Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
O-Ku, Charleston, SC
Icon

O-Ku

Visa logo badge

Visa Dining Collection

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 57 times today

About this restaurant

  • 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
  • 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

Featured in

Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card

Menu

O-Ku's menu was last updated on 6/22/2025.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 2,873 people are saying

O-Ku reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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

  • South Carolina

    Best Ambiance

  • Charleston

    Best Overall

  • Charleston

    Best Food

  • Charleston

    Best Service

  • Charleston

    Best Ambiance

  • Charleston

    Best Value

  • Charleston

    Good for groups

  • Charleston

    Healthy

  • Charleston

    Hot spot

  • Charleston

    Good for special occasions

  • Charleston

    Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
O-Ku offers "exceptional service" and "incredible food" with a "stylish atmosphere." Renowned for its "fresh sushi" and delightful bao buns, O-Ku provides personalized touches for special occasions, making guests feel "very special." The attentive staff and "amazing cocktails" enhance the overall dining experience. Highly recommended for celebrations and sushi lovers.
2,873 Reviews

  1. James VIP

    South Carolina7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    O-Ku is consistently the best Japanese and sushi dining experience in the entire city of Charleston South Carolina. It has always set the bar and it continues to set the bar for food service and ambience!!!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kristy

    Washington, D.C. Area10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service here was impeccable! Food recommendations and drinks were also amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tammy VIP

    South Carolina22 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had another amazing experience dining at O-Ku, one of our favorite spots in Charleston! Sam was a wonderful server, very attentive, funny and helpful. Can't wait to come back!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kristine VIP

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service were both outstanding. Especially the donuts.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Zoe VIP

    South Carolina10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the best time at oku charleston for dinner. Our server, Ella, was kind and informative when we had menu questions. We tried the akami crudo for the first time and it was SO GOOD. The flavors all blended well together, but the the star of the dish was the tuna. The manager, Esther, came to our table to chat, she was lovely and very passionate about the restaurant. Oku is consistent with both food and service, we will definitely be back!
    O-KuResponded on June 18, 2025
    Hi Zoe! Thank you so much for dining with us and we are so glad you enjoyed the Akami crudo! It is one of our new favorite dishes! We are thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience with Ella, she is such a crucial part of our team! We look forward to seeing you again soon! -Sam Morgan, GM of O-Ku CHS

    Is this helpful?

  6. Mike VIP

    Charlotte1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Awesome bartenders and staff as always .. a must visit…

    Is this helpful?

  7. rick

    Greensboro / Winston Salem / Highpoint5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Brilliant flavors. Black magic roll was amazing. Great service.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Brooke

    South Carolina1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent!! Service exceptional. Food fantastic.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Jim VIP

    South Carolina81 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always enjoy our dinners at Oku. They have some unique menu options.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Spencer

    Greater Boston1 review

    3.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Very nice restaurant, but, frankly, I’ve had far better nigiri for far less money. Bao buns are delicious. Nigiri rice was too seasoned and the pieces of fish were small and not terribly flavorful, tender, etc.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

O-Ku offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 737-0112.

O-Ku is rated 4.9 stars by 2873 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.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. South Carolina
  4. Charleston
  5. Downtown Charleston

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 57 times today
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
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct

Featured in

Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo