Let me tell you the WAYYYSSS I love this place: Quality Sushi & ingredients Delicious appetizers ‍ Friendly staffers who go ABOVE & BEYOND I love sushi, but it can be expensive and spending a lot of money on bad sushi is no bueno! I was having a hard time finding a place in Raleigh that served quality ingredient sushi & was worth the price for the quantity. We found ourselves at O-Ku after a friend recommended this place as her favorite sushi in Raleigh. Immediately was impressed, as we came for my birthday & the staff signed a birthday card for me and gave me a surprise dessert. Excellent service! On my 2 year wedding anniversary we came back again bc we loved the sushi the first time and wanted to have delicious food on our special night. The staff once again surprised us with flowers on the table, a special printed menu that said 2nd year Anniversary & a dessert to go. This place is absolutely stunning inside as well. Beautiful restaurant, they also have an intimate outdoor patio with pretty lights. Highly recommend this place for a special occasion or even just a night out if you're looking for the best sushi in Raleigh! Love ya, O-Ku -- we'll be back! read more

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Great ambience, but... Venue: great ambience, lively. Food: we ordered gyoza, rock shrimp, toro spoon, various rolls, and some nigiri. insane price for sushi/ nigiri especially uni. If it was great and special, pricing would be understood but not the case here. The toro spoon had old fish taste. Sushi rice was over cooked and very mushy. Sorry but sushi roles reminded me of the ones you get in the grocery store. Duck kushiyaki was recommended and tasted somewhat bland and tough. Came here for family birthday dinner. No body really liked the dishes here. Service: our server was very kind and tried his best to accommodate us. Great ambience but I don't see any of us coming back here for food. read more

O-Ku - Kushiyaki-duck - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while, and I finally got the chance when my husband took me for my birthday/date night also our first night out since having our baby. And oh my goodness....everything was amazing. The ambiance was beautiful and the attention to detail especially with their birthday menu was phenomenal (as a donut lover, I was in heaven). The staff's hospitality was truly top notch and the food? Absolutely incredible. I had such a great experience that I came back again, and the second visit did not disappoint either. Definitely will be coming back anytime I'm in the area! read more

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One of the few restaurants i repeatedly recommend to any and all friends. They are consistent with their quality. One of the best sushi spots around. I love love love the otoro spoons. But honestly, everything on their menu is spectacular. I have sooooo many pics of oku dinners from how often i visit. Their service is also great! They're super attentive, friendly, and consistent!!!! They give it a lot of gifts too which makes your experience feel special. Super sultry sophisticated vibes. Ive put on all of my friends onto Oku for years and theyve done the same w their circles. I visit between Charlotte and Raleigh a lot, and both locations are always the same friendly and delish experience. No notes for Oku!! if i could add the 100+ pics of oku dishes ive had, i would. I would rec: garden salad otoro spoons A5 wagyu sashimi!! any! my personal faves are salmon and eel Lobster handroll dillon roll any of their sushi rolls tbh! mont blanc cake read more

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We made a reservation ahead of time on OpenTable. You can walk to the restaurant. There's street parking available. The restaurant was dimly lit with a candle at table. They sat us near a door, so it kept blowing out and was kind of cold. The tables are close together, but you're not on top of the people next to you. There are booths, high tops, and outdoor seating with heat lamps. They play music slightly loud. The staff are friendly and are conscious if you have any allergies (give informed alternatives). The sushi was amazing quality especially the Wagyu (worth the market price around $20). The nigiri is one piece but it's a good portion of rice and fish - a good mouth full. I'd definitely come back because it was so delicious despite being expensive. It's easy to quickly rack up a large bill with the nigiri. read more

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O-Ku was a gem on a Saturday night. The ambiance was upscale and low lit. I started with their version of the lychee martini, Clouds on White, which was beautifully made and easy to drink. Followed by a tequila featured drink which is pictured below. I was able to try the Spicy Tuna Crunch and the Angry Salmon signature maki. Both were amazing but the star of the show was the delicious O-Toro Sashimi, buttery perfection and an absolute must! read more

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Absolutely one of the best meals I've had in the triangle. The food was phenomenal, and the staff were awesome. Our server, Eric, provided us with the most exceptional service and really good care of us. Not only is Eric awesome but he has amazing taste when it comes to recommending a dish. He even gave me a little insight on the Mamushi Maki! ;) Thank you Eric for being amazing and patient with us. I will definitely be coming back! read more

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Spent an early evening anniversary dinner here. Most of the recommendations we found here were spot-on. We had the rock shrimp and crispy rice apps to start, then the salmon & lemon maki, tsunami roll, and spicy tuna crunch. They provided us with two complimentary glasses of champagne and topped our dessert with a 'Happy Anniversary' chocolate. The interior is elegant but we chose to spend a pleasant time to ourselves outside. My spouse was really pleased to find a cool new venue for a night out, and thanked me for 'finding' it. read more

O-Ku - Mont Blanc - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

O-Ku is now probably my favorite sushi restaurant! The inside is so cute and photoworthy. The service was perfect from the beginning until the end and they were very accommodating for my friends allergy and the alterations did not impact the taste of her food or her dessert. My waitress was so so nice. The sushi was 1000/10. I ordered the Unagi Nigiri and the Kurama. They brought out a nice dessert surprise since they knew I was celebrating a special occasion. Now I see why O-Ku is so popular! read more

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Can't explain in words how amazing dinner here was. The service was top north. Our server, Sam, was super friendly and kind and just so good at her job. The food was INSANE. I am salivating just thinking about it. Will be back over and over! read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I came here for a special event (Old Soul R&B) which was so nice! It was an upscale event playing lots of classic R&B music amongst a crowd that seemed to be averaging 30-35-ish maybe? Either way, it was very grown and sexy. It was pretty crowded and they served food but it sad I didn't get to try it. The bar lines were also super long so never got a drink either, what a bummer! Ultimately I spent short time here for the music and vibes, but had to leave so I could get me some food and drinks. But this is a lovely place to hold events like that. The bartenders were also so lovely and doing a great job vibing out and keeping up with the crowd. I plan to return to try out the menu as it's been a couple of years since I've eaten here and I didn't review so I'd like to return and actually eat again next time lol read more

Went here for happy hour with friend. The happy hour menu isn't that great but I love the sushi here. We had a great waiter who recommended the karama roll and it was so fresh and delicious. Also had the tsunami roll that was on the happy hour menu and it was good too. read more

O-Ku - O-Ku Rock Shrimp - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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We started with the edamame and chicken and pork dumplings, both of which were excellent. I recommend the Himalayan salt and truffle oil edamame; it had a generous amount of truffle oil, which I enjoyed. The dipping sauce for the dumplings looks like chili oil, but it's a savory garlic soy that paired well with them. For the pork belly wrap, it comes with three pieces, but for an additional $5, you can get an extra one, definitely worth it, especially if you're sharing. You'll likely want two each. The sauce on the pork belly had a nice balance of sweet and salty, making it the highlight of the meal. I also ordered the hanger steak, which was well prepared, and the potatoes served with it were fantastic, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Our waiter was pleasant and provided great recommendations. The atmosphere had a slightly upscale feel, making it perfect for a date night. read more

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Restaurant was very nice inside and you should make a reservation to make sure you have a table. The food was good but a little bit on the pricey side. I'd recommend for a nice evening out or even a client dinner spot. read more

Food and drinks were perfect. Service was friendly and timely and they set clear expectations of what to expect as far as how the food would arrive sushi bar vs kitchen. Our entire table had a terrific meal and birthday celebration. read more

Pretty good sushi restaurant. This was definitely not the most mind blowing sushi I've ever had, but it was not bad. The rolls did take a while to come out, and I do want to give this place 3 stars but our waitress was so kind and helpful. She ended up giving us free dessert for my friend's birthday and she was very sweet. The interior of the restaurant was also super cute as well. read more

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Came here our last night on our vacation and loved it. Food was delicious, ambiance was great and service was great. It was the perfect ending to our trip. read more

Went here to celebrate my birthday! First time. The parking was easy because it was a weekday and night time. I can imagine it being difficult on the weekends. The entrance is towards a outside patio but I wanted to be inside. We were greeted upon arrival and offered the choice of high top or table top. We opted for high top and got a nice corner table. Our waiter was extremely attentive, knowledgeable and cool. He helped me decide on the drink and the fog fashioned did not disappoint. He also reminded me that the Nigiri was only 1 to which I let him know that I am very familiar with this choice and 1 was all I wanted. The truffle flavor was exquisite. I got a candle on my cake and it was an overall great experience. The decor is very impressive too. Cool place, I'd like to go back for sure. read more

O-Ku - Menu, Wednesday night - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Best if you had reservations - they get busy fast (open table). There's options for indoor and outdoor. If it's your first time dining this style, our waitress was so kind to truly break down the whole menu for us in terms of what it was and if it was best shared or to be had solo. I can't have gluten and she was also very kind to let me know my options. They have gluten free soy sauce and gluten free tempura options. Top tier service. Food came fast and the energy was great - dimmer light with pretty decent volume music read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Food was amazing and I went with a group so we ordered a lot off the menu! It's great for after work

This was our first time at O-Ku and definitely won't be our last! The thing that stood out for us the most was the excellent service, very friendly, knowledgeable and observant! She explained all the headliners on the menu and helped us pick out different items that came out as they were ready. The food was also great, the donuts were definitely my favorite and a great way to end the meal. We can't wait to come back and try more! read more

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We kept hearing great things about O-Ku from friends, and since we are always looking for high quality sushi with a creative twist, we were excited to finally give it a try. The ambiance was lovely and left a great first impression. Since it was a warm evening, we were seated outside in a cozy alley space that felt charming and relaxed. Our server was friendly and brought out a tray with cucumber, lemon, and lime so we could customize our water which felt like a nice touch. We started with the o-toro spoons, which were delicious. While the portion was quite small for the price, the quality was definitely there. The uni and toro both tasted excellent, and we were excited for our rolls to arrive. Unfortunately, the sushi rolls were a letdown. We were disappointed by 1) how much rice there was relative to the fish, 2) the texture of the sushi rice, and 3) how easily the rolls fell apart. Our favorite was the Black Magic roll, which featured tempura lobster and squid ink rice. The squid ink flavor was the highlight, though at over $30, it felt overpriced. Overall, we found the experience to be a bit overhyped (especially considering the cost). Surprisingly, our favorite part of the meal was the dessert! We really enjoyed the use brownie and the Okinawan donut balls. I wish I could go just to get the desserts. For high-quality sushi in the area, we'd still lean toward City Market Sushi or M Sushi in the future. read more

Best Japanese food in a 50 mile radius hands down. Go here for anniversaries and special occasions because it's fairly expensive and it's best to have reservations. read more

I come here everytime im in Raleigh, everything is carefully crafted, and absolutely delicious. Cocktails are amazing read more

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Came here for a birthday celebration and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. The moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed, and that great service continued throughout the night. Everyone was incredibly friendly and attentive. The food was outstanding--everything tasted fresh and full of flavor. I have to say, this is one of the best seaweed salads I've ever had! The flavors were bold and well-balanced, and the overall quality of the dishes really stood out. The drinks were also top-notch. Our waitress was very informative and truly one of the best I've interacted with. She made sure we were well taken care of and added to the overall great vibe of the night. I'll also say, the personalized menu and birthday cards were the cherry on top! That thoughtful touch made the celebration feel even more special. Highly recommend this place for any special occasion or just a night out. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This was a fun spot to do date night! My wife and I came here after a friend suggested the spot. It is a classy sushi restaurant with some fun cocktails. Our waitress was super helpful in helping us pick drinks and food. The food was so delicious! This place is definitely upscale. Make sure you're ready to pay the upscale bill. read more

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Bottom line: O-Ku presented a large group with a 5 star experience this visit. Delicious choices with the dumplings for starters and the hanger for the main meal selection. Great service in a nice atmosphere, especially during the holiday season. The Deets: Celebrating Todd C.'s birthday at his favorite restaurant, I got to try out O-Ku in DTR again after many years (2019? Is that right?). Located in The Dillion retail/residential complex, it has plenty of space inside and outside (with heaters) for seating with a very nice elevated but also casual type atmosphere suitable for almost any occasion. It is very nicely decorated with lots of seating, including a sushi bar and dedicated beverage bar area. We were seated immediately for our reservation as soon as all our party arrived, within a few minutes of each other. Drinks were quickly taken care of by service and we all got to order our starter for the meal. I went with their dumplings which are 6 pieces pork and chicken filled served with crunchy garlic soy. These dumplings were fantastic, delicious with or without the accompanying sauce (I could make these a meal!). I was told they were one of their best starters and this info did not disappoint. For my main plate, even though they have an extensive Asian menu selection, I went with the Hanger which is pan-seared C.A.B. this time ordered medium rare, served with crispy nori potatoes, asparagus, and a sansho peppercorn demi-glace. This choice turned out to be a perfect one for me, as the meat was tender, delicious, and cooked perfectly. With the demi-glace and potatoes, it was very satisfying. I loved it. With our server doing a great job covering a larger group table, it was pretty much a 5 star visit so that is what I am going with here. read more

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I love Oku, but left a bit annoyed last night. We went on a double date and while the food was amazing, the drink service was extremely slow. Every drink took about 30 minutes, even the old fashioneds that were made tableside. We ordered drinks as soon as we arrived, ordered food 15 minutes later, and the food came out before the drinks, which shouldn't happen. The slow pace continued all night; we were there from 7-11 and only managed three drinks. Even after the crowd died down, service didn't improve. I would also like to note we spent over $700 so I would have thought there would have been some urgency. Not ideal when you're trying to enjoy a night out and have a buzz. read more

We went here on a Sunday night and ordered a few different items. Loved the atmosphere and decor. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and threw in a free item when we couldn't make up our mind which was awesome. We started with the Octopus which was excellent and then moved on to a few different sushi rolls. Our favorite was the salmon and lemon roll and towed were fresh and good but nothing too impressive. We also ordered the hamachi cheek but wouldn't again as it needed a sauce of some sorts. Drinks were good but a bit over priced. Overall would come back for a few items. Good date night or group spot. read more

My partner and I make this dining experience part of our weekend at least once a month, and sometimes it is a bi-weekly treat. I look so forward to these special Friday evenings because I know I am going to be dining on some of the most delectable foods that have crossed my palate, met by some of the finest and most friendly staff, and treated to exquisite ambiance and the beautiful back-drop of a downtown Raleigh street. I love this restaurant so much! A special shout out to our requested server, Ginah who provides service beyond expectation, is the most friendly server I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and is certainly deserving of this special shout out, and many, many other accolades. I am a creature of habit, but my partner is not, and I have experienced many enjoyable menu items thanks to his progressive palate and foodie spirit. I am grateful for that. As a result of this, I must make recommendations for food. We start each dinner with a drink, the Zone 2983 (Suntory Whiskey, scotch, plum wine, peychaud bitters), 2 orders of the dumplings, the O-ku Shrimp, and Edamame. The dumplings are some of the most rich flavored I have had, so tender and just so very tasty tantalizing, the O-Ku Shrimp are always spot on delicious in the O-Ku sauce, and the Edamame comes in different flavors, with every single flavor being worth a try, but I personally recommend the Pink Himalayan Salt & Truffle Oil. Recently, we were treated to the Scallops and they were mouth watering, tender, bright flavored and fresh. We will be adding these to our Friday's evenings going forward. For dinner, my partner and I share the best of our meals now. He enjoys the sushi, and I mean all of them. The Dillon, and the O-Baby seems to be his go to though. There is none that are single standouts to me because they all are just a standout, period, end of story. They are amazing, they are fresh, appetizing and deliver what the stomach ordered. Every bite is a flavorsome, appetizing, little bite of heaven. The fresh ginger is also stellar. I, however, ALWAYS, and I MEAN ALWAYS get the Curry Noodles/w Chicken. The light spicy coconut curry over the ramen, cabbage, mushroom and red pepper is TO DIE FOR, AMAZING! LITERALLY, tongue smacking brain delicious! There is also enough food in that bowl to enjoy at home, and I do, willingly. The only thing I dislike about this dish is that eventually it runs out and I have to wait another two weeks, to one month, before I have it again. This dish cannot be beat! Last, and just when you think, how do they eat more than what he has already shared, we have tried, and continue to try several of the desserts. The Sara Andagi (donut holes , sesame sugar, miso caramel) and Mont Blanc Cake (dark chocolate mousse, chestnut cream, yuzu raspberry oculis, raspberry) are delightfully delicious, delectable, a true finale to a wonderfully delicious experience. The ambiance (a little loud sometimes but worth it as it is always a packed house), is also notable and to be mentioned because I love the city vibe, the candles, and the trendy little atmosphere, and most of all, to be seated at the hightop looking out at the city street. When dusk starts calling, the flicker of the table candles and the dark, mysteriously intriguing atmosphere inside, with the roar of the outdoor patio flames in the window, all adds to the experience. I will end this by stating again, the service is impeccable. Ginah is our first request, but I must also admit that I have not had one bad service experience at all from any server. The manager always makes rounds whether helping his staff, or just making acquaintance, and is such an outgoing and pleasant guy, and even when we have been tended to by the bartender herself, she was beyond stellar....and let me tell you, she was hustling and had her hands FULL. Overall 10 out of 10, 100 out of 100, an A+ on the report card, and a big ol' MS for More than Satisfactory. Go downtown Raleigh and dine at O-Ku...Okay! read more

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Very friendly service all around from the hostess to the waiter and even the manager. I was presently surprised on how beautiful the restaurant was. We loved the drinks, appetizers entrees as well as the dessert. This is a place to celebrate a special occasion or any other night. We had wonderful dishes and saw even more coming out from the kitchen to try next time. Check this place out! read more

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The food was very good, service was good, and prices reasonable. Good selection also. The restaurant is really cute inside, has nice bar seating, and has nice outdoor seating as well. I'm taking off 1 star because the music is so loud you can't hear someone talking to you when they are right beside you. This has been noted by other reviewers as well, and it was certainly the case when we were there. Did mention it to the hostess when we were leaving. read more

Went here for my sister's birthday, the signature otoro nigiri I got was by far the best piece of sushi I've ever had. To top it all off they gave my sister shrimp, dessert, and a signed card from the chefs all for free. Came here for the first time and couldn't have asked for more. Hats off to these guys. read more

O-Ku - Signature otoro nigiri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I'm a big fan of O-Ku, I went twice over the holiday season and while they were slammed, service was still pretty great. Love that they let you pick citrus or cucumber for your water, just a nice touch. The happy hour is a plus, it's definitely paired down a bit from when they first opened. My favorite roll here is the salmon lemon roll and that is on the happy hour menu. I'm not usually a huge salmon roll person, but this one is just so tasty! The usuzukuri is also delicious, my friend suggested it and the sauce the salmon is is straight amazing. Love dipping my sushi in it. On one occasion we were there for a birthday and they brought out a dessert with a candle in it. Such a nice and appreciated touch! There is street parking, a paid outdoor lot, and a much cheaper garage around the corner from O-Ku! read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

First of all, our waitress Austin was absolutely amazing!!! Everything we tried was amazing and dessert was phenomenal! The Ube dessert was the absolute best!!! read more

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Everything was incredible. So cute inside, service was great, drinks were good, desserts were great. Definitely will be back. read more

O-Ku - Lobster tail and the sesame doughnuts - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Mannnn this was some of the best sushi that I have had. Hands down. Very nice voice my nephew took me to while visiting. read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Phewww! This place humbly knocks your socks off. This place can bring any vibe you're lookin' for: * Girls night out * Date night * Group get together Inside is super cute, service is spot on, and the flavor that bursts in your mouth is to die for! read more

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My son and I decided to try this place during a university orientation in town. I got the spicy tuna roll, and my son tied the sushi bowl, and it did not disappoint. We did ran into a problem, where I have to wait for over 30 min for my single sushi order. That said, Eric our restaurant attendant, made it right by ensuring that the Sushi was in the house and also extended it to dessert. That to me is a fantastic service. read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I've tried O-Ku twice now. It's a semi upscale sushi spot. The sushi is definitely good but I would not want to go there on a regular basis. However they do have a decent lunch menu which I'd go back for! read more