Fellow Foodies, I just wanted to share this picture from my dinner on Tuesday evening at O-Ku, where I marked the occasion as my birthday in OpenTable (one day later)! The food, service, and ambiance were all 10/10! read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Where better to spend your Monday night than at Oku in Charlotte! The food, service, and ambiance are always spectacular. The Yellowtail Carpaccio and Volcano Roll are always a 10/10. I already can't wait to go back! read more

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O-ku has a nice dimly lit atmosphere which makes it great for girls nights and date nights. The servers and hostesses were all super kind and attentive. If one wasn't around someone else was always quick to help. I appreciated that. It's in Southend located in a plaza where there's a parking lot right in front and you don't have to drive around for street parking or pay for a deck. This was a relief. For food we got the spider roll, salmon & lemon roll, lobster & wild mushroom, and spicy curry udon. I go to the Raleigh location often so I didn't expect the menu to be different but was excited to try it. The rolls were good, the spider was the better out the two. I always get the curry laska so I thought the spicy curry udon would be similar but it was actually really dry and not super flavored. We didn't enjoy the chicken in it either. We actually sent this dish back because neither of us were a fan. The mushrooms in the lobster & wild mushroom were so good. This dish just looked good and tasted good. Could've used more truffle butter but it's fine. The fried doughnuts were a good dessert to top everything off and were really hot and fluffy. I wish it came with chocolate sauce though. I wasn't full when I left here so I would say this is a good place to go before you go out. The drinks here are always fantastic. Make sure you get a dessert menu to see the drinks on there too! We got the sugar and spice cocktail, nospresso martini, and dolce de matcha. The nospresso martini was amazing. read more

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The sushi at O-Ku is *very* good, and the presentation is even better--truly beautiful dishes. Everything could've easily been a 10/10 experience. Unfortunately, the bartender Rissa brought the vibe down with a noticeably poor attitude. That was enough for me NOT to come back. Thankfully, her colleague Alex was a bright light behind the bar--friendly, attentive, and professional. Honestly, I feel bad he has to share tips with someone who doesn't match his energy or effort. Shoutout to the manager for listening and addressing our concerns--we really appreciated that. read more

The service at O-KU is immaculate, impressive, and greatly appreciated. Yes, the fish is extremely high quality (my dinner date/boyfriend was once stationed in the Air Force in Japan for 4 years and became spoiled with some of the freshest fish in the world. He usually respectfully declines sushi here in the states, but he APPROVES and loves O-KU's quality and says that's the closest he's gotten to Japanese-grade in the US). But, my point is the customer service. I love how the GM (possibly assistant GM) was at the host stand and walked us to our table, took our drink order, and checked on us throughout the meal (along with our server). It truly shows there is a sense of camaraderie here among the employees, and he's truly a team player. The "treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO" type of chill guy. He didn't have to be out on the floor but he was wearing many proverbial "hats". The servers also come out at the perfect time; great cadence here. Not there too much, but there when you need anything. They even folded my napkin into a dainty pyramid when I'd gone to the restroom! The "white glove service" here is refreshing especially since it seems most restaurants have gone downhill post-scamdemic (just a personal observation). I will be returning hopefully soon. It was worth a positive review the first time I came here (which I wrote) and well worth the second one. Bravo! read more

The sushi here is so good! I would also say the service goes above and beyond at O-ku. I definitely recommend the toro truffle roll. The vibe is nice and not too loud read more

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Sit and the bar and let them guide you. A bit too loud for my taste but still fun and great decor and food. Martinis yummy but on the smaller side. read more

This happy hour is one of my favorites in CLT. We came for a birthday celebration, and the staff was so nice!! They gave us some apps on the house which we really appreciated. The sushi was SO fresh. The lemon salmon roll on the happy hour menu is by far the best!!! read more

I am a HUGE fan of OKu because, in my opinion they have the best sushi overall in Charlotte, but also because of their service. My previous visit months before was something to be less than desired. The manager that evening, Sam, went out of her way to make up for it after I had expressed some concerns coming in that evening. Im back to feeling like OKu continues to provide the 5 stars it deserves. Thank you, Sam and team. read more

O-Ku - Amazing service and food - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Miso Soup for Omakase at O-Ku? I came with my sushi-lover cousin to O-ku for their (150) Omakase, but unfortunately left disappointed. We were told that it would be 6 courses followed by dessert. The interior of the restaurant was dimly lit and very clean. Our waitress was lovely, and spent a lot of time checking in on us. We started off with the Kampachi Crudo: lime juice, sea salt, Yuzu Kosho, kaluga caviar, and herb aid. This was a pretty good start, anything with caviar usually is. It had the signature yuzu tangy aftertaste, which I enjoyed, but the Crudo wasn't especially spectacular. Next we had the Bluefin Tuna Tatashi (Akami): truffle ponzu, volcano salt, uni, and chive. This was probably my favorite out of the courses. The uni in combination with the tuna was fantastic. Truffle ponzu is a weakness of mine, the aroma of the truffles scorched through the tuna and brought joy in every bite. It was a fantastic course. For our 3rd course, we had the Nigiri. From left to right: Kinemadai: yuzu kasho, sea salt, and shiso leaf, Ora King: miso mustard and chive, Kama Toro w/ Kaluga Caviar, Hamachi Toro: volcano salt & pickled shallots. My favorite were the toros from the nigiri set. I have to say, it was comparable to the Toro I had from the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. Next we had the Chef's Sashimi Moriawase (chef's choice selection): yellowtail, octopus, and toro. The yellowtail wasn't great, and neither was the octopus. It felt like the octopus was soaked in water the way water bursted in my palate. Wasn't the biggest fan. The toro; however, was great. For our 5th course, and what I personally considered as our last course, we had the Teppanyaki with Japanese A-5 Wagyu Beef. The truffle butter and chives to prepare the iron griddle made for a delectable experience. It was fun grilling our own meat and controlling our fate. Our 6th dish, and the real final dish, was unfortunately just a plain miso soup.... To add insult to injury, a miso soup that is very comparable to the miso soup you'd get complimentary at your local Japanese store after ordering a bento box. For the ending of an Omakase, I expected so much more. I expected something grand, or at least not Miso Soup for my final dish?! This left a very bad impression for me. The miso soup wasn't exceptional either, it was just... a disappointment. For the desserts we had a chocolate roll cake and Mashi upside down cake. Wasn't a big fan of the chocolate roll cake, but the Mashi upside down cake was pretty good. I've had Omakase in both the United States (SF/LA/NYC/CLT) and Japan. But unfortunately, this was the most disappointed I've been with an Omakase experience. I've never once had Miso Soup considered one of the courses for my Omakase. Especially with it coming at the end, when I was anticipating a grand finale to wrap up the fine-dining experience. Omakase, from my knowledge, is supposed to be a grand culinary journey the chef takes you through. And although it started strong, it unfortunately came to a sad ending. For $150, I definitely expected a better Omakase experience. I can't speak on the quality of their rolls, as I didn't get the opportunity to try, but needless to say, I won't be coming back for their Omakase. Hopefully if you ever try their Omakase, miso soup will not be considered one of their courses. read more

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I visited O-Ku in Charlotte for the first time on Monday night between 4pm-7pm. On Mondays and Wednesdays between 4pm-7pm all sushi is half off except for the kouyou and hot & heavy rolls. This deal is for dine-in only! I ordered the spicy tuna crunch, mermaid, and spider rolls. The spicy tuna crunch roll was meh and nothing special. Just a typical spicy tuna roll with tempura crumbs on top. The mermaid roll was spectacular and super tasty. I loved the tempura batter on the outside which gave it a nice crunch and all the ingredients inside paired really well together. 10/10 sushi roll. The spider roll was not like any spider rolls I have had in my lifetime. I really like the salmon on top of the spider roll. Overall, a really yummy and tasty roll. Also, a 10/10 and would 1000% recommend!. The ambiance was really nice and service was incredible. Although, I did not order a drink, the drink menu looked really good! They have other locations in other cities like Raleigh, NC, so go on their website and see if there is a O-ku near you! Give this restaurant a try! read more

O-Ku - From left to right: Spider Roll, Mermaid Roll, Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

the quality of the sushi here is great and it's not too expensive but i think i actually prefer the dc location for the ambiance/food options. there are slight menu differences and the dc location had a few more options in my opinion. i liked the spicy tuna roll crispy rice though! this location was definitely a bit busier so would recommend making a reservation. read more

O-Ku never disappoints!! If you like spicy, do yourself a favor and start with the sugar and spice cocktail. I warn you... it's got some heat to it, but it is such a fun drink. As for food, the sushi is phenomenal. My favorites are the red dragon roll, the tuna crunch roll, and the green eggs and hamachi. I had never tried "box style sushi," but our whole table loved it. The asparagus wasn't overpowering, and it was fresh and flavorful. The only roll I didn't love was the salmon lemon roll, but that's more so a matter of preference. I was equally impressed by the service as I was the food. Our server was fun and attentive. We were celebrating a birthday, and every server/runner/busser that came to our table said happy birthday, and they brought a complimentary appetizer. AND if you can manager to get in on a Monday or Wednesday, their happy hour from 5-7 pm is a great sushi deal. read more

O-Ku - Complimentary birthday appetizer - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Stopped by for Monday night happy hour. Staff is so welcoming. Lots of creative dishes to choose from with great presentation. Thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Would definitely come back. read more

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Whether you sit at the bar or seated at a table, the service is great! This is hands down the best sushi in Charlotte for appetizers, nigiri, rolls, entrees, etc. I would consider this a date night spot, so the ambiance is more dressy! This is my absolute favorite place to get sushi. Our average bill for 2 people would be anywhere between $150-$250, depending on the amount of drinks! Some tips: - they have happy hour specials on Mondays and Wednesdays - they have a rewards program, which they do not advertise! (We didn't find out until our 5th visit here, very bittersweet to find this out lol) - make reservations at least a week in advance or you can take a chance on the first come first serve bar option read more

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The location was kind of hard to find. My GPS put me in the area but not in the right parking lot. I've never heard of the restaurant before and only knew of it from a friend. O-ku Charlotte opened in 2016 due to raving reviews from their home location in Charleston. Only took me 7 years to hear about them and boy am I late. Good place for an impressive first date. The decor; modern, the service; high, the food; remarkable! Order: lobster temaki, pork belly, duck buns, black magic and braised short ribs. I did not eat one thing I did not like, including the garnish! The lobster temaki is a hand roll sushi wrapped with butter-poached lobster and asparagus topped with chives, cilantro aioli and black salt. The lobster was so soft and just melts in your mouth. Next were the duck buns; confit, hoisin sauce, arugula and picketed shallots served between a bao bun. Dough was fluffy and soft. And the pickled shallots paired nicely with the flavors of the duck and the sweetness of the hoisin. The third dish was the pork belly. Who doesn't love pork belly? Pork was served on top of braised greens and pickled daikon. Only thing about this item was that the menu described it as tonkatsu. I believe it means breaded deep fried pork, which the dish was not. Fourth dish, black magic - an 8 piece lobster, shrimp, and squid ink sushi topped with masago, scallions and fried onions. At this point. I'm full! But the food is so good, I had to keep eating. The last dish was the short ribs; braised in miso and served on top of charred kale and a side of garlic squash puree. The meat was tender and just fell off the bone. The kale was bitter as kale usually is, but it was offset by the savoriness of the pork and the sweetness of the purée. Overall a wonderful dining experience. Will definitely return for more mouth watering creations. read more

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This is the best sushi that I have ever had and I have had it in Japan. I will never say no to a trip to O-Ku. read more

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"A South End staple, a real gem, one of the best sushi spots in all of Charlotte" says....everybody. I was late to this party, but I will gladly echo the sentiment. I popped in with my girlfriend for their happy hour, which was a great move on our part because we are not raw sushi eaters. So everything needs to be fried or seared, the happy hour allowed us to experiment with the menu and pick off each other's plates. Vibe: The ambience is really relaxed and elegante, but maybe a bit too dark. Don't be fooled by the decor, the patrons come in a wide variety. From shorts and baseball hats to sport coats and full suits at the bar. Customer Service: Before I rave about the quality of the food, the one low-light was definitely the server. We felt kinda rushed by her the whole time, and the responses to some of our questions came across a bit cold and condescending. For example, I had a last minute change of heart on my order and I asked could I switch, she said yes. Then I followed up with what was on the new sushi rolled I ordered, and she asked me "what do you mean what is on it?" Honestly I don't know how to ask the question in a better format. So I just asked her again, and she replied back with the toppings (one of which I wanted removed) which is why I asked from the beginning. Food: Wow! I've been all over Charlotte, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill and this is definitely top 3 sushi spots in the city. We ordered the Spider Roll and fried rice. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, the rice was my favorite part but the torch they put on the salmon was perfect. I absolutely would come back and hopefully and gradually branch out to the rest of the menu. read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Booked a rez for my me and my gf's one year anniversary! Honestly, it was the best restaurant experience I've ever had. They left us a gift, which was really sweet. Our server was super knowledgeable and attentive. The food was incredible. I highly recommend the tuna nigiri and the caviar spoon, they blew my mind! I ate it before I could snap a pic though. read more

O-Ku - Sushi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My favorite girls night or date night sushi restaurant in Charlotte. I have never had sushi better, but I also haven't been to japan yet. The service is always great and I love the atmosphere and decor. You must have a reservation especially if you want to enjoy happy hour on Wednesdays. I typically book a month in advance. read more

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WOW. WOW. WOW. First of all. Sensational. Eating here felt like I've never had real food before. The flavors. Insane. The service. Insane. Tony was absolutely amazing. I will never have another server. It was our first time here and he made it unforgettable!! We got sushi and entrees and everything was breathtaking. read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Will was the best. Honestly he should own this restaurant!!! He was very professional and met all of our dining needs!

I've lived in South End for a while and always wanted to try Oku. I hate to say it was an extremely weird experience. I had a 6:30pm reservation on Friday March 13th for 2, and we had a nice high top by the bar. The server seemed really sweet and gave us a rundown of the menu when she arrived. I was really hungry and we were kinda in a rush, so we skipped drinks and asked if we could put in all our food right then (I also didn't want to use her table for too long). She changed her tone immediately and looked confused, took the order and walked away before I could even ask for a non-alcoholic drink. It was extremely obvious she was annoyed at the small order. Her section was full of younger people drinking, so she was busy and came back only twice the rest of the time we were there- once to plop fruit in our waters and once more to give the check. Never asked if we wanted something else to drink besides water, how's the food etc. We got salmon sashimi, otoro sashimi and volcano roll, all were amazing. A manager (I think) came by at one point and gave us a complimentary appetizer as it was our first time there, and that was nice. However, I felt so much awkwardness and tension the entire time. Super disappointed in my first time here. read more

It's been a while since we've been to O-Ku and it is as good as I remember it with a little bit more options than just sushi. I always enjoy the modern but intimate vibe here. This time we got to sit at the bar which was perfect! I enjoy watching the bartender making drinks LOL. The service was nice and easy since our bartender is also waitress and she was great! Would totally recommend, especially for date night :). read more

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I've been trying to get here forever. The first time we were a walk-in on Wednesday night and didn't want to wait the 2 hours and the second time I had to cancel my reservation. Third times a charm. I was able to get a same day reservation on Open Table and had no issues checking in. I love the inside vibe, dim and well decorated. Spaced out tables so you could enjoy your company and not be on top of others dining. We were seated right away and offered a citrus for our water (orange, lime, lemon, cucumber). I also ordered a jasmine hot tea with my meal because it was freezing inside. I'm not really a sushi eater but it was 1/2 price Wednesday and this was the whole reason we came. I asked a couple questions to the waitress but she didn't really give off the vibe that she wanted to spend time at our table. I chose the potato roll. I said, I'll try the potato roll and her response was, "that's it?". She seemed annoyed. I went in with the mindset that I would try one first and then order more later. That didn't happen because 2 rolls and a side of fried rice took 35 min to be delivered to us. To redeem the service, the food was delicious. I really enjoyed my roll and my bf enjoyed his as well. We split the fried rice and it was very good. I think the potato roll is good for "fake sushi" eaters like myself who won't dare try raw fish and who don't really care for seafood in general. It's a safe choice. Again, I wanted to try other rolls but passed on the thought it would take another 1/2 hour to get our food. As we ate we noticed a manger going around to the various tables introducing himself and asking how their evening was going. He walked past our table several times as we sat nearest the citrus trays but he never stopped and spoke to us. At the time of dining (4:15pm) there were only 5 other tables sat so it wasn't too busy. I found it odd he didn't acknowledge us. The couple next to us was celebrating an anniversary and he brought them two glasses of champagne which I thought was nice. We enjoyed our food. I don't know if they have dessert because we weren't offered a menu. I could of gone for something sweet but the bill was already at the table. Pros: Online reservations (I used open table) Nice ambience Great food 1/2 price menu on mon/wed evenings Cons: Service wasn't great Food took just about 35 min to come to table We weren't offered a dessert menu or option The hot tea was $6 I'm not 100% sure if I'd dine here again. The food was great but I'm more of an overall experience person. I know this place is highly rated so I'm glad I finally got the chance to stop in. read more

O-Ku - Side of Fried Rice - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Manager Wil is my king. Madison took care of us and the food and drinks were great as usual. Affordable for the experience. Staff is super nice they made our night read more

Food- Amazing Service- Unbeatable. Tony was incredibly friendly and engaging. Came with a story and genuinely enjoyed OUR stories. Ambiance- What a vibe. The lighting and decor were on point. 10/10 experience. read more

Always a great time here. The food is delicious but it's definitely overprice. I think it's overhype for sure. You can still find good sushi at a medium average place. The service is good, they are attentive. The ambiance is nice and busy. A little loud because of the amount of people in it. But still a good time. read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

If you're looking for an elevated dining experience in Charlotte but are also into shishito peppers, then this is the place for you. There's a mix of items for most budgets, including grilled shishito peppers. As far the rest of the menu is concerned, you'll find similar quality to Yamazaru. Fish is fish if you really think about it. Doesn't matter the ocean, if you're enjoying wild caught, then the quality will be similar no matter where you dine. There is no secret ocean. Anyhoo, the vibe here is great. It's chic for Charlotte. Service is pretty good. The menu kind of sells itself but everyone is nice so that's a perk. Parking is atrocious. No valet and the closest deck is 2 blocks away. So if you're looking to impress, then better to pick her up or send a car. You're welcome... read more

Opted to make reservations for a Friday night and so glad we did to skip the wait! We had the BEST service ever - Jewel was so kind and patient with us. We started with the miso soup & cauliflower. Both were delicious. For rolls, we loved the salmon and lemon roll, mermaid roll, and spicy tuna roll. Our drinks pulled the meal together, choosing the Shiso Pretty and the Shogun. Can't wait to come back because you definitely can't go wrong with anything on this menu! read more

O-Ku - Salmon And Lemon Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This has gone completely downhill. Unimaginative sashimi with poor service and management nowhere in sight. Do not recommend.

Excellent experience. The service was top notch (I forgot our servers name) and the food delicious. Because it was our first time they gave us complimentary tuna sashimi which was so good. The salmon belly nigiri was melt in your mouth and the lobster entree was so good. Will go back for those two alone. read more

Service was super quick and cordial, drink was perfectly balanced between flavor and strength, and I can't tell you enough how perfect the food was. Definitely recommend for a date night or a special occasion, will be returning for sure! read more

O-Ku - Melon-dramatic - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Came here with my husband to celebrate my graduation. Came here for the 1st time with a friend a few weeks before. Had a great time at the bar with Chelsea as our server, so I had to return. It was hubby's 1st time and we both enjoyed our meal. Chelsea did not disappoint with the drinks and service. I will definitely come here again, and will sit with Chelsea for great drinks and friendly service. read more

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Visited O-Ku on NYE after telling myself to not come back after my last 'OK' experience. We got really lucky and were able to snag a 5 PM reservation literally just 2 hours before. We got there around 5:10, and were seated right away. Our waitress was SO nice. And I am SO happy they started their 'citrus tray' thing back up. I think that's one of the coolest things, and I love being able to choose which citrus I wanted in my water. I got fancy this time (vs my regular lemon slice) and asked for a slice of orange AND lemon. We got a few drinks which were both absolutely delicious, I believe they were called 'No Filter' and 'Rum Away With Me'. I loved the No Filter more but hated that there was so much ice in the drink. I drank it pretty fast while my husband took his dandy old time without the ice ruining the drink. For appetizers, we got a miso soup & the SouthEnd tofu. The Southend Tofu was SOOO delicious. A big step up from my last experience. It was super flavorful & the crispy parts didn't slide off - huge +! Ya can't go wrong with miso soup, so no comments there. For dinner, we both got the Potato Roll. I made mine into a vegetarian version & my husband had it as is. Both were filling & tasty. Definitely recommend & can't wait to be back again. read more

We LOVE O-Ku and put it on our regular date-night location. Their ambiance and service are top notch. We try to go on M/W for the half off sushi roll special, (but you need reservations about 4 months in advance for this.) My husband doesn't love raw sushi, but loves the Red Dragon & Potato Roll. I love the Mermaid and Salmon/Lemon roll. Drinks I love to order include rhe Thai Basil one with a sweet/spicy sugar rim or the lychee martini. read more

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A group of us ladies went to celebrate a birthday. I love the ambiance of this restaurant. It's dimly lit but just enough light for an evening dinner. The staff is simply amazing. They're so attentive and friendly and have great knowledge of their menu. Let me just clarify that I am not a big sushi fan. I'll eat it but it will never be my pick for a place to go. I will try anything and everything at least once though. I've tried uni at several establishments and have always wanted to spit it back out (although I haven't, yet ). When I say the uni is good, I mean I had several spoons. Yum! It was uhhhh, so good! We had several dishes and I can't remember them all but I've got pics for your eyeing pleasure (sorry pics aren't that great. We were hungry and I did rush photography) Definitely, will return! read more

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I love coming here. The sushi is super fresh. They have great specialty dishes, fun atmosphere waiters and staff are excellent sceneries not bad either. read more

O-Ku - Sushi Bars Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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The dining experience at O-Ku is always phenomenal. Went there for a birthday celebration and we couldn't have enjoyed a better time. The food is super fresh and delicious, drinks are amassing as well. The sushi melts in you mouth, the ambiance gives you all the feels, and the service..OUTSTANDING!!!!! Recommendations: *Lobster Temaki *Black Magic Hakosushi *Tuna Wrapped Makimono *Red Dragon Makimono *Blue Fin Carpaccio *Yuzu Trifle (dessert) Highlight recommend this spot if you are are sushi lover in Charlotte! It will not disappoint. read more

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Decent spot....but you better plan ahead becuase there seems to be a considerable wait for a table each time we have visited. We were lucky to grab a spot at the bar for the two of us (they recently opened the bar back up to full capacity). Decent selection of local brews including Triple C and Noda. My bride isn't a sushi person and went with the avocado roll ($11) and really liked it. I ordered the Scottish Salmon Sashimi ($4) and Tuna Wrapped Roll ($14). The sashimi was excellent and the roll was decent but seemed a little spendy for the amount of tuna. Service from AJ and the team at the bar was excellent! read more

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