Great rice and fish … Service was fantastic and can’t find a better atmosphere/vibe … Amazing price point for what you get. Solid range sake selection. Well done 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

The most amazing dinner I’ve ever had. Worth every penny, highly recommend. Beverage pairing is most excellent.

Best sake bar, say hi to kiku!

Amazing food, super friendly chef, awesome fish and very intimate atmosphere. Will definitely be back!!!

12/10 can’t recommend enough

One of the best dinners I’ve ever had in the city

It’s really only New York where you can get top quality sushi and service in a former pizza parlor playing Gang Starr over the speakers

👍👍👍

one of the best restaurant experiences of my life!!! Chef Kei Yoshino is legendary

The best place in nyc. Amazing service, and the food is just superb - the best I’ve tested in my entire life!

Wonderful omakase

This place is owned by the same owner of Scarr’s pizza across the street. This was his original pizza location.

Beautiful space, food, and team.

AMAZING sushi. Not cheap.

I highly recommend this place. Very intimate and fantastic fish quality.

best omakase in nyc.

Absolutely crushed it!

We were at Sake Con the week before and someone recommended this as their go-to for traditional sushi. We all know there's a glut of omakase spots in NYC and we've tried a few. They were good, but this is the first time I felt genuinely transported. Yes, it's the old Scarr's Pizza space, but the transformation is remarkable. It feels like stumbling into a beloved neighborhood bar that's been lived in for decades: tchotchkes on the wall, cute dioramas and book nooks, Japanese newspaper clippings, old Playboy magazines. Warm, specific, unpretentious. We started at the bar with the sake flight. Just the standard one was a journey: from crowd-pleasers to "wait, is that shiitake? Why do I love this?" Then we were ushered inside for the omakase. Fish after fish after fish. We'd had all of these before, so why were they better? What is this alchemy? When I asked about ankimo, the chef said flatly: it's not in season, so why serve it? It won't be good. That kind of quiet perfectionism is exactly what makes this place special. And somehow they've kept it relatively affordable, no shareholders to please, no hype tax. Just exceptionally good food, done right, priced honestly. That restraint feels almost radical in this city.

+6

Very surprised by this place. Unbelievable deal for the quality you get here. The fish is delicate with interesting and flavorful toppings. The omakase is fantastic and completely worth it. Trust me, they are doing it right here. If there was a spot like this where I live, I would be there weekly.

a real experience, unexpected flavors and authentic cuisine... don't miss it!!!!!

+5

My wife and I dined at Sushi Oku and will go back. The restaurant is tucked away in an old pizza parlor. The interior ambiance blends old school NYC with Tokyo. The meal was outstanding, original, creative, delicious. We paired it with excellent sake. Go now because this will become a hot spot in short order!

Honestly, this is probably the best dining experience I’ve ever had in my life. To say the food was phenomenal is an understatement, and the wine and sake pairings were perfect. Keith and Rey really blew me away and made me feel so special! I was so impressed with their service and everything they did to make this experience amazing. This place has an amazing chef, a very special staff, and an incredibly cool vibe. S Tier

Nestled discreetly in an unassuming pizza shop on the Lower East Side, this avant-garde sushi restaurant is a culinary gem that defies expectation. Entering through the old pizza shop feels like stepping into a secret world. It’s a brilliant juxtaposition that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The omakase came with plenty of courses (I lost track), with a heavy focus on presentation. The alcohol pairing, while on the pricier side, is worth it. Service was impeccable, with attentive staff who are clearly passionate about their offerings. They were knowledgeable about the menu and pairings. For those willing to splurge, it's a dining experience that’s as memorable as it is delicious.

This was truly lovely and rare experience. I've had omakase at many places, all wonderful in their own way. At Sushi Oku, the loveliness was in the heartfelt and thoughtful preparation of the fish and the ingredients. It was combination of technique and artistry. All the fish is aged to a precise taste and texture by the chef -- and there was so much deliberation over each piece he sliced and shaped. There were no shortcuts taken or "novelties" with the pieces - just very, very excellently prepared fish and seafood, some tender and melt in your mouth perfect, and others, refreshing with a lovely bite. Every piece was delightful. I do also recommend the beverage pairing. Vibe wise, the chef and the staff were warm and genuine, always something I love to see and experience. There were early dates, anniversaries, and old friends catching up here. I recommend this place for any of those.

Best omakase in NYC! Shout out to chef Kei!

The chef and staff are so nice and friendly. One person in our party showed up extra late due to last min work, but chef made sure to accommodate. This took extra effort given the nature of an omakase. Each piece was so fresh and flavorful. Loved the rice and the vinegar/brown sugar pickled ginger. A pretty perfect meal

Amazing experience!!!!!!!! You can tell the chef takes such pride in his work. I mentioned that his miso bowls were pretty and he said he was on the waitlist for 2 months in Japan to get them. The attention to detail was amazing!! Will definitely be returning. Also the service and woman serving the wine & sake was great

Fantastic omakase experience that perfectly blends taste of Tokyo with the atmosphere of New York. Kei-San beautifully prepared dishes that rival anything you’d find in Tokyo while the setting in the back of the former Scarrs Pizza and NY music playing marry into something uniquely New York. The service was a bit rough around the edges by Japanese standards but nothing warranting a knock.

Came here for a birthday! The service was amazing and thoughtful. Bar seats 8 with Chef Yoshino preparing all the dishes. He's personable and his skills are amazing. Ingredients were fresh and all from Japan. I love the intimate seating and had a blast. Definitely will come again!

It's a nice restaurant with a retro atmosphere. The food was delicious. The service was also excellent. I'll definitely come back.

A conscientious restaurant offering authentic Edomae sushi at reasonable prices. The humorous Sushi Master "Kei" is particularly noteworthy!

The best sushi in New York. Absolutely. On par with the best sushi in Tokyo.

Best omakase! Excellent presentation, service, and flavor.

Amazing, simple edomae style authentic sushi. I know the chef Kei San before. He is the best. Good combination of appetizers and Nigiri. Highly recommended!

Amazing food and amazing service in an intimate environment! Definitely recommend, if you are looking for a unique omakase experience

Chef is a vibe. Food was great. Chef and service were personable unlike any Japanese restaurant I’ve been in the city. Would definitely recommend.

Sushi Oku is up in my favorite omakases ever. The egg sundae is probably one of the best bites I’ve ever had. I almost ordered a second one at the end but was too full. The fish was classic, no frills, omakase except for a few fun dishes here and there. If you’re a sushi purist you will like it here. The ice cream sandwich at the end was also one of my favorite desserts I’ve had at omakase. The staff was attentive and friendly, and chef was so funny! The vibes are vintage sports memorabilia and dark interior, which made for a relaxed environment. I don’t normally repeat omakase places but I would come back here for sure.

excellent omakase more on the fancy side (around $170). fresh fish from japan. top-notch quality on every sushi piece. welcoming service, funny chef, AMAZING atmosphere, great music. i've been here multiple times before writing this.

mini sake bar right outside, unique vibe because i think it used to be an old pizza shop. yummy food 10/10 love the mochi w uni & caviar

Amazing, intimate setting, did I say amazing! Omakase with rap music playing small sake bar in front. Old school Italian pizza shop vibes; because it was one once. They heard it was my birthday and immediately were like omg we need to do something for you. They gave everyone a shot of sake even the chef did one with us! Outstanding night will be back soon.

An incredibly delicious omakase experience. The service was attentive and professional. The vibe is like a blend of 90s New York and Tokyo. The chef was very skilled and could tell he loves doing this. He really made the experience!

Have been following Chef Kei for 6+ years, so happy for him to have his new location opened. Fish is always outstanding and I can tell chef Kei puts a lot of effort into his creations. His seasoning makes the fish stands out and his sushi rice is very well balanced. The homemade pickled ginger is amazing as well. Can’t wait to go back!

$165 for 17 courses. This place is a step above your usual edomae omakase. I’ve been to a lot of omakase but today was the first time I had shirako, as well as another dish incorporating mochi with uni, caviar, and wasabi. They also offer ginger made in a different method than your usual ginger. I was surprised that the Spanish mackerel did not have the usual fishy flavor it normally has at other omakase. If you’re looking to experience less commonly offered courses while sticking to traditional omakase, this is a place you’ll want to visit.

TLDR: The old Scarr's is now Sushi Oku. Think laidback, retro hip-hop vibes and a proper sushi omakase. Think of it as the less showy more toned down Shuko, in a good way. Since relocating across the street, the original Scarr's location has split between Clubhouse Sandos in the front and Sushi Oku as a speakeasy sushi-ya in the back. Seeing as both lunch/dinner service are offered, figured let's try the lunch first. For $100 it was a 12-piece omakase with a temaki. Not super budget but premium pieces. The toppings are minimal, some yuzu kosho here, some charcoal salt there. I personally prefer this style where the fish topping itself and the rice can stand on their own. Tons of truffle, etc. gets a bit boring after awhile and seems lazy as far as what I expect from a tasting menu. The fish was diverse, I especially enjoyed the sea bream, horse mackerel and the striped jack. The tuna pieces were from Spain and were both tasty, one lean cut and one seared fatty cut with a bit more wasabi to help balance it out. Chef Yoshino was not in but our chef was wonderful and a pleasure to chat with during lunch. Bottom-line, we liked the food enough and the vibe that we'll definitely be back.

Kei and Nina were an incredible team. The front bar is a vibe and the omakase in the back is incredible. Can’t wait to go again.

The bar was so quaint and relaxing, we came back again later in the night after bar hopping. The bartender is super chill and the sake selection is great. Will definitely be back!

If you’re looking for an experience and great omakase - I would recommend! It’s not everywhere you get to hear some r&b and rap ar a Japanese style sushi meal.

10/10. Sushi was on par or better than what I had when I went to Japan. Staff was super friendly! Chef was wonderful and took time to explain different components of the 17 course omakase meal.

A unique setting for omakase. The food was outstanding and the service was incredibly kind and welcoming.

Great service. Nestled behind the old pizza shop. Delicious omakase assortment for dinner.

Lauren

Sushi Oku is up in my favorite omakases ever. The egg sundae is probably one of the best bites I’ve ever had. I almost ordered a second one at the end but was too full. The fish was classic, no frills, omakase except for a few fun dishes here and there. If you’re a sushi purist you will like it here. The ice cream sandwich at the end was also one of my favorite desserts I’ve had at omakase. The staff was attentive and friendly, and chef was so funny! The vibes are vintage sports memorabilia and dark interior, which made for a relaxed environment. I don’t normally repeat omakase places but I would come back here for sure.

Marco Gomes

excellent omakase more on the fancy side (around $170). fresh fish from japan. top-notch quality on every sushi piece. welcoming service, funny chef, AMAZING atmosphere, great music. i've been here multiple times before writing this.

Rachael Annabelle Yong

mini sake bar right outside, unique vibe because i think it used to be an old pizza shop. yummy food 10/10 love the mochi w uni & caviar

Leslie

Amazing, intimate setting, did I say amazing! Omakase with rap music playing small sake bar in front. Old school Italian pizza shop vibes; because it was one once. They heard it was my birthday and immediately were like omg we need to do something for you. They gave everyone a shot of sake even the chef did one with us! Outstanding night will be back soon.

Jo P

An incredibly delicious omakase experience. The service was attentive and professional. The vibe is like a blend of 90s New York and Tokyo. The chef was very skilled and could tell he loves doing this. He really made the experience!

Sonia Hon

Have been following Chef Kei for 6+ years, so happy for him to have his new location opened. Fish is always outstanding and I can tell chef Kei puts a lot of effort into his creations. His seasoning makes the fish stands out and his sushi rice is very well balanced. The homemade pickled ginger is amazing as well. Can’t wait to go back!

Emily

$165 for 17 courses. This place is a step above your usual edomae omakase. I’ve been to a lot of omakase but today was the first time I had shirako, as well as another dish incorporating mochi with uni, caviar, and wasabi. They also offer ginger made in a different method than your usual ginger. I was surprised that the Spanish mackerel did not have the usual fishy flavor it normally has at other omakase. If you’re looking to experience less commonly offered courses while sticking to traditional omakase, this is a place you’ll want to visit.

Patrick Wong

TLDR: The old Scarr's is now Sushi Oku. Think laidback, retro hip-hop vibes and a proper sushi omakase. Think of it as the less showy more toned down Shuko, in a good way. Since relocating across the street, the original Scarr's location has split between Clubhouse Sandos in the front and Sushi Oku as a speakeasy sushi-ya in the back. Seeing as both lunch/dinner service are offered, figured let's try the lunch first. For $100 it was a 12-piece omakase with a temaki. Not super budget but premium pieces. The toppings are minimal, some yuzu kosho here, some charcoal salt there. I personally prefer this style where the fish topping itself and the rice can stand on their own. Tons of truffle, etc. gets a bit boring after awhile and seems lazy as far as what I expect from a tasting menu. The fish was diverse, I especially enjoyed the sea bream, horse mackerel and the striped jack. The tuna pieces were from Spain and were both tasty, one lean cut and one seared fatty cut with a bit more wasabi to help balance it out. Chef Yoshino was not in but our chef was wonderful and a pleasure to chat with during lunch. Bottom-line, we liked the food enough and the vibe that we'll definitely be back.

Russell Foxworthy

Kei and Nina were an incredible team. The front bar is a vibe and the omakase in the back is incredible. Can’t wait to go again.

Haley L.

The bar was so quaint and relaxing, we came back again later in the night after bar hopping. The bartender is super chill and the sake selection is great. Will definitely be back!

Rachel S

If you’re looking for an experience and great omakase - I would recommend! It’s not everywhere you get to hear some r&b and rap ar a Japanese style sushi meal.

Sameer Kotecha

10/10. Sushi was on par or better than what I had when I went to Japan. Staff was super friendly! Chef was wonderful and took time to explain different components of the 17 course omakase meal.

Desiree Chek

A unique setting for omakase. The food was outstanding and the service was incredibly kind and welcoming.

Neil

Great service. Nestled behind the old pizza shop. Delicious omakase assortment for dinner.

exceptional omakase at a medium price range. really excellent service and inventive selection. fun space and nice hip hop / r&b music in the background. strong recommend!

A great night out - exquisite food, a chef that is engaging and creates a wonderful intimate atmosphere. I had the alcohol pairing and it rounded out the meal beautifully

My husband and I went here for our birthdays more than a year ago and we still talk about it. Hands down the best omakase we have ever had. Easy to miss, as the storefront is a sandwich shop, but once you go through the curtain in the back you’ll enter into a small, intimate, and decidedly New York space, complete with American movie posters written in Japanese and maintaining some of the original decor and charm of the old-school pizzeria that used to occupy the space. If you prefer an upscale “scene”, this is not going to be the right vibe for you. If you care more about the quality of the food and the people you are with, Sushi Oku’s intimate setting will not disappoint.

The harmony of every element creates something truly special. Their service team operates seamlessly. High quality food at seasonable prices best describes this restaurant. The food meets expectations and so does the bill. This restaurant gets my full praise.

Juan King

The harmony of every element creates something truly special. Their service team operates seamlessly. High quality food at seasonable prices best describes this restaurant. The food meets expectations and so does the bill. This restaurant gets my full praise.

Lola Agabalogun

exceptional omakase at a medium price range. really excellent service and inventive selection. fun space and nice hip hop / r&b music in the background. strong recommend!

Jonathan Miller

A great night out - exquisite food, a chef that is engaging and creates a wonderful intimate atmosphere. I had the alcohol pairing and it rounded out the meal beautifully

Natasha Larson

My husband and I went here for our birthdays more than a year ago and we still talk about it. Hands down the best omakase we have ever had. Easy to miss, as the storefront is a sandwich shop, but once you go through the curtain in the back you’ll enter into a small, intimate, and decidedly New York space, complete with American movie posters written in Japanese and maintaining some of the original decor and charm of the old-school pizzeria that used to occupy the space. If you prefer an upscale “scene”, this is not going to be the right vibe for you. If you care more about the quality of the food and the people you are with, Sushi Oku’s intimate setting will not disappoint.

I’m giving a holistic review because I ended up with a slight bit of food poisoning the next evening and the response from the team was very well done, including a refund, but during the dinner itself, I had a great time. The food tasted great and the service was top notch. Loved the ambiance in the former Scarr’s and the hip hop music in the background as well. Unique cuts and preparation styles make this a place worth visiting.

Rovik Robert

I’m giving a holistic review because I ended up with a slight bit of food poisoning the next evening and the response from the team was very well done, including a refund, but during the dinner itself, I had a great time. The food tasted great and the service was top notch. Loved the ambiance in the former Scarr’s and the hip hop music in the background as well. Unique cuts and preparation styles make this a place worth visiting.

I was there for a front sake bar, but they had good bottles. And price were not as high as I worried. It's decent. The place's weird as if it still has old-school sketchy LES vibe and food seems pretty good (so I heard). I'd say it's interesting to visit, for, tourists and locals. I also heard you have to book if you wanna eat sushi. It seems to have only chef's choice course.

コスワ

I was there for a front sake bar, but they had good bottles. And price were not as high as I worried. It's decent. The place's weird as if it still has old-school sketchy LES vibe and food seems pretty good (so I heard). I'd say it's interesting to visit, for, tourists and locals. I also heard you have to book if you wanna eat sushi. It seems to have only chef's choice course.

The food was good but not amazing. Compared to similar restaurants it’s expensive and not good value. It’s very similar ( I would dare say undistinguishable) from Taikun up the street, which is half the price. The vibe/service/ambiance are also not a match for the price. I was honestly disappointed.

We love trying new sushi omakase in NY. This was a disappointing experience. Everything was just a little bit off. Rice was too hot, the sake pairing was underwhelming, the chef was not friendly and did not engage (he was just heads down the whole time….and felt annoyed every time we asked for more ginger), the vibe felt too forced (to us). I will not be back.

I barely write reviews but this place disappointed me, I have been going to omakase spots for a while but this place really disappointed me, all the sushi pieces were bland and tasteless with lots of salt and no artistic touches. Service and host were amazing and super helpful but it all comes to food at the end