I feel like the owner has stopped caring about the quality of this establishment. Every time we come, it keeps disappointing. Couple of disappointments on our last visit: Hair in the food (waiter took it away before we could get a pic) Dirty, dusty chandeliers hanging directly over the tables. See picture. Looks like they haven't been cleaned in over a year. Overly battered tempura. Some were just chunks of fried batter. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Dusty chandeliers over every table - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

I have no idea why this place would not have almost 5 stars! My favorite sushi place ever! The mango summer roll with Shiso leaf . (you have to ask for this shiso leaf.) is amazing! It's so fresh and delicious. Everyone I get to try. It falls in love with it. Of course, they're morning after roll is divine. And if you like anything with lobster, the lobster dynamite, roll with fresh tuna, on top, instead of the spicy tuna is fabulous. Those seem to be everyone's favorites that I take to this restaurant. I literally eat here at least once a week. Never disappointing, but you do need to make reservations by phone as they get very busy and they also have the hibachi grill which is very fun! I wish they would get on OpenTable that certainly won't stop me from coming read more

NASSSSSSSTY! No taste or flavor and the place is filthy! I barley ate because I was grossed out by the FILTH! Soon as I sat down I noticed how filthy the grill was! They charge way too much for gratuity!! If the food was GOOD I probably wouldn't care. Staff not too friendly just worried about filling the tables up! They separated out party just to fit 4 ppl! & it was a bday dinner. WONT BE BACK EVEN IF THE MEAL WAS FREE! read more

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I had been here before and the food was good. When we went back this time, the food was still good. The duck egg roll things were really gross. Don't recommend those. Everything else was delicious! It was just the right amount of food to not feel overly stuffed, but to leave feeling content. The waitress did not deserve the automatic gratuity as she only took our order and them brought the food, but nothing between. The bussers were more attentive. read more

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For a Saturday it wasn't that busy... I was expecting a huge busy crowd. But the atmosphere is great for a couples date. The food didn't take that long and the drinks were actually really good. I went with the tempura crunchy roll. And blueberry lemon drop. From the first bite the texture was very delicious and on point the fish is fresh. Usually I can tell whether or not by texture and taste if the sushi itself is fresh or 2/3 days old. I'm very skeptical on sushi places in the IE seeing there is no ocean around us. Lol I did enjoy the food and I did like the ambient atmosphere. I do plan on coming here again. read more

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I'm so upset to even have to write this review! My family and I loved coming to Ooka, we've been coming here for years for celebrations, lunch, dinner, just because, you name it. We came in on a Saturday and the host was a young girl and extremely rude, as soon as I walked in she gave me attitude and I approached the desk and smiled as I waited. She turned around and started arranging the menus, and then came over and just asked, "how many?" I told her, "Hi, for four please and a high chair!" Before I could even finish she rudely says, "it's a two hour wait." I proceed to say okay and she takes down my number only to rudely let me know again it's a two hour wait. Which again I say, "Okay!" Again we come so often that when they say it's a long wait it usually isn't and we know we will be seated much sooner. We decided to go to Nordstrom Rack while we wait and I made sure to have my phone on loud because they always call from an unknown number. One hour had passed and we decided to go back and we waited inside as we hear people coming in and being told hibachi was a 30 minute wait. I decided to check where we were in the list and she then gives me attitude and tells me she can't find me. I let her know she was rude from the start and if she sure she wrote it down. Then proceeds to say they called me and I didn't pick up, but I had no missed calls, I then talk to the manger who tells me they called when she doesn't even know my name but then later changes it to someone answered and said that we were seated already. So which one was it. I had my three kids with me and parents can understand how frustrating it is to have you kids hungry and be patient while waiting. The manager didn't even apologize nor did the host, they both continued to be rude. Only reason we stayed was because the kids love to eat there and they were starving. They ended up having us wait over two hours and sat us with a party who waited for 15 minutes. They now charge you tip for a party of four or more and again since we come here so often the service use to be great and we had no problem tipping 20%, but now that the servers know they get their tip regardless they will take the order and be gone the rest of the dinner. It's ridiculous when you spend over 200 dollars each time. I should have stopped coming when in December a poor man had a heart attack or was choking in the balcony and they kept the doors open while the paramedics performed CPR on him and the poor man's family was just standing there watching it all happen and crying. A honest human would have closed the restaurant for the families privacy and not allow children to see that, it was traumatic. Instead they kept taking people in while a man was lying on the ground with paramedics working over him. Definitely never coming back! Try Shogun in Corona, way better service and food! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - a chef cooking a meal - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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I'm really surprised I haven't left a review for this place before. We've been coming here for over 10 years now (with big groups, small groups, date nights, with kids, etc) and still love it every time. We used to be able to grab a quick table for two on the dinning room side, even on a busy Fri-Sat without too much wait, but their Hibachi side always fills quickly and will easily end up with a 2 yr wait on a busy night. They also have a small sushi bar area, but we've never sat there because the wait is always quite a while. Now, we typically opt for calling, at least a few days in advance, for reservations for our family of 4, at the hibachi grill. I always love the ability to get a reservation, especially having kids. It's a bit dark in there, but I've always enjoyed the ambiance and it's always extremely clean, which I really appreciate. It is a more expensive dinner, but it's always worth it. The drinks always hit the spot - I always seem to go for their lemon drop martinis or lychee cosmos - so yum! It may seem like they start off slow when you sit at Hibachi, but as soon as all of the orders are in, drinks are served, and appetizers out, they go straight into dinner and overall, you're pretty much out of there within an hour. I love their combinations more than other places - I usually order the filet and shrimp dinner, and will sometimes go for the lobster. We also order a couple of rolls and/or sashimi - always so fresh and so damn good! I've always liked their dinner combinations and come with a small soup, small salad, mixed veggies, rice (we upgrade to fried rice) and noodles. Their flavors here are just preferred to us over other places. I've read some people complaining about them adding gratuity to checks, but if I had to guess it's probably because people typically don't tip enough at a place like this. As someone who regularly tips well (at least 18-20% of my meal's total) it doesn't bother me at all. read more

Great place to hold a celebration. It is necessary to call early to make. A reservation if you want Tappan, otherwise they have a regular dining side or sushi bar as choices. Pros: - Location is within a plaza, close to the theater and supermarkets so there is a lot of parking spaces if you park on the sides. - Service was very attentive and made sure we are enjoying the food. Cons: - A little bit pricey but it is worth it because the food was good! A lot of people I saw, like to get calamari as an appetizer. Also the rest of the food was cooked deliciously by the chef while he made sure that we are entertained. Overall, I will come back again when I want to celebrate something or feel like I want to really treat myself to something good. -It's hard to get same day booking on a weekend unless you call in at least a day before. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Dinner menu Oct 2021 - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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Great food, but I went there for lunch because I saw I could eat a lunch steak for $30. Upon arrival, they notified me that since it was "Presidents' Day" they cannot honor any lunch prices, and that all I could eat was a dinner. I was alone and already there so I got it. When I was finished up, they added gratuity for my party of one . I was going to tip much more than that but long story short my bill was $60. Those guys really got me. read more

When for regular seating because the grill was 30 min wait. I don't recommend the sweet potatoes fries and the California rolls. I do recommend the spicy garlic edamame and the bento box meals. My son loves the miso soup and yellowtail. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Australian Lamb Chop - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

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Good times Good vibes Did the hibachi grill. Filet was amazing. Shrimp was great. Drinks were amazing. Chicken little dry but everything else solid read more

Wanted to give Ooka in Riverside one more chance since our last experience was not so great. Hostess was too busy to help us.

This place use to be good but ever since they add the gratuity for even a party of 2 the service is now HORRIBLE because they know the tip is already included not to mention they rush you out!!! We were barely walking to our seat when waitress was asking us what we wanted to drink!!! Not to mention they charge you for EVERYTHING without even letting you know ahead of time!!! They charged us when we asked for hot sauce and for extra onions. This place is SUPER expensive and expect to be rushed out!! You can eat at a fancy restaurant with amazing service and drinks for the same price. read more

Nice ambience. Service to seating was slow even though we had reservation. Service at table was great. Food was on the salty side otherwise as expected for tepan style read more

Great service & entertainment! Food was too salty & too much sauce was added during the cooking. Pricing & options were great. Decor was nice but it was a little hot in there so I wish the AC was pumping more considering there's fire in front of you. read more

Went for lunch on Halloween Day (Monday). They open promptly at noon. The food was decent. Three orders was enough for 3 adults and a 4 year old. I'm not a fan of crab stick California rolls, so minus points there. The shrimp tempura was very crunchy! Yum! Service was great! We kept asking for things (bowls, napkins, etc), poor guy was running back and forth. Overall, it was a solid three, but the service bumped my ration to four stars. read more

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Made reservations for 2/25 at 6:15 for my sons bday dinner We got there a little early at 5:30 it was very busy we hit seated at 6:00 Our waitress Nalesa was very nice & attentive Constantly checking on us refilling our drinks We did do hibachi our cook was very nice & friendly but not very entertaining So with that being said once we were done eating they didn't bring my son a dessert or sing him happy birthday Also was charged $42.66 for gratuity that's outrageous For a family of 4 we shouldn't be forced to pay that much tip bringing our total $300 read more

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Waiter was rude. Ordered Ice tea & a bottled beer. He brought back ice tea , when asked if we were ready to order and did not response quick enough... he snapped "guess not" and left. Never got beer or got to order. Ended up just leaving and going over to Market Broiler for a bomb meal! read more

We have been frequenting this location for years. The chef we had tonight was fantastic! The food was bursting with flavor, and we couldn't resist doing the food toss tradition. Although the area has seen better days and could use an upgrade after all this time, we still love coming here. read more

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The food is BOMB, be sure to do the Habachi! If you are a pair of two make sure you get the " Ooka special for two" you get two meats with everything from the rice to the soup and salad. It's on the menu so be sure to be on the lookout for it! The service is pretty great as well. Usually if I need something my server is already back to check up on my party and I. The Ambiance is nice as well, it's fairly dark but the habachi grills are lit up along with the seating areas so it sets the mood nicely! Please be sure to give this review a like if it helped you out!! Thanks and enjoy! La comida es BOMBA, ¡asegúrate de hacer el Habachi! Si son un par de dos, asegúrese de obtener el "Ooka especial para dos", obtiene dos carnes con todo, desde el arroz hasta la sopa y la ensalada. ¡Está en el menú, así que asegúrese de estar atento! El servicio también es bastante bueno. Por lo general, si necesito algo, mi servidor ya está de vuelta para controlar mi fiesta y yo. El ambiente también es agradable, está bastante oscuro, pero las parrillas habachi están iluminadas junto con las áreas de descanso, ¡así que crea un ambiente agradable! ¡Asegúrate de darle un me gusta a esta reseña si te ayudó! ¡Gracias y disfruta! read more

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Great vibes... the food was on spot! The scallops were like butter.. The price was great for the amount of food!

DISHONEST RESTAURANT, WILL OVERCHARGE YOU, CHEF DISCRIMANATES AGAINST MINORITIES.... The waiter did not give me the rice that comes with the meal..reminded him many times, finally, just before I left, he gave it to me. Got the bill, it had an automatic gratuity of over 6.00 for a single person...I wrote on the bill that I am not paying this because of poor service...they charged my credit card anyway. Contested this with the credit card company...they gave me the credit because it is such a small amount. Finally, I noticed that the Chef was giving larger portions and additional servings to the other customers who were white. Beware..check you bill carefully and avoid this place. read more

Food was good but I dropped it on the floor and they wouldn't remake it even though there was a cook right next to us it's also my birthday. The managers some Asian and she's a complete bitch not coming back to this one. read more

I had my son's 18th birthday here last night and they did an awesome job entertaining us and accommodating my family 2 days prior for reservations. The deposit was only $20.00 for 16 people and I love that they can split the bill up to 4 ways. There was nothing bad to say. Even though we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated with reservations, we understood it was a busy night with birthdays and graduations. To kill time, we stopped at the bar for some drinks. They brought out my son's cake in a plate and wrote happy birthday. The staff were extremely nice and courteous. I would definitely recommend them for events. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Birthday plate with cake we brought. - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

Amazing food those noodles ?!!! Do good omg ! Service is great. A lot better than your normal habachi spot.

For context, I booked a reservation for my mom and 3 other siblings for her birthday. The hibachi side was okay, the fried rice/food was burnt af. Everyone toward the beginning of the rotation for food had good quality rice/food but once he got around to passing food around to the people at the end all of the food remaining was burnt. Maybe the heat was too high for the dish but I just thought Yall should know. This isn't my first time here either which is why I was so disappointed. Lol hopefully nobody else has a similar experience to me. read more

Food and service was okay, especially Chilean Sea Bass. Shrimp was too firm, overcooked. STUNNED to find out they charge $20 to make a reservation! This just seems wrong and will affect my returning. They also add mandatory 18% "gratuity". That answered amount to tip.. It was nice to also see bill with no spot to add tip, this is not true at other places I have been that have pre-added "gratuity". read more

So I called and the lady on the phone told me that they will stop taking people at 9pm so I got there at 8pm and I drove 35 minutes to get there for the asian lady manager to tell me they stopped taking people already and they are closing early at 9:15pm when the website says 9:30 there customer service is very unprofessional and horrible I used to like this place but now they lost my business and family business because the excuses she gave me as a manager she needs to be fired read more

The food was ok. Staff was not very attentive but not ignoring us either. However, the whole place was so dirty. As many have pointed out, the lights above the table were dusty. This makes me question whether the table and the seats were cleaned after each meal, and whether the utensils and plates were washed well. Also, there is a mandatory 18% tip, which I don't understand how is still on there after the senate bill 478 was passed. read more

Food was great and prepared as ordered. Atmosphere was solid. Noah, our chef did a great job, was likable and friendly but not intrusive. Our kids liked him. We came to Ooka with a group of 9 for my mother's birthday and we had a great time. Shantell, our server was also great. We came in with a box of nothing bunt cupcakes and Shantell agreed to just store them and bring them out after our meal. To our surprise she put them on a large serving tray organized nicely, and even had "happy birthday" added to the plate in chocolate drizzle. Wonderful. Exceeded our expectations! read more

We used to love this place an go all the time, but they add an 18% gratuity onto your check and for a while I was still paying an addition tip no knowing that this was added (my bad for not looking at the bill). It's too bad because sometimes the server would have gotten more. Now we do not go here anymore just because of that. read more

My friends and I decided to try something new and decided to come here. I would say that the food was good but not out of this world. The experience was amazing though. Neither of us had been here before and the cook was great and overall nice. We were definitely entertained. The waiter was nice as well and since it was our first time she was really patient which I appreciate. I would say its a little overpriced but for a special occasion it's a reasonable price. The Hibachi Dinner we ordered was The Chicken and Shrimp. It came with vegetables, rice, and noodles. The Volcano Roll has to be my favorite roll we ordered that night so I absolutely recommend it. Overall, The food was savory and I would definitely come back for a celebration like a birthday or a special occasion. read more

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My family has been visiting Ooka's for many years now. From our wedding day, birthdays and a few in between. The past few visits have been noticably different. Let's talk about the most recent visit on 2/22/25. For a party of 5 at the hibachi, it was $240. That was for 4 people eating hibachi, and the other eating ramen. Ok, I get it, prices have gone up. Let's talk about portion size. The amount of rice & noodles was significantly smaller, everyone noticed at the table. Why skimp on the cheapest part of the meal? The protein, same thing, smaller portions. Why raise the cost and reduce portion size? Give me what I pay for! Did I mention that the $38 gratuity was already included with the bill, yep, another fine dining experience where you are forced to pay the tip in the amount of their choice, not what you think they servers deserve. Our chef lacked personality, very dry and low speaking voice. Meanwhile, the other tables were flaming up and all the guests were laughing. The tonkatsu ramen was not as creamy, and had a strong ginger flavor. The pork & egg were on point. I'm not sure if it is time to find a new spot or give Ooka's one last try. I left feeling confused and disappointed with this last experience, especially because it was my wife's birthday. read more

My favorite place to come eat! The sushi is some of the best in town, and the hibachi never disappoints! Service is great & the cooks are fun and interactive. So yummy! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Birthday fried rice - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

Horrible Service. Save your money. This place is not worth the hassle. You will be disappointed you came here and actually spent money. Hosts are elementary and acting goofy. Not worth your time or money read more

A very long time ago, my wife and I would frequent ooka 2-3 times a week. This was pre-kids. Of course after kids things change. Enough of that... was told 45 minute wait time, that's fine, they have a bar. 10 minutes to be seated at the sushi bar, perfect! We order various sashimi and a couple rolls. If you have a chance, order the Aji! It was extremely delicious! As always, their staff was great and very friendly! We have never been a tempan family, so I can't comment on that side. I believe our sushi chef was Kyle! read more

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We sat 5 minutes when Denise greeted us. It's very busy at 440pm Sunday. 4 minutes later our drinks arrive and we order. 7 minutes later soup salads appetizers arrive. The salad is crisp, flavorful miso soup, crunchy calamari and soft shell crab. 22 minutes later 3 of 4 bentos arrive, 8 minutes after that we finally get our 4th bento. The food is good, crispy tempura, tender beef & chicken teriyaki. My 4 star rating is my son waiting a total of 30 minutes for his meal. Denise is well experienced and friendly. Busing staff is attentive and got our beers. Loets going on, very, very busy. Worth the wait. Thanks read more

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Ate here with a buddy of mine. It's all patio seating, be prepared to wait because they're busy. I ordered lamb chops and they were delicious. They were served with risotto which was also delicious. The staff wears masks and they seem to be cleaning between guests. Our server was very friendly and attentive and checked in often. They cook times are a bit long, not sure why that was with the reduced occupancy and customers, but it took almost an hour to get our food. Not complaining about the food, but the wait time seemed to be somewhat excessive. The restaurant itself is located in an outdoor mall setting. There is plenty of well lit parking and other food choices available. Ooka is a favorite of my friends so that is why we chose it. Overall I have nothing but good things to say about the experience, service was good, food was good, atmosphere was also good. read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - Outdoor dining - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California

Dinner with my family on May 11, 2023 and we wanted to enjoy a night out. We love this place and before having a family, my wife and I come here all the time. We enjoy the ambiance, service, and best of all the food! We love seafood and sushi! There service is great and very attentive. I do wonder why they charge gratuity included already with the bill. For this night we tried there hibachi service and went well. Our son enjoyed the entertainment and will definitely come back. read more

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Manny the chef & Elvis the sever are both 5 star amazing , our plates were dirty (entire table, 4 separate parties ) ran out of forks , gave us plastic. They had last call & never notified us so that was very annoying . Christine the manager was apologetic, but that was about all . I've came here several times & I can honestly say this was pretty disappointing and I'm not sure I'm going to return . There were first time guest and a horrible first impression . Our food was delicious and so was our service with MANNY & ELVIS !!!! read more

Ooka Japanese Restaurant - My fork - Japanese Near Me - Riverside, California