Oku

Oku in Santa Barbara serves up Asian-inspired cuisine in a stylish setting, complemented by stunning oceanfront views

When it came time to choose a spot for my semi-regular meetup with Derrick in Santa Barbara, I knew I wanted to pick somewhere that would be worth the drive from Los Angeles. After some thought, I remembered a recommendation from my friend Katharine, who had raved about Oku, a stunning oceanfront restaurant perched along the Pacific Ocean. The idea of enjoying great food while soaking in the beauty of the coastline seemed like the perfect setting.

After a rather long drive and a bit of a challenge finding parking – something that’s almost inevitable on sunny day – we finally made it to Oku just in time for our reservation.

We were seated upstairs on the balcony. The sun warmed our faces as we settled in, the breeze was light and the ambiance felt both luxurious and relaxed. As we settled in, I looked forward to our usual round of meaningful conversation and a delicious lunch.

To start, I ordered the MISO SOUP. I love ordering miso soup at restaurants. It’s a classic choice that never disappoints. And this miso was absolutely delicious.

The handmade A5 MIYAZAKI WAGYU & PORTOBELLO GYOZA (with truffle soy sauce) was absolutely outstanding. The rich flavor of  perfectly complemented by the earthy portobello and the umami-packed truffle soy sauce.

When the SUNRISE ROLL ( big eye tuna, fresh salmon, asparagus, avocado rolled and topped with yellowtail, sweet chili sauce, shaved red onion & micro greens) and the THE SPICY FLYING NEWTON (tempura shrimp, spicy yellowtail, avocado, chili oil, topped vith big eye tuna, tobiko, and spicy togarashi) arrived, it was as beautiful as it was delicious. We were both incredibly impressed with the presentation and outstanding flavor.

The SPIDER ROLL (fried soft shell crab, cucumber, gobo, avocado, spicy aioli, daikon sprouts and tobiko) was absolutely delicious. Each roll was a masterpiece in taste and setting. Derrick and I found ourselves savoring every bite, pausing only to exchange stories, intensely deep thought and laughter.

As our conversation extended through the early afternoon, we touched on everything from his upcoming move to relationships in my life and to the humor of life in general. In this, I realized I wasn’t quite ready to end the meal. The food, the setting, and conversation were all too good to rush.

So, I decided to order us one more roll to round out the experience. When the 805 ROLL (fresh salmon w/ kombu & shiso leaf wrapped over a tempura shrimp, avocado, cucumber roll with Yuzu Miso Glaze) arrived at the table, we both felt like it was the perfect finale to a wonderful lunch – light yet satisfying, with a bright, citrusy finish that left us feeling refreshed.

By the time we finished, the sun was still shining, and the ocean view seemed even more enchanting.

Oku delivered everything I had hoped for in an afternoon lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara.

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