Ooka Riverside: A Masterclass in Seafood The Lobster, Shrimp, and Scallop trio is easily the standout of the menu. While the entire dish is exceptional, the scallops are the true highlight--perfectly seared, incredibly succulent, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The dining experience is elevated further by superb service that is both attentive and seamless. This is a premier destination in Riverside for high-quality seafood and a polished atmosphere. **Rating: 5/5** read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

I had been here before but hadn't been back in like 7 or 8 years. I honestly completely forgot this place even existed and I'm not sure why I had never returned. Came with my family after church and now I'm like wow! We've been missing out. We ordered the New York steak with chicken and it was so good. Everything had flavor and was cooked right it was so good. Service was solid from the start. The hostess was super pleasant, greeted us right away and got us seated pretty fast. Our server was attentive and quick with our orders. The chef did a great job interacting with us and the show. Overall just a really good experience. Good food, good service, easy vibe. Definitely putting this back on our regular spots. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - The pretty menu - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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Delicious always Teppanyaki and sushi in one spot! Perfect for a date night and larger parties They have a separate bar too read more

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Over the years I have periodically dropped in, but after the pandemic I seemingly forgot about Ooka. In that hiatus many places I used to like went downhill (R91 and Oishi), are good but not easy to get to (Sushi OK), or much too far Riverside. Today I ran into unexpected tire trouble and needed to kill a couple hours for America's Tire to do their thing, so I sat at the bar for a light lunch. The two chefs were really nice and did excellent work, and we hada good time chatting. The 7-piece Sushi meal comes with a Tuna roll and miso, as well as a salad. I also ordered their menu augmented One-night stand roll. I figured that'd be enough and it was. Service is excellent and immediate here. It's changed a little since the last visit, and I enjoyed seeing the fish on display in the chef station. The Bluefin is deep red and the salmon nice and fatty, which is a sign of good selection. The salad and soup came quickly, and both chef's worked on the other items, which arrived quickly. The presentation is really good here. Fresh and delicious. One by one I sampled the sushi, and Halibut really stood out. As did the house ponzu sauce. The salmon and albacore were especially tasty, too. The roll was perfectly assembled with clean separation inside, and the seared salmon on top with pesto sauce was superb. All-in-all, it really won me over and I think I'll be back much sooner than later. read more

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Service and food was not good. Felt like the chef was in a rush. He cooked all our food in about 15-20 minutes. All the food needed more seasoning. My food was undercooked and overcooked. When the manager came to try to correct the mistake. She had no customer service experience was not helpful at all. She didn't even mention that she would bring me new food. But when it was brought out to me she had the chef cut the food in small pieces in order to annoy me. I know this as I have been in the restaurant business in the past. The manager and chefs need more training. The 3.4 rating is generous as this place is not good. And service is worst. Never going to this place again read more

Had a wonderful dinner after long day of meetings. Sashimi sampler set was perfect for one person and very fresh. Miso soup and hand roll were delicious as well. Service was good and quick. They have hibachi section too. The ambiance is nice and cozy. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Sashimi sampler Sashimi Set Miso Soup - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

We went to ooka Japanese restaurant for a birthday dinner. It was my first time having hibachi where they cook in front of you. I will say at first i felt a little awkward as the hibachi area its small and a bit crammed. You have to sit with others and it was a little awkward at first because we got a corner seat that was not very spacious to eat at. Luckily the party next to us left and we were able to scoot over. The service was great and our chef was really funny and nice. The food was good as well but some was oversalted liked the fried rice and some lacked flavor like the tempura shrimp. Overall it was a fun experience but i would only return with a large party and don't see myself going by myself or for a date. It's definitely more of a group activity vibe. read more

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I went to OOKA to celebrate my mom's birthday and had a nice lunch experience. We went around 1pm on a Sunday afternoon and didn't need reservations to be seated right away. Their staff is super attentive and always making sure finished plates are out of the way and that everyone is enjoying themselves. The hibachi experience is always a good and silly time. As for food, their soup and salad are surprisingly the highlights for me, the salad dressing is so good! I will say that the main courses are rather salty and nothing too extraordinary. At the end of our meal, they gave my mom a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and sang happy birthday to her which was very nice of them! All in all, OOKA's service and the hibachi chef were the highlights of the experience. The taste of the food on the other hand, isn't anything special. read more

Our party of four went to Ooka on a spur of the moment on Thursday night. The wait was 30 minutes, which was fine. We were seated with another group of 3. The waitress was nice, gave a few suggestions, but after taking our orders and getting us our drinks, soups, and salads, wasn't there hardly at all. The manager Linda (and come to find out later the owner) came to the table a few times and when we asked for items such as sriracha and chili paste, she said they only had sriracha, walked away in a rush, brought the sriracha so quickly as if to drop the sauce, and left. She was rude and always in a rush when she came to the table- only 2 or 3 times total. Later, the chef (he was great) asked if we needed anything and again we asked for chili- to which he said, we have a chili oil or paste- and low and behold, they did actually have what we asked for when our food initially arrived. At this point, we would've preferred to have Linda not come to the table at all because she wasn't helpful, had no idea what customer service was, and just upset us further. Ooka is a nice restaurant and should be paired with great customer service, but unfortunately it is not. When we got our bill, we found out that they charge for each sauce- at no point were we told this. At this point, we were already annoyed at the lack of professionalism of Linda, whose attitude and blatant disregard of her customer's needs, really turned our experience into a bad one. Someone in my party asked to speak to her and when she came up, they questioned the charge for sauce. She didn't have much to say other than yes in a short tone. When she was called out on her lack of customer service, she got upset and instead of speaking like adults to resolve the matter, she walked away and sarcastically said, "Byeee." I understand that people have bad days, and not every one has the communication skills to speak to people, but as a restaurant manager AND OWNER, she needs to find someone to he the voice of the restaurant because it is NEVER ok to walk away from a customer trying to resolve an issue. The sad thing is, this was the first time the other couple had been to Ooka and were already talking about our next visit- not anymore....We will not support a restaurant whose owner is so dismissive and rude. There are plenty of other places that have similar services to give out money to. Only giving 3 stars because the Chef was good and the food tasted great. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Volcano onion - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

Excellent service. Our waitress was friendly and kind. She made great suggestions on the different dishes and appetizers they had. The food was very tasteful and high quality. I will definitely come back to try other things on the menu. read more

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I came here for my mom's birthday and we left with full bellies. We thought the calamari appetizer was extra crunchy and complimented our drinks. The best part was the chef. He did the usual "beating heart" and disappearing egg trick, but he had such a flair doing so that it did not feel like the same ol' hibachi show! I would come again for another celebration as this is definitely a fun place to dine at. read more

Best hibachi in the area!!! They do a great job on their courses and portions. It's also a great vibe.

One of our friends in our group said she had been drugged from her wine two glasses after she left she fell in the bushes and almost passed out another friend which is black went in to get water for her one employees use the n-word. Plus the food sucks and is overpriced. read more

It has been a while since we have been here but we were glad to have finally been able to come back! I really like this place for the various dining experiences it offers. They have a sit-down dining, sushi bar, or a hibachi dinner for you to choose from! Each option is great, but we chose to sit at the sushi bar this time. The sushi chefs are so friendly, love talking to people, and, of course, have great suggestions if you don't know where to start. You are still served by a server (who brings things like drinks or food from the main kitchen), but each time we've been there, it seems like the sushi chefs are more our servers than anything (and they have a cash tip-jar if you'd like to leave them a tip). The vibes overall were just really great and it was a perfect date night with some amazing food and drinks. The sushi was really really good and flavorful, and so were the drinks! The wine was sweet and was honestly some of the best wine I've had. I would definitely recommend trying this place out if you haven't, it is definitely a favorite for us and we will certainly try to go back more often! read more

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The ambiance was nice, the food was delicious and the service was extraordinary! It was great to not only have your server, but the extra help of continuous check ins( picking up extra dishes, being attentive to our tables drinks and refills of water) I took my 2 grandchildren who made to feel special! I appreciated everyone's kindness read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Filet mignon steamed rice noodles and delicious veggies! - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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Our server Kevin was amazing! The food was delicious and the chef cooked everything just right. The chef was very entertaining and did an excellent job! read more

We were there last week and had the worst service we ever had there. Out waiters seemed overwhelmed and kept forgetting things we ordered. We will try there again but not with that waiter. Also the bartender needs more help. He was great but needs a barback. read more

Friday night family dinner: we went for appetizers and sushi rolls - truly disappointing experience. We were seated after a 25min wait (waitress was friendly and informed us of this when we walked in), dining room was really cold and the whole area wasn't clean (I mean the light fixtures had 1inch of dust on them ... Server was nice and professional, that's the only good part. Spicy Edamame: small portion 3 rolls: Volcano/ Red Sea / Lobster Dynamite: all super tiny and barely any flavor: for +$20 this was so so bad.... Not recommended! Way better establishments in Riverside read more

I enjoy the sushi here plus the ambiance. A little pricey but the fish here is pretty great. Would come again, service is great.

I ordered a salmon dinner bento box to-go, and it was phenomenal! Definitely made Ooka a restaurant I will return to. The bento box comes with: protein of your choice, miso soup, salad, 6 piece california roll, shrimp tempura (I subbed for vegetable tempura), white rice (I subbed for fried rice; upcharge), and shumai (I subbed for vegetable gyoza). The price was $27 for the box, with a $4.75 upcharge for switching from white rice to fried rice. Although pricey, I felt the meal was worth it for everything you get, and all the substitutions you can make. The rice was a high upcharge, but luckily you do get a significant portion for what you pay for. Everything was packaged nicely, and it was easy to carry home in one bag. Can't wait to go back! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Salmon Bento Box Dinner - also comes with rice, miso soup, salad, and tempura - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

Best sushi bar experience! Edgar was our sushi chef and he was on a roll! (No pun intended) We had the Volcano, Crunchy and Red Sea roll. Every roll was perfect! We also had cajun seared tuna which was heaven! Fresh and delish sushi! Thank you Edgar for a memorable dining experience! read more

I went this past Saturday to celebrate my sister finishing nursing school and the service was amazing! We had the filet mignon with scallops and it was absolutely delicious. I also ordered the sashimi appetizer and it was so good! My sister ordered the shrimp tempura and it was alright, I could taste the oil a lot so I didn't like it very much but I would definitely go back. The gentleman that cooked and did a show was great, he threw a slice of mini corn at me and I caught it in my mouth! It was such a fun experience I would definitely go back. read more

We ordered takeout from here and I really like how well everything was packaged! We ordered the shrimp teriyaki with the salad, soup and rice combo. The salad was fresh and the soup was nice and hot. The white rice was good but the fried rice wasn't the best. The shrimp teriyaki dish also came with veggies and it was ok. When we walked in to pick up our food, the place was empty. read more

Every time we go, the food is excellent. My favorite is the morning after roll and a dirty martini. Sushi is fresh and delicious.

Food was not good. Tasted microwaved and service was slow. I do not recommend this establishment.

Food was presently beautifully. Great service and very fast. Restaurant had a very nice presentation.

The restaurant is clean. They have a hibachi side also. The food seems to be good and quality.. they have a sushi counter and a full bar. They're always Consistent. i'm satisfied with what they have to offer. They also have real wasabi upon request. read more

This is really a clone of Benihana, down to the knife and spatula theatrics conducted by the "chefs" at the Teppanyaki grill. Unless you're there for the show and light hearted banter by the chefs, the relatively high price point for a set lunch at about $30 for meager portions isn't worth it. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Front counter of Ook Teppanyaki - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM THE MANAGER!!!!! TERRIBLE!! Had dinner here tonight, and we were a large party of 12. Been here numerous times and sat at the hibachi area and haven't had a complaint. Tonight, several of us ordered food that we we're not happy with. Our chicken and steak meals literally looked like they were boiled and plopped on our plate with sauce on top of them! Not OK when you're paying $35 a plate! We spoke to the waiter, who by the way was very nice and he got the manager. The manager returned and told us that if we sent our food back, they would not remake our food nor would they serve us anything else! She told us they were too busy!! She was rude and kept talking over me. I asked her, how can a restaurant be too busy to remake someone's food??? Never ever heard of that!! There was no closed sign on the door and they were taking in new patrons by the minute (who clearly were ordering food and they weren't too busy for them)! Terrible experience! Extremely rude manager!!!!!! Disappointing to pay for overpriced food AND have bad experience!!!! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Chicken Dinner Meal. tasted like boiled chicken. Very bland and no seasoning! - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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Haven't done the Tappan as it's not my thing. The regular dining is good a little pricey but good. They started adding an automatic tip so I no longer go they should pay their employees more and not expect guest to pay them. If I'm leaving a tip it's dependent on the service I get. read more

Took my dad to Ooka for Father's Day because I'm the favorite child (obviously) and wow it was amazing . We had a reservation, got seated right away (love when places respect my time) The service was fantastic and our server (wish I remembered his name!) was super attentive and kept the drinks coming without us ever needing to ask. I got the filet mignon and it was cooked exactly how I asked, which never happens, so that was a win. Also, the starter soup?? Weirdly obsessed. Everything from start to finish was smooth, tasty, and made the day feel extra special. Highly recommend for special occasions or just treating yourself! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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First time at Ooka Hibachi, a surprising hit! When I first walked in and saw the place was nearly empty, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised, the food really delivered! I especially loved the fried rice and the California rolls, so fresh and flavorful. The only misses for me were the noodles (a bit too heavy on the soy sauce) and the sauces, which were a little too watery for my taste. Honestly, I preferred the dishes without them. As for the service, the staff was polite but very low energy, soft-spoken and not super engaging. That said, the food itself is enough to bring me back. Looking forward to giving it another try! read more

food is always great, we never feel wiped out after an Ooka dinner (from too much MSG or sesame oil). We really lucked out with a last minute father's day decision (no reservation), Prime parking spot and just a 30minute walk in wait time. Ooka is one of my favorite Hibachi/Japanese spots. Food & Drinks are well worth it. read more

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After viewing a movie next door, My wife, daughter, and granddaughter joined me for an enjoyable dinner here, eleven years after my last visit. This time there were no service errors except for a mix-up of bills. We were seated at a hibachi grill with another party of five, and when our server went to the manager to approve a military discount, it was discovered that the other party had been presented with my check, which was more costly than theirs, already paid it in full, and left the restaurant. I was given an option to pay the other party's bill, which I did. A sign at the hostess stand announced that an 18% gratuity would be automatically added to all food orders regardless of party size. Noting this on my actual bill, and assuming this to be so on the one I was paying, I just added two dollars besides the five dollar bill I handed the grill master. But later, at home, I was aghast when I discovered that no gratuity had been added to the bill I paid. With no server listed on the tab, when I am next in the Inland Empire I plan to find our waitress based on a photograph of her serving my party that I posted on Yelp, and give her a hefty tip. I did this once before days after I realized that I had grievously miscalculated and only gave a tip of pennies to a server in the El Cortez Hotel in Las Vegas. When I made this right, the waiter told me that he wondered why he had received such a paltry tip. Regarding the dining experience, I counted 25 hibachi tables. My eleven-year-old granddaughter's favorite food is sushi, and she ordered a Crunchy Roll with Tempura Shrimp, while I savored an interesting Out of Control Roll that featured both salmon and tuna. Next up was a cup of Miso Soup with onions and tasty broth. But I was disappointed that mushrooms were no longer included. Just so, a small salad was refreshing but contained no tomatoes as it previously did. Regarding the main ingredients prepared by the grill master on the hibachi grill, medium rare Filet was buttery, lobster and shrimp very good, egg-centric Fried Rice with bits of carrot and peas of a superior grade, and grilled vegetables and noodles quite generous in quantity and well cooked. There were some staple tricks performed by our grill master like an impaled egg, Onion Volcano, and heart-shaped rice. And he used a spatula to try to toss pieces of corn into diners' mouths. I much prefer shrimp for this purpose, but observing that this amiable chef's aim was mostly untrue, I can understand not utilizing and thereby wasting somewhat expensive shrimp. Sauces were good. Hot Tea was fine, and refilled without request. And the meal was well worth repeating. But a messy men's restroom lost half a star. read more

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Clean and great staff service. Server Conner great customer service very attentive. Chef Chris was funny and amazing cook. Will be back soon

Our chef was amazing and cooked up some great hibachi! Prices are quite high for Riverside + automatic 18% gratuity for all parties, when the service is barely there? That was tough. We barely got anyone to refill our drinks or ask questions. Couldn't even find our own server and had to flag someone else (nicer) down. Our server seemed not happy to be there. They open at 4pm for dinner and already had a big crowd so nice for them! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

As a local who prefers to support small business, I needed to find a place for lunch before catching a movie at the plaza. I was craving fish and thought about Ookas sushi roll that I love. Also my husband loves their bento boxes. On this trip to Ookas I ordered the hot fancy roll and my husband ordered the salmon bento box. We were both pleased with the quality of the food and our stomachs were satisfied. The service was good especially the host who was working today. A few observations that lead to a deduction of the star.the place looks like it needs a good deep cleaning. The menus were gross- there was food on them - they should consider laminating the pages. Then, the lanterns above the tables are extremely dusty: I've noticed this everytime I visit. Lastly, they began including a 15% gratuity on all checks and according to the sign at the friend, they are basically passing on the cost to the customer to fairly compensate their employees. We had a good experience with our server so I think this will be tricky when the service is not great so just beware! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Hot fancy roll is my favorite - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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Still the best hibachi and I can never go wrong with the morning after roll I can't recommend it enough. The Red Sea dragon or Red Sea something roll was amazing too read more

Picked up a central roll today and the avocado was over ripe and black. This is bad for business as it was terrible to the taste. The chef should have clearly seen that the avocado was bad. read more

I have yet to have a bad experience at Ooka. This was my 4th time going and I have to say....it is better than shogun!! Their noodles are so good they're addicting! When I visit, I always order the deluxe (filet, shrimp, scallions). Not pictured is the salad and clear soup. The salad dressing is so tasty and the mushroom soup is a great starter. I love the teppanyaki because you get SO MUCH FOOD! I easily get two meals from this one trip because of how filling the meal is. This place is amazing to go to for celebrations or just on days you're very hungry. Ambiance and service are both great. My only complaint is if you do not have a big party with you, you get crammed in with strangers and don't have much personal space to yourself. Other than that, this is a must visit!! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Filet, shrimp, and scallop teppanyaki - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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