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O-Ku, Charleston, SC
O-Ku, Charleston, SC
O-Ku, Charleston, SC
O-Ku, Charleston, SC
O-Ku, Charleston, SC
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O-Ku

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Visa Dining Collection

$30 and under
Japanese
463 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 p.m.
Booked 58 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Hot spot
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.

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

  • Location
    463 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
  • 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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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,820 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Charleston

    Best Overall

  • Charleston

    Best Food

  • Charleston

    Best Ambience

  • Charleston

    Best Value

  • Charleston

    Healthy

  • Charleston

    Hot spot

  • Charleston

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
O-Ku offers a vibrant dining experience with "absolutely amazing" food and "exceptional service." Guests rave about the "thoughtful touches" for special occasions, making it a favorite for celebrations. The sushi is "top quality," with standout rolls like the "salmon-lemon roll" and "Black Magic." The atmosphere is "stylish and welcoming," perfect for any occasion.
2,820 Reviews

  1. Nichole VIP

    Grand Rapids1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The nigiri flight was amazing and the matcha tiger tea mocktail was wonderful!

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  2. Jordan

    Unspecified4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great time. Our server was incredibly friendly and his recommendations were spot on. My wife had the Playboy roll and I had the Black Magic. We also split some dumplings. The dumplings were pan-seared and the dipping sauce had a lemon twist to it, which was unique and delicious. The salmon on the playboy roll tasted fresh, and it was light yet filling. The Black Magic wad heavy, but amazing. We would definitely come back again.

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  3. Mariya

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful experience! We celebrated my husband’s and son’s birthdays, and the restaurant reached out to ask about their hobbies to prepare a special surprise. When we arrived, the table was beautifully arranged, and there were two soccer balls waiting for them along with more thoughtful touches from the restaurant. I truly appreciate all the attention to detail—it meant so much to us. Thank you for making their day so special!
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Hi Mariya! We were so glad we got to celebrate your husband and son's birthdays. Thank you for your kind words and we look forward to having you dine with us for many more celebrations! -Sam Morgan, GM of O-Ku CHS

    Is this helpful?

  4. Katie

    Charlotte4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Kristine was our server and she was amazing. As always, the food was out of this world.
    O-KuResponded 3 days ago
    Hi Katie! Christine is such a crucial team member and always brings a smile on everyone's faces. We are so glad you had such an amazing experience with her! We look forward to seeing you again soon! Sam Morgan, GM of O-Ku CHS

    Is this helpful?

  5. Shane

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was excellent. Wait staff was attentive and prompt. Would come back in a heartbeat.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Libby

    Charleston2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We love this restaurant. We have been going to it for years. The quality of the seafood and rolls have gone down. It's sad. The service is great but the food is not the same.

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  7. wendy VIP

    Jacksonville47 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful restaurant. The front door needs oil, it is loud and squeaks. Parking can be a bit challenging. The waitress was pleasant. We did end up pouring our own wine most of the night. The shrimp appetizer was so good. The miso soup is good, the rolls could be better; the tuna did not taste as fresh as I expected it to be. The dessert was amazing.
    O-KuResponded 5 days ago
    Hi Wendy! Thank you so much for dining with us and for your honest feedback. Please let us know next time you're dining with us, and we will be sure to include a thorough walk through of the menu for you, highlighting our favorites and recommendations! -Sam Morgan, GM of O-Ku CHS

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  8. todd

    Philadelphia1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience. Food is fresh and amazingly prepared.

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  9. Karen VIP

    Charlotte20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was delicious. Our server was terrific. We will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Cynthia VIP

    Portland60 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely amazing! I recommend having the waiter order for you and enjoy every morsel!

    Is this helpful?

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 4.9 stars by 2820 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
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 p.m.
Booked 58 times today
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
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct

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