“ My husband and I had a 5pm reservation and from the moment we walked in we were treated like royalty. The host was really friendly and showed us to our table. The server KoKo was amazing and very informative. She asked was it our first time here and we responded yes so she proceeded to answer and recommend dishes that we would like. Nowwww the food was DELICIOUS lol. We got the OKU shrimp and Cali Crunch which was on the happy hour menu and for our main entrees I got the pan seared salmon and my husband got the black magic sushi roll. The customer service was amazing as well as the food! I would definitely recommend this place. ”

“ I dont even know where to begin. Hands down the best dining experience Ive had in Raleigh. From the food, to the drinks, to the ambiance and service, everything was 1010. Paul is one of the managers and made me feel like the Queen that I am! And Zach, my waiter, was just delightful, attentive and personable. The food was delicious, and the drinks were great. I was not planning to even eat dessert but it was a delicious surprise! I had the best night because of Paul and Zach and will forever cherish this evening. Thank you Oku for an amazing Valentines Day! ”

“ OKu offers an unforgettable dining experience! Highlights include the Tuna Crudo, OKu Rock Shrimp, and the heavenly Ube Butter Mochi Brownie with Vanilla Gelato. The cozy ambiance is perfect for date nights, and Jerrys exceptional service made it extra special! Will be back! ”

“ Came to dinner with a friend who introduced me to OLu. Now I dont know if this particular visit was special or it happens every night but during my visit customer service was so good I felt like royalty. We didnt have a reservation and was able to get a table inside fairly quickly. Our waiter was nice, attentive, and checked on us regularly. We ordered dumplings, miso soup, and two rolls the Dillon Tsunami. The food was delicious and flavorful. Even the water with lemon was refreshing. The ambiance in the dining room just brought it all together. I have passed this place a few times and never gone in but now I am putting it in my dinning rotation. ”

“ I came here for a birthday dinner, it was my 20th birthday. My parents called in advance to make a reservation, what I wasnt expecting was how they made my experience absolutely wonderful and made my day feel special. From the menus to the details on the table and even the little birthday notes at the end, it was all so lovely. All of the staff were super friendly and welcoming. Our server was super awesome and so was the AGM working at the time. The food was super good as well! The atmosphere was really comforting, but I really just want to shout out the staff for being as awesome as they were. You guys really made my night, and probably one of the best, if not the best birthday dinners Ive ever had. You made me feel special and welcomed! ”

“ We went for my roommates 21st birthday and it was amazing. Her favorite food is sushi so I knew this had to be the place. Our server Travis was great, very professional yet talkative and really added to the atmosphere. The menus had 21 printed on them, they gave her flowers that she then got wrapped and got to keep, she got a personal card signed by the staff and we got some free food which was extremely appreciated. The food and drinks were great, this level of care and quality will definitely make us come back. I had come here once with my boyfriend to celebrate his birthday before my roommates birthday, however that was a lesser good experience. However, as someone who also hosts and serves in restaurants, I understand sometimes things happen and therefore I will pretend like that did not count. ”

“ Updated Spring 2025 Our favorite sushi restaurant and dining experience in Raleigh. Emily and the team are amazing. We even had the pleasure of attending their tasting event. The lobster is my favorite!!! Everything is so good Updated Dec 2024 Nestled in the heart of downtown Raleigh, OKu offers an exceptional dining experience that blends modern sophistication with authentic Japanese flavors. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance sets the tone warm lighting, sleek decor, and an inviting atmosphere perfect for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. The menu is a standout, with a wide range of dishes that cater to both sushi aficionados and those new to Japanese cuisine. Our favorite goto appetizer is the Oku rock shrimp. The hot dish entrees are just as delicious as the sushi. This time around I had the pan seared salmon and my husband enjoyed the hanger steak. The drink menu is equally impressive, with an extensive selection of sake, craft cocktails, and wines. Loved the seasonal cocktail, Sugar Spice and I also had a cucumber gimlet with gin. Service at OKu was impeccable. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu and eager to offer thoughtful recommendations. Zach was spot on with recommending the dumplings! The pacing of the meal was perfect, allowing us to savor each course without feeling rushed. Whether youre celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a refined dining experience, OKu Raleigh delivers on all fronts. Were quite pleased with the value of the experience. Thank you, Emily and everyone! October 2024 The decor is contemporary and sleek Instagram worthy. Our server, Eric was very nice and gave us a tour of the menu and gave his recommendations. Every dish we tried was amazing including the desserts. I also loved my cocktail. Every aspect of this menu was well thought out and executed. Well definitely dine here again. Monday through Thursday they have happy hour from 57 and the weekends are busy so be sure to get a reservation! ”

“ We came for my brothers birthday. They treated us so well! The service was really fast and so nice. We ordered a bunch of different things all at different times and the waitress stayed on top of everything like a champion. We also brought an ice cream cake and the cake service went perfectly. They even printed special menus for our little party. I highly recommend for any special celebration! ”