I first heard about OKO about a year ago and never got a chance to visit until recently for a Valentine's Day dinner. Leading up to it we were pretty excited since we've seen a lot of online buzz about the place Man...we were super disappointed. I immediately knew we made the wrong choice when I ordered a "Banana Old Fashioned" and the only thing "banana" about it was a tiny banana chip that got tossed in a normal old fashioned (no joke, see pics) The prices on each of the items are also way too high for what it is. And the amount of food they give you is like ordering a side dish. You could get better bang for your buck at a food truck, and I'd argue that you can probably get better tasting food at a food truck too It's not even about the amount of food. If the quality was good, the price can be justified, but just because a waiter tells you how to dip your food in the sauces that it comes in, doesn't make it "fancy" You can tell this place loves their fish sauce, cause that's the only flavor you're going to get here Dessert was an absolute joke. Two scoops of blue bell ice cream with fruity pebbles sprinkled on top. Something that also bothered me at the end is that they pass on the credit card fees (3%) onto the customer. It'll say on the receipt. Even fast food restaurants don't do this. Waiters were very nice. Vibes were okay except for the "Valentine's Day" paper menu having a lot of food smeared on from previous diners. It was just another classic "let's charge NYC prices in Austin" type restaurant. Absolutely joke. read more

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I took my partner here to celebrate a birthday and it was perfect. The restaurant is dim, moody, and elegant. Also loved that I could take him here without breaking the bank. We ordered the hamachi, the pork belly, and the kare kare, and had the halo halo for dessert. I also got the karaoke girl cocktail. I would say the portion sizes are in the small side but for everything we ordered between the two of us, we did end up being full enough, not belly hurting. Every bite is well balanced with yummy flavors and textures. Leanne was our server and she was awesome. I love when servers describe the dish and recommend how to get the best bite. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Wanted to love it and the food was tasty, but the service was severely lacking. It was strange that they sat us in the back room and another pair at the table directly next to us, and no other tables in the back room were in use. It seems they could've put an empty table between us, at least. The table next to us got their drinks from the bar and we had to check on ours, and then it came after apps arrived. It seemed like the server forgot to put it in. We got each type of skewer, and they were tasty and we enjoyed the sauces. My partner enjoyed the banana old fashioned. We also tried the chicken skin chips and wings and they were tasty! We realized after we left that we had ordered some garlic rice that we never received. Not sure if we paid for it or not. I don't really know that it would be high on my list of places to return because there are so many places with so much better service and atmosphere. read more

They've fallen off a cliff. Apparently they got a new chef and his first change was to cut the sizes of the grilled skewers, remove all but one of the cold starters, change the oxtail dish to beef cheek, and remove the bone marrow from the other beef dish. Also: no more special item. New menus not yet printed, so I felt bad for the server who had to explain how much they didn't have anymore, despite what the now "old" menu said. Oxtail was one of the dishes we came back for. We opted to thank our server, leave and dine elsewhere. I hope they get things straightened out... but for now, Oko is an Ono. read more

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Made a reservation for a birthday/anniversary reservation, forgetting we had been before until we pulled up. Decided it was great the last time we went so might as well enjoy them again. The restaurant was mostly empty and when the server came to take our drink order, mentioned she'd be back to update us on "a few menu changes" Those few menu changes omitted almost half of the menu including the secret menu while they rest out a new chef. No longer available are the cold plates or the bone marrow to name a few, and the hot skewers are now "much smaller". This was enough of a change to make us source dinner elsewhere and wonder why they haven't reprinted their paper menus or update their website. read more

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I thought this meal was top notch! We ordered the shrimp skewers, the chicken skewers, the roti which came topped with shredded coconut, the crispy chicken skin, and the yellow tail Hamachi. Everything was pretty decent except the Hamachi was literally the best I have had anywhere. It was served on a sweet and savory ginger citrus foam and it was absolutely out of this world. Truly, one of the best bites I've had. The service and ambiance was also pretty decent. Overall, really happy with the meal read more

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Loved the intimate feel of this restaurant, we went here for date night and it was the perfect spot. This a a Filipino restaurant that is serving a lot of classics with a focus on the sauces. My favorite things at this restaurant were the oysters and some kind of spicy margarita that was rimmed with coconut and a candied orange on top. The oysters were cold and served with homemade fish and hot sauce, get this :). The margarita was so refreshing! We did order the lechon, the lumpia, and chicken wings. All these items were good but I wish the lechon had more flavor/meat, the lumpia were crunchier, and the chicken wings had more flavor. Also, the service is too notch here. Our server was very nice and next time I will come here to get their oxtail signature dish. read more

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We came here with another couple for a date night. We were able to make a reservation the day before. The ambiance was great with dim lighting throughout. It is quite cozy as they don't have alot of space so the tables are close together. We ordered a few different drinks. The vodka infused girly drink I got was very light. There was a large ice block in the middle so there wasn't much to it. My husband didn't like it at all. The spicy margarita was delicious and everyone liked it. There was one other drink that the guy at our table got and he said it was just okay. The drink menu online doesn't match what we got, so I can't tell you what it was now. We weren't sure how the menu worked but everything is really designed as smaller plates to share. We were able to order quite a few things. We got one of each skewer and they were all very good...probably one of our favorite things. The chicken was very tender and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. The papaya salad was also one of my personal favorites, although I oddly don't really like papaya. The papaya looked like ribbons of pasta. I could have passed on the dragon fruit ceviche. The flavors just weren't there for me. The worst dish of the night was the cold egg plant dish....yuck!!! We all agreed that the flavors didn't go together. Something in it was incredibly overpowering and fishy. The "main dishes" we got were the steak, pancit, chicken wings, ribs (secret menu) and lumpia. The lumpia were crispy and piping hot. The inside wasn't mushy at all. They were also a group favorite. I was really looking forward to the pancit but it disappointed. There were lots of veggies and little noodles. It was okay. The chicken wings were tender and very flavorful. I could have had a dozen for myself. They are a decent size as well. The steak was good but a very small portion. The ribs were very tender and I loved what they put on top. It has a little heat to it. We had the halo-halo for dessert. It was fun to eat with little surprises throughout. My only complaint is that the ice was not very soft. It was great to try a little bit of everything. Was it worth $340, probably not but it was a fun meal. read more

OKO - Halo halo - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

Rating: 4.2/5 [dine in] The place is beautifully decorated with ambient lighting. I love the bar area and the cool bar seats. It's definitely a spot with great vibes, but I do think their food and drinks are overpriced for the portions. They were out of the papaya salad and dragon fruit ceviche when we went, which was disappointing. Lechon ($30): Crispy pork belly with bang bang sauce, lettuce, and atcharra. The portion was small with about six slices, and while the outside was very crispy, it was actually too tough to chew through. Kinilaw ($22): Thick slices of crudo hamachi. The fish didn't taste very fresh and had a slight fishy taste. I'd recommend eating a whole piece in one bite though to get that flavor bomb effect with the ikura and seasonings. Talaba Sariwa ($21): Comes with six fresh oysters and two sauces. My husband and friend loved them and said they were big and fresh. I didn't try them myself. We were going to get the Saturday Morning Cartoons cocktail ($20), which has ube and coconut, but our waitress mentioned it's heavy and more like a dessert, so we opted for the Filippine Myth instead. Filippine Myth ($21): Kasama 7yr, Poblano, Pineapple, Coconut, Orange. Really good cocktail that's sweet but balanced. Just don't let the ice melt too much or it'll taste watered down. 1000 Miles North ($20): El Tesoro Reposado, Rosaluna Mezcal, Banana Demerara, Tiki Bitters. Not overly smoky, which I liked. It has a slightly sweet aftertaste and is very drinkable. Pinoy Mezze ($17): Roti with mango pico, sarsang talong (marinated eggplant), and atcharra. I loved the roti since it had coconut flakes and was perfectly crispy. The sides were mild and not as flavorful as I hoped. I still prefer Mediterranean-style eggplant dips more. Baboy Skewer ($6) and Manok Skewer ($5): The menu says "skewers," but each order only comes with one which feels misleading. That said, both were juicy and perfectly seasoned. Garlic Rice ($4): Looked plain white with no visible garlic bits, but you could definitely taste the flavor. I'm curious how they infused it. read more

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I made a reservation for NYE and didn't have any issues of booking. First impression right when I walked through the door is that this cute spot gives a nice date night ambience. The front area has a nice quiet bar off to the side but still open to the dining area. The menu is small but pops a punch in the flavors of the dishes. Don't skip on the Hamachi crudo! The fish was fresh and the flavors paired nicely with pop of heat, Their chicken wings was solid...caramelized but not too sweet. The Lechon was very crispy and paired nicely with the crisp lettuce and pickled sides. The steak was cooked perfectly and had really nice flavors paired with the sauce. The lumpia was solid but could have been skipped. We also ordered some garlic rice which was really good. My 11 month old baby really enjoyed it too! Highly recommend for date night or if you're looking for a modern Filipino spot! read more

OKO is bold, charismatic, and every bite is full of flavored and purposeful cooking. From the moment we arrived we were greeted and seated immediately and our waitress moved quickly. The setting is intimate and cozy giving a homey feel. We ordered a few items and the food was broken up into segments. Here's what we ate: Lumpia - perfectly crisped and salty outside. The inner pork filling tastes savory and delicious although the texture is a bit strange, almost hotdog like Pancit - delicious. The vegetables are cooked to perfection and the sauce is bold and savory allowing the noodles to soak it up Garlic rice - light and flavorful. Garlic rice is so simple of an idea but the execution here is spot on Baboy - the pork skewers are otherworldly. Flavored to perfection with the slightest char. The meat is juicy but not tough, the best item we had all night Halo halo - a towering desert with flan, ube ice cream, and the other usual toppings. It is so hard to find halo halo in Austin and not only do they have it, they pulled it off to perfection From the food to the impeccable service, OKO stands out amongst not only the best restaurants in the area but of all Asian restaurants in the city. If you come to Austin and don't stop by you are doing yourself a disservice. This is easily a 5 star restaurant and we hope to see it with some Michelin recognition soon. read more

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Dined here for our second time. Don't sleep on this place! The vibe is fantastic. The service is great. And the food is amazing. We ordered two that we had before (the pinoy mezze roti platter and the LECHON pork belly), and then tried some new dishes. Everything was prepared, cooked, and flavored beautifully. I had low expectations on the papaya salad, as in, "it'll just be a papaya salad, right?" I was surprised at the flavor and the add-in/toppings on it that added to the texture and flavor! (Or actually, I've only eaten at a high end philipino restaurant in Miami once, and was underwhelmed there...so maybe I'm just not up to speed on the cuisine). Excited to try something new the next time we go! Paid parking lots behind the restaurant. Also across and down the street a little. read more

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Oko has taken over the former Ah Sing Den space, bringing their own Filipino flair and a fresh new vibe. This spot definitely caters to adventurous eaters as some of the ingredients and flavors may be unfamiliar but that's part of the fun! I tried the fish collar special, which was packed with flavor, the Pinoy mezze with delicious roti, and the Baboy & Manok skewers with rice all of which impressed. Prices were reasonable, presentation was on point and the service was attentive. The only thing I'd love to see added? Happy hour specials as that would make me come back even more often! read more

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Re: Brunch I actually like their brunch menu more than their dinner menu. It's less crowded so cheaper street parking is available. Plus they have a delicious and elevated Filipino brunch menu! The gluten free bibingka French toast with coconut is to die for. I also ordered the tocilog which is a lot more elevated and higher quality cut of meat than any Tocino you've ever had. Calamansi juice is available by special order from the bartender. He mixed it just like it came from my Lola's Calamansi tree in the Philippines. We are already planning our next brunch date! read more

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This place has changed many times, but I have to say they did a really good job on this new one. It has a nice twist and interesting dishes. None of the food was disappointing, which was great. The staff is very nice and I loved that they knew what to recommend and explain to you the menu, which is always very helpful. We got a wide variety of things to share since it was about six of us girls having girls dinner. We got the eggrolls, some noodles, veggies, steak, fish, chicken, skewers, and then two types of desserts. Everything was so good. When they came to the cocktails, the selection was OK. I sadly did have to send my drink back at one point because the old-fashioned did not taste like an old-fashioned. It tasted like pure bourbon on the rocks and was very hard to drink. They were nice enough to fix that and calm the other one. I will say they definitely need to up their game when it comes to wine. They did not have a good selection on this. read more

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This would've been a great 5 star review if it weren't for some problems during my specific visit. First off, let's start with the great parts! Drinks are good and the cocktails are really fun. Our waitress recommended me the Rock Lee and it was my favorite drink of the night. My waitress was also overall really great and fun. Food is also super good all around. The appetizers were good, the oxtail was great, and the oysters were somehow a smash hit. The vibes are so fun for a girl's night out or a date, and even the bar seating feels intimate yet fun. Although I had a reservation, they did not have our table ready. The hostess that day did a great job addressing that and managing our expectations, so there's nothing wrong there for me. I just had a problem with my huge regret ordering the halo halo. Was the halo halo good? It was as expected other than the three blonde hairs in my dessert. One would've been something I could maybe look over but it kept coming. Am I just unlucky?! It's such a busy looking dessert that it's almost impossible to avoid the area of contamination. No benefit of the doubt considering me and my partner have black hair. Just an unfortunate end to the meal. read more

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Ordered 5-6 dishes for two people, and sadly was most impressed by the starter. The kinilaw was delicious but small, with flavorful bites of sweetness, acidity, and refreshing seafood. We gobbled up the sauce and were really excited for the next orders. Overall, I felt the rest was a blur. Bone marrow was good but standard for marrow, the veg slaws were alright, the chicken was a nice texture, sauces tasty but nothing special. The halo halo looked fun, but was a mess in practicality, with everything vertically stacks and not much room for error if things fell. Overall, most things were decent but not memorable or outstanding. Drinks were interesting and tasty, but in a small cup with a giant ice cube. The final bill equated to the same prices as some fine dining. Probably would not come back. read more

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I stumbled upon OKO on Yelp while I was in the area and decided to stop in for dinner. The vibes were definitely right--dim lights, good music, and a really nice bar setup. It's on the smaller side, but that made it feel more intimate, which I liked. Now for the food... not so much. I started with the shrimp skewer, which unfortunately came out cold. The flavor was decent, but the temperature threw me off. Egg rolls were ok. Then came the oxtail--this dish was veryyy peanut-forward (something I wasn't told ahead of time). The sauce was super heavy, but weirdly had no flavor, and everything on the plate was kind of hidden under squash or something else on top, so I wasn't even sure what I was looking at at first. The oxtail itself was tender, but the whole dish was bland and not served hot. Honestly, I left hungry and ended up grabbing food on the way home. On the bright side, the service was really good, so props to the staff for being attentive. Overall, great vibes and service, but the food definitely missed the mark for me idk if I'll be back sadly I wanted to like this spot! read more

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Closer to a 3.5. We enjoyed the chicken skin chicharrons and Lumpia. I didn't love the other dishes and thought the curry was a bit heavy on the fish sauce. read more

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Vibes 5 stars. Food 3.5 stars. I was excited to try this hot spot in downtown east austin. We made a reservation for the bar in advance for Valentine's Day because they still offered a la carte menus. The bar area was super cute and the lighting around the interior set the good vibes and matched the fun music. The food was tough for me to rate because even though most of it was good, I felt like it was quite overpriced in the end. We started with the Kinilaw, which was a little overpowered with spice and it was four tiny pieces. We then ordered the pak pak wings and baboy pork skewers. These were the highlight of the meal. So smoky and tasty. The Lechon was our main and it was a bit of a let down. It was so rich and salty that we could only eat a couple bites. I wish there was something served with it to tone down the salt. We ordered the Umaga and Rock Lee cocktails. Both were really good, but I'd go back just for the Umaga. The bartenders gave great recommendations and were able to thoroughly explain everything on the menu. They really pay attention to detail. Overall, fun experience but not sure I'll be back for the food. Maybe their cocktails. Good to try once. read more

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Oko is a cool spot. The restaurant is fun and vibrant. When you sit down they immediately told our table of 4 that we should order 4-5 items per person. This felt like a lot (because it was) and the food isn't cheap. They also didn't explain any dish when dropping it off/ the best way to go about eating it. We ordered: Roti: 3/5 not what I was expecting with the coconut on top Lumpia: 4/5 really great. Order comes with 2 but they are very big pieces. Not very traditional Pancit canton: 4/5 really yummy as well. Manok: 5/5 the best thing we ordered. The flavors were insane. This is a must order. Oxtail: 3/5 rich and heavy. VERY peanut butter forward which I liked, but with other food on the table it felt very out of place. Tasted funky going back to that after eating anything else and vice versa. Adobong manok: 4/5 great flavor. Not a lot of meat and a lot going on. Overall food was good but not the best. I think setting the tone for how much food was a high sell and I would have liked explanations of each dish. read more

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Lively vibe and great spot for a casual date night. Our waitress was attentive but seemed a little off that night (not very smiley). Ordered the pancit canton, lechon, and a lyre's amalfi spritz. The crispy pork belly was amazing and totally took me back to childhood when my mom brought home takeout with hoisin sauce and rice. The noodles were a bit salty, but the lime helped. Overall, I'd definitely recommend it for a cute date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. read more

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went to oko on saturday night and tried the oxtail kare kare with garlic rice, lumpia, and a secret menu item. the food was quite salty and not really to my taste. i wish the staff had explained the dishes more and helped us build a more balanced meal when we were asking her questions. otherwise the vibes are nice! read more

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Had to try OKO since it took over the Ah Sing Den space and I had fond memories of it. I reeeeeally want to hate on the cost of a meal here but I'll be honest... my food, drink, and service were all incredible. I started with the bartender's recommendation for a cocktail, the Rock Lee, for $19. I couldn't pronounce half the ingredients but it was one of the most incentive cocktails I've had in awhile. Amazing recommendation. Had a chat with Alberto behind the bar and he was so passionate about their menu. I had to turn down his recommendation for the wings because I wasn't that hungry, but I saw them come out left and right and they looked stellar. I'll come back to try those. I ended up with the Lechon for $24 and absolutely loved it. The pork belly had a crispy side and a soft side and came with two different unique sauces. Even the garnish or salad was delicious. I'm not a big eater so over $60 after tax and tip for a single plate and a single drink stings, but like I said, I loved it all. I'll have to come back on a Treat Yourself Day again. read more

OKO - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Good service, unique flavors, good company- what more can i ask for? I havent had much filipino food outside of the philippines and this was a pleasant surprise. Everything tasted delicious. The oxtail karekare surprised me. It was kinda fishy but it was such a unique flavor, I could not stop eating it, I still think about it!!! The papaya salad was not ripe enough or it wasn't flavored enough, tasted kinda bland in my opinion! Chicken adobo- a staple!! And we finished with halo halo and wow, im normally not a fan of dessert but this was SO goood, especially paired with the ice cream. Trust me on this, get the dessert even if you're not a dessert person! read more

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Found this place in Yelp when searching for a Filipino restaurant to take my date to. She absolutely loved it. The food and drinks were amazing, as was the service. read more

OKO - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Had a great experience at OKO with a friend recently! Only knocking off a star because of how LOUD the music was (many reviews state the same, so I was definitely not surprised). We had to raise our voices to hear each other. It was so loud I thought there was live music, but there wasn't. The service was attentive and the food was delicious! We were very full by the end of our meal. read more

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I really wanted to like this place, but none of the food really stood out especially for its value. OKO is a brand new elevated Filipino restaurant located in east sixth street. The restaurant is bigger than it looks like as it has a lot more seating behind, which is where we were seated! We ordered two smaller plates and two bigger plates: KINILAW: I really wanted to love this dish as I love all the flavors going on, I just think it wasn't executed as well. There was also too much salt that over powered the fish. SINIGANG NA PAK-PAK: Chicken wings, these were probably our favorite dish of the night. No complaints here. OXTAIL KARE-KARE: I was disappointed with this dish as it was quite heavy, but in a way where you can't really enjoy it. The peanut curry sauce was overpowered by the bok Chu. I just felt this dish was overpriced and needs to be reworked. LECHON: this dish was also quite pricey for what it is. The pork didn't taste as fresh, and the sauces that accompanied it, did not do it for be either. The ethnic shops that make this dish do it much better in both taste and value. read more

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Food - 4.5 Service - 5.0 Atmosphere - 4.5 My first time trying Filipino food, and I was a bit apprehensive since I'm not a big fan of Polynesian food. I was pleasantly surprised! I had a fish appetizer that was similar to shasimi, the braised oxtail, and flan for dessert. All very good. Service was outstanding! Place is small, but wasn't overly crowded when we went, but I could see where service may be challenging when there is a wait. read more

OKO - Appetizer - Similar to shasimi - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

Excellent dining experience and food. We ordered and shared most items on the menu between 4 people. Pork belly and ham shank special were incredible and could be some of the best in ATX. Also tried the oysters, both skewers, lumpia, chicken wings, noodles and bistec. Everything was excellent- the bistec was a smaller dish even though it's called a main. Service was very attentive and he knew the menu well and made good conversation too. Vibrant area and fun to walk around after. Street parking within the area read more

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I've never had Filipino food and so had no clue what to expect. But this place is absolutely incredible and we loved everything we ate. We started with the non alcoholic island allegory drink per the bartender's rec. he did not lead us astray. It was beachy and fun but not too sweet, a perfect combo. We then tried the baboy pork skewers which were phenomenal. The 3 sauces pair so well, my fave was the anatto oil. Then we had the Pak Pak chicken - it's the best chicken I've ever had in my life. The caramelized crispy chicken wings are roasted to perfection and I'm just sad I can never make chicken as good. Truly the star of the show. And pretty big in my opinion. Then we had the oxtail dish. I would almost describe it like a curry or sorts. I did not care for the marrow but the whole dish was very unique and delicious. Definitely a fattier meat and hearty dish. We finished with the canton noodles which I saw from another table and looked so yummy. I was so full at that point I couldn't touch it but ate it the next day and it was super tasty. That speaks a lot to the flavor. I thought it was nice and fresh and a nice contrast to the other meaty dishes. Overall amazing experience, great bartenders and just a beautiful cozy space. read more

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We've FINALLY reached a point where we have a Filipino restaurant downtown. Filipino cuisine is sorely lacking in Austin and Oko is a breath of fresh air. From the moment you step inside, the vibrant atmosphere hints at the culinary adventure that awaits. And what an adventure it is! Chef Howard is elevating the cuisine with a masterful touch. First up, the oysters and chicken wings. The oysters were fresh and the chicken wings were delicious. I am confident that these are the best chicken wings I've ever had. Crunchy, tangy, savory, with a hint of sweet. Everything you could want in a chicken wing is all here. We move onto the Baboy and man was this a delight. The pork was both crunchy and tender. The roti was violently buttery. Next, the Oxtail Kare-kare and the Pancit Chami. The Oxtail Kare-Kare tasted like home. I can't explain it any other way. Tender oxtail, eggplant, and bone marrow melt together in a warm and comforting broth. The Pancit was lovely. The noodles were bouncy and the vegetables on the side added a nice crunch to the dish. Finally dessert. We ordered all of them. The Halo-Halo was so refreshing. The Calamansi Cream Pie was the perfect balance of tart and sweet. My grandmother doesn't even make hers as good as this. Ultimately, the flan was the star of the show. Extremely rich, silky, with a delicate caramel topping. The only downside for us is that they're cashless. I'm not a fan of the cashless trend in Austin, unfortunately. Overall, Chef Howard has not only opened a restaurant, he's created an experience. This is a must-try for anyone who loves bold flavors! read more

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Wowza! Insanely unique yet approachable and flavorful dishes - have never had anything like this before. Parking - was fortunately able to park on the street nearby Service - waiter was incredibly friendly and checked on us plenty, our waters were always full. Ambiance - cute and cozy interior. Food - sooo incredible. We were a large group so we ordered just about everything. I'm vegetarian so I had about 2 veggie based dishes that were so flavorful and the roti/garlic rice was incredible as well. Don't skip out on drinks or desserts - we tried all 3 desserts and loved them all. Really incredible flavors and dishes. read more

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Feeling split on how to review OKO as service was generous and attentive, but a few points of experience could use some definite improvement. Note that OKO is going to be a splurge for smaller "shareable" as has become quite trendy for Austin. The interior that once hailed Ah Sing Den has since been transformed to a less flashy (I really do miss those tassel trimmed lanterns...) and dark to be a more illuminated space with some luxurious splashes of gem tones. There's bar seating, interior dining room, and a newly updated enclosed patio space. Despite requesting dining room on the reservation, we ended up in the patio space for our 5pm res. It was a little humid and there was an abundance of fruit flies that would land on us throughout the evening. This was concerning as I had to wonder why there were so many and where the source was, but we stayed anyway. We split the lumpia (two short, chonky rolls, not the traditional thinner with more length) that were fresh from the frier. Succulent meat was incredibly tender and juicy. It did remind me more of an egg roll (sans crunch veg) due to the thickness, but it was still a great bite. Next, we got the ox peanut butter based stew. The peanut butter was lovely and subtle adding to the collagen rich base. There were some veggies including bok choy and radish to help cut through the heft of the bone marrow and ox. We ordered a roti ($5 for one 4" diameter roti, btw) to split and clean up the remnants of the stew with the side of garlic rice it is paired with. Delicious, but wish there were more veggies to balance with each bite. As for drinks, I ordered their ube cocktail that was $20. It was filled to the brim with crushed ice, and while tasty, the alcohol seemed to be lacking. It reminded me of the ube cocktail featured down the street at Whisler's for a few bucks less with a great whammy of alcohol content. If I were to return to OKO, I would definitely get drinks elsewhere beforehand, and stick to my water. At the end of service, our table was cleared and wiped down (appreciate this detail for sure!) and we were served dessert. We had the ube ice cream which was lush and had fantastic ube flavor. Overall, lovely ambiance, great service, and I love to see Asian food being highlighted as luxury with the price point to match. I just wish the environmental experience and cocktails could get on the same page. 3 for the goods, 5 for the service, and 1 for the obnoxious supply of fruit flies landing on me during my $$$ meal. read more

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I really enjoyed sitting at the bar--it was great to chat with the bartender and server while taking in the bustling atmosphere. Everything we ordered was excellent, but the highlights for me were the kinilaw hamachi and the dessert halo-halo, which is absolutely worth coming back for. The oxtail kare kare was delicious if you enjoy a peanut-forward sauce, with a satisfying mix of tender meat and savory mushrooms. The lechon was perfectly crispy, and the garlic rice? OMG, it was so good we ended up ordering another round! Nicely done. Prices are on the steeper side for appetizers, entrees, dessert. I also tried a white wine that was perfect, and the bartender was kind enough to let me sample two others before making my choice. I really appreciated the mini wine education. read more

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OKO Austin is such a welcome spot for Filipino food in the city! The ambience is warm and modern, and the service was absolutely attentive from start to finish. We sampled quite a few dishes and had a mix of highlights and things we hope to see refined: -The grilled (inihaw) chicken was tasty and well done, while the grilled pork came out a little underdone and tough to get off the skewer. -The Oxtail Kare-Kare was rich and flavorful--served in a larger bowl, it would have been even easier to mix and enjoy every bite. -The lumpia was perfectly crispy and delicious, a definite winner. -The lechon had nice flavor but came out a bit underdone. The side of atchara was refreshing and paired beautifully with the heavier dishes. -For dessert, the halo-halo was colorful and fun, though the smaller bowl made it tricky to mix everything together (a tall glass or bigger bowl would have made it perfect). -The Kamusta drink, a non-alcoholic chai-inspired mix, was creative, but just not to my taste. Overall, this spot nails the service, vibe, and creativity, and they've elevated several Filipino favorites wonderfully. A little fine-tuning--especially with the pork and plating--would take it from good to amazing. I'm excited to see how OKO continues to grow and will happily be back to explore more dishes! read more

OKO - Grilled pork and chicken skewer. Lumpia - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

Really delicious food and excellent (albeit very expensive) cocktails! I tried two of the three signature gin and tonics and they were really exquisite. The food was also delicious. We had the Kare Kare, kinilaw, lechon and pancit chami . The Kare Kare was very rich and decadent and the kinilaw sauce was extraordinary. Highly recommend them. On the other side, the lechon was over the top. It was like 10 pieces of fried pork belly. I honestly needed one bite, so I was surprised the server had us order it for just two of us (despite us asking for her recs). I also thought the pancit chami was relatively forgettable.But the other two and the cocktails were great. read more

OKO - Gorgeous cocktails - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

Finally got the chance to experience OKO! This place is indeed the place to be for elevated experience in Filipino favorite dishes! Go check them out and experience yourself. Food, services, and ambiance are the best and easy parking beside and behind the restaurant. Don't forget to order a halo-halo! It's truly decadent but not overwhelmingly sweet dessert to share! read more

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Service was great. My server Dylan new the menu very well and made great recommendations. Service 5/5 Food 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Parking 3/5 (typical for east) Ordered the skewers, papaya salad, tiger shrimp, oxtails, ribs (on special) and garlic rice. Absolutely phenomenal. read more

OKO - Tiger shrimp - Filipino Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Another classic "fancy" Austin restaurant that delivers in ambiance, service, and taste of food but seriously overpriced and not a place you'd go back. It seems most of Austin's hot spots are good for a one time visit to "experience" it then never go again because you simply can't justify a $200 dinner for 2 people on the regular. Plate sizes are a bit odd (3 pieces) or portioned for like 1.5 people with prices that are 30% more than they should be. read more