Evan D.
Yelp
Oshen (pronounced like "ocean") is a new sushi spot tucked in a shopping plaza on Colony Road. Owned by the same family behind Yunta in South End, Oshen impresses right out of the gate. I visited on their third night, and you'd think they'd been open for years. Service, timing, and quality were all spot on--a rare find for an opening week.
The place itself is a beauty: bright whites, wood accents, and a comfortable mix of bar seating, high tops, and low tables. There's even a patio for some fresh-air dining. The noise level is a little on the lively side so be prepared. Reservations are probably smart, but they're fine with walk-ins too.
Oshen's staff is great--attentive, friendly, and well-versed in the menu. They've got a full bar with cocktails, mocktails, beer, and sake. For lunch, there's a bento box special at just $11, which feels like a steal.
Now for the food. I kicked off with the Tuna Tataki--seared tuna with a sweet sesame ponzu sauce that hit just right. Super fresh and perfectly seared. Next up was the Sanshu Sushi Roll, a light mix of tuna, salmon, hamachi, avocado, and cucumber wrapped in soy paper. It came with a wasabi soy sauce that even I could handle (not usually a wasabi fan), and the flavors were fresh and balanced.
Finally, the showstopper: Black Cod Misoyaki. While it's not a carbon copy of Nobu's famous black cod, it holds its own. The ume miso glaze is light and slightly sweet, perfect with the delicate, flaky cod. Served with a bowl of rice. This dish is a must-try!
I snapped a couple of photos of their two rotating desserts, which looked incredible. One was a rich chocolate cake, and the other was a light and fluffy Japanese cheesecake. I didn't try them this time, but both looked like they'd be the perfect sweet finish to a meal here.
There are plenty more dishes I'm eyeing, so I'm already planning to come back soon. Anyone up for a lunch run? Oshen's off to an incredible start, and it's definitely worth a visit.