O-Ku - DC

Name: O-Ku - DC
Address: 1274 5th Street, Washington, DC, United States, 20002
Telephone: (202) 888-8790
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

1140 Reviews

$30 and under

Sushi

Top Tags:

O-Ku DC is a modern Japanese restaurant in the Union Market neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC. O-Ku DC features a menu of innovative dishes using traditional Japanese techniques and the finest fish and ingredients from around the world.

The 120-seat restaurant also houses a lounge specializing in Japanese whiskey as well as a 40-seat rooftop bar, both featuring a sleek industrial design to complement the surrounding neighborhood.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jun 27, 2022

June 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 34 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(202) 888-8790

Delivery

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Sushi, Japanese, Seafood
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(202) 888-8790
Website
http://www.o-kusushidc.com/
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party contact
Sam Edgerly: (202) 888-8790

Location
1274 5th Street Washington, DC 20002
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

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Popular dishes

Poke$16.00
premium sashimi, seaweed, garlic soy, mango, sesame
Tuna Crudo$16.00
togarashi spice, shredded daikon, orange supreme, garlic soy
Yellowtail Serrano Carpaccio$15.00
truffle soy, cilantro, serrano
Salmon Usuzukuri$16.00
pickled wasabi stem, truffle ponzu, black volcanic salt
Scallop Kun$18.00
cucumber, yuzu juice, lime supreme, crispy fried chiles, black volcanic salt
Dumpling Dim Sum$12.00
crispy pork gyoza dumplings, black vinegar garlic soy
Wings$14.00
organic french boned, Korean style, maytag yuzu bleu cheese
Rock Shrimp$15.00
spicy aioli, cilantro, sesame
Garden House Salad$10.00
Chef's seasonal preparation, local vegetables
Cucumber Salad$5.00
garlic, chili oil, szechuan peppercorn
Seaweed Salad$8.00
traditional style
Miso Soup$6.00
red & white miso
Edamame$5.00
tossed with sea salt

O-Ku Dc Makimono Sushi Rolls

Spicy Crunchy Tuna$14.00
scallion, shiso, cucumber, spicy aioli, eel sauce, crunchy onion
Spicy Crunchy Salmon$14.00
scallion, shiso, cucumber, crunchy tempura, spicy aioli
Unagi San$16.00
avocado wrapped, broiled eel, cucumber, serrano peppers, crunchy onion, eel sauce, spicy tobiko
The Herbivore$12.00
carrots, beets, avocado, pickled ginger, cucumber, Asian salsa
Tuna Tataki$16.00
Aburi torched Tuna, avocado, tempura shrimp, sweet soy and spicy aioli
The Harvest Roll$14.00
Fried Sweet Potato, avocado, cucumber, goat cheese mousse, sweet soy, crispy fried ginger
Snow King$18.00
kani crab, Rakkyo, cucumber, avocado, seared king salmon, miso truffle aioli, micro cilantro
Salmon Skin Roll$16.00
crispy fried Salmon skin, cucumber, arugula, avocado, japanese mayo, sliced cherry tomatoes, ikura
Yuzu Fuego$18.00
yellowtail sashimi, serrano peppers, spicy tuna, shiso, cucumber, yuzu glaze
O-Ku Spider Roll$14.00
Crunchy soft shell crab, kani crab, avocado, yuzu tobiko, sesame seeds
Firecracker Roll$14.00
spicy salmon, cucumber, serrano peppers, spicy aioli, sweet soy glaze, crispy fried roll
Scally Wag Roll$16.00
fresh scallops, pickled beets, cucumber, scallion vinaigrette, yuzu kosho sauce, crispy fried roll
Crunchy Prawn Roll$14.00
tempura shrimp, avocado, coated with crunchy rice pearls, sweet soy, spicy aioli
Crab Crunch$13.00
kani crab, cucumber, avocado, yuzu tobiko, sweet soy glaze, crunch onions

Premium Makimono Sushi Rolls

Western Wagyu Roll$75.00
tempura fried Lobster tail, avocado, negiyaki, aburi A-5 Wagyu Beef, fresh grated wasabi, black garlic tare, fried garlic chips
The Emperor Roll$90.00
Hamachi Kama, pickled wasabi relish, cucumber, truffle soy, uni, sturgeon caviar, gold flakes

Tableside Toban Yaki

tableside grill/sizzle for your pleasure

Lobster Kinoko$38.00
8oz lobster tail, assorted wild mushrooms, yuzu miso butter
A-5 Wagyu Beef
highest quality Japanese black cattle; 2oz Minimum
- per oz$25.00

Omakase

Chef's Creative Multi Course Tasting Menu$150.00
inquire about availability

From the Robata Grill

Binchotan Charcoal: Petrified White Oak from Japan

Niku-Dango$8.00
Asian-style meatballs, scallion, garlic, soy
Wild Mushroom$11.00
local selection, mirin soy, sea salt
Citrus Kai$16.00
shrimp, scallop, yuzu-miso butter
Yakitori$12.00
teriyaki glaze
Hanger Steak$18.00
Wagyu hanger steak, grated wasabi
Pan Asian Sausage$7.00
lao style, garlic, lemongrass, galangal

Entrées

Cauliflower Karaage$15.00
sticky Korean style, crushed peanuts, scallions
Chicken Teriyaki$18.00
traditional teriyaki glaze, stir fry veggies, steamed rice
Bulgogi$18.00
spicy fire roasted shaved pork, white rice, Asian slaw
Curry Noodle$16.00
Coconut curry sauce, chili, fresh herbs, winter udon

O-Ku Signature Nigiri

The Big Eye$7.00
lean tuna, miso mustard, chives, togarashi dust
Drop It like It's Hotate$9.00
torched scallop, orange sepreme, crunchy garlic, chili oil, micro greens
Sake Dreams$8.00
salmon, truffle creme, citrus zest, ikura
Kobe Style$9.00
torched wagyu beef, kbbq glaze, shoyu mushrooms, crispy shallots, chives
Creme de La Creme$19.00
Bluefin otoro (fatty tuna belly), sea urchin, fresh wasabi, uni, sturgeon caviar, gold flake
Baller Status$18.00
miyazaki A5 wagyu, black garlic tare

Nigiri Sushi 1 Pc & Sashimi 2 Pc

Anago$6.00
salt water eel
Unagi$4.00
fresh water eel
Shima Aji$9.00
striped jack
Ikura$4.00
salmon roe
UNI
sea urchin
- MP
Hotate$7.00
scallop
Saba$4.00
mackerel
Fluke$9.00
flounder
Hamachi$5.00
yellowtail
Kanpachi$9.00
amberjack
Sake$5.00
salmon
Chutoro
medium fatty tuna
- MP
Bluefin Otoro
Fatty tuna
- MP
Madai$9.00
snapper
Zuke Maguro$7.00
Ginger soy marinated tuna
Yuzu Tobiko$3.00
citrus smelt roe
Maguro$6.00
lean red tuna
EBI$4.00
shrimp

What 1,140 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

Noise • Moderate

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OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our experience at O-Ku was great. We enjoyed the overall vibe and the food and drinks were amazing. We will definitely be coming back !
JW
JujuliliW
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall3food4service4ambience2
The food was good The service ok But it was freezing cold in the restaurant
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Incredible night! Some of the most creative and best made cocktails I’ve had in DC, killer small plates, and outstanding sushi. Couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate my girlfriend’s bday!
SO
SindaraO
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Really enjoyed the food and the experience. The harvest roll is amazing! Can’t wait to go back.
A
April
Washington DC
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The service and food here is always amazing and last night was just the same! Always recommend!!
T
Took
Washington DC
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service2ambience5
Great food. Just need to work on the server. Our was missing at times
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My first HH at O-Ku & I loved every minute and aspect of it! 10/10
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
I am a regular at O-Ku. That should tell you everything you need to know lol 👍🏾💗
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious as always. Surf and turf and prawn rolls. Tuna crudo and salmon.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Cincinnati
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall3food3service5ambience4
Overpriced but great service.
Y
Yaya
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Tatiana was an incredible server and she was accompanied by an incredible food experience. My partner and I decided to come here to celebrate and we’ve already made our next reservation. Wonderful food and atmosphere, can’t wait to try the omakase!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
This place has been on my list for a few months and so glad we finally went! We sat outside on the roof, which was super nice and more causal compared to inside seating. The music was on point and very fun! Our server was great and loved they all worked together to make the experience great. Their hanger steak was ok… it was cooked well done vs. what we were told (medium rare). Sushi rolls were small but put together nicely. The surf & turf roll had a very metal taste to it, which we werent a fan of. Cocktails were super good but could be stronger! The birthday card was sooo nice and great way to end our dinner.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
best sushi and best happy hour in dc!! the tuna tataki roll on the happy hour menu will always be my favorite. sushi did take a while to come out (45 mins) but it was worth it!
BB
BriannaB
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic ambience and experience. Very detail oriented
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and drinks were delicious, fresh and expertly prepared
RR
RonR
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place for happy hour and dinner. Service was awesome!
LD
LauraD
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on June 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was excellent along with the food. Would definitely go back.
AG
AnnG
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have been here twice now and each time was great. Food is excellent and the cocktails are tasty. Wait staff are great; friendly and knowledgeable. They also surprised us with a card and ice cream for our anniversary dinner!
A
Ashley
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great happy hour deal! The rock shrimp is amazing. Would highly recommend!
GP
GinaP
New England
7 reviews
3.0
7 reviews
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall3food5service3ambience4
This wasn’t our first time at O-Ku, it’s a favorite of ours… so we keep coming back! Unfortunately, this time the kitchen was incredibly slow. We saw parties all around us come and go and get their food (even the ones who arrived after us). This was a bummer. One appetizer took two hours to come out! Anyway, we’ll assume it was a busy night. Hopefully this doesn’t happen again.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Houston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our waiter Peter was perfect ! The food was amazing!
A
Austin
Baltimore
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 31, 2022
overall5food4service4ambience4
have come back for the wings and sushi multiple times but was a bit disappointed this time
C
Carlos
Washington DC
13 reviews
3.0
13 reviews
Dined on May 27, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
Our server was above and beyond, very friendly and knowledgeable. However, the service in general was extremely slow, it took ages for all our food to arrive and the last plate arrived around 15-20 minutes after the rest. Some of the plates where really amazing, but some like the hanger steak and the teriyaki chicken looked and tasted like something I could have prepared for a quick lunch at home.
TN
TomN
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very underrated. The omakase was a great surprise and was only $150. There’s a great chef back there with an amazing palate.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall3food4service1ambience3
The food was great but the service was so SLOW. The waiter also forgot multiple parts of our order.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Law school graduation
DL
DaveL
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
3.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience3
Food is ok. Nothing special.
K
jameK
Washington DC
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Good food, uneven service, took a long time to get food. Once it arrived it was good.
DC
DeborahC
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had the best time! Our server Steven was absolutely AMAZING!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 17, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience5
Really nice place for a date . Dim lighting and unique and quite atmosphere. I really enjoyed the evening Incantation and firecracker roll is bomb . My date enjoyed the Scallop Kun
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ambience was phenomenal and the sushi was some of the best I’ve had. The service was great; we felt taken care of. Overall, an outstanding experience, I will definitely be back with friends or by myself even.
KG
KathyG
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delightful experience! Highly recommend the sake flights. All of the food was delicious and fresh. Our waiter was absolutely fabulous! We asked him to bring us a selection of rolls of his choosing and each one was phenomenal.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
AMAZING!!!
AL
AlexL
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic experience, we had the omakase tasting menu and loved every bite. Jon also enjoyed the sake pairing which was equally wonderful. We all left incredibly happy! Hats off to Andrew and the team for walking us through the experience, and for being consistently available, knowledgeable, and friendly (the roof cleared out quickly around when we had hit course 6 or 7 but we never felt rushed). This was an excellent experience I've already been recommending to friends!
HH
HoosierHospitality
Washington DC
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Great experience last night! Server was kind and attentive. Patio is nice, but the inside is much cooler and we wish we sat in there! Food was delicious, zero complaints. Highly recommend O Ku.
MG
MacGruber
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall4food4service2ambience5
Table for two without alcoholic drinks took ~3 hours total. It took 30 minutes minimum between courses which felt exceptionally slow.
LC
LilyC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was absolutely incredible. It was my sisters birthday and the team wrote out a birthday letter for her. It was such a nice touch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Loved the ambiance, service and the food! It was our first time there and we will return!
JG
JamieG
Tampa
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The best sushi in DC. Tatiana was our server and she was absolutely amazing. Incredible food and great atmosphere.
AM
AlysonM
Washington DC
12 reviews
vip
3.0
12 reviews
Dined on April 29, 2022
overall3food4service3ambience4
It was cool our server had too many tables so it wasn’t spot on service but the food was good. Definitely pricey.

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 1140 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.