Osaka Japanese Restaurant

They were the first Japanese restaurant in town. It is where my family and I always go. The food is great, atmosphere not to pretencious and the wait staff and owners always great! more

I am Japanese, so I know what I expect for sushi. There are so many Japanese restaurants in town, but Osaka is the only authentic Japanese restaurant. Some people complain about warm sushi rice, no vinegared rice, etc. Well, sushi rice must be a room temperature. Fish shouldn't be too cold, otherwise, you cannot enjoy the flavor. Sushi rice shouldn't be mixed with too much vinegar, or kill the fish's original flavor. (The owner practiced making sushi in Osaka, Japan, and got a sushi rice recipe from his master chef.) Each restaurant has its own recipe for sushi rice, and I like Osaka's best. I've just wanted to leave a good review because some people don't understand what Japanese food is, (or expect to get American-Japanese food) and leave bad reviews. more

Osaka is one of the closest restaurants to our home, about a mile away. We have been regular customers, at least once a month, for more than five years. Osaka is our kids' (11, 14, 16 year-old boys) favorite place to eat. It is an excellent Japanese restaurant, compares favorably with mid-price range West coast establishments. Wonderful owners. Great food, hibachi a little pricey. more

Absolutly the best Japanses food in the Midwest!! more

Don't be fooled; bad, bad, bad. They combined my order with another's and then remade mine but charged me again. Nori is old, wet, stale, tough, choking. More staff than customers. 3 sushi chefs and no one talks to you even when seated at the sushi bar. Yellowtail and red tuna served too warm. Asked for order one at a time; they said OK then proceeded to make it as fast as they could so "you won't have to be here all night" - we wanted to enjoy ourselves, not get the bum's rush! And also had the "pleasure" of listening to the LOUD waitstaff talking about their personal conquests, etc. or drumming on the counter tops from boredom while we are there trying to have a rare evening out. I did enjoy the spicy scallops but everything else was below par. We also specifically asked if they used vinegared rice for the sushi and we were assured they did; THEY DON'T!! From now on, I'm going to ask for a sample of the sushi rice and if it isn't real, will find somewhere else to eat. more

Horrible organization on one of most busy days for restaurants-valentines day. This is ONLY the managements fault. Jenny was the manager and didnt know how to take down names for seating. She was running around acting as a host (since there were none others) answering phones and prepairing take outs. there were a lot of upset people waiting in the lobby. If they had a host to even greet guests and take names, the wait would have been understandable. But that was not the case, it was a blob of messiness with no assurance that you were going to be sat at all. This is only the manager jennys fault, she should have been at the host stand taking down a list. many people got pissed off and left. The food was good, but we were already worked up that the restaurant wasnt more prepaired for the valentines weekend. more

For sushi in the midwest, Osaka is excellent. I've had sushi all over the country and Osaka's sushi is very fresh and good quality with good service. The decor and menu aren't trendy or fancy, but they put all their effort into the food where it matters. As for another reviewer who worried about "warm" sushi... I think he or she must not be really familiar with sushi... the only time sushi is cold is when it's NOT fresh from a refrigerated case... fresh sushi is made with hot/warm sushi rice. more

The warm sake was diluted. The tuna and salmon rolls were served at room temperature. Every roll was falling apart, as it appeared no overlap between the ends of the nori occured when rolling. Somehow, the rolls became too damp and that created very tough nori. Awful. The seaweed salad had ice crystals on the bottom layer of seaweed. The sushi was sent back and the sushi chef had the waitress explain to us that "this is just the kind of seaweed we use". The meal was inedible. more

Good: Service of the wait staff.. Bad: The food was terrible, the sake was diluted and I worried about the cleanliness of the place (warm sushi and sticky tables).. Improvements: Cleanliness, skilled Sushi Chef with good judgement for oversight of his apprentices.. more

The staff is absolutely the best in Columbia. We always feel very welcome; a home away from home. The food is impeccable each and every time. We have been dining there for years ... if only we had more expendable income I assure you, we would lunch there every day! I love the atmosphere; quiet, soothing, thoughtful. I completely concur with "Sage G." The only reason I do not give Osaka 5 stars is not the least bit their fault, rather the fault of the often times noisy (dare I say drunken) customers. There are more than enough loud, rowdy places to dine in Columbia. We crave the ambiance as much as the delicious food! We have discovered a great way to make the best of it is to go early in the evening ... we aim for 6.30 at the latest. Families ([we are one] - many are simply not concerned about anyone's experience but their own) are now allowed to sit at the booths after the non smoking law passed. However, we still find the booths to be the best 'seat in the house.' I highly encourage you to try something new each time - we all have our favourites, but it makes for more fun this way and it is tradition. Such as, Green Tea ice cream = yummy! And most definitely try their own ginger dressing ... delicious! So, stop reading and go experience it for yourself. I assure you, you won't be sorry!! Best in Columbia!! more

I lived in Hachinohe (Japan) for over five years and have an extreme affinity for Japanese food. I don't really think it's fare to compare Osaka to the to the food I experienced in Japan, but it certainly ranks as one of Columbia's top restaurants. The servers, though not Japanese, are typically quite good, and the food is delightful. I also would like to respond to one of the above comments in which there are jabs made at other customers in the restaurant. How tacky for someone to point out the other diners. I don't know where Sage G. goes out to eat, but Osaka has a very quiet atmosphere. In fact, at times I feel the atmosphere is too quiet. The finest restaurants in the world tend to have lively, energetic atmospheres. Perhaps Sage G. prefers the company of corpses or dining at a wake. I on the other hand revel in the livelier customers. Here's to Osaka and the bon vivants who dine there! more

I've been to Japanese restaurants all over the US, I've been Japanese restaurants in Japan, and Osaka ranks among the very best. It's a little bizarre to have such genuine, extraordinarily good Japanese food in central Missouri, but there it is. The owners are very friendly, it's great for families (they import Japanese soda for the kids), and their food from the sprout salad to the miso to the REALLY great sushi is absolutely incredible. Their main hibachi chef, Billy (ironically Chinese and not Japanese), is also very good. Osaka, a place called Shiono on the island of Hawaii and a a place in SF at Taylor and Bush (can't remember the name and don't know if they're still there) are definitely the three best in the US. more

i ate there a couple weeks ago and if i could i would eat there every day. i thought every thing was great about it, the food, the atmosfear, and the service. i will deffanlty be back. more

Bring your fish-reluctant friends - there is more to the menu than sushi. Hold a special dinner party in the tatami room! The freshness, quality and selection have never once disappointed us over the years. A prime example of consistent and caring service. A real family business where you can feel and taste the dedication to excellence. We would like to see an improvement in the food in the Hibachi area and the udon and vegetables are not handled as well as the other dishes, but the sushi, teriyaki, tempura, miso, appetizers and lunch specialties are as good or better as any we have experienced anywhere in the country. Our favorite restaurant in Columbia. more

I've been going to Osaka for several years now, usually in extremely large groups with my Japanese class. We've had excellent service every time we've gone - even in parties as large as forty people! The staff remained friendly, even though it was obvious that the crowd was a strain for them. When going on a private dinner with an intimate friend I've always found the service to be top notch. The staff is friendly and respectful of the quiet atmosphere you wish to enjoy, though the customers may not be. When placed in the more "open" side of their shop it is easy to be distracted by the loud-mouths near-by, but more secluded booths are avalible. All their food is delicious and served in beautiful dishware - you'll never forget the salad once you've had it! more

There's no comparision - in price or quality. Osaka is the best. Great personal service, the price is outstanding, and great atmosphere. We've never done the "hibachi" tepanyaki because we can't get past the sushi. Negri and maki are both outstanding. Weekends are crazy and lunch can be crowded, too. Tuna, eel, mackerel, salmon - you can't lose. more

The food is always excellent. It is very quiet and has a nice relaxing environment. Definately recommend. more

I have been going to Osaka for many years now and have never been dissatisfied with their service. The owner Jenny and her husband remember me every time I come in and have since my very first visit in 1996. Jenny always stops by the table and asks how I am and where I have been if it has been a while since I have been there. I moved away a couple of years ago and STILL go back just to see Jenny's smiling face and eat so much sushi I can hardly walk. LOVE IT!! more

This Japanese restaurant is the greatest. It has not only awesome sushi and japanese dishes it also has a mongolian bar-b-que. Highly recommended more