Pretty dissapointed by my experience here. I spent close to $2000 in a night and expected the service to be better based on the price point. When I initially asked what the omakase menu consistent of, I was surprised to have him say he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I would like to know what I’m paying for and what exactly to expect or the general ballpark. It was a very interesting response but We ended up doing the omakase 9 course with the sake pairing for three people. It took a very long time for us to even get menus initially, the server kept bringing things in twos even though there were three people seated at the table. For example, he only brought to of the soy sauce trays and never brought a third - when I asked for one he never brought it until halfway through the omakase course.And I understand I tend to order more food than necessary but I didn’t appreciate the look of disdain and skepticism every time I asked if I could order something else or if I like take a look at the menu again. It really left a bad taste in my mouth and again, I feel like I came here more so for the experience and ambiance just as much as the food. At the end of the night, I honestly felt like it was such a waste coming here because whole party felt ignored, it was impossible to get the bill let alone order anything else. Our waiter disappeared constantly even though there was really not too many people that night. I don’t think i will be coming back or recommending this to anyone unfortunately. There are better, more attentive omakase and fine dining sushi restaurants in Boston that I frequent and I was hoping to make Oishii another restaurant on my list of go-to’s but after my lackluster and frankly rude experience with the waiter. I will not be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
SabeehH
Overall loved the sushi, the wait staff, and the experience. It was a little darker than what I would have wanting in terms of lighting. But other than that would book again for sure. The sushi was so good. And our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable.
Michelle Yuan
We went for omakase to celebrate my husband's birthday. The food was good, high quality with good flavor. However, while the prices suggest a high-end experience, the restaurant falls short in delivering a luxurious atmosphere/services. I mean, paying $300 per person (before tips), you'd expect a chill vibe and top-notch service. Our waiter was nice, but he struggled with remembering the names of the ingredients/fish. He kept apologizing like five times while introducing dishes. Plus, omakase offers no interaction with sushi chef, we also didn’t see the chef preparing our dishes. There’s no separation of omakase and normal sushi roll seating, and the seating was a bit cramped, we could hear everything our neighbor tables were chatting about, definitely didn’t feel the desired chill ambiance for Omakase.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Sherrad Abdool
Food was phenomenal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay Suave
Excellent service with very solid dishes! We ordered lobster dumplings, salmon on fire, wagyu sliders (not pictured because I inhaled them), the treasure spoon, the toro truffle maki, and the red bean creme brulee.The lobster dumplings were well sized and served with an oyster like dipping sauce. Lots of texture and very crispy. Salmon on fire was tasty, well presented and served alongside a raspberry vinaigrette that paired really well. The wagyu sliders were delicious and came with a wasabi aoili that I loved although I added some extra wasabi for an extra kick. The treasure spoon was a fun experience and full of umami flavor while the toro truffle maki was a bit mild for my taste. I found myself dipping it in the soy sauce as a "need" vs a want but I'd love to explore other maki options. The red bean creme brulee was perfect with a crunchy top and was delicious to pair with the red bean ice cream.Our server Brenden was very well versed with the menu (flavors, portions, etc) and made great, honest recommendations. Brenden along with the other staff members were attentive and polite from start to finish. 10/10! The ambiance was dim and moody with interesting decor and water installations that elevated the space in a unique way.Ask for a Japanese old fashioned, it's not on the menu, but you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paula Bartlett
Oishii has been one of my favorite restaurant for years. From the incredible staff (particularly Adam in the bar) to their amazing cuisine. The General Manager Luke always makes the experience so much fun. I highly recommend trying their Lamb Chop and exploring their vast Sushi/Sashimi selection. Perfect for dates or solo dining at the bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu, Hamachi or Toro Truffle, Sashimi Duo of Baby Hamachi with Red Miso and King Salmon with Jalapeño Sauce
Hardy Chen
Came here for the 9-course omakase menu as I'd heard a lot of praise about it. While it is pricey, it is very filling despite being 9 courses, compared to some omakases which can be 12-20+ courses. Additionally, the presentation of each item was impressive and the food itself was amazing as well. There is flexibility in the omakase as well if there are certain preferences or allergies which is helpful. The only downside was that you don't necessarily get a chef making it in front of you and narrating as you do in some traditional omakase experiences. That said, the servers know what they're handing you and can explain it all. Service was very friendly and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JenniferD
Our server was incredible and based on his recommendation I had the best hamachi I've ever had in my life. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is top notch—beyond our expectations. Would eat the deserts every day forever —the red bean ice cream and crème brûlée changed my life!
Shonta19125
I've been traveling to Boston for many years and I love this restaurant. It's one of my “must visit and must enjoy the food” places when I come for a business conference. They are always considerate and consistent. The food is always on point and fresh/tasty and quality is evident! Thanks for making my experience, yet again; exceptional!
I had high expectations from Oishii. Walking in it seemed like a really nice place. They may have short staffed but the wait to get our order in was bad. The waiter kept apologizing but it wasn't corrected. The food all sounded great but everything we got was just ok. The dishes were just no flavor or overpowered with burnt fried garlic. We love sushi and we didn't enjoy anything there except the green tea. The flavors were all off and the prices didn't match the food. We don't mind spending money on quality food but this felt like a waste. Not sure if they were having an off afternoon but we will not be returning. Super disappointed.
Hann Solo
NOT worth the prefix. Got the 6 course and the food was fine, but I had a hard time deciphering what could possibly make this worth $225. Ive spent the same amount for higher quality and more food in Monaco at Niwaki. The hot stone for cooking beef popped grease everywhere and stained my very nice silk shirt. Didn't even eat the dessert, as it was disappointing. Atmosphere, service, and food was fine. Just severely underwhelming and overpriced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chef's Special Chirashi
Ren Unu
This place was a miss for me. Had the tasting menu. The food was just ok, but they served what was basically a small steak on course 3 which filled us up for the entire meal. Half the courses were too rich. The fact you could watch the multiple sushi chefs standing there idle, bored, and chatting in what sounded like Cantonese while it took way too long between courses was a very weird vibe for a "fancy" Japanese restaurant. I don't think people realize how Chinese this place is, but most people probably don't realize almost all the sushi places around Boston are Chinese run too.
J Francis
Quite a steep price for basic sushi. Sure it wasn’t out of a supermarket fridge, but one $30 maki is pretty laughable. For someone who has no other choice, delicious for sure. Maybe the wagyu and rare items are great when served in a fancy way, but there are heaps of nice sushi restaurants around Boston equal in taste.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jea Kim
High-end sushi spot in South End with great vibes and solid food.Recently took a visit for my friend’s birthday. The restaurant's atmosphere exuded a high-end vibe, suitable for special occasions. We initially considered the omakase but opted for à la carte due to mixed reviews and a preference for more sushi-centric options.Our meal commenced with a complimentary cold porridge, an excellent amuse-bouche that set the tone. From the small plates, the Black Cod was a highlight, though it didn't quite reach the buttery heights that I experienced at Uni. The Rock Shrimp Tempura and Tartare Tower, despite their immaculate presentation, didn’t quite live up to their hefty price tags. The Salmon on Fire, with its dramatic 'flaming hot' presentation, was a letdown, offering little beyond regular salmon slices and barely noticeable fried shallots and raspberry gastrique.On the other hand, the B52 sushi roll was a pleasant surprise, and our selection of nigiri, including Botan Ebi, O-toro, and Hamachi, was generally of good quality. However, some pieces like Anago and Kin Medai were mediocre. We finished off the meal with their most popular Uni pasta. While it boasted a creamy and rich umami flavor, the absence of distinct Uni pieces was a letdown, especially given the dish's premium price.Overall, Oishii offers an experience suitable for special occasions with an ambiance to match. However, when it comes to the sushi's quality and overall execution, it falls short compared to other high-end sushi options in Boston. While some dishes were memorable, others were not compelling enough to make me return.Parking: Paid street parking usually available in the evening (Along Washington St or Traveler st)
Good sushi, but price level is beyond
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Pretty dissapointed by my experience here. I spent close to $2000 in a night and expected the service to be better based on the price point. When I initially asked what the omakase menu consistent of, I was surprised to have him say he didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I would like to know what I’m paying for and what exactly to expect or the general ballpark. It was a very interesting response but We ended up doing the omakase 9 course with the sake pairing for three people. It took a very long time for us to even get menus initially, the server kept bringing things in twos even though there were three people seated at the table. For example, he only brought to of the soy sauce trays and never brought a third - when I asked for one he never brought it until halfway through the omakase course.And I understand I tend to order more food than necessary but I didn’t appreciate the look of disdain and skepticism every time I asked if I could order something else or if I like take a look at the menu again. It really left a bad taste in my mouth and again, I feel like I came here more so for the experience and ambiance just as much as the food. At the end of the night, I honestly felt like it was such a waste coming here because whole party felt ignored, it was impossible to get the bill let alone order anything else. Our waiter disappeared constantly even though there was really not too many people that night. I don’t think i will be coming back or recommending this to anyone unfortunately. There are better, more attentive omakase and fine dining sushi restaurants in Boston that I frequent and I was hoping to make Oishii another restaurant on my list of go-to’s but after my lackluster and frankly rude experience with the waiter. I will not be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Overall loved the sushi, the wait staff, and the experience. It was a little darker than what I would have wanting in terms of lighting. But other than that would book again for sure. The sushi was so good. And our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable.
We went for omakase to celebrate my husband's birthday. The food was good, high quality with good flavor. However, while the prices suggest a high-end experience, the restaurant falls short in delivering a luxurious atmosphere/services. I mean, paying $300 per person (before tips), you'd expect a chill vibe and top-notch service. Our waiter was nice, but he struggled with remembering the names of the ingredients/fish. He kept apologizing like five times while introducing dishes. Plus, omakase offers no interaction with sushi chef, we also didn’t see the chef preparing our dishes. There’s no separation of omakase and normal sushi roll seating, and the seating was a bit cramped, we could hear everything our neighbor tables were chatting about, definitely didn’t feel the desired chill ambiance for Omakase.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Food was phenomenal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service with very solid dishes! We ordered lobster dumplings, salmon on fire, wagyu sliders (not pictured because I inhaled them), the treasure spoon, the toro truffle maki, and the red bean creme brulee.The lobster dumplings were well sized and served with an oyster like dipping sauce. Lots of texture and very crispy. Salmon on fire was tasty, well presented and served alongside a raspberry vinaigrette that paired really well. The wagyu sliders were delicious and came with a wasabi aoili that I loved although I added some extra wasabi for an extra kick. The treasure spoon was a fun experience and full of umami flavor while the toro truffle maki was a bit mild for my taste. I found myself dipping it in the soy sauce as a "need" vs a want but I'd love to explore other maki options. The red bean creme brulee was perfect with a crunchy top and was delicious to pair with the red bean ice cream.Our server Brenden was very well versed with the menu (flavors, portions, etc) and made great, honest recommendations. Brenden along with the other staff members were attentive and polite from start to finish. 10/10! The ambiance was dim and moody with interesting decor and water installations that elevated the space in a unique way.Ask for a Japanese old fashioned, it's not on the menu, but you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oishii has been one of my favorite restaurant for years. From the incredible staff (particularly Adam in the bar) to their amazing cuisine. The General Manager Luke always makes the experience so much fun. I highly recommend trying their Lamb Chop and exploring their vast Sushi/Sashimi selection. Perfect for dates or solo dining at the bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu, Hamachi or Toro Truffle, Sashimi Duo of Baby Hamachi with Red Miso and King Salmon with Jalapeño Sauce
Came here for the 9-course omakase menu as I'd heard a lot of praise about it. While it is pricey, it is very filling despite being 9 courses, compared to some omakases which can be 12-20+ courses. Additionally, the presentation of each item was impressive and the food itself was amazing as well. There is flexibility in the omakase as well if there are certain preferences or allergies which is helpful. The only downside was that you don't necessarily get a chef making it in front of you and narrating as you do in some traditional omakase experiences. That said, the servers know what they're handing you and can explain it all. Service was very friendly and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our server was incredible and based on his recommendation I had the best hamachi I've ever had in my life. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is top notch—beyond our expectations. Would eat the deserts every day forever —the red bean ice cream and crème brûlée changed my life!
I've been traveling to Boston for many years and I love this restaurant. It's one of my “must visit and must enjoy the food” places when I come for a business conference. They are always considerate and consistent. The food is always on point and fresh/tasty and quality is evident! Thanks for making my experience, yet again; exceptional!
Restaurantji Recommends
I had high expectations from Oishii. Walking in it seemed like a really nice place. They may have short staffed but the wait to get our order in was bad. The waiter kept apologizing but it wasn't corrected. The food all sounded great but everything we got was just ok. The dishes were just no flavor or overpowered with burnt fried garlic. We love sushi and we didn't enjoy anything there except the green tea. The flavors were all off and the prices didn't match the food. We don't mind spending money on quality food but this felt like a waste. Not sure if they were having an off afternoon but we will not be returning. Super disappointed.
NOT worth the prefix. Got the 6 course and the food was fine, but I had a hard time deciphering what could possibly make this worth $225. Ive spent the same amount for higher quality and more food in Monaco at Niwaki. The hot stone for cooking beef popped grease everywhere and stained my very nice silk shirt. Didn't even eat the dessert, as it was disappointing. Atmosphere, service, and food was fine. Just severely underwhelming and overpriced.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chef's Special Chirashi
This place was a miss for me. Had the tasting menu. The food was just ok, but they served what was basically a small steak on course 3 which filled us up for the entire meal. Half the courses were too rich. The fact you could watch the multiple sushi chefs standing there idle, bored, and chatting in what sounded like Cantonese while it took way too long between courses was a very weird vibe for a "fancy" Japanese restaurant. I don't think people realize how Chinese this place is, but most people probably don't realize almost all the sushi places around Boston are Chinese run too.
Quite a steep price for basic sushi. Sure it wasn’t out of a supermarket fridge, but one $30 maki is pretty laughable. For someone who has no other choice, delicious for sure. Maybe the wagyu and rare items are great when served in a fancy way, but there are heaps of nice sushi restaurants around Boston equal in taste.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
High-end sushi spot in South End with great vibes and solid food.Recently took a visit for my friend’s birthday. The restaurant's atmosphere exuded a high-end vibe, suitable for special occasions. We initially considered the omakase but opted for à la carte due to mixed reviews and a preference for more sushi-centric options.Our meal commenced with a complimentary cold porridge, an excellent amuse-bouche that set the tone. From the small plates, the Black Cod was a highlight, though it didn't quite reach the buttery heights that I experienced at Uni. The Rock Shrimp Tempura and Tartare Tower, despite their immaculate presentation, didn’t quite live up to their hefty price tags. The Salmon on Fire, with its dramatic 'flaming hot' presentation, was a letdown, offering little beyond regular salmon slices and barely noticeable fried shallots and raspberry gastrique.On the other hand, the B52 sushi roll was a pleasant surprise, and our selection of nigiri, including Botan Ebi, O-toro, and Hamachi, was generally of good quality. However, some pieces like Anago and Kin Medai were mediocre. We finished off the meal with their most popular Uni pasta. While it boasted a creamy and rich umami flavor, the absence of distinct Uni pieces was a letdown, especially given the dish's premium price.Overall, Oishii offers an experience suitable for special occasions with an ambiance to match. However, when it comes to the sushi's quality and overall execution, it falls short compared to other high-end sushi options in Boston. While some dishes were memorable, others were not compelling enough to make me return.Parking: Paid street parking usually available in the evening (Along Washington St or Traveler st)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Pasta