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O-Ku, Charleston, SC
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O-Ku

$30 and under
Japanese

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2 people
19:00
Booked 49 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Great for creative cocktails
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 semifinalist Steve Palmer 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 southern USA.

Additional information

  • Area
    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, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 2,738 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 Ambience

  • 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.

2,738 Reviews
  1. Margaret

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was some of the best sushi my family and I have ever had. And we eat a lot of sushi. The service was amazing, Sam was very helpful in providing personal recommendations. Sake flight was delicious. Truly, out of all the restaurants we’ve been to, I don’t have a single complaint from o-ku. Definitely worth the trip

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  2. Luciano

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a lovely dinner here last night. The service was attentive without being intrusive, the sashimi was outstanding as was the lobster. Craft cocktails to start were amazing.

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  3. Beth

    Charleston

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely wondering dining experience from start to finish!! Amazing food!!

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  4. Jamila

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Yesterday, we celebrated my husband’s birthday at your restaurant, and everything was absolutely perfect! A special thank you to the chef for the complimentary dish and to our waitress for the outstanding service. Thanks to you, we had a wonderful and unforgettable evening. We will definitely be back!
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Hello Jamila! We are so glad to know that you felt taken care of on your husbands special night. We love to celebrate with our guests and to know that it was unforgettable for you is so special to us. We can't wait to serve you all again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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  5. Anthony

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great overall experience. The service was amazing and the food and drink were top-tier. Decorated lovely for Christmas.
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Hello Anthony! Thank you for your feedback and we hope to serve you again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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  6. Zack

    Houston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 7 days 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.
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for your kind words Zack! We appreciate your feedback and hope to serve you again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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  7. Zach

    Raleigh

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 14 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service, amazing food! We look forward to returning soon!
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you Zach! We look forward to serving you again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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  8. Jennifer

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 14 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful birthday dinner and amazing service. Thank you for a wonderful night.
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for your feedback Jennifer! -O-Ku CHS

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  9. Zoe

    VIP

    Charleston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 13 December 2024

    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
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Hello Zoe! We can't thank you enough for all the kind words. We are so glad to know that you felt that it was the perfect date night. Setting the vibe is one of our specialties along with having great food and we are stoked to know you all enjoyed your experience! -O-Ku CHS

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  10. Jonah

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always so amazing dining with Sam!! Great team and great food.
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you Jonah! We appreciate your feedback and look forward to having you in the space again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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FAQs

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

O-Ku is rated 4.8 stars by 2738 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 booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 49 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
  • Area
    Downtown Charleston
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 17:00–22:00 Tue 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:00
  • 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, Takeaway, 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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