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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 p.m.
Booked 30 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Lively
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

  • Neighbourhood
    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 2,782 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 Service

  • Charleston

    Best Ambience

  • Charleston

    Best Value

  • Charleston

    Healthy

  • Charleston

    Hot spot

  • Charleston

    Lively

  • Charleston

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
O-Ku offers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing food," an "outstanding" service team, and an inviting atmosphere. Known for its "delicious sushi," creative dishes, and standout servers like Alexis, Ella, and Sam, O-Ku consistently impresses. Perfect for special occasions, it provides a "memorable" experience with personalized touches that elevate every visit.

2,782 Reviews
  1. Mark

    VIP

    Detroit

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food. Great selection from high end gourmet to great sushi, sashimi and rolls. Love the vibe. And our server Kat was super as well as the whole team who brought our food. Excellent Sake selection as well.

    1 person found this helpful

  2. Graham

    VIP

    Charleston

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Alexis is the absolute best! 🫶🏻 Always a pleasure to dine at O-Ku.

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  3. Jon

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an incredible dinner at O-Ku before a show at the Charleston Music Hall. The service was attentive and personable. Everything we ordered was perfectly composed and seasoned. For appetizers, we enjoyed dumplings and edamame. For the main course we shared a scallop crudo special and two sushi rolls. For desserts we had a chocolate bar (do not remember the exact item). We were very pleased with all of the food. I will add that I had a drink (the name escapes me), but it was essentially a version of a Japanese old-fashioned. I could have had a few too many of those. If you are looking for an excellent meal for a special night, this place will not disappoint.

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  4. Katherine

    Charleston

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another wonderful dinner at O-ku. Our server, Kat, was personable, knowledgeable, and attentive. Just the right noise level. Scallop crudo special was light and bright. Great evening on a cold and rainy night.

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  5. Kirstie

    Raleigh

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Sushi and drinks were fantastic, my husband loved the bao buns. Prices were rather high, but the quality matched.

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  6. Kyle

    VIP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    we sat at the bar and Katie was just great. Made the experience even better.
    O-KuResponded on February 17, 2025
    Hello Kyle! We can't thank you enough for your kinds words about Katie and are so glad to know she made your experience better! We hope to serve you again soon! -O-Ku CHS

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  7. Isabella

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We came to celebrate some birthdays and it was the best experience! Will definitely be coming back!

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  8. Gabby

    Atlanta

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Food came out super quick and it was all delicious!

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  9. Nicole

    VIP

    Charleston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    O-Ku did not disappoint! It was finally nice to visit the OG O-Ku, and our experience was made even better by our wonderful server, Alexis. She’s been with O-Ku for many years, and it showed—her recommendations were spot on, and she was incredibly personable. It’s rare to find that kind of experience and knowledge in a server, and she made the night even more special This was also a meaningful night out because it was Chazz first night out in Charleston—and he spent it with his mama, it was great to unwind over some amazing sushi in such a great atmosphere.
    O-KuResponded on February 17, 2025
    Hello Nicole! We can't thank you enough for your kind words about O-Ku and Alexis! She is a crucial part of our team and we are thrilled to know you felt so taken care of by her. Your feedback helps remind of us of what we do and why we do it and we can't thank you enough! -O-Ku CHS

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  10. Sheri

    Orlando

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was amazing! You have to get the surf and turf roll! Service was ok. Server was a little rude to my daughter and her friends.
    O-KuResponded on February 17, 2025
    Hello Sheri! We are so glad to know that you enjoyed the surf and turf roll! We ran it as a special and it did so well that we felt it needed to be on the menu for people like you! We apologize that you felt that our team was rude to your daughter as that is not our intentions nor expectations. We will take your feedback into our future training sessions and always strive to get better as individuals and as a team! We hope to see 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 2782 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 p.m.
Booked 30 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
  • Neighbourhood
    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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