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O-Ku, Charleston, SC
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O-Ku

$30 and under
Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 51 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Innovative
O-Ku, a Japanese restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, is a triumph of execution and concept. The restaurant's menu is a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine, and it features fresh, seasonal ingredients that are prepared with care. The dishes are beautifully presented, and the flavors are both complex and delicate. Focused on incorporating authentically Japanese flavors into the fare, O-Ku's menu is comprised of signature contemporary Japanese entrées and traditional sushi of the season reflecting the uniquely designed space. Guests can enjoy chef specialties including kurobuta pulled pork don-buri, braised short rib with shiso pesto, coconut curry, and hakozushi a box-style sushi. A wide variety of nigiri, sashimi and crudos are also available. The beverage program at O-Ku is a sophisticated blend of specialty cocktails, premium sake, bubbles, red and white wines and unique beer selections.

Order delivery or takeout

Why they're an Icon

From the OpenTable editors: James Beard semifinalists Steve Palmer and Kimball Brienza of the Indigo Road group opened the first O-Ku in Charleston in 2010. The modern Japanese restaurant deals sushi in every form—sashimi, nigiri, rolls, hand rolls, and cones—in a sleek black space filled with twisted tree branches. Esquire called it one of the hottest openings of 2010, Travel + Leisure ranked it one of the best sushi restaurants in the country in 2013, and today it counts eight locations across the South.

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Charleston
  • Cross street
    King Street & Radcliffe Street
  • Parking details
    O-Ku is located on Upper King Street which offers ample on-street parking.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 2,731 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Charleston

    Best Overall

  • Charleston

    Best Food

  • Charleston

    Best Service

  • Charleston

    Best Ambiance

  • Charleston

    Best Value

  • Charleston

    Innovative

  • Charleston

    Healthy

  • Charleston

    Hot spot

  • Charleston

    Lively

  • Charleston

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
O-Ku in Charleston offers a "wonderful dining experience" with "amazing food" and "great service." Patrons praise its creative sushi, fresh ingredients, and vibrant ambiance. The attentive staff consistently enhances the dining experience, making it ideal for special occasions. While some find the noise level high, the overall consensus highlights O-Ku as a must-visit for sushi enthusiasts.

2,731 Reviews
  1. Zack

    Houston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Alyssa was great! The ambiance was wonderful, and the food was perfect.

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  2. Jennifer

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful birthday dinner and amazing service. Thank you for a wonderful night.

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  3. Zach

    Raleigh

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, amazing food! We look forward to returning soon!

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  4. Zoe

    Charleston

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the best time at OKu! We were out for a date night, and the ambiance is great, it feels intimate but still very welcoming and open. Our server rachel was fantastic! We didn't feel rushed the timing of everything was perfect. Food was phenomenal We love the spring rolls and the usuzuruiki. I haven't eaten anything I didn't live here. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

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  5. Brian

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for my daughters birthday. Food was great. Service was even better! They made it special.

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  6. Lyndsey

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have never experienced the kind of hospitality that was shown to my family for my daughter's birthday last night. She felt incredibly special with the extra touch of confetti and gifts that were perfect for her special interests (including a signed basketball from the staff.) The waiters were kind and helpful and the food was delicious. We have always enjoyed O-Ku but I was blown away by our experience last night.

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  7. Cass

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We came here for dinner last night, and were thoroughly impressed. We had a few different types of tapas/starters that were great. We then moved on to Nigiri, and for the most part got the belly/Toro which was so good. The setting inside is great, our server was outstanding as well. If you are looking for an awesome sushi experience with a great vibe, it is definitely here.

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  8. Erin

    Charleston

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    O-Ku never disappoints- service and food have always been on-point for the last decade we’ve been visiting, but this time they exceeded our expectations. The staff went above and beyond to make our son’s birthday extra special, with personalized menus, stickers, chopsticks, and birthday treat. Super memorable and thoughtful!! The same excellent O-Ku that has been a Charleston staple for years has continued to get even better. Love the extra touches, some new menu items and cocktails, and the ambiance—great music and a festive vibe for the holidays. Love love love!

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  9. Stacey

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 5, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Enjoyed celebrating a graduation. All 4 ordered at least 2 items. Very attentive staff. Downside is we've all eaten better for less, including visiting Japan and authentic cuisine. Very good, but there's better. Spent $200 for 4.
    O-KuResponded on December 7, 2024
    Hello Stacey! We appreciate your feedback and are glad that you felt our staff was very attentive! We love to celebrate with our guests when we can and hope to serve you again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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  10. Jennifer

    Charleston

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 5, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is both a traditional and imaginative take on a Japanese meal. I would definitely dine there again.
    O-KuResponded on December 7, 2024
    Hello Jennifer! We appreciate your feedback and are so glad to know you enjoyed the experience with us. We look to forward to seeing you again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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FAQs

O-Ku offers delivery in partnership with Chow Now. O-Ku also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 737-0112.

O-Ku is rated 4.8 stars by 2731 OpenTable diners.

O-Ku does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 51 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for O-Ku

463 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Additional information

  • Cross street
    King Street & Radcliffe Street
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Charleston
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Sushi, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    O-Ku is located on Upper King Street which offers ample on-street parking.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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