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O-Ku - DC, Washington, D.C., DC
O-Ku - DC, Washington, D.C., DC
O-Ku - DC, Washington, D.C., DC
O-Ku - DC, Washington, D.C., DC
O-Ku - DC, Washington, D.C., DC

O-Ku - DC

4.8
4.8
1429 Reviews
$30 and under
Japanese
O-Ku DC invites guests to explore rare and unique dining options -traditional sashimi and sushi, innovative Japanese specialties and wood-fired robata-style dishes from the Kitchen's Binchotan grills. The fish and other ingredients are sourced from the highest-quality purveyors around the world and is committed to using sustainably sourced ingredients when possible.

Make a reservation

2 people

10:00 PM


Booked 38 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Washington
  • Parking details
    Street and lot parking in union market. Pay attention to parking signs in the area for more information on street parking.
  • Public transit
    NOMA-Gallaudet metro on the red line is a couple blocks away
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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What 1,429 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
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Japanese

1,429 Reviews
  1. Gems

    Los Angeles

    18 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    The food came over an hour late. Service was terrible.

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  2. BelindaG

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    What an unforgettable experience. The food the drinks and the place even though the door deceive you it’s nice clean and big. With and outdoor rooftop area. Have to have plates: The empower Tuna tartare Veggie roll with warm sweet potatoe.

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    We did the tasting menu which was great although the timing seemed a little off. We waited a while for some courses and the got others back to back. All of the fish was extremely fresh, with different twists on traditional sushi. Service was fantastic - friendly & knowledgable about the food. Drinks were consistent & delicious. The upstairs of the restaurant, however, was absolutely freezing. This made it almost uncomfortable at times to enjoy our food. All in all, the meal was good & I would definitely go back for the happy hour!

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First time dining here! I loved the food, the team, and ambience. They made my boyfriend’s birthday memorable. Will definitely be back!

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    The ambiance of this place is amazing - Our waitress was very nice and prompt treated us in such a great way!! 10/10 would go again!!

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  6. daniellef

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Food: sushi was really tasty and fresh. Drinks were good . Will be back.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place never misses, happy hour might be the best in DC

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Oku is my favorite dc restaurant - 10/10 every time I go!

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  9. CharS

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The entire dining experience was immaculate. My waitress was super nice, patient and knowledge. I went with all of her recommendations and loved my food. The tuna tataki is BOMB. She gave me suggestions on each section of the menu. I was even given a house gift of a salmon Nigiri. This was my first visit. I went for happy hour and the selection was great. This is definitely a date night spot

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  10. Anastasia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 27, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Although the menu has changed, and my fav items are no longer available, you can’t go wrong with O-Ku.

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  11. ArthurC

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Angel our server was amazingggg!!! Her vast knowledge of the menu really helped me decide on what I should try there!

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  12. FrankB

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience3
    Our 2nd dinner there - great food and service - too loud, too cold, and too dark for our family to enjoy our upstairs table. When you can't talk to each other because its so loud its hard to celebrate. Note to restaurants - loud does not equal ambience.

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  13. BranK

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Great spot for a date night. Highly recommend sitting at the sushi bar.

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  14. TrevorR

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff was amazing. The food was fresh and delicious. The drinks were on point. They made the birthday experience great for both of us celebrating! Will definitely be back.

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  15. Lindsay

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I don't know that I needed gold flakes on my sushi lol, but it was a great dining experience.

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  16. AngelH

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My absolute favorite! The surf and turf roll 10/10!

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  17. SueK

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We've been here several times. O-Ku continues to provide excellent service and wonderful food. This time we brought our goddaughter for a special meal before she left for graduate school. When our waiter learned that, he brought her a special dessert and a congratulations card signed by all the staff. We greatly appreciated this thoughtful, kind gesture!

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  18. Hambolina

    Washington DC

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on August 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We loved our experience! We could only get a reservation at 5:00 PM, but what a treat that turned out to be, as Happy Hour was from 5-7 PM and it was well worth the early dining time. All three of us highly recommend O-Ku DC for great sushi, wonderful atmosphere, fun drinks and friendly staff.

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  19. HappyDiner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal food and experience, will definitely return again

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful. Great food & vibe. Definitely recommend

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  21. LawrenceG

    New York Area

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent cuisine closer to traditional sushi than other similar restaurants. A bit cramped downstairs but nice upstairs as long as the weather is good. Must have reservations far in advance, usually sold out weeks ahead.

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Good sushi great presentation. Great for date nights

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  23. Melby

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 6, 2023

    overall4food3service2ambience4
    Service could have been more pleasurable. Our server seemed disengaged and robotic. But other than that we had a good experience. The food came out quickly after we ordered it and it was tasty. I would go back again, but during happy hour when the prices a a lot more affordable.

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  24. OpenTable Diner

    Tallahassee

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great experience! I really enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend

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  25. Isaac

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    Server gifted us with some free meatballs after our sushi. It was my wife's birthday so they brought out a free lemon cake and a card signed by some of the staff. A lot of stuff they didn't have to do but did just to improve our experience

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  26. SeanO

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was fantastic! Nothing more to add, just trying to get to 50 characters.

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  27. NardiaG

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great ambience, food, and overall customer service.

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  28. DeclanC

    London

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Some of the best sushi we have ever had . Lovely buzz and incredibly friendly staff . Was recommended by some local friends . We will be back .

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Service is superb, flavors are delightful, and sitting at the sushi bar is fun.

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  30. SophiaD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Our server was so good we loved her! We are definitely going again.

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  31. MariahB

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Came for a birthday dinner; everything was great!

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  32. AdrienneK

    Richmond

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I visited O-Ku with my daughter and 2 of her best friends to celebrate her 15th birthday and it was the perfect location! We ate on the rooftop and loved the twinkling lights and gorgeous views of the city. Our server, Sarah, was beyond friendly and our meal was delicious! I had mentioned it was her birthday and not only did they bring out complimentary appetizers (2 sets of delicious meatballs - more than enough for our group of 4), they also had mini mocktails for the girls, a sake drink for me plus a slice of cake with a candle. The entire staff had signed a birthday card as well! It was one of the nicest gestures that I've received at a restaurant. HIGHLY recommend them for any occasion!

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  33. NathanR

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, awesome vibes. Would definitely come back.

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  34. jackies

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service, would definitely recommend

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  35. SushiLover

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 12, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    I’ve been 5 plus times and two of the times were for happy hour. The happy hour rolls are significantly less impressive than the other rolls. So if you’re going to go, be ready to spend that money on the pricey items. The bartenders have always been amazing when I sit at the bar. This last time we were set in the corner across from the sushi bar where the AC vent blew ice cold air right on our heads. I asked to be moved but the several other 4 tops empty were reserved and we couldn’t move to those. I don’t recall having an option to pick a specific table when I made my reservation but whatever. I do know that if I ever get that table again and they won’t reseat me I will leave. All 4 of us were frozen and it definitely made the dinner not great. One nice thing they did do was give the birthday boy a signed homemade birthday card by like 6 staff members. Super cute and I had never seen that before. They sent a key lime dessert with a candle too. :)

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From food to service, everything was excellent. Our server Angel was one of the best servers we’ve had in any restaurant. Her recommendations were spot on. We definitely will be going back!

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very pleasant experience. Would come back. 7/10 sushi.

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  38. Mike

    Tallahassee

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2023

    overall3food5service2ambience5
    The food was great, but I was very disappointed with the service. When I said “thank you” to our server they responded “oh yeah.” The check-ins were infrequent towards the beginning of our meal and very frequent as we were being rushed out of the door towards closing time. Food plates were cleared while we were still chewing. The service was not as polished as I expected.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, customer service and ambiance. O-Ku has customers for life. Plan your birthday dinner here!

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  40. BeverlyG

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience4
    We were disappointed that the quality of the food didn't match the price.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Distancing maintained in common areas
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks

FAQs

O-Ku - DC does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. O-Ku - DC also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 888-8790.

O-Ku - DC is rated 4.8 stars by 1429 OpenTable diners.

O-Ku - DC 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

10:00 PM


Booked 38 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for O-Ku - DC

1274 5th St NE, Washington, D.C., DC 20002

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Washington
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Sushi, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street and lot parking in union market. Pay attention to parking signs in the area for more information on street parking.
  • Public transit
    NOMA-Gallaudet metro on the red line is a couple blocks away
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, 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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