20 minutes to Traveler's Rest for Sushiyama before wasting my money or time here.

The place is very pretty! The service was great! The food was horrible! Ordered a roll with crab, and can tell it was imitation crab meat, very fishy taste. The waitress gave us the rock shrimp to try, and they were mushy, and could taste the oil used to fry them. Food is presented very nicely, but the fish didn't taste fresh.

Super good! I mean really fantastic! If you don't understand, "you get what you pay for" this may not be the sushi joint for you. It is super expensive! I mean really expensive! We can say we've been there, if we return it will be for drinks and appetizers but likely will not be back for dinner.

Absolutely. Hands down some of the best Sushi my wife & I have ever had. Hard to believe you could find this caliber of sushi in Greenville, SC. Comparable to NYC, SF, LA. Josh, our server, was outstanding: anticipating our needs & his recommendations were beyond excellent. The atmosphere was relaxed elegance. And the staff was extremely conscientious. Yes, it's pricier. So not an everyday meal but an occasional extravagance you absolutely will not regret. The chef is a true artist & the staff is full of consummate craftsman.

Small portions, expensive, VERY SLOW, and mediocre food at best. Was highly disappointed.

This is the best sushi in town, with a fun aesthetic and interior design. It is the closest thing Greenville has to a Blue Ribbon Sushi, Nobu or Sugarfish. I can see the deep-fried mayo-covered sushi roll lovers being afraid of 90% of this menu, which leaves the good stuff for the rest of us. Great job I hope the chefs will keep up the consistency and that the servers stay sweet and hospitable.

Beautiful, delicious, spectacular, friendly service. Nothing more you could want from a fresh modern sushi spot. Love!

Absolutely loved it. These reviews are bozo. I'm so glad to have really great Japanese fare in Greenville. The service was outstanding and the food was really fresh. They didn't serve us their Omakase because it wasn't fresh enough for them! Standards, in Greenville?! Amazing. The design of the space was better than most places in Greenville. I love the sushi, and the extra plates were great. DEFINITELY going again. Thanks again Oku. We'll be back!

3.5 would probably be more accurate. Server Devin (sp?) had great info and was very informative. The oyster mushrooms were a flavor rich umami bomb. Mint, cilantro and dill accompanied the shrooms. In my opinion, only the cilantro paired well with the shrooms. Also, some vehicle would have worked much better than just eating a bunch of mushrooms out of a bowl. Crispy rice tasty but 2 people eating 6 or 7 of those big pieces gets a bit boring when nothing else at the table. That brings me to the big complaint, about an hour for the 2 rolls to show up. The G.O.A.T. was pretty good but the Acevichado was very good. Also, my wife greatly enjoyed her Pomegranate Pisco Sour cocktail.