Here at OKU, we carefully curate our dishes to be shared and enjoyed together. Our innovative menu ranges from fresh caught sushi, sashimi, and seafood, to some of our favorite, "from-the-land" dishes such as our certified Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu. In addition, we've created a unique menu dedicated to our vegetarian and gluten-free guests.
We are proud to be serving Asian-inspired cuisine that everyone around the table will love! From our oceanfront, rooftop patio and lounge, we serve craft cocktails, imported and local beer, and versatile wines rooted in Japanese-inspired elements. OKU, a place where you feel at home and on vacation, at the same time.
We are proud to be serving Asian-inspired cuisine that everyone around the table will love! From our oceanfront, rooftop patio and lounge, we serve craft cocktails, imported and local beer, and versatile wines rooted in Japanese-inspired elements. OKU, a place where you feel at home and on vacation, at the same time.
Services
Host your next event at OKU Restaurant. From our beautiful waterfront location, we can accommodate parties from 10-250 people! From wedding rehearsals and reception dinners, to birthdays, corporate functions, weekly luncheons and private parties, we will provide you and your guest with an unforgettable experience!
Reviews (27)
Sam W.
Jan 30, 2022
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Meg V.
Jan 29, 2022
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Autumnbutterfly S.
Jan 19, 2022
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Mik Ranslem
Jan 16, 2022
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A great experience! Sat outside upstairs, cute ambiance with lights on the patio but also from some of the lights you see coming from the pier. Absolutely get the Fried Cauliflower, amazing flavor. Also, need to get the sashimi! Salmon sashimi was like butter. You can skip the lollipops. They sound super fun, but the flavor just isn’t there. Service was excellent.
Sahil V.
Jan 12, 2022
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Shideh Bahmanyar
Jan 12, 2022
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Parisa
Jan 11, 2022
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Erika S.
Jan 08, 2022
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My sister came into town for New Years & we decided to celebrate my birthday a couple of days late by checking out Oku. It's been recommended by a few friends and I have always noticed it while walking along the Carrillo bike path.
It's always busy, but we were lucky enough to get a reservation on the patio right at sunset. It was heated and very comfortable! They even had a little birthday chocolate and postcard for me when we checked in.
The food was delicious & perfectly timed and our waiter made a few suggestions that we're glad we took into account. The Crispy Korean
It's always busy, but we were lucky enough to get a reservation on the patio right at sunset. It was heated and very comfortable! They even had a little birthday chocolate and postcard for me when we checked in.
The food was delicious & perfectly timed and our waiter made a few suggestions that we're glad we took into account. The Crispy Korean
Theresa Pechner
Jan 06, 2022
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We had an amazing dinner at Oku restaurant. For starters, our server Amanda was spot on w her recommendations, and intuitively guided us to deliciousness. We started with the cauliflower appetizer, followed by the crouching Tiger Roll, then the Rainbow Roll. We had one more roll, shibuno roll? All were delicious, fresh, and flavor bombs. Can't recommend this restaurant enough...
Mona A.
Jan 02, 2022
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I came here the other day for my Birthday Lunch and I have alot of things to say...
Service: The service was very well, I know there are mixed reviews but we had amazing service from the Reservations- Hostess- Waiter. Very attentive.
Ambiance: very cute restaurant, the views are honestly what drew me to this place. I love Santa Barbara and wanted a view of the Ocean. There are many restaurants in this street with a similar view. We ate at the rooftop with a pretty good view (photos attached).
Food: I am a huge foodie so I can be extremely picky about what places I consider to be delicious
Service: The service was very well, I know there are mixed reviews but we had amazing service from the Reservations- Hostess- Waiter. Very attentive.
Ambiance: very cute restaurant, the views are honestly what drew me to this place. I love Santa Barbara and wanted a view of the Ocean. There are many restaurants in this street with a similar view. We ate at the rooftop with a pretty good view (photos attached).
Food: I am a huge foodie so I can be extremely picky about what places I consider to be delicious
Heidi Pankratz
Dec 29, 2021
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The food was delicious, as were the drinks. Our server was very nice too. What was weird was that they said they only had bar seating or a weird table in the walkway next to the elevator available even though many other tables were empty the entire time we were there. I wish we were given the option of a better table but besides that it was great.
Chris R.
Dec 25, 2021
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Yuli Chen
Dec 24, 2021
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Other reviewers were right about the fried cauliflower.. they were absolutely amazing and we had to order another portion before finishing the first plate. This dish is the best of all and i would eat the cauliflowers everyday if i could! Nigiri and rolls were just average for us. The view of beach front was nice and service was good!
Esther S.
Dec 21, 2021
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Oku was one of the best sushi places I have ever had the pleasure of dining at ever! The fish was incredibly fresh, it melted in our mouths and was a sensuous experience for the palate. We had salmon, tuna, toro, blue fin and hamachi. We had salmon roe with quail egg which was like a party in our mouths, the flavor absolutely exploded! We also had mackerel. The service was incredible, the waiter could not have been nicer and made recommendations which never steered us wrong. Oku should be a must stop dining destination if ever one is in the SB area. On top of the food being spectacular, we also
Sophia Bee
Dec 13, 2021
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Come here on a sunny day and sit on the roof patio: you get the most beautiful view of ocean, palm trees, and the wharf.
The service was exceptional overall and our waitress Sarah was very friendly and knowledgable.
We tried 3 rolls which were all good but not the greatest.
I would still come back here again because of the views and service. Thank you!
The service was exceptional overall and our waitress Sarah was very friendly and knowledgable.
We tried 3 rolls which were all good but not the greatest.
I would still come back here again because of the views and service. Thank you!
Grant S.
Dec 13, 2021
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When I think of Santa Barbara, I don't think Japanese food. When my friend invited me to try Oku, I was surprised. Oku is a beautiful, with an outdoor patio on the second floor overlooking the beach. The ambience was very trendy and modern, which was beautiful as well.
Our first course, we started with the Firecracker Rock Shrimp. The tempura was very light and the shrimp was delicious. The two sauces that were served as well were a nice balance of sweet and savory.
We then had the Hotate, Toro, and Ikura. All of these were delicious and the size of the fish were quite good as well.
Our first course, we started with the Firecracker Rock Shrimp. The tempura was very light and the shrimp was delicious. The two sauces that were served as well were a nice balance of sweet and savory.
We then had the Hotate, Toro, and Ikura. All of these were delicious and the size of the fish were quite good as well.
Jason H.
Dec 05, 2021
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TNa Ho
Dec 01, 2021
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Victoria M.
Oct 29, 2021
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This was my first time here and I absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was nice and the outdoor balcony seating was just beautiful! The salmon quality was thick and delicious and I loved the ikura and scallop too. The snow crab California roll was also good but I would try a different roll next time. Oku is a great place for some fresh sushi!
Celine P.
Oct 24, 2021
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Absolutely charming space. love the outdoor ambiance in front of the oceans and the heats in the ceiling. The tea light in the center helped with the coziness.
our server lost our credit card for a fat second scare but otherwise he was patient. Wished he gave a more intimate tour of the meals. But it was a busy night and understandable.
the food was godly. we spent around 28 per person for a party of five and shared everything.
the gyoza was a beautiful combination, chewy and umami. The truffle soy sauce added more roundness I didn't think gyoza needed.
Korean cauliflower were crispy
our server lost our credit card for a fat second scare but otherwise he was patient. Wished he gave a more intimate tour of the meals. But it was a busy night and understandable.
the food was godly. we spent around 28 per person for a party of five and shared everything.
the gyoza was a beautiful combination, chewy and umami. The truffle soy sauce added more roundness I didn't think gyoza needed.
Korean cauliflower were crispy
Prachi G.
Aug 22, 2021
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Came here for lunch while visiting SB as we were craving sushi. We had done some wine tasting in the morning in the area and this spot was in the perfect location across the pier near some of the tasting rooms.
We started off with a bottle of Venia for the table. We were in a large group of people so we ordered a variety of different rolls and shared. Of course, I started off by ordering sashimi, nigiri, and my two favorite rolls spicy tuna and rainbow. The sashimi tasted fresh and the rolls were good.
My friends ordered two rounds of their shrimp garlic noodles and were raving about them. If
We started off with a bottle of Venia for the table. We were in a large group of people so we ordered a variety of different rolls and shared. Of course, I started off by ordering sashimi, nigiri, and my two favorite rolls spicy tuna and rainbow. The sashimi tasted fresh and the rolls were good.
My friends ordered two rounds of their shrimp garlic noodles and were raving about them. If
Christina P.
Aug 15, 2021
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Came here thinking they had happy hour, but they didn't. We went early afternoon around 3ish so we were the only people there. When we were leaving more people started coming and the patio filled up.
The Edamame has a sweet peanut tasting sauce and chili flakes which makes it spicy, but the sweet sauce makes it some of the best edamame I've had. I also don't handle spicy food well so for others it probably wouldn't be bad.
We ordered the shining roll and the way of the dragon roll, both were good. They did not have beer flights, but the waiter brought tasters of all the draft
The Edamame has a sweet peanut tasting sauce and chili flakes which makes it spicy, but the sweet sauce makes it some of the best edamame I've had. I also don't handle spicy food well so for others it probably wouldn't be bad.
We ordered the shining roll and the way of the dragon roll, both were good. They did not have beer flights, but the waiter brought tasters of all the draft
Grace L.
Aug 08, 2021
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Great date night vibes for me and my boyfriend. I can only imagine how lovely the rooftop seating with the string lights and ocean view would be! I'd recommend making a reservation to avoid dealing with the line as this place certainly gets busy.
We ordered the spider roll with soft shell crab, yellowtail carpaccio with yuzu soy sauce, piranha roll with spicy albacore, and XO grilled shrimp on garlic noodles. The sushi was good and up to standard but lacked the wow factor, but I still think Oku is one of the top places for sushi in Santa Barbara. Our favorite dish was actually the XO grilled
We ordered the spider roll with soft shell crab, yellowtail carpaccio with yuzu soy sauce, piranha roll with spicy albacore, and XO grilled shrimp on garlic noodles. The sushi was good and up to standard but lacked the wow factor, but I still think Oku is one of the top places for sushi in Santa Barbara. Our favorite dish was actually the XO grilled
Mari C.
Aug 07, 2021
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Hands down great place to go!
We went in around 5 and were seated right away. Our server was great (medium height, Latino gentleman, sorry bad with names), super attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and gave us options and recommendations.
We started off with 2 apps.
Korean cauliflower damn those are a must and sooo delicious. They were spicy but not too over powering just the right amount of heat and savory. The wings, were also good a tad on the sweeter note for my family, we usually prefer spicy.
I ordered a mule, my son the hibiscus drink, hubby his beer. All were great drinks!
My son
We went in around 5 and were seated right away. Our server was great (medium height, Latino gentleman, sorry bad with names), super attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and gave us options and recommendations.
We started off with 2 apps.
Korean cauliflower damn those are a must and sooo delicious. They were spicy but not too over powering just the right amount of heat and savory. The wings, were also good a tad on the sweeter note for my family, we usually prefer spicy.
I ordered a mule, my son the hibiscus drink, hubby his beer. All were great drinks!
My son
Susan Schiferl
Aug 01, 2021
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Asraa Akhtar
Jul 22, 2021
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Ee Vonn Y.
Jun 06, 2021
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Solid Asian fusion restaurant serving tapas, perfect for sharing and trying everything.
Crispy Korean cauliflower (Korean gochujang sauxe, yuzu shiso aioli) - Not spicy at all, comforting, light with a very slight kick.
Saigon wings (crispy tempura, caramel used soy sesame glaze) - Must order! The contrasting sweet and salty glaze worked.
XO Shrimp on Garlic Noodles (parmigiano Reggiano) - Husband liked this way more than I did. Not really garlic noodles but lighter and less flavor.
Salmon lollipops (cucumber wrapped roll) - Pass.
Santa Barbara Uni - Must order! Generous, fresh cuts of uni
Crispy Korean cauliflower (Korean gochujang sauxe, yuzu shiso aioli) - Not spicy at all, comforting, light with a very slight kick.
Saigon wings (crispy tempura, caramel used soy sesame glaze) - Must order! The contrasting sweet and salty glaze worked.
XO Shrimp on Garlic Noodles (parmigiano Reggiano) - Husband liked this way more than I did. Not really garlic noodles but lighter and less flavor.
Salmon lollipops (cucumber wrapped roll) - Pass.
Santa Barbara Uni - Must order! Generous, fresh cuts of uni
