We tried this place after reading good yelp reviews and talking to a couple show owners down the street and getting a thumbs up for Osaka. We came in with no reservation on a Saturday evening and were seated immediately. It is Labor Day weekend and yesterday there was a music fest in town so that may have explained the lack of a dinner crowd. The waitress was sweet and prompt. My boyfriend had the Sapporo on draft (ice cool and so good) and I ordered the "Sake-to-me" cocktail at the suggestion of the waitress. It was very good, just tasted like pineapple with the undertone of sake. We ordered 3 rolls between us and they were brought out within ten minutes. The highly suggested Kani Kamakaze roll did not disappoint with the delicious crab and the honey wasabi sauce on the plate under it. The North Shore roll was a nice change of pace with no rice, and wrapped in cucumber. It was a delicious (and big) mouthful. Third was the special roll. It was spicy tuna with asparagus and avocado with salmon, crunch and some kind of sauce on top that they never told us about. It was sweet and creamy-- almost like a honey mustard. Anyway, this roll was DELICIOUS, don't get me wrong, but when we got our check it turned out to be $19! I thought that was a little outrageous considering there want any expensive or special items in it like lobster, etc. Overall it was a great place with great sushi and service. Will definitely be back for more!
(5)
Sarah T.
Disclosure: I've never actually eaten in the restaurant. I've only gotten take-out a handful of times from Osaka. That being said, I'm a huge fan of their sushi! I love the Spicy Tuna Crunch roll, the Lobster Tempura roll, and the Kikku Nigiri. The Spicy Tuna Crunch roll was one of the best I've had, and the Lobster Tempura roll (arguably one of their most popular rolls- quoted by the hostess) is uniquely delicious and filling! Finally, the Kikku Nigiri is a great standard choice for people who want a taste of the place because it includes a Spicy Tuna roll with a 4-piece nigiri! I'm not a huge fan of the Osaka roll because it falls apart easily and is thus a bit hard to eat. Also, it is rolled in cucumber, and doesn't have any rice in it, which for me was a bit weird. Overall, this place is really really great for take-out. I cannot wait to eat here for dinner.
(4)
Negar M.
Love this place!!! i've been there multiple times and it has never let me down. the fish is always very good. they always have a special appetizer that is worth trying. the wine menu is good. the only thing is that they need more hot saki options. Or maybe flights of saki. the staff is nice which makes it more enjoyable. make a reservation if going on a weekend night.
(5)
Richard J.
Great little sushi and Japanese restaurant in chestnut hill. Excellent casual decor and really clean well lit interior, especially at the sushi bar. We got the live scallop appetizer, served on the half shell, sliced thin with orange roe and scallions on top with a sweet soy dipping sauce. The scallop was so tender and fresh, one of the best scallop preparations I have ever sampled. The rolls were all good, very fresh and tasty, however the presentation was a little boring. I would rank osaka just below hokka hokka for sushi in chestnut hill. Great little spot and our server cora was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Nice little date spot.
(4)
Rima A.
This was by far the best sushi I've ever had in my life... And this is coming from someone who's been to loooots of sushi restaurants with a high price tag. My boyfriend and I are new to Abington area so we're still exploring different options. We thought Ooka was pretty decent but after last night Osaka is our new favorite sushi place! We started off with a beer and a sake drink (it had pineapple and some sort of a sparkling wine in it -delicious!) then ordered the streamed beef dumplings for an appetizer which were delicious and finally had a featured roll, pieces of sashimi and a white tiger roll ( see the enclosed picture). This place is charming and great for celebrating birthdays anniversaries etc. it's also situated in a very interesting and safe area. We will be back!!!!
(5)
Kristy Y.
Looking from outside, you would think this place is so tiny. But when you walk in, you will be surprised to how much space there is inside. They also have a second floor/mezzanine. The sushi/sashimi here is very good. I am a picky eater when it comes to sushi but this place is definitely a great sushi restaurant. The ambiance in here is very romantic and the lights are dim at night which gives it a nice relaxing feel.
(4)
Albert L.
I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to write a review for Osaka. This is a great place in Chestnut Hill. The Lansdale location is very plastic and nondescript due to the nature of its clientele. Chestnut Hill is where its at, however. There always is a nice buzz during the dinner crowd. It makes for a warm and inviting ambiance. There is a small 6-seat cocktail bar. The bartenders are skilled and have a great style to them. I prefer sitting at the sushi bar. It's cool to chat with the chefs and the wait staff. Big ups to Chelsea. She was a great server her, but alas, she just recently left. Nate is a very skilled profession server. On to the food. The special roles created at Osaka really are fresh and inspired. They usually are some vivid combination of flavors and textures. It certainly is the worth the while to try the special rolls. If you want to stay on the conservative side, they have all the traditional rolls, too. The sashimi and nigiri is fantastically fresh and presented in a truly artist manner. So, you get great fish that is edible art. A winning combination. The Tako, Sake, Mutsu, Hamachi, Ebi,,,ALL ARE AWESOME. Osaka has a full bar and Sapporo on tap. You cannot go wrong her. Lastly, the customers at Osaka in Chestnut Hill are very friendly.
(5)
Hang T.
Hands down!!! The BEST sushi pace around. Everything is amazing on the menu. The sashimi is ALWAYS fresh, which is very important. A must try are their Lobster Ravioli (you'll never find another place that prepares it like they do here), Kanpachi Carpaccio, Sea Bass and Dynamite Roll. They also have another location in Lansdale that includes a large hibachi side. I definitely highly recommend this place. Yummy, yum, yum!
(5)
Brad D.
Really nice little place in Chestnut Hill, the restaurant was clean and servers were excellent. The rolls were great, fresh and the specialty rolls were huge, funny to try and eat gracefully. I will be back when it's warmer to have dinner and have a walk!
(5)
Jay G.
Osaka Japanese Restaurant is one of the better sushi restaurants in Philadelphia and its surrounding area. I have been here a few times in the past and have received takeout from here also. In the past, I can't remember any poor experience that I have had here but it is not my number one sushi spot. This time, we had a very friendly waitress who was very helpful and provided a nice experience. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a high quality sushi experience in Chestnut Hill. The food here is pretty good so it makes it onto my top sushi restaurant list. To start off, my girlfriend had a sake-to-me while I had the Otokoyama: Tokubetsu sake. My girlfriend's drink was sweet with pineapple flavor which she enjoyed but wasn't for me. I enjoyed my drink as it was a pretty good sake but I wish they had a larger selection. Otherwise, they seem to offer a bit of each type of alcohol from beer to wine. I prefer to stick to sake as it is more authentic to me and provides a great addition to any sushi meal. I also had a Nigori: Unfiltered Sake which was pretty good but wasn't as sweet as I was expecting to accompany my dessert. Next, we went ahead and had the miso with asari soup and hiyashi wakame salad from the soup and salad section of the menu. The miso soup was very good and the asari were a great addition. The hiyashi wakame, also known as seaweed salad, was also very good quality. From the cold appetizers section, we ordered the Kumamoto oysters while from the hot appetizers section we ordered the shumai. The oysters were very good and fresh, basically the same par as other high end Japanese restaurants I have eaten at recently. The shumai was good but not the best shumai we have had anywhere. For sushi, we ordered two specialty rolls which were the Hong Kong dragon roll and the kani kamikaze. Both of these rolls were very good and fit into the top list of best sushi rolls that I have eaten in the Philadelphia area. Next time I come here I will have to try two different rolls to see if anything really catches my taste buds. As for the sashimi, I went ahead and ended up eating eight different sashimi. The order consisted of hamachi toro, hokkigai, madai, mutsu, oh toro, saba, sake toro, and uni sashimi. All of the sashimi were very fresh and they provided a nice size sampling of uni. All of the sashimi were on par with any other sushi restaurant that I eat at so I definitely recommend any of these sashimi to anyone that comes here. To finish our meal, we had the tempura green tea ice cream which was very good and was a great dessert. We highly recommend the tempura ice cream dessert when it is available. Overall, Osaka is one of the best sushi restaurants in the Philadelphia area and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for high quality sashimi and sushi as well as other Japanese foods.
(5)
Christina R.
Osaka is generally quite good; however, the last two times I went there, I was really disappointed. My friend and I popped in for lunch on her birthday--June 25th, 2015--and the sushi was mediocre. Hence, I wasn't excited to go back any time too soon. Then, I went back about 9:40 p.m. on a weeknight--at the end of July--and was told that the kitchen was closed. The restaurant closes at 10:00. Management needs to step it up--
(2)
Jared J.
The three roll maki lunch comes with spicy tuna, salmon avocado, and California roll. But wait, also edamame, miso soup, and seaweed salad. I left quite full and it was only 13 bucks! I really enjoyed the decor of this restaurant and the employees were extremely cordial. The sushi chef could tell I meant business and kindly asked what I thought of his sushi, and I was down :D. Immediately at the same time my sever asked what I thought, and during the meal, apologized for the soup taking just a bit too long. I was bashful because she was too cute, and gave me awesome service. Sitting at the sushi bar just adds to the experience. If I were to nit pick the sushi had just a little too much rice on it, but hey I loved this meal. I also really like the green tea here, which is 2 bucks extra, but totally worth it for the pot. The green tea screams green! It looks like the hulk, but you can tell is brimming with antioxidants. Osaka is a must try, and may be the best Lunch Maki Special in Philadelphia.
(5)
Kamil S.
Best outside of downtown Philly!! Honorable Mention Rolls: Osaka Roll, Kani Kamikaze Roll, White Tiger Roll, Red Phoenix Roll, Lobster Tempura Roll, Spicy Scallop Roll & Specials!:)
(5)
A B.
I dined here once & I order shrimp tempura sushi roll & mussels, lobster ravioli. Not to mention the service sucked they act as if they didn't want to serve me. When I was eating my food my stomach started to feel queasy at the table and I threw the food up right on their table. Not to mention that the ravioli was cold in the center but long story short I didn't have to pay for my meal and I think they did something to my food to make me sick and I will never eat at this place again I prefer HOKKA HOKKA Chestnut hill much better service and food.
(1)
Marina S.
Way overpriced. Fresh fish, good quality but there are better options around. I mean $8 for one order of salmon sashimi? Not worth it. I ordered Osaka Roll and didn't like it at all.
(3)
Mister U.
Coming from Studio City CA where they knew me by name at Sushi Dan, I was a little skeptical about sushi in Philly. Not anymore! I'm not even gonna compare but I will say this, the Saki varieties are TOP NOTCH. The Food was great, service was top notch as well. My only complaint is I was hot but that's cause the Saki had a little bite to it lol. But seriously, this is the place for hanging out with friends, and even a second or third date.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I love this place, the food is always amazing. It never disappoints. The atmosphere is great. The staff is friendly and constantly checks on you.
(5)
Patrizia C.
I attended Harry Potter weekend and ended up eating Japanese.... not very "wizardly" of me, but at least there was no wait. I sat at the sushi bar and had a delicious meal starting with the steamed shrimp dumplings with ginger ponzu. We then shared the Dynamite, Firecracker and Red Phoenix rolls. Everything was fresh and delicious and the service was great. This was a lucky find!
(4)
Haisan L.
Meet up with a friend here and the food and service was great. Miso soup and sushi were delicious. I must say this is a pretty good place for quality sushi since I've tried others that are more on the cheaper side. Will definitely be dining again since it isn't too far from where I live but can be very pricey - being that it is Philly, there are plenty of other options to explore though. Still would recommend trying out.
(4)
Neka T.
I love their lobster ravioli!!! The service is amazing and the sushi chefs are very friendly. My only complaint if you want to call it a complaint is they have these daily specialty rolls that are separate from the normal menu. These specialty rolls are amazing and I wish they kept some sort of record of what they are so they can be ordered again. But other than that they do a great job.
(5)
Andrew C.
Great food not to expensive
(5)
Christen W.
One of the best sushi restaurants in the city. Spicy tuna hand rolls are a must! So many delicious things to try here. Staff is always friendly and the food will never disappoint. If you haven't been here you are certainly missing out!
(5)
Peter K.
While it's not quite Zama or Fat Salmon, Osaka serves up some of the best sushi I've had in Philly. The portions are also generous, and the chicken teriyaki entree was delicious as well. Plus, its Chestnut Hill locale is cute and just about perfect for a date. I'm definitely a fan.
(4)
Nicholas B.
Great food, best sushi in chestnut hill. Lunch special bento box for around $12 is quite a deal. I eat here 3x a week.
(5)
Diane G.
Food was good but not great - crab cake was disappointing. Service was poor- our waiter seemed new - never told us about specials- never asked if we wanted dessert- had to flag him down for a second drink. For the price, should be more attentive service
(3)
Jacob B.
Good sushi, a bit on the spicier side. There are better places to go as it can be fairly expensive for lunch.
(3)
Michael S.
If you are in chestnut hill and want sushi, this is the right place. The Kani kamikaze is the best roll on the menu. Also try the seafood soup, def the best in Pa. The broth is delicious and spicy. If I were them, I would charge double and put double the seafood in it. If they do that, nothing would come close.
(4)
Alison S.
Oh Sushi, how I love thee so. Just watching you being made, in all of your freshness, makes me smile. And oh how you pair so wonderfully with cucumber martinis. How you taste even better when the srvice is terrfic and the restaurant is clean. It's offical, at 100 pounds soaking wet, I ate 48 peices of sushi...plus my salad and soup and two martinis. I've lived a life of happiness and fulfillment after a dinner such as that. FIVE STARS...I wish I could give it ten.
(5)
Aroline H.
Great tasting sushi and good service. We did find a hair on the ginger and a piece of plastic on the mochi, but everything else was nice!
(4)
JA A.
Good option for dining with non-sushi eaters. Sushi is good. Avoid rolls if you are a purist. Service is fast. Atmosphere though much too loud and so cramped you can easily hear the table next to you.
(3)
Lu M.
I had another birthday dinner here and they delivered!The sushi is great! I enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and watching them create their sushi dishes!Everything was fresh and good.When I asked the sushi chef what something was he gave me a taste.I had my first taste of sea urchin.The only thing I can say I didn't love was the duck lettuce wraps.They were OK.Otherwise had a wonderful dinner!
(4)
Phil D.
Monday - October 8, 2012 (Columbus Day) at 1:00 PM I've been to more restaurants than I care to admit. I enjoy dining out but, have grown tired of ordering off a menu. I guess you can call me a menu snob. Often I will ask the server to surprise me - bad idea! I receive a meal directly off the menu. My own fault. A stubborn man am I - once again- asked to be surprised. I must admit I am a sushi novice that abstained from anything "raw" or anything termed "sushi". I am a Sushi convert! This time I gave a $25.00 dollar limit and asked for a Sushi surprise. The server gleefully admitted that the staff enjoyed a challenge I was not disappointed. I received a platter full of colorful traditional and yellowtail tuna. Salmon, rice, ginger, and wasabi rounded out the presentation. I was quite FULL! Just a reminder - I ordered the "surprise package" when few patrons were present. Could Osaka Japanese Restaurant duplicate my experience on a busy Saturday night? Until I return - and I will - I have to place 5 stars for this experience.
(5)
Tough C.
Very good sashimi. Waitress knowledgeable about gluten free. They carry gf soy sauce but I had brought my own. Very accommodating
(4)
Michael G.
Everything in my Bento Box was very tasty especially the Sea Bass. I thought it was a good deal for $13...miso soup, salad, 2 fried dumplings, 3 California Rolls, and rice. Came for lunch on a Friday, and the place was not crowded at all. A nice place.
(4)
Victor C.
Dropped by for Lunch because of yelp. I took a look at their online menu I thought it looked like a reasonable choice. When I was handed their menu though, the prices were 2-3 dollars more per item($11-$14 for a bento box instead of $9-$11 as stated on the website). Not a game changer so decided to still eat there. Ordered a salmon teriyaki bento box and it arrived reasonably on time. To be honest, the food was okay. The salmon and salad was decent and the california rolls were okay. There wasn't anything special about it...my friends ordered the bento boxes and seafood udon and also felt the same way about their food. Overall it was worth trying but it would never become something I would want to try again. Everything was going decently until we asked for our check. Our waiter was nowhere to be found and when we finally found him to get our check, it took about 20 minutes to get it. I think there were technical difficulties but our waiter didn't inform us and just apologized when he finally brought the check. He also asked us not to make his job harder by splitting the check. I felt bad that he was having a hard time and our group obliged him but I thought that was unprofessional. Overall, the food was okay. Wouldn't be a restaurant that I would ever crave though.
(2)
Lianna N.
The sit in for lunch had good service and a good deal for the lunch box special. Parking is in a paid lot right behind the restaurant, accessed by the side streets.
(4)
Carly M.
Food was good, service was okay. Took long for our food to get out and wasn't even busy. Waitress was nice but a little provocatively clothed. The seats at the tables were so uncomfortable! So much that my back hurt after sitting there. Dessert was way better than the food. Average sushi, not especially great. They didn't really have it all together. Got a glass that had red lipstick all over it. Waitress forgot straws. She darted up to our table and leaned over rudely to check on us. There was a young man that was cleaning tables and came up to us and just stared at us and didn't say a word, several times! Also not as many choices as other places. Overall, okay food, okay service, but no that amazing and would def rather go to Kumo. Not worth the price.
(2)
Lamar F.
I'd give it five stars, but then what would I give to Morimoto? The highest quality sushi with great complementary dishes. Good service and a lovely setting accompanies this. The only thing that keeps it from being as good as Philadelphia's pricy standard is that it is not an adventurous menu. But I go here much more often.
(4)
Kevin K.
Great sushi at a reasonable price. We tried 3 of the special rolls and they were all fantastic. Also, they have a great atmosphere paired with attentive and knowledgeable servers. I love Chestnut Hill.
(5)
Kev M.
Just got the Alaska Roll and Hamachi maki (first time) and I'm very impressed. Great everything and each roll is made with great craftsmanship!
(4)
David B.
I was pleasantly surprised by everything about my experience at Osaka. It is walkable within downtown CH, it is much larger than it appears from the outside, the waitstaff was quick, attentive, knowledgable, and efficient, the food, even on a Sunday night, was fresh, beautiful, and satisfying, and the price was quite comparable to other sushi and Japanese restaurants. And all without having to head downtown and struggle to find parking! I will be back.
(4)
Lilli C.
Osaka is pretty solid for sushi. I've gone for dinner a couple of times, and it's never crowded, the service is friendly and the sushi is delicious. They do not, however have tuna tartar on the menu which I find odd and disappointing since it's one of my favorite items. I went last night and had the duck lettuce wraps which were fantastic. The duck was perfectly seared with crunchy little fried leek strips and a pickled daikon slaw. I also got a spicy tuna crunch roll which was great and only 7 bucks!
(4)
Gwendolyn P.
What a great restaurant! I loved Chestnut Hill and had a very pleasant dining experience at Osaka. I spent four years living in Japan so I am a great judge of good Japanese. My friend and I both had the lunch special bento box which was a ton of food and allowed us to try a lot of different things. The complimentary edamame was a nice touch. The service was excellent and the value was great! Make a reservation and go early since they are crowded.
(5)
Kisha V.
I use to love this place until a waiter followed me into the parking lot demanding a tip despite the fact that one had already been placed in the tip bowl at the sushi bar. What really upset me was when I tried to call the manager they avoided my phone calls and when I did speak to one they were very dismissive. Unfortunately, I previously patronized this restaurant 2-3 x/week and now I no longer eat there!
(1)
Sophia L.
I've been coming here on and off for a few years, and the quality seems to be dropping every time. It is very over priced now, and not the same prices you see online. The taste is not as good as it used to be either, and the portions seem smaller, definitely not the same as 3 years ago.. Our server was unavailable for long periods at a time, and not very attentive. You couldn't find him if you needed a refill, our food took a while coming out, and waited again for our check. I think today's experience has resulted in it being my last trip here. Unless they make some serious changes, I don't think I'll be spending my money here.
(2)
Alexa M.
This places sushi was honestly the best sushi i've ever had. The only downside is simply that I had no money after I left.. and I only got two rolls.. They're about 15 - 20 dollars a roll..
(4)
Katie M.
My first time at Osaka and I hope to be back! I had the lobster tempura roll, and the Alaska maki. So yummy. The mango in the lobster roll was a yummy surprise. It added a bit of sweet that I'm not used to.
(4)
Dwight M.
Always great service but the food wasn't the way I remember. The sushi used to be like butta but now just regular. Disappointing
(3)
Havana S.
I've been coming here for years. Good, solid food in a less fussy atmosphere. I always stick with the sushi as the entrees are kinda average. My fave is the spicy tuna crunch hand roll. My only minor complaint is the acoustics in the dining area are sucky. When the restaurant is busy, the cacophony of the diners reverberates off the high ceilings & it can become loud. Overall, a stand-by neighborhood mainstay in a quasi suburban local.
(3)
Alicia O.
Lunchbox special. Had it today! Salmon teriyaki, fried dumplings, cali roll and soup + salad... all for 10 bucks. I was in heaven!!! Will be back next week
(5)
Chris I.
Went there Saturday night with out a reservation. The hostess did everything to help us get a spot. We ended up at the sushi bar and had a wonderful dinner. The waitress was great as well as the sushi chef. This was a great overall experience form the minute we walked in the door to the minute we left happy with the amazing sushi we just had. Can not wait to go back.
(5)
Michael K.
not much to look at from the outside. inside, really nice. elevated seating area was nice. the waiter suggested one of the specials of the day: watermelon gazpacho. we were intrigued. it was surprisingly pretty amazing. the flavors seemed to hit one by one: watermelon,tomato, garlic then spice. chunk crab meat came on the side. it was really really good. we ordered seaweed salad which was as good as anywhere. sushi specialty rolls: hong kong dragon... my favorite. torched eel on top. yes please. Osaka roll... kind of a melting pot of items in a cucumber wrap. i dipped them all in wasabi soy sauce. it was decent. white tiger - this was a good looking roll which was good and had a killer spicy sauce. it was pretty hot (im a baby though). in all, it wasnt overly expensive. the biggest issue was that i chose the place on my home computer based on the menu - which was different than the iphone app menu - which was different than the restaurant menu. what i was looking to find wasnt there and i was marginally sad.
(4)
Lan H.
Hmm, have I ever had agedashi tofu before? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ag… . Perhaps Fat Salmon in Philadelphia was an agedashi-style tofu? Ohhh that spicy scallop sauce was surely indulgent on top of THOSE tofu. At Osaka, I was handed a much lighter (in calories albeit...wait wait, don't be scared!) agedashi tofu bento box, and I instantly fell in love :-) If you are a huge fan of soy products/tofu dishes as I am, you will try this lunch item on Osaka's menu.
(4)
Charles W.
I met a friend here so we could celebrate her birthday. We stuck to sushi since that is her favorite. We had 4 rolls and were very happy. The fish was very fresh. The service was pretty good. They did not offer to refill our tea. It's the only blemish that I could find. The waittress did a great job with surprising me friend with her cake. I highly recommend. The decor is fantastic.
(4)
Janine A.
Overpriced,overhyped The sushi is nothing special,mushy and not flavorful The waiters do there job but don't give you an friendly experience.
(1)
Mallory S.
Since my last review I've been to Osaka many times and have never been disappointed! I've tried a lot more of their menu items and my new favorites are the Ika Ika Yaki (fried calamari with a guacamole dip), the fried gyoza (beef and veggie dumplings), veggie tempura roll, garden of ginger salad, honeymoon roll and lobster tempura roll. All have been so fresh and full of flavor! The service is always awesome and the waiters are friendly and so knowledgeable of the menu items. One quick note: I visited Osaka with a group of about 12 awhile back and the experience was just as good as it is when it's just me and my roommate. They were appopriately attentive and did not mess up a single order! It was a great time! Osaka is definitely one of my favorite places to frequent in Chestnut Hill and anyone in the area should definitely make it a point to stop in!!!
(4)
David L.
It's not the best sushi I've had, but it is both good and affordable, and some of the specialty rolls aren't bad at all. I was introduced to Philadelphia rolls here, and aside from a single Japanese-run sushi place in Beijing I have yet to have a better one. Sashimi is also a pleasant experience, as the fish is identifiably fresh and of high quality. Their service was friendly, and since I've always been careful to go at off-peak hours, prompt. The ambiance is generally quiet and "Asian," but doesn't stand out as being especially authentic or attractive, and there's a bit to be desired if you're looking for a show while you're watching them prepare your order, but it's a solid sushi place for a quiet lunch or dinner. The quality of the food gets them a four.
(4)
Carly H.
This place is consistently good. I've been here on many different occasions and never been let down. Looking at the outside of Osaka is deceptive. It's plenty big on the inside and is decorated nicely. The service is always attentive and friendly. The sushi isn't cheap, but it won't break the bank either. Spicy Tuna Crunch is about 7 bucks and is delicious! The ginger salad is a deal at 4 bucks and is bigger and better than most. Side note: My son and I go in there frequently, but he is an older child and really loves sushi. Younger kids and those with more picky tastes may be SOL.
(4)
Janice T.
I was pleasantly surprised at how big the restaurant was once I stepped inside... looks small from the outside. The sushi was good enough that I would come back again.
(4)
Em B.
A little disappointed for the price. It was delicious, customer service was great and loved the desert, but it seemed too pricy. Ive had better for less.
(3)
Won-Shik O.
My first time at Osaka, and it was ok. The service was good. It's not the best, but their Sashimi was fresh and delicious. it's too overpriced, though.
(3)
Erik R.
The food was great the service was exceptional. I really haven't been into sushi in a while. I like it. but don't love it anymore. It's not the trend it once was. Be, that as it may Osaka is cradled in the heart of Germantown Avenue's West end. Chestnut Hill. It's such a lovely experience to walk these old streets. Osaka sets itself like a lovely . You get the sense ... I would say this is not a place that is good for groups. Maybe outside during the summer. But the overall size of the restaurant is very slim and set. My dis h was great everything was so fresh and light. If you want something fulfilling, not overwhelming, sushi and Japanese food is it. Spider Rolls, Shrimp, Lobster, Tuna, and Calamari... SAKE!
(4)
Kemi A.
I'm a smush. I ordered the same thing as the last time- spider roll. This time I got the plum wine... Loved it. Nice place, great service, close to home...need I say more? yesssss but only after i've gone back yet again.
(4)
Ninja K.
Ordered carry out last night. Packaging and presentation left a lot to be desired. Food portion appeared to be smaller than when eating in. I was still hungry afterwards. Maybe they haven't updated their menu on line as I was charged $2.00 more than stated. Hostess was not as personable as she could have been.
(3)
Shawn H.
The spicy scallop roll is a must. Consistent sushi everytime. Small (very tiny) bar, but the bartender was great and very friendly. Take out too! I've been here about 5 or 6 times eat-in and about the same for take-out and have never had anything bad. The Kamikazi roll is probably the best sushi roll I've ever had. The spicy scallop roll is delicious too and comes shaped like a cornucopia of sweet scallops. Service has been slow a couple of the times I've been there but is typically pretty good. I won't say its generally the best I've ever had (Sushi Ran), but compared to other local sushi joints (Cin Cin) I think Osaka is pretty damn good.
(5)
Eric P.
Best sushi in the area. It's really that good. The fish is always fresh. Make sure you get some Oh Toro. The service is top notch as well. Prices are average for Chestnut Hill. Don't go anywhere else if you're looking for quality sushi.
(5)
Christine M.
Fresh sushi, amazing service (servers are friendly, efficient, & attentive), and delicious flavors. This is my go to sushi place.
(5)
Sherry H.
Osaka was really a great discovery for us. We had reservations, but still ended up waiting for about 15 minutes. When we were seated, our table was in the upper level of the restaurant. Everything about the decor is tasteful, from lighting to pictures. The crabcake is AMAZING! I am from Maryland, so that is a HIGH compliment. It was completely made of large tender pieces of crab, with no fillers, and a bit of seasoning. Also, it is HUGE, so worth the price. All of our maki rolls were fresh and tasty, and sushi and sashimi, too. Really have no complaints, and will be back soon!
(4)
Eric W.
In town for business in Fort Washington and looking for some sushi. After discovering Bluefin was closed on Mondays, I drove a bit farther up the road to Osaka. I was just using Google search for sushi bars in the area, andI considered this to be a great find. It isn't cheap, probably because of the neighborhood, but I don't mind splurging every now and then. If you're looking for middle of the road and cheap prices, this isn't the place. First off, it's not BYOB like so many other places around. Got some great Nigori sake and a beer. They had Kumamoto oysters, and they were fantastic with the mingotte. Whenever I see these on a menu I start salivating. I also had the Kobe Beef Tataki with garlic, and the Maguro Tataki. The Kobe was 16$, and see the picture here, pretty small. Not something I'd get on a regular basis, but it was very tasty. The last roll I had was the Great Tuna roll, and it was wonderul. Topped by a small bit of garlic (I told him don't be shy, I love garlic), it required no soy sauce. It's a pretty small place. A few seats at the bar, maybe 8-10 at the sushi bar, and some tables. The decor is nicely done, if a bit dimly lit. I sat at the sushi bar as I always do at sushi places, and the service was fine. The main thing is that it's not cheap. I was traveling so I don't mind spending for a good meal on the road. If I lived here, I probably wouldn't go very often because of the price. The food was very good though and worth a one-off trip.
(4)
John J.
This is the Chestnut Hill Sushi Bomb! From service to decor this is a can't miss. Make sure you try the Kani Kamikazee Roll. My Fav.
(5)
Ida G.
Came here mid-week with the boyfriend for a mini-celebration and to satisfy our craving for sushi and cocktails. We started with spicy shrimp gyoza, which didn't taste shrimpy but were quite good. We then shared a few different specialty rolls, but most were bland and needed to be bathed in soy sauce and wasabi; even the Rainbow Roll which I've ordered dozens of times elsewhere and until then had always been a safe bet tasted like nothing. The only roll we were head over heels for was the Kani Kamikaze (spicy crab and mango). The cocktails were pretty awful, but I take some responsibility for mine for not sending it back, which I really should learn to do. Specifically, my melon-lychee martini tasted like Jolly Ranchers (as pointed out by the boyfriend) and was not cold! Blasphemy. The boyfriend's kiwi-something mojito wasn't much better. We didn't see any desserts on the menu, and weren't offered any by our server, so we went without. Upon reading other reviews, it looks like we would have had some options there. A pity. That sums it up for the service. On reflection, Osaka came off as a mediocre Japanese restaurant dressed up as a high-end one with prices to match. Luckily there are a couple other sushi bars in the area to try, before we have to start going back to Center City for our fishy fix.
(3)
Elena C.
Wow. My fiance has lived in Philly for 10 years and I can't believe he's never tried this place! The sushi was among the best I've had. We started with the shumai appetizer. I'd never had these before and this was a great place to try them. The sauce (ginger ponzu) was salty and a great complement to the shrimp dumplings. We had: -Veggie tempura roll (with asparagus and yam) -Spicy tuna -Honeymoon roll -Lobster tempura roll -Unagi maki -Hamachi maki I'm a little wary of yellowtail after the Hokka Hokka incident but this fish was great. Great smooth texture and not fishy at all. The spicy tuna was the best I've ever had, it was actually spicy!!! The honeymoon roll was crispy and the salmon on top was so fresh and delicious. The lobster roll had a GIANT piece of lobster in it and was served with more spicy sauce. I'm so glad T decided to share. :) I left the unagi to him ... I'm working my way up to liking eel ... The atmosphere was great. Dark and calming, very zen. They have a bar with a TV as well as a sushi bar. We called at about 4:00 to make a reservation for 7:00 and I think we got the last one. It was so crowded, tables were full pretty much from the time we got there until we left. The women that came in behind us were told it was a 30 minute wait. My only pet peeve of the night was getting charged for each soda, no free refills. I get it, we're not drinking alcohol and you still want to make money off of us but come on. However, the sushi was so good this did not affect the 5-star rating. :)
(5)
Elizabeth B.
I demand to know why I haven't reviewed Osaka yet. I go there at least once a month, for crying out loud. Osaka serves the most consistently excellent sushi in the area. Eat at the sushi bar or at a table, the service is delightful. The atmosphere is super calming, and it's never loud or boisterous (except for that one time some kids had their obligatory dinner-before-the-homecoming-dance or whatever it was -- cue dramatic eye roll here). The prices are on-point, especially during happy hour (til 6, I believe). Recently the menu changed, but as far as I could see all the staples remained. I am a sushi roll person, and I never leave without having the spicy tuna crunch. It's the best sushi roll I've ever had, hands down. I also enjoy the avocado roll, alaska roll, the colorful tempura roll, or the extravagant (in my opinion) dragon roll. The edamame is perfection as well. There is free parking around back, everything is wonderful -- go, enjoy!
(5)
Spencer L.
Really good sushi. Friendly staff. Our favorite place for sushi is Bluefin in Plymouth Meeting, but getting in is impossible. Osaka has a great vibe, great sushi, a full bar (unlike Bluefin), and lots of seating without being too huge. The place looks trendy, but the people are pretty laidback, a lot of neighborhood types, so it feels down to earth. While I like the sushi at Bluefin better, I'll probably go more because it's easier and almost as good.
(4)
Michael B.
Dined on a quiet Monday. Excellent service. Some unusual dishes were terrific including watermelon gazpacho with crab and a special salmon/mango/avocado/crunchy roe role. Worth a visit.
(4)
Michael B.
My wife and I come here on a regular basis when we need a sushi fix. The sushi is fabulous, the restaurant is quiet and romantic, the service is great, and it is just awesome. However, since sushi is generally expensive, the bill adds up quickly! Nevertheless, it is completely worth it if you are looking for top notch sushi and a nice, relaxing dinner. It is located in the beautiful town of Chestnut Hill, and I would recommend this restaurant to anybody.
(5)
Kelly S.
Osaka was a pleasant surprise in Chestnut Hill. The wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the sushi bar was open to the restaurant so you could watch the chef's prepare the food. We ordered 3 rolls for two people and despite our full bellies ended up ordering a 4th after we finished because it was that good. Prices are a little high, but it's good quality, fresh, classic and inventive rolls. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Nikki T.
Full 5 stars this time. I've eaten there at least 6 times since then and the service has always been excellent, the food delicious and fresh, and the mochi ice cream to die for.
(5)
Jess D.
Great service, cozy atmosphere, great specialty rolls.
(4)
Budd R.
I swear they must raise the fish in the back of their restaurant. I love sushi from Osaka and I am never disappointed when I go there. Everything is so fresh, I love their spicy tuna as it is actually spicy. Also, the Lobster tempura is fabulous. Good place for a date... Or at least is has been for me!
(5)
Erica S.
I think Osaka has the best sushi rolls. I went there several times and tried a lot of their sushi rolls in the menu and I love them. Their Udon and fried tempura is OK and I also like their ice cream dessert as well(green tea and red bean is both good). But I'm not completely satisfied with this Restaurant because the atmosphere is too dark. I don't really like eating at dark places and sure it makes the place look romantic but i kinda feel sleepy while eating cause it's too dark... And the service is OK as well... I'm sure it was just that one particular waitress but she wasn't too friendly with her customers... But their sushi rolls are great and price is reasonable.
(4)
Stephanie Z.
Up until this point my sushi experiences had always been less then stellar on the delicious front. In my search for delicious and luscious sushi eats I stumbled across this little gem of a restaurant and I have to honestly say that this restaurant made me LOVE the fish scales out of some sushi and I am always willing to go back for more! I might go right now, in fact! They have great specialty rolls like the Honeymoon Roll (Shrimp tempura, asparagus, spicy sauce and scallions topped w/ salmon, avocado, and kabayaki sauce), Firecracker Roll (Shrimp tempura, asparagus, spicy sauce and scallions topped w/ salmon, avocado, and kabayaki sauce), and the every loving and popular Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll that will tingle that little sushi lover in everyone! The prices are a little up there for the specialty rolls but the main rolls are comparable to other places and all are far superior for their taste and composition. You can tell that the chefs love what they are doing and are inspired to make great food! If you are not into sushi and want to try some of their other menu items you will be pleasantly surprised at the light touch and simple approach that they use with their food that is very in tune with traditional Japanese cuisine. The udon noodle bowls are light and brothy with just enough to satisfy and the tempura is flaky, crispy, and melts in your mouth with goodness galore! Combine all this with a superb professional wait staff (maybe a little sexy too) and you have a great night out with some great food! While the cocktails are not needed they are very much advised and your taste buds will be thanking you readily!
(5)
Callan W.
I heard from someone at work this was the best sushi restaurant in the area. I must admit, it was pretty good. I met a friend who boasted the tuna crunch roll she had the week before. She loves sushi but never had eel, my favorite sushi item. So I ordered the dragon roll and she ordered the same tuna roll from before. We also ordered a Salmon make roll. Eel is now her favorite thing as well. Service was wonderful-super nice and even let me customize my order. I was kinda confused why the hostess was wearing a super sexy dress-it felt out of place in chestnut hill on a week night. We loved everything! I wish I didn't get so full on sushi because I would have gladly ordered more. I will have to return!
(4)
C T.
Great sushi - creative rolls and sauces. A bit on the pricey side and a fancier atmosphere than Hokka Hokka, the spot further down Germantown Avenue. The service is hit or miss - I have gone a few times that entailed a wait of an hour or so for food. And they definitely seem annoyed if you come without a reservation. I have had better luck with take-out, but it's an insanely expensive take-out meal...
(4)
Alicia O.
I was starving the day I came here for lunch. I ordered a bento box and thought it was the most delicious thing ever. It probably wasn't, but I was really hungry. It's a cute place and not too crowded (at least for lunch). One of the better places to get sushi in Philly.
(4)
G C.
I went here last night with my best friend. The sushi here is awesome! Normally, we go to BlueFin. This place, I like even better. I think I'm going to start driving business here, advertising to my friends and coworkers. I'm already on Yelp writing this review. The reason I give this place only 4 stars is because I actually think the prices are a little expensive. Then again, I did order 4 appetizers and a dessert. My bill for my portion came out to around $65 before tax and tip. I had the kobe beef slices with ginger and ponzu. It was delicious! The beef was seared and lightly seasoned with some kind of sweet sauce. I ate it rapturously. Then I had lobster ravioli. It tasted very creamy and very fresh. There were three raviolis, in the appetizer, and they were very filling. Next, I got the spicy seafood soup. That soup was good but a little underwhelming considering I paid $6 for it. The lobster and the kobe totally made up for it. For my main course, I had White Tiger special roll ($15). It was a nice size. The dish was Black Marlin with spicy crab, roe, and vinegarette. I think it could have been better with a different choice of fish. The fish was very fresh tasting, but slightly burnt. That might have just been the taste of the Marlin though. Next time, I'm going to stick with YellowTail, which is normally what I get at sushi restaurants. I tried some of my friend's and hers was very very fresh. We ate our meal quickly. Dessert was huge. I ordered the vanilla panko crusted ice cream with fried banana. It was a nice dessert. It came with fresh strawberry slices. The presentation was impressive. However, the dessert portion was huge! I mean mammoth. I can see why people call this the little Morimoto. I plan on going back, probably just to try more of the hot appetizers. Those are amazing!
(4)
RIDE R.
Best Sushi in Chestnut Hill. They have several specialty rolls and the ones I've tried have all been very good. The service is quick and friendly and the sushi chefs will help you if you're having any difficulty in deciding what you want. I wish the bar was alitttle bigger and they were open later...
(4)
Lena R.
It was OK. Nothing special at all, not a big selection of sushi rolls, nothing that will bring me back, that's for sure. But if you happen to be in Chestnut Hill, and you happen to be craving sushi, it's good for what it is.
(2)
Christina H.
I really wanted to love Osaka... really. I've been there twice, and both times, I was not happy with their smell.... The first time we went, the waiter was very sweaty, like dripping sweat onto our table sweaty. The food came out really slow, even though the restaurant wasn't packed. But, it was good. We went back earlier this week for lunch. It was dead. But I felt like we still had to wait a while for our food. It was hot and humid in the restaurant, and it smelled like a restaurant kitchen, but not in a good way. The lunch was great though - I had the short ribs bento box, and the ribs were cooked great. It was a lot of food for the money and i definitely left feeling satisfied and full.
Osaka's got some good sushi. Not the all time best sushi, but very consistent, fresh, tasty sushi. Been here both for dinner and takeout. They make some pretty good (and strong) drinks, and the waitstaff are very pleasant and attentive. The sushi is always made with some focus on presentation, so it always looks good. Even when you get takeout they try make it look like a piece of art! I have a standard four rolls I like and tend to base the level of the sushi off those (spicy tuna, caterpillar, soft shell crab, and some shrimp thing). They get above average marks on all and its not crazy expensive.
(4)
Kevin S.
The sushi here is really yummy. The prices are a little too expensive. You can find much better sushi for a much better price around the corner. (The Chestnut Hill Farmer's Market) Having said that, Osaka is a nice place on the Hill to take a date for sushi. The drinks are good, the service is attentive. I like the ambiance, and the people that come here. The bar is also really cute, and a good place to have a beer and get a sushi roll.
(3)
C R.
Overpriced for what you get. I've eaten here several times and always been underwhelmed by the food and overwhelmed by the bill, so when friends wanted to meet up here after Stag and Doe night a few weeks ago, I ate dinner early and just showed up to drink. One beer in, I felt a bowl of rice would not be amiss so I ordered just that. The waiter gave me attitude about my "bland choice" and then ignored our request for a second round of drinks. The rice was lousy, too. Never again.
(2)
James S.
When I first saw Osaka, I didn't think much judging from the outside appearance, but once I walked through the doors I knew this place was going to be much better than I anticipated. Although it can get crammed when busy, Osaka is a pretty cozy, well decorated restaurant. If you're coming here there's a 95% chance it's for sushi and I can say I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and I've never been disappointed with the sushi I've ordered. The staff is also very accommodating with how the sushi is prepared. If you don't like fish-eggs, they won't put them on, or if you prefer a soy wrap rather than the traditional seaweed wrap for your roll it is no problem. All the major rolls (California, spicy tuna, & shrimp tempura) are very tasty, but there is one roll on the menu I must recommend. I absolutely love lobster and when I saw the lobster tempura roll on the menu I had to try it. I've now order it every time I eat there and have gotten others to try it as well. It has a huge chunk of lobster through the entire roll with, from what I can remember, avocado and mango all in a soy bean wrap. There is also a spicy, creamy dipping sauce that comes with it that just ties the whole thing together. A must try! Also, if you aren't feeling sushi, give the short ribs entree a go. The meat is so tender and delicious and the sides are probably like nothing you've ever tried before. Another recommendation is the duck lettuce wraps. All delicious. Whether you get sushi or not, Osaka is going to serve you something you'll surely enjoy.
(4)
Emma D.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! My boyfriend and I hit it up almost every time I'm in town. This is definitely solid sushi, and it's so convenient if you live in the suburbs near Germantown. It's a great place for a date if you feel like going out. Fancy drinks, intimate lighting, and they really work on presentation of the sushi. And even if you get take out it's amazing how beautifully they display the sushi. I haven't had anything bad yet.
(4)
Jessica H.
Some of best sushi that we've had in philly. We usually get the boat and let the sushi chef go to town. Everything that we've had here has always been outstanding and fresh. For the value I think this is one of the best sushi restaurants in town. I stopped in for lunch once and got so much food I wasn't hungry for dinner. It is also nice that I can go here after work in scrubs and not feel out of place.
(5)
victoria r.
I've missed their sushi. i used to eat in and takeout all the time when staying in the area.
(4)
Emily J.
I've always had a decent experience at Osaka, but tonight left a very poor taste in my mouth. My family ordered takeout and was told the wait would be 40 minutes. Fine with us, except when we arrived to pick up our food 40 minutes later, they hadn't even started our order. Cut to nearly 20 minutes later, we've finally received our food; however, they messed up the order! Needless to say, we didn't want to stay any longer for them to remake the part of the order so we just took it and left. What an awful customer service experience!
(2)
Jacquelin K.
Osaka - yum. Definitely the spot IF you're in Gtown AND cannot travel far for your sushi fix. Pretty small place but by no means stuffy. Groovy music and lovely decor. The waitstaff are always pleasant, and yes, do sit at that liquor bar and order a pomegranate mojito. Life altering experience. My favorite kind of sushi is the very basic yellowtail with scallions. I have no idea why, but it's bland here :( The best I've had to date is at Raw. Here, my favorite roll is the crunchy spicy tuna. That's very reasonable at $6 or $7. The specialty rolls cost QUITE a bit more. Not reasonable by my standards. So when I'm here, I stick with the basics. I've gotten take out a few times. If you're not a fan of watching other people eat great food while you wait 25 minutes for your bag, call in ahead of time.
(3)
Annie B.
Not once have I had bad service here no matter how many people I came with. Their chilean sea bass is bangingggggg! I've ordered chilean sea bass at other restaurants and they just don't compare. The sweet potato mash and asparagus compliment it well. Lobster ravioli, beef tataki w/ foie gras, seoul ribs, dynamite roll....all must tries.
(5)
Tagli B.
This place is a hidden treasure and bargain for lunch. The bento box lunches are a meal and a half and really delicious. Start with some miso soup and a salad, and then enjoy the box full of your choice of treats. I like the tempura.
(4)
Jessica M.
Fresh sushi, not the best I've ever had. Like some other reviewer, my server was sweaty...something you'd expect during an August day at an outdoor cafe. Clearly they need to work on the AC during the summer months. This place was decent, not knock your socks off.
(3)
Beth P.
had a delicious and very filling bento box for lunch for only $9: -miso soup -edamame -2 shumai -3 pieces of california roll -a small house salad -tasty rice -excellent age dashi tofu
(3)
Len L.
Really good food. Excellent service. My family primarily go here for takeout. Until about a year ago, they were always messing up our takeout orders, but that issue has been rectified. Prices are a little high.
(4)
J E.
um...YUM. i decided to venture to Osaka for the first time after my usual sushi spot in the area was closed. SO GLAD it was closed. Osaka had delicious, filling, and fresh sushi rolls that were at a pretty inexpensive price! I will DEFINITELY be back.
(4)
Sherri Lee S.
Second visit, a little disappointed with the mussels. Spicier than the last time I had them and the garlic bread was stale. The rolls and edamame were excellent and the service superb. Hostess needs work on her greeting skills. Overall a very good experience.
(3)
J B.
I'm Finally a Sushi Fan! So, it's only taken about a decade, but I'm finally a sushi fan! And Osaka in Chestnut Hill has finally swayed my opinion! Free street parking was a breeze in the area at 7PM on a Saturday night. The ambiance is great! It's close, but not like you're eating with the table next to you. The decor, like plants, flowers, fountains and rice paper screens are a nice touch and not gaudy or gauche. Everyone - even if they weren't directly helping you - was extremely friendly and said hello when you passed them. The fish in the case at the sushi bar looked amazing and so very fresh! I am a little skeptical about eating raw meats, but this even looked appetizing to me and I would definitely be willing to try it at Osaka! Our server was prompt, attentive, patient and knowledgeable. He made great recommendations, including a fantastic White Japanese Ale, called Hitachino Nest. We ordered way too much food, since I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the sushi - even with the soy wrap I decided to try that night. Well, I ended up liking everything we ordered and was simply stuffed by the time we left! The seaweed salad was nice and lightly flavored, although it was a bit more tart (vinegar?) than what I've had at other places. My boyfriend loved it and would order it again. We ordered 3 sushi rolls and the crab cake. The crab cake was amazing. This thing was huge! I'd say it was about 5" in diameter and about 2" high - completely filled with lump crab and very light on seasoning and other things like peppers. It was all crab and delicious! It sat on a bed of purple Thai rice, which had an interesting flavor and nicely complemented the tomato ginger sauce lining the plate. We got the Dynamite Roll (broiled eel & cucumber, topped with spicy scallops, spicy sauce & a sweet teriyaki drizzle w/ panko flakes). This was my boyfriend's favorite and it was quite a taste explosion with all the unique flavors combined! We also had a Lobster Tempura Roll (lobster tempura, mango and avocado in a soy wrap, served with spicy coconut dipping sauce). I took out the mango, and on one bite, added cream cheese to it. It's amazing and worth the $15 price tag! This was my favorite of the evening. The last roll we ordered was a California Roll, which I added cream cheese & tobiko to. We had this with a soy wrapper and it was perfect! This is something that will be a staple of mine when I come here. Thanks to Yelp reviews, I decided to try Osaka for the positive feedback and the soy wraps. I'd never even heard of soy wraps before, but was hopeful that it would change my sushi eating experience! Whether it was the sheer quality of the ingredients or the soy wrap, I'm not sure, but either way Osaka has gained two additional happy customers who will definitely be back!
(5)
Chrissy R.
I LOVE OSAKA. The sushi is great. They have a late night happy hours on weekends with cold food and drinks til 1. On weekends it's a really good idea to get a reservation. The crowd is your normal Chestnut Hill rich guilty liberal crowd, but at least that means that wait staff are happy because they're getting good tips. Casual dress but not sweatshirt casual. Jeans are ok. Sit at the bar (the liquor one--though the sushi bar's fun to sit at too) and be a guinea pig for the bartender's experiments. Yummy
(5)
DWFMB A.
Had the spider roll and Yaki Soba, the lady had the biggest crab cake I've ever seen. Everything was great, including food quality, portions and service. Highly recommended.
(5)
Aaron S.
Osaka is one of my favorite sushi restaurants and is second only to Zento in my book. They have a great menu, the food is always fresh and delicious and the staff has always been really kind and helpful which definitely gets them bonus points. Also important is the fact that they have a full bar and the green tea ice cream is amazing.
(5)
Tres T.
I'll start with the good: -very fresh fish -nice atmosphere, (quieter upstairs) -excellent service the bad (very minor) -not a huge assortment of rolls, but they do have their share of creative ones -a little pricey and they only give you 5 pieces for each roll while most places give 8 but for the fresh quality of their fish, i'd come back here in a heartbeat. definitely the best sushi i've had in this area so far.
(5)
trish s.
Excellent sushi and always fresh. i have never been disappointed. yummy sashimi and rolls. It's great for date night, just sitting at the bar with friends or reserving the private room for a group. Great drinks and wine list!
(4)
Mike d.
Great sushi, staff is friendly and always willing to offer suggestions. Good knife-work by the sushi chefs and worth watching if you sit at the bar. Positives: fresh sushi, decent pricing Negative(s): menu does not change often, wait can be long on moderately busy nights.
(4)
Jenn H. H.
I wasn't that impressed. I went for lunch, and it was fairly empty, but seemed to be doing some brisk take-out lunch business. The food was ok, but way overpriced for lunch. The bento box wasn't too expensive, but the rest of the sushi and the drinks are just too pricey. I know it's chesnut hill, but it's not beverly hills. The service was only so-so. The sushi chefs and the servers were too busy talking to each about what they did the night before instead of providing us good service. There's tons of better sushi places out there!
(3)
Carrie E.
It's great to have a sushi restaurant in Chestnut Hill - it makes it easier to satisfy my craving for raw fish when I'm not in the mood to trek out to North Wales for Cho Cho San. Even though the sushi isn't as awesome as other places, the atmosphere is really nice. It's upscale with a cool vibe (pretty remarkable, considering it's the Hill) and the service is always great. Good drinks and lots of space make it a smart choice when you want to eat well but stay out of Center City.
(3)
J. V.
Possibly the best sushi in the Philadelphia area. I don't think I've had sushi any better in NY. Please, please order the kani kamizaki roll. Please!! The staff is knowledgable staff and the experience is always drama-free. Why go into the city?
(5)
Michelle K.
this place is excellent! they have really creative rolls and everything is fresh. the waitstaff needs to be more informed about the restaurants menus and the the types of fish and sauces used - they did not know what albacore or ponzu sauce was.
(4)
josh g.
my girlfriend was craving sushi so we decided to try osaka. even though i've spent a ton of time in chestnut hill, i'd never gotten around to dining there. first of all, it's very deceiving in terms of space. it looks small from the outside but it's quite spacious once you get in the door. they sat us right away and, even though we had to wait a little too long for our server to greet us, we didn't wait long for anything else the rest of our time. we were disappointed with the pomegranate mojito but that was the only thing we didn't enjoy. everything else was fantastic, especially the kani kamikaze roll.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kristin L.
We tried this place after reading good yelp reviews and talking to a couple show owners down the street and getting a thumbs up for Osaka. We came in with no reservation on a Saturday evening and were seated immediately. It is Labor Day weekend and yesterday there was a music fest in town so that may have explained the lack of a dinner crowd. The waitress was sweet and prompt. My boyfriend had the Sapporo on draft (ice cool and so good) and I ordered the "Sake-to-me" cocktail at the suggestion of the waitress. It was very good, just tasted like pineapple with the undertone of sake. We ordered 3 rolls between us and they were brought out within ten minutes. The highly suggested Kani Kamakaze roll did not disappoint with the delicious crab and the honey wasabi sauce on the plate under it. The North Shore roll was a nice change of pace with no rice, and wrapped in cucumber. It was a delicious (and big) mouthful. Third was the special roll. It was spicy tuna with asparagus and avocado with salmon, crunch and some kind of sauce on top that they never told us about. It was sweet and creamy-- almost like a honey mustard. Anyway, this roll was DELICIOUS, don't get me wrong, but when we got our check it turned out to be $19! I thought that was a little outrageous considering there want any expensive or special items in it like lobster, etc. Overall it was a great place with great sushi and service. Will definitely be back for more!
(5)Sarah T.
Disclosure: I've never actually eaten in the restaurant. I've only gotten take-out a handful of times from Osaka. That being said, I'm a huge fan of their sushi! I love the Spicy Tuna Crunch roll, the Lobster Tempura roll, and the Kikku Nigiri. The Spicy Tuna Crunch roll was one of the best I've had, and the Lobster Tempura roll (arguably one of their most popular rolls- quoted by the hostess) is uniquely delicious and filling! Finally, the Kikku Nigiri is a great standard choice for people who want a taste of the place because it includes a Spicy Tuna roll with a 4-piece nigiri! I'm not a huge fan of the Osaka roll because it falls apart easily and is thus a bit hard to eat. Also, it is rolled in cucumber, and doesn't have any rice in it, which for me was a bit weird. Overall, this place is really really great for take-out. I cannot wait to eat here for dinner.
(4)Negar M.
Love this place!!! i've been there multiple times and it has never let me down. the fish is always very good. they always have a special appetizer that is worth trying. the wine menu is good. the only thing is that they need more hot saki options. Or maybe flights of saki. the staff is nice which makes it more enjoyable. make a reservation if going on a weekend night.
(5)Richard J.
Great little sushi and Japanese restaurant in chestnut hill. Excellent casual decor and really clean well lit interior, especially at the sushi bar. We got the live scallop appetizer, served on the half shell, sliced thin with orange roe and scallions on top with a sweet soy dipping sauce. The scallop was so tender and fresh, one of the best scallop preparations I have ever sampled. The rolls were all good, very fresh and tasty, however the presentation was a little boring. I would rank osaka just below hokka hokka for sushi in chestnut hill. Great little spot and our server cora was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Nice little date spot.
(4)Rima A.
This was by far the best sushi I've ever had in my life... And this is coming from someone who's been to loooots of sushi restaurants with a high price tag. My boyfriend and I are new to Abington area so we're still exploring different options. We thought Ooka was pretty decent but after last night Osaka is our new favorite sushi place! We started off with a beer and a sake drink (it had pineapple and some sort of a sparkling wine in it -delicious!) then ordered the streamed beef dumplings for an appetizer which were delicious and finally had a featured roll, pieces of sashimi and a white tiger roll ( see the enclosed picture). This place is charming and great for celebrating birthdays anniversaries etc. it's also situated in a very interesting and safe area. We will be back!!!!
(5)Kristy Y.
Looking from outside, you would think this place is so tiny. But when you walk in, you will be surprised to how much space there is inside. They also have a second floor/mezzanine. The sushi/sashimi here is very good. I am a picky eater when it comes to sushi but this place is definitely a great sushi restaurant. The ambiance in here is very romantic and the lights are dim at night which gives it a nice relaxing feel.
(4)Albert L.
I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to write a review for Osaka. This is a great place in Chestnut Hill. The Lansdale location is very plastic and nondescript due to the nature of its clientele. Chestnut Hill is where its at, however. There always is a nice buzz during the dinner crowd. It makes for a warm and inviting ambiance. There is a small 6-seat cocktail bar. The bartenders are skilled and have a great style to them. I prefer sitting at the sushi bar. It's cool to chat with the chefs and the wait staff. Big ups to Chelsea. She was a great server her, but alas, she just recently left. Nate is a very skilled profession server. On to the food. The special roles created at Osaka really are fresh and inspired. They usually are some vivid combination of flavors and textures. It certainly is the worth the while to try the special rolls. If you want to stay on the conservative side, they have all the traditional rolls, too. The sashimi and nigiri is fantastically fresh and presented in a truly artist manner. So, you get great fish that is edible art. A winning combination. The Tako, Sake, Mutsu, Hamachi, Ebi,,,ALL ARE AWESOME. Osaka has a full bar and Sapporo on tap. You cannot go wrong her. Lastly, the customers at Osaka in Chestnut Hill are very friendly.
(5)Hang T.
Hands down!!! The BEST sushi pace around. Everything is amazing on the menu. The sashimi is ALWAYS fresh, which is very important. A must try are their Lobster Ravioli (you'll never find another place that prepares it like they do here), Kanpachi Carpaccio, Sea Bass and Dynamite Roll. They also have another location in Lansdale that includes a large hibachi side. I definitely highly recommend this place. Yummy, yum, yum!
(5)Brad D.
Really nice little place in Chestnut Hill, the restaurant was clean and servers were excellent. The rolls were great, fresh and the specialty rolls were huge, funny to try and eat gracefully. I will be back when it's warmer to have dinner and have a walk!
(5)Jay G.
Osaka Japanese Restaurant is one of the better sushi restaurants in Philadelphia and its surrounding area. I have been here a few times in the past and have received takeout from here also. In the past, I can't remember any poor experience that I have had here but it is not my number one sushi spot. This time, we had a very friendly waitress who was very helpful and provided a nice experience. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a high quality sushi experience in Chestnut Hill. The food here is pretty good so it makes it onto my top sushi restaurant list. To start off, my girlfriend had a sake-to-me while I had the Otokoyama: Tokubetsu sake. My girlfriend's drink was sweet with pineapple flavor which she enjoyed but wasn't for me. I enjoyed my drink as it was a pretty good sake but I wish they had a larger selection. Otherwise, they seem to offer a bit of each type of alcohol from beer to wine. I prefer to stick to sake as it is more authentic to me and provides a great addition to any sushi meal. I also had a Nigori: Unfiltered Sake which was pretty good but wasn't as sweet as I was expecting to accompany my dessert. Next, we went ahead and had the miso with asari soup and hiyashi wakame salad from the soup and salad section of the menu. The miso soup was very good and the asari were a great addition. The hiyashi wakame, also known as seaweed salad, was also very good quality. From the cold appetizers section, we ordered the Kumamoto oysters while from the hot appetizers section we ordered the shumai. The oysters were very good and fresh, basically the same par as other high end Japanese restaurants I have eaten at recently. The shumai was good but not the best shumai we have had anywhere. For sushi, we ordered two specialty rolls which were the Hong Kong dragon roll and the kani kamikaze. Both of these rolls were very good and fit into the top list of best sushi rolls that I have eaten in the Philadelphia area. Next time I come here I will have to try two different rolls to see if anything really catches my taste buds. As for the sashimi, I went ahead and ended up eating eight different sashimi. The order consisted of hamachi toro, hokkigai, madai, mutsu, oh toro, saba, sake toro, and uni sashimi. All of the sashimi were very fresh and they provided a nice size sampling of uni. All of the sashimi were on par with any other sushi restaurant that I eat at so I definitely recommend any of these sashimi to anyone that comes here. To finish our meal, we had the tempura green tea ice cream which was very good and was a great dessert. We highly recommend the tempura ice cream dessert when it is available. Overall, Osaka is one of the best sushi restaurants in the Philadelphia area and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for high quality sashimi and sushi as well as other Japanese foods.
(5)Christina R.
Osaka is generally quite good; however, the last two times I went there, I was really disappointed. My friend and I popped in for lunch on her birthday--June 25th, 2015--and the sushi was mediocre. Hence, I wasn't excited to go back any time too soon. Then, I went back about 9:40 p.m. on a weeknight--at the end of July--and was told that the kitchen was closed. The restaurant closes at 10:00. Management needs to step it up--
(2)Jared J.
The three roll maki lunch comes with spicy tuna, salmon avocado, and California roll. But wait, also edamame, miso soup, and seaweed salad. I left quite full and it was only 13 bucks! I really enjoyed the decor of this restaurant and the employees were extremely cordial. The sushi chef could tell I meant business and kindly asked what I thought of his sushi, and I was down :D. Immediately at the same time my sever asked what I thought, and during the meal, apologized for the soup taking just a bit too long. I was bashful because she was too cute, and gave me awesome service. Sitting at the sushi bar just adds to the experience. If I were to nit pick the sushi had just a little too much rice on it, but hey I loved this meal. I also really like the green tea here, which is 2 bucks extra, but totally worth it for the pot. The green tea screams green! It looks like the hulk, but you can tell is brimming with antioxidants. Osaka is a must try, and may be the best Lunch Maki Special in Philadelphia.
(5)Kamil S.
Best outside of downtown Philly!! Honorable Mention Rolls: Osaka Roll, Kani Kamikaze Roll, White Tiger Roll, Red Phoenix Roll, Lobster Tempura Roll, Spicy Scallop Roll & Specials!:)
(5)A B.
I dined here once & I order shrimp tempura sushi roll & mussels, lobster ravioli. Not to mention the service sucked they act as if they didn't want to serve me. When I was eating my food my stomach started to feel queasy at the table and I threw the food up right on their table. Not to mention that the ravioli was cold in the center but long story short I didn't have to pay for my meal and I think they did something to my food to make me sick and I will never eat at this place again I prefer HOKKA HOKKA Chestnut hill much better service and food.
(1)Marina S.
Way overpriced. Fresh fish, good quality but there are better options around. I mean $8 for one order of salmon sashimi? Not worth it. I ordered Osaka Roll and didn't like it at all.
(3)Mister U.
Coming from Studio City CA where they knew me by name at Sushi Dan, I was a little skeptical about sushi in Philly. Not anymore! I'm not even gonna compare but I will say this, the Saki varieties are TOP NOTCH. The Food was great, service was top notch as well. My only complaint is I was hot but that's cause the Saki had a little bite to it lol. But seriously, this is the place for hanging out with friends, and even a second or third date.
(5)Jennifer S.
I love this place, the food is always amazing. It never disappoints. The atmosphere is great. The staff is friendly and constantly checks on you.
(5)Patrizia C.
I attended Harry Potter weekend and ended up eating Japanese.... not very "wizardly" of me, but at least there was no wait. I sat at the sushi bar and had a delicious meal starting with the steamed shrimp dumplings with ginger ponzu. We then shared the Dynamite, Firecracker and Red Phoenix rolls. Everything was fresh and delicious and the service was great. This was a lucky find!
(4)Haisan L.
Meet up with a friend here and the food and service was great. Miso soup and sushi were delicious. I must say this is a pretty good place for quality sushi since I've tried others that are more on the cheaper side. Will definitely be dining again since it isn't too far from where I live but can be very pricey - being that it is Philly, there are plenty of other options to explore though. Still would recommend trying out.
(4)Neka T.
I love their lobster ravioli!!! The service is amazing and the sushi chefs are very friendly. My only complaint if you want to call it a complaint is they have these daily specialty rolls that are separate from the normal menu. These specialty rolls are amazing and I wish they kept some sort of record of what they are so they can be ordered again. But other than that they do a great job.
(5)Andrew C.
Great food not to expensive
(5)Christen W.
One of the best sushi restaurants in the city. Spicy tuna hand rolls are a must! So many delicious things to try here. Staff is always friendly and the food will never disappoint. If you haven't been here you are certainly missing out!
(5)Peter K.
While it's not quite Zama or Fat Salmon, Osaka serves up some of the best sushi I've had in Philly. The portions are also generous, and the chicken teriyaki entree was delicious as well. Plus, its Chestnut Hill locale is cute and just about perfect for a date. I'm definitely a fan.
(4)Nicholas B.
Great food, best sushi in chestnut hill. Lunch special bento box for around $12 is quite a deal. I eat here 3x a week.
(5)Diane G.
Food was good but not great - crab cake was disappointing. Service was poor- our waiter seemed new - never told us about specials- never asked if we wanted dessert- had to flag him down for a second drink. For the price, should be more attentive service
(3)Jacob B.
Good sushi, a bit on the spicier side. There are better places to go as it can be fairly expensive for lunch.
(3)Michael S.
If you are in chestnut hill and want sushi, this is the right place. The Kani kamikaze is the best roll on the menu. Also try the seafood soup, def the best in Pa. The broth is delicious and spicy. If I were them, I would charge double and put double the seafood in it. If they do that, nothing would come close.
(4)Alison S.
Oh Sushi, how I love thee so. Just watching you being made, in all of your freshness, makes me smile. And oh how you pair so wonderfully with cucumber martinis. How you taste even better when the srvice is terrfic and the restaurant is clean. It's offical, at 100 pounds soaking wet, I ate 48 peices of sushi...plus my salad and soup and two martinis. I've lived a life of happiness and fulfillment after a dinner such as that. FIVE STARS...I wish I could give it ten.
(5)Aroline H.
Great tasting sushi and good service. We did find a hair on the ginger and a piece of plastic on the mochi, but everything else was nice!
(4)JA A.
Good option for dining with non-sushi eaters. Sushi is good. Avoid rolls if you are a purist. Service is fast. Atmosphere though much too loud and so cramped you can easily hear the table next to you.
(3)Lu M.
I had another birthday dinner here and they delivered!The sushi is great! I enjoyed sitting at the sushi bar and watching them create their sushi dishes!Everything was fresh and good.When I asked the sushi chef what something was he gave me a taste.I had my first taste of sea urchin.The only thing I can say I didn't love was the duck lettuce wraps.They were OK.Otherwise had a wonderful dinner!
(4)Phil D.
Monday - October 8, 2012 (Columbus Day) at 1:00 PM I've been to more restaurants than I care to admit. I enjoy dining out but, have grown tired of ordering off a menu. I guess you can call me a menu snob. Often I will ask the server to surprise me - bad idea! I receive a meal directly off the menu. My own fault. A stubborn man am I - once again- asked to be surprised. I must admit I am a sushi novice that abstained from anything "raw" or anything termed "sushi". I am a Sushi convert! This time I gave a $25.00 dollar limit and asked for a Sushi surprise. The server gleefully admitted that the staff enjoyed a challenge I was not disappointed. I received a platter full of colorful traditional and yellowtail tuna. Salmon, rice, ginger, and wasabi rounded out the presentation. I was quite FULL! Just a reminder - I ordered the "surprise package" when few patrons were present. Could Osaka Japanese Restaurant duplicate my experience on a busy Saturday night? Until I return - and I will - I have to place 5 stars for this experience.
(5)Tough C.
Very good sashimi. Waitress knowledgeable about gluten free. They carry gf soy sauce but I had brought my own. Very accommodating
(4)Michael G.
Everything in my Bento Box was very tasty especially the Sea Bass. I thought it was a good deal for $13...miso soup, salad, 2 fried dumplings, 3 California Rolls, and rice. Came for lunch on a Friday, and the place was not crowded at all. A nice place.
(4)Victor C.
Dropped by for Lunch because of yelp. I took a look at their online menu I thought it looked like a reasonable choice. When I was handed their menu though, the prices were 2-3 dollars more per item($11-$14 for a bento box instead of $9-$11 as stated on the website). Not a game changer so decided to still eat there. Ordered a salmon teriyaki bento box and it arrived reasonably on time. To be honest, the food was okay. The salmon and salad was decent and the california rolls were okay. There wasn't anything special about it...my friends ordered the bento boxes and seafood udon and also felt the same way about their food. Overall it was worth trying but it would never become something I would want to try again. Everything was going decently until we asked for our check. Our waiter was nowhere to be found and when we finally found him to get our check, it took about 20 minutes to get it. I think there were technical difficulties but our waiter didn't inform us and just apologized when he finally brought the check. He also asked us not to make his job harder by splitting the check. I felt bad that he was having a hard time and our group obliged him but I thought that was unprofessional. Overall, the food was okay. Wouldn't be a restaurant that I would ever crave though.
(2)Lianna N.
The sit in for lunch had good service and a good deal for the lunch box special. Parking is in a paid lot right behind the restaurant, accessed by the side streets.
(4)Carly M.
Food was good, service was okay. Took long for our food to get out and wasn't even busy. Waitress was nice but a little provocatively clothed. The seats at the tables were so uncomfortable! So much that my back hurt after sitting there. Dessert was way better than the food. Average sushi, not especially great. They didn't really have it all together. Got a glass that had red lipstick all over it. Waitress forgot straws. She darted up to our table and leaned over rudely to check on us. There was a young man that was cleaning tables and came up to us and just stared at us and didn't say a word, several times! Also not as many choices as other places. Overall, okay food, okay service, but no that amazing and would def rather go to Kumo. Not worth the price.
(2)Lamar F.
I'd give it five stars, but then what would I give to Morimoto? The highest quality sushi with great complementary dishes. Good service and a lovely setting accompanies this. The only thing that keeps it from being as good as Philadelphia's pricy standard is that it is not an adventurous menu. But I go here much more often.
(4)Kevin K.
Great sushi at a reasonable price. We tried 3 of the special rolls and they were all fantastic. Also, they have a great atmosphere paired with attentive and knowledgeable servers. I love Chestnut Hill.
(5)Kev M.
Just got the Alaska Roll and Hamachi maki (first time) and I'm very impressed. Great everything and each roll is made with great craftsmanship!
(4)David B.
I was pleasantly surprised by everything about my experience at Osaka. It is walkable within downtown CH, it is much larger than it appears from the outside, the waitstaff was quick, attentive, knowledgable, and efficient, the food, even on a Sunday night, was fresh, beautiful, and satisfying, and the price was quite comparable to other sushi and Japanese restaurants. And all without having to head downtown and struggle to find parking! I will be back.
(4)Lilli C.
Osaka is pretty solid for sushi. I've gone for dinner a couple of times, and it's never crowded, the service is friendly and the sushi is delicious. They do not, however have tuna tartar on the menu which I find odd and disappointing since it's one of my favorite items. I went last night and had the duck lettuce wraps which were fantastic. The duck was perfectly seared with crunchy little fried leek strips and a pickled daikon slaw. I also got a spicy tuna crunch roll which was great and only 7 bucks!
(4)Gwendolyn P.
What a great restaurant! I loved Chestnut Hill and had a very pleasant dining experience at Osaka. I spent four years living in Japan so I am a great judge of good Japanese. My friend and I both had the lunch special bento box which was a ton of food and allowed us to try a lot of different things. The complimentary edamame was a nice touch. The service was excellent and the value was great! Make a reservation and go early since they are crowded.
(5)Kisha V.
I use to love this place until a waiter followed me into the parking lot demanding a tip despite the fact that one had already been placed in the tip bowl at the sushi bar. What really upset me was when I tried to call the manager they avoided my phone calls and when I did speak to one they were very dismissive. Unfortunately, I previously patronized this restaurant 2-3 x/week and now I no longer eat there!
(1)Sophia L.
I've been coming here on and off for a few years, and the quality seems to be dropping every time. It is very over priced now, and not the same prices you see online. The taste is not as good as it used to be either, and the portions seem smaller, definitely not the same as 3 years ago.. Our server was unavailable for long periods at a time, and not very attentive. You couldn't find him if you needed a refill, our food took a while coming out, and waited again for our check. I think today's experience has resulted in it being my last trip here. Unless they make some serious changes, I don't think I'll be spending my money here.
(2)Alexa M.
This places sushi was honestly the best sushi i've ever had. The only downside is simply that I had no money after I left.. and I only got two rolls.. They're about 15 - 20 dollars a roll..
(4)Katie M.
My first time at Osaka and I hope to be back! I had the lobster tempura roll, and the Alaska maki. So yummy. The mango in the lobster roll was a yummy surprise. It added a bit of sweet that I'm not used to.
(4)Dwight M.
Always great service but the food wasn't the way I remember. The sushi used to be like butta but now just regular. Disappointing
(3)Havana S.
I've been coming here for years. Good, solid food in a less fussy atmosphere. I always stick with the sushi as the entrees are kinda average. My fave is the spicy tuna crunch hand roll. My only minor complaint is the acoustics in the dining area are sucky. When the restaurant is busy, the cacophony of the diners reverberates off the high ceilings & it can become loud. Overall, a stand-by neighborhood mainstay in a quasi suburban local.
(3)Alicia O.
Lunchbox special. Had it today! Salmon teriyaki, fried dumplings, cali roll and soup + salad... all for 10 bucks. I was in heaven!!! Will be back next week
(5)Chris I.
Went there Saturday night with out a reservation. The hostess did everything to help us get a spot. We ended up at the sushi bar and had a wonderful dinner. The waitress was great as well as the sushi chef. This was a great overall experience form the minute we walked in the door to the minute we left happy with the amazing sushi we just had. Can not wait to go back.
(5)Michael K.
not much to look at from the outside. inside, really nice. elevated seating area was nice. the waiter suggested one of the specials of the day: watermelon gazpacho. we were intrigued. it was surprisingly pretty amazing. the flavors seemed to hit one by one: watermelon,tomato, garlic then spice. chunk crab meat came on the side. it was really really good. we ordered seaweed salad which was as good as anywhere. sushi specialty rolls: hong kong dragon... my favorite. torched eel on top. yes please. Osaka roll... kind of a melting pot of items in a cucumber wrap. i dipped them all in wasabi soy sauce. it was decent. white tiger - this was a good looking roll which was good and had a killer spicy sauce. it was pretty hot (im a baby though). in all, it wasnt overly expensive. the biggest issue was that i chose the place on my home computer based on the menu - which was different than the iphone app menu - which was different than the restaurant menu. what i was looking to find wasnt there and i was marginally sad.
(4)Lan H.
Hmm, have I ever had agedashi tofu before? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ag… . Perhaps Fat Salmon in Philadelphia was an agedashi-style tofu? Ohhh that spicy scallop sauce was surely indulgent on top of THOSE tofu. At Osaka, I was handed a much lighter (in calories albeit...wait wait, don't be scared!) agedashi tofu bento box, and I instantly fell in love :-) If you are a huge fan of soy products/tofu dishes as I am, you will try this lunch item on Osaka's menu.
(4)Charles W.
I met a friend here so we could celebrate her birthday. We stuck to sushi since that is her favorite. We had 4 rolls and were very happy. The fish was very fresh. The service was pretty good. They did not offer to refill our tea. It's the only blemish that I could find. The waittress did a great job with surprising me friend with her cake. I highly recommend. The decor is fantastic.
(4)Janine A.
Overpriced,overhyped The sushi is nothing special,mushy and not flavorful The waiters do there job but don't give you an friendly experience.
(1)Mallory S.
Since my last review I've been to Osaka many times and have never been disappointed! I've tried a lot more of their menu items and my new favorites are the Ika Ika Yaki (fried calamari with a guacamole dip), the fried gyoza (beef and veggie dumplings), veggie tempura roll, garden of ginger salad, honeymoon roll and lobster tempura roll. All have been so fresh and full of flavor! The service is always awesome and the waiters are friendly and so knowledgeable of the menu items. One quick note: I visited Osaka with a group of about 12 awhile back and the experience was just as good as it is when it's just me and my roommate. They were appopriately attentive and did not mess up a single order! It was a great time! Osaka is definitely one of my favorite places to frequent in Chestnut Hill and anyone in the area should definitely make it a point to stop in!!!
(4)David L.
It's not the best sushi I've had, but it is both good and affordable, and some of the specialty rolls aren't bad at all. I was introduced to Philadelphia rolls here, and aside from a single Japanese-run sushi place in Beijing I have yet to have a better one. Sashimi is also a pleasant experience, as the fish is identifiably fresh and of high quality. Their service was friendly, and since I've always been careful to go at off-peak hours, prompt. The ambiance is generally quiet and "Asian," but doesn't stand out as being especially authentic or attractive, and there's a bit to be desired if you're looking for a show while you're watching them prepare your order, but it's a solid sushi place for a quiet lunch or dinner. The quality of the food gets them a four.
(4)Carly H.
This place is consistently good. I've been here on many different occasions and never been let down. Looking at the outside of Osaka is deceptive. It's plenty big on the inside and is decorated nicely. The service is always attentive and friendly. The sushi isn't cheap, but it won't break the bank either. Spicy Tuna Crunch is about 7 bucks and is delicious! The ginger salad is a deal at 4 bucks and is bigger and better than most. Side note: My son and I go in there frequently, but he is an older child and really loves sushi. Younger kids and those with more picky tastes may be SOL.
(4)Janice T.
I was pleasantly surprised at how big the restaurant was once I stepped inside... looks small from the outside. The sushi was good enough that I would come back again.
(4)Em B.
A little disappointed for the price. It was delicious, customer service was great and loved the desert, but it seemed too pricy. Ive had better for less.
(3)Won-Shik O.
My first time at Osaka, and it was ok. The service was good. It's not the best, but their Sashimi was fresh and delicious. it's too overpriced, though.
(3)Erik R.
The food was great the service was exceptional. I really haven't been into sushi in a while. I like it. but don't love it anymore. It's not the trend it once was. Be, that as it may Osaka is cradled in the heart of Germantown Avenue's West end. Chestnut Hill. It's such a lovely experience to walk these old streets. Osaka sets itself like a lovely . You get the sense ... I would say this is not a place that is good for groups. Maybe outside during the summer. But the overall size of the restaurant is very slim and set. My dis h was great everything was so fresh and light. If you want something fulfilling, not overwhelming, sushi and Japanese food is it. Spider Rolls, Shrimp, Lobster, Tuna, and Calamari... SAKE!
(4)Kemi A.
I'm a smush. I ordered the same thing as the last time- spider roll. This time I got the plum wine... Loved it. Nice place, great service, close to home...need I say more? yesssss but only after i've gone back yet again.
(4)Ninja K.
Ordered carry out last night. Packaging and presentation left a lot to be desired. Food portion appeared to be smaller than when eating in. I was still hungry afterwards. Maybe they haven't updated their menu on line as I was charged $2.00 more than stated. Hostess was not as personable as she could have been.
(3)Shawn H.
The spicy scallop roll is a must. Consistent sushi everytime. Small (very tiny) bar, but the bartender was great and very friendly. Take out too! I've been here about 5 or 6 times eat-in and about the same for take-out and have never had anything bad. The Kamikazi roll is probably the best sushi roll I've ever had. The spicy scallop roll is delicious too and comes shaped like a cornucopia of sweet scallops. Service has been slow a couple of the times I've been there but is typically pretty good. I won't say its generally the best I've ever had (Sushi Ran), but compared to other local sushi joints (Cin Cin) I think Osaka is pretty damn good.
(5)Eric P.
Best sushi in the area. It's really that good. The fish is always fresh. Make sure you get some Oh Toro. The service is top notch as well. Prices are average for Chestnut Hill. Don't go anywhere else if you're looking for quality sushi.
(5)Christine M.
Fresh sushi, amazing service (servers are friendly, efficient, & attentive), and delicious flavors. This is my go to sushi place.
(5)Sherry H.
Osaka was really a great discovery for us. We had reservations, but still ended up waiting for about 15 minutes. When we were seated, our table was in the upper level of the restaurant. Everything about the decor is tasteful, from lighting to pictures. The crabcake is AMAZING! I am from Maryland, so that is a HIGH compliment. It was completely made of large tender pieces of crab, with no fillers, and a bit of seasoning. Also, it is HUGE, so worth the price. All of our maki rolls were fresh and tasty, and sushi and sashimi, too. Really have no complaints, and will be back soon!
(4)Eric W.
In town for business in Fort Washington and looking for some sushi. After discovering Bluefin was closed on Mondays, I drove a bit farther up the road to Osaka. I was just using Google search for sushi bars in the area, andI considered this to be a great find. It isn't cheap, probably because of the neighborhood, but I don't mind splurging every now and then. If you're looking for middle of the road and cheap prices, this isn't the place. First off, it's not BYOB like so many other places around. Got some great Nigori sake and a beer. They had Kumamoto oysters, and they were fantastic with the mingotte. Whenever I see these on a menu I start salivating. I also had the Kobe Beef Tataki with garlic, and the Maguro Tataki. The Kobe was 16$, and see the picture here, pretty small. Not something I'd get on a regular basis, but it was very tasty. The last roll I had was the Great Tuna roll, and it was wonderul. Topped by a small bit of garlic (I told him don't be shy, I love garlic), it required no soy sauce. It's a pretty small place. A few seats at the bar, maybe 8-10 at the sushi bar, and some tables. The decor is nicely done, if a bit dimly lit. I sat at the sushi bar as I always do at sushi places, and the service was fine. The main thing is that it's not cheap. I was traveling so I don't mind spending for a good meal on the road. If I lived here, I probably wouldn't go very often because of the price. The food was very good though and worth a one-off trip.
(4)John J.
This is the Chestnut Hill Sushi Bomb! From service to decor this is a can't miss. Make sure you try the Kani Kamikazee Roll. My Fav.
(5)Ida G.
Came here mid-week with the boyfriend for a mini-celebration and to satisfy our craving for sushi and cocktails. We started with spicy shrimp gyoza, which didn't taste shrimpy but were quite good. We then shared a few different specialty rolls, but most were bland and needed to be bathed in soy sauce and wasabi; even the Rainbow Roll which I've ordered dozens of times elsewhere and until then had always been a safe bet tasted like nothing. The only roll we were head over heels for was the Kani Kamikaze (spicy crab and mango). The cocktails were pretty awful, but I take some responsibility for mine for not sending it back, which I really should learn to do. Specifically, my melon-lychee martini tasted like Jolly Ranchers (as pointed out by the boyfriend) and was not cold! Blasphemy. The boyfriend's kiwi-something mojito wasn't much better. We didn't see any desserts on the menu, and weren't offered any by our server, so we went without. Upon reading other reviews, it looks like we would have had some options there. A pity. That sums it up for the service. On reflection, Osaka came off as a mediocre Japanese restaurant dressed up as a high-end one with prices to match. Luckily there are a couple other sushi bars in the area to try, before we have to start going back to Center City for our fishy fix.
(3)Elena C.
Wow. My fiance has lived in Philly for 10 years and I can't believe he's never tried this place! The sushi was among the best I've had. We started with the shumai appetizer. I'd never had these before and this was a great place to try them. The sauce (ginger ponzu) was salty and a great complement to the shrimp dumplings. We had: -Veggie tempura roll (with asparagus and yam) -Spicy tuna -Honeymoon roll -Lobster tempura roll -Unagi maki -Hamachi maki I'm a little wary of yellowtail after the Hokka Hokka incident but this fish was great. Great smooth texture and not fishy at all. The spicy tuna was the best I've ever had, it was actually spicy!!! The honeymoon roll was crispy and the salmon on top was so fresh and delicious. The lobster roll had a GIANT piece of lobster in it and was served with more spicy sauce. I'm so glad T decided to share. :) I left the unagi to him ... I'm working my way up to liking eel ... The atmosphere was great. Dark and calming, very zen. They have a bar with a TV as well as a sushi bar. We called at about 4:00 to make a reservation for 7:00 and I think we got the last one. It was so crowded, tables were full pretty much from the time we got there until we left. The women that came in behind us were told it was a 30 minute wait. My only pet peeve of the night was getting charged for each soda, no free refills. I get it, we're not drinking alcohol and you still want to make money off of us but come on. However, the sushi was so good this did not affect the 5-star rating. :)
(5)Elizabeth B.
I demand to know why I haven't reviewed Osaka yet. I go there at least once a month, for crying out loud. Osaka serves the most consistently excellent sushi in the area. Eat at the sushi bar or at a table, the service is delightful. The atmosphere is super calming, and it's never loud or boisterous (except for that one time some kids had their obligatory dinner-before-the-homecoming-dance or whatever it was -- cue dramatic eye roll here). The prices are on-point, especially during happy hour (til 6, I believe). Recently the menu changed, but as far as I could see all the staples remained. I am a sushi roll person, and I never leave without having the spicy tuna crunch. It's the best sushi roll I've ever had, hands down. I also enjoy the avocado roll, alaska roll, the colorful tempura roll, or the extravagant (in my opinion) dragon roll. The edamame is perfection as well. There is free parking around back, everything is wonderful -- go, enjoy!
(5)Spencer L.
Really good sushi. Friendly staff. Our favorite place for sushi is Bluefin in Plymouth Meeting, but getting in is impossible. Osaka has a great vibe, great sushi, a full bar (unlike Bluefin), and lots of seating without being too huge. The place looks trendy, but the people are pretty laidback, a lot of neighborhood types, so it feels down to earth. While I like the sushi at Bluefin better, I'll probably go more because it's easier and almost as good.
(4)Michael B.
Dined on a quiet Monday. Excellent service. Some unusual dishes were terrific including watermelon gazpacho with crab and a special salmon/mango/avocado/crunchy roe role. Worth a visit.
(4)Michael B.
My wife and I come here on a regular basis when we need a sushi fix. The sushi is fabulous, the restaurant is quiet and romantic, the service is great, and it is just awesome. However, since sushi is generally expensive, the bill adds up quickly! Nevertheless, it is completely worth it if you are looking for top notch sushi and a nice, relaxing dinner. It is located in the beautiful town of Chestnut Hill, and I would recommend this restaurant to anybody.
(5)Kelly S.
Osaka was a pleasant surprise in Chestnut Hill. The wait staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the sushi bar was open to the restaurant so you could watch the chef's prepare the food. We ordered 3 rolls for two people and despite our full bellies ended up ordering a 4th after we finished because it was that good. Prices are a little high, but it's good quality, fresh, classic and inventive rolls. We will definitely be back!
(5)Nikki T.
Full 5 stars this time. I've eaten there at least 6 times since then and the service has always been excellent, the food delicious and fresh, and the mochi ice cream to die for.
(5)Jess D.
Great service, cozy atmosphere, great specialty rolls.
(4)Budd R.
I swear they must raise the fish in the back of their restaurant. I love sushi from Osaka and I am never disappointed when I go there. Everything is so fresh, I love their spicy tuna as it is actually spicy. Also, the Lobster tempura is fabulous. Good place for a date... Or at least is has been for me!
(5)Erica S.
I think Osaka has the best sushi rolls. I went there several times and tried a lot of their sushi rolls in the menu and I love them. Their Udon and fried tempura is OK and I also like their ice cream dessert as well(green tea and red bean is both good). But I'm not completely satisfied with this Restaurant because the atmosphere is too dark. I don't really like eating at dark places and sure it makes the place look romantic but i kinda feel sleepy while eating cause it's too dark... And the service is OK as well... I'm sure it was just that one particular waitress but she wasn't too friendly with her customers... But their sushi rolls are great and price is reasonable.
(4)Stephanie Z.
Up until this point my sushi experiences had always been less then stellar on the delicious front. In my search for delicious and luscious sushi eats I stumbled across this little gem of a restaurant and I have to honestly say that this restaurant made me LOVE the fish scales out of some sushi and I am always willing to go back for more! I might go right now, in fact! They have great specialty rolls like the Honeymoon Roll (Shrimp tempura, asparagus, spicy sauce and scallions topped w/ salmon, avocado, and kabayaki sauce), Firecracker Roll (Shrimp tempura, asparagus, spicy sauce and scallions topped w/ salmon, avocado, and kabayaki sauce), and the every loving and popular Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll that will tingle that little sushi lover in everyone! The prices are a little up there for the specialty rolls but the main rolls are comparable to other places and all are far superior for their taste and composition. You can tell that the chefs love what they are doing and are inspired to make great food! If you are not into sushi and want to try some of their other menu items you will be pleasantly surprised at the light touch and simple approach that they use with their food that is very in tune with traditional Japanese cuisine. The udon noodle bowls are light and brothy with just enough to satisfy and the tempura is flaky, crispy, and melts in your mouth with goodness galore! Combine all this with a superb professional wait staff (maybe a little sexy too) and you have a great night out with some great food! While the cocktails are not needed they are very much advised and your taste buds will be thanking you readily!
(5)Callan W.
I heard from someone at work this was the best sushi restaurant in the area. I must admit, it was pretty good. I met a friend who boasted the tuna crunch roll she had the week before. She loves sushi but never had eel, my favorite sushi item. So I ordered the dragon roll and she ordered the same tuna roll from before. We also ordered a Salmon make roll. Eel is now her favorite thing as well. Service was wonderful-super nice and even let me customize my order. I was kinda confused why the hostess was wearing a super sexy dress-it felt out of place in chestnut hill on a week night. We loved everything! I wish I didn't get so full on sushi because I would have gladly ordered more. I will have to return!
(4)C T.
Great sushi - creative rolls and sauces. A bit on the pricey side and a fancier atmosphere than Hokka Hokka, the spot further down Germantown Avenue. The service is hit or miss - I have gone a few times that entailed a wait of an hour or so for food. And they definitely seem annoyed if you come without a reservation. I have had better luck with take-out, but it's an insanely expensive take-out meal...
(4)Alicia O.
I was starving the day I came here for lunch. I ordered a bento box and thought it was the most delicious thing ever. It probably wasn't, but I was really hungry. It's a cute place and not too crowded (at least for lunch). One of the better places to get sushi in Philly.
(4)G C.
I went here last night with my best friend. The sushi here is awesome! Normally, we go to BlueFin. This place, I like even better. I think I'm going to start driving business here, advertising to my friends and coworkers. I'm already on Yelp writing this review. The reason I give this place only 4 stars is because I actually think the prices are a little expensive. Then again, I did order 4 appetizers and a dessert. My bill for my portion came out to around $65 before tax and tip. I had the kobe beef slices with ginger and ponzu. It was delicious! The beef was seared and lightly seasoned with some kind of sweet sauce. I ate it rapturously. Then I had lobster ravioli. It tasted very creamy and very fresh. There were three raviolis, in the appetizer, and they were very filling. Next, I got the spicy seafood soup. That soup was good but a little underwhelming considering I paid $6 for it. The lobster and the kobe totally made up for it. For my main course, I had White Tiger special roll ($15). It was a nice size. The dish was Black Marlin with spicy crab, roe, and vinegarette. I think it could have been better with a different choice of fish. The fish was very fresh tasting, but slightly burnt. That might have just been the taste of the Marlin though. Next time, I'm going to stick with YellowTail, which is normally what I get at sushi restaurants. I tried some of my friend's and hers was very very fresh. We ate our meal quickly. Dessert was huge. I ordered the vanilla panko crusted ice cream with fried banana. It was a nice dessert. It came with fresh strawberry slices. The presentation was impressive. However, the dessert portion was huge! I mean mammoth. I can see why people call this the little Morimoto. I plan on going back, probably just to try more of the hot appetizers. Those are amazing!
(4)RIDE R.
Best Sushi in Chestnut Hill. They have several specialty rolls and the ones I've tried have all been very good. The service is quick and friendly and the sushi chefs will help you if you're having any difficulty in deciding what you want. I wish the bar was alitttle bigger and they were open later...
(4)Lena R.
It was OK. Nothing special at all, not a big selection of sushi rolls, nothing that will bring me back, that's for sure. But if you happen to be in Chestnut Hill, and you happen to be craving sushi, it's good for what it is.
(2)Christina H.
I really wanted to love Osaka... really. I've been there twice, and both times, I was not happy with their smell.... The first time we went, the waiter was very sweaty, like dripping sweat onto our table sweaty. The food came out really slow, even though the restaurant wasn't packed. But, it was good. We went back earlier this week for lunch. It was dead. But I felt like we still had to wait a while for our food. It was hot and humid in the restaurant, and it smelled like a restaurant kitchen, but not in a good way. The lunch was great though - I had the short ribs bento box, and the ribs were cooked great. It was a lot of food for the money and i definitely left feeling satisfied and full.
(3)Sean S.
Walking in to Osake the room opens to a larger area than one would expect judging from the exterior; excellent atmosphere overall. As far as the menu goes, I wasn't overwhelmed. I'm not really a roll guy as I feel you're getting mostly rice, I prefer to taste the fish itself so I usually order a variety of nigiri. At Osaka they charge per piece, not the two pieces per order standard that I'm used to; I guess I'm also used to the standard generic paper order form that accompanies the menu too. Taking this into account I figured I should be dealing with some melt-in-your-mouth fish but alas it wasn't that; quite edible for sure but not outstanding; the sake (salmon) and hamachi (yellowtail) were probably the best of the lot. Speaking of saké; their selection was limited and overpriced. Their cocktails were tasty and kicking but I'll take cold saké or sapporo over a fruity beverage when mixing with raw fish. I suppose my first sushi experience outside L.A. was bound to be a little bit of a let-down so that might've taken away from Osaka before I stepped foot in the door. Next time I'll be picking up a bottle of sake myself and heading up to Cho Cho San to see if it lives up to the hype!
(3)Aaron B.
Osaka's got some good sushi. Not the all time best sushi, but very consistent, fresh, tasty sushi. Been here both for dinner and takeout. They make some pretty good (and strong) drinks, and the waitstaff are very pleasant and attentive. The sushi is always made with some focus on presentation, so it always looks good. Even when you get takeout they try make it look like a piece of art! I have a standard four rolls I like and tend to base the level of the sushi off those (spicy tuna, caterpillar, soft shell crab, and some shrimp thing). They get above average marks on all and its not crazy expensive.
(4)Kevin S.
The sushi here is really yummy. The prices are a little too expensive. You can find much better sushi for a much better price around the corner. (The Chestnut Hill Farmer's Market) Having said that, Osaka is a nice place on the Hill to take a date for sushi. The drinks are good, the service is attentive. I like the ambiance, and the people that come here. The bar is also really cute, and a good place to have a beer and get a sushi roll.
(3)C R.
Overpriced for what you get. I've eaten here several times and always been underwhelmed by the food and overwhelmed by the bill, so when friends wanted to meet up here after Stag and Doe night a few weeks ago, I ate dinner early and just showed up to drink. One beer in, I felt a bowl of rice would not be amiss so I ordered just that. The waiter gave me attitude about my "bland choice" and then ignored our request for a second round of drinks. The rice was lousy, too. Never again.
(2)James S.
When I first saw Osaka, I didn't think much judging from the outside appearance, but once I walked through the doors I knew this place was going to be much better than I anticipated. Although it can get crammed when busy, Osaka is a pretty cozy, well decorated restaurant. If you're coming here there's a 95% chance it's for sushi and I can say I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and I've never been disappointed with the sushi I've ordered. The staff is also very accommodating with how the sushi is prepared. If you don't like fish-eggs, they won't put them on, or if you prefer a soy wrap rather than the traditional seaweed wrap for your roll it is no problem. All the major rolls (California, spicy tuna, & shrimp tempura) are very tasty, but there is one roll on the menu I must recommend. I absolutely love lobster and when I saw the lobster tempura roll on the menu I had to try it. I've now order it every time I eat there and have gotten others to try it as well. It has a huge chunk of lobster through the entire roll with, from what I can remember, avocado and mango all in a soy bean wrap. There is also a spicy, creamy dipping sauce that comes with it that just ties the whole thing together. A must try! Also, if you aren't feeling sushi, give the short ribs entree a go. The meat is so tender and delicious and the sides are probably like nothing you've ever tried before. Another recommendation is the duck lettuce wraps. All delicious. Whether you get sushi or not, Osaka is going to serve you something you'll surely enjoy.
(4)Emma D.
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! My boyfriend and I hit it up almost every time I'm in town. This is definitely solid sushi, and it's so convenient if you live in the suburbs near Germantown. It's a great place for a date if you feel like going out. Fancy drinks, intimate lighting, and they really work on presentation of the sushi. And even if you get take out it's amazing how beautifully they display the sushi. I haven't had anything bad yet.
(4)Jessica H.
Some of best sushi that we've had in philly. We usually get the boat and let the sushi chef go to town. Everything that we've had here has always been outstanding and fresh. For the value I think this is one of the best sushi restaurants in town. I stopped in for lunch once and got so much food I wasn't hungry for dinner. It is also nice that I can go here after work in scrubs and not feel out of place.
(5)victoria r.
I've missed their sushi. i used to eat in and takeout all the time when staying in the area.
(4)Emily J.
I've always had a decent experience at Osaka, but tonight left a very poor taste in my mouth. My family ordered takeout and was told the wait would be 40 minutes. Fine with us, except when we arrived to pick up our food 40 minutes later, they hadn't even started our order. Cut to nearly 20 minutes later, we've finally received our food; however, they messed up the order! Needless to say, we didn't want to stay any longer for them to remake the part of the order so we just took it and left. What an awful customer service experience!
(2)Jacquelin K.
Osaka - yum. Definitely the spot IF you're in Gtown AND cannot travel far for your sushi fix. Pretty small place but by no means stuffy. Groovy music and lovely decor. The waitstaff are always pleasant, and yes, do sit at that liquor bar and order a pomegranate mojito. Life altering experience. My favorite kind of sushi is the very basic yellowtail with scallions. I have no idea why, but it's bland here :( The best I've had to date is at Raw. Here, my favorite roll is the crunchy spicy tuna. That's very reasonable at $6 or $7. The specialty rolls cost QUITE a bit more. Not reasonable by my standards. So when I'm here, I stick with the basics. I've gotten take out a few times. If you're not a fan of watching other people eat great food while you wait 25 minutes for your bag, call in ahead of time.
(3)Annie B.
Not once have I had bad service here no matter how many people I came with. Their chilean sea bass is bangingggggg! I've ordered chilean sea bass at other restaurants and they just don't compare. The sweet potato mash and asparagus compliment it well. Lobster ravioli, beef tataki w/ foie gras, seoul ribs, dynamite roll....all must tries.
(5)Tagli B.
This place is a hidden treasure and bargain for lunch. The bento box lunches are a meal and a half and really delicious. Start with some miso soup and a salad, and then enjoy the box full of your choice of treats. I like the tempura.
(4)Jessica M.
Fresh sushi, not the best I've ever had. Like some other reviewer, my server was sweaty...something you'd expect during an August day at an outdoor cafe. Clearly they need to work on the AC during the summer months. This place was decent, not knock your socks off.
(3)Beth P.
had a delicious and very filling bento box for lunch for only $9: -miso soup -edamame -2 shumai -3 pieces of california roll -a small house salad -tasty rice -excellent age dashi tofu
(3)Len L.
Really good food. Excellent service. My family primarily go here for takeout. Until about a year ago, they were always messing up our takeout orders, but that issue has been rectified. Prices are a little high.
(4)J E.
um...YUM. i decided to venture to Osaka for the first time after my usual sushi spot in the area was closed. SO GLAD it was closed. Osaka had delicious, filling, and fresh sushi rolls that were at a pretty inexpensive price! I will DEFINITELY be back.
(4)Sherri Lee S.
Second visit, a little disappointed with the mussels. Spicier than the last time I had them and the garlic bread was stale. The rolls and edamame were excellent and the service superb. Hostess needs work on her greeting skills. Overall a very good experience.
(3)J B.
I'm Finally a Sushi Fan! So, it's only taken about a decade, but I'm finally a sushi fan! And Osaka in Chestnut Hill has finally swayed my opinion! Free street parking was a breeze in the area at 7PM on a Saturday night. The ambiance is great! It's close, but not like you're eating with the table next to you. The decor, like plants, flowers, fountains and rice paper screens are a nice touch and not gaudy or gauche. Everyone - even if they weren't directly helping you - was extremely friendly and said hello when you passed them. The fish in the case at the sushi bar looked amazing and so very fresh! I am a little skeptical about eating raw meats, but this even looked appetizing to me and I would definitely be willing to try it at Osaka! Our server was prompt, attentive, patient and knowledgeable. He made great recommendations, including a fantastic White Japanese Ale, called Hitachino Nest. We ordered way too much food, since I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the sushi - even with the soy wrap I decided to try that night. Well, I ended up liking everything we ordered and was simply stuffed by the time we left! The seaweed salad was nice and lightly flavored, although it was a bit more tart (vinegar?) than what I've had at other places. My boyfriend loved it and would order it again. We ordered 3 sushi rolls and the crab cake. The crab cake was amazing. This thing was huge! I'd say it was about 5" in diameter and about 2" high - completely filled with lump crab and very light on seasoning and other things like peppers. It was all crab and delicious! It sat on a bed of purple Thai rice, which had an interesting flavor and nicely complemented the tomato ginger sauce lining the plate. We got the Dynamite Roll (broiled eel & cucumber, topped with spicy scallops, spicy sauce & a sweet teriyaki drizzle w/ panko flakes). This was my boyfriend's favorite and it was quite a taste explosion with all the unique flavors combined! We also had a Lobster Tempura Roll (lobster tempura, mango and avocado in a soy wrap, served with spicy coconut dipping sauce). I took out the mango, and on one bite, added cream cheese to it. It's amazing and worth the $15 price tag! This was my favorite of the evening. The last roll we ordered was a California Roll, which I added cream cheese & tobiko to. We had this with a soy wrapper and it was perfect! This is something that will be a staple of mine when I come here. Thanks to Yelp reviews, I decided to try Osaka for the positive feedback and the soy wraps. I'd never even heard of soy wraps before, but was hopeful that it would change my sushi eating experience! Whether it was the sheer quality of the ingredients or the soy wrap, I'm not sure, but either way Osaka has gained two additional happy customers who will definitely be back!
(5)Chrissy R.
I LOVE OSAKA. The sushi is great. They have a late night happy hours on weekends with cold food and drinks til 1. On weekends it's a really good idea to get a reservation. The crowd is your normal Chestnut Hill rich guilty liberal crowd, but at least that means that wait staff are happy because they're getting good tips. Casual dress but not sweatshirt casual. Jeans are ok. Sit at the bar (the liquor one--though the sushi bar's fun to sit at too) and be a guinea pig for the bartender's experiments. Yummy
(5)DWFMB A.
Had the spider roll and Yaki Soba, the lady had the biggest crab cake I've ever seen. Everything was great, including food quality, portions and service. Highly recommended.
(5)Aaron S.
Osaka is one of my favorite sushi restaurants and is second only to Zento in my book. They have a great menu, the food is always fresh and delicious and the staff has always been really kind and helpful which definitely gets them bonus points. Also important is the fact that they have a full bar and the green tea ice cream is amazing.
(5)Tres T.
I'll start with the good: -very fresh fish -nice atmosphere, (quieter upstairs) -excellent service the bad (very minor) -not a huge assortment of rolls, but they do have their share of creative ones -a little pricey and they only give you 5 pieces for each roll while most places give 8 but for the fresh quality of their fish, i'd come back here in a heartbeat. definitely the best sushi i've had in this area so far.
(5)trish s.
Excellent sushi and always fresh. i have never been disappointed. yummy sashimi and rolls. It's great for date night, just sitting at the bar with friends or reserving the private room for a group. Great drinks and wine list!
(4)Mike d.
Great sushi, staff is friendly and always willing to offer suggestions. Good knife-work by the sushi chefs and worth watching if you sit at the bar. Positives: fresh sushi, decent pricing Negative(s): menu does not change often, wait can be long on moderately busy nights.
(4)Jenn H. H.
I wasn't that impressed. I went for lunch, and it was fairly empty, but seemed to be doing some brisk take-out lunch business. The food was ok, but way overpriced for lunch. The bento box wasn't too expensive, but the rest of the sushi and the drinks are just too pricey. I know it's chesnut hill, but it's not beverly hills. The service was only so-so. The sushi chefs and the servers were too busy talking to each about what they did the night before instead of providing us good service. There's tons of better sushi places out there!
(3)Carrie E.
It's great to have a sushi restaurant in Chestnut Hill - it makes it easier to satisfy my craving for raw fish when I'm not in the mood to trek out to North Wales for Cho Cho San. Even though the sushi isn't as awesome as other places, the atmosphere is really nice. It's upscale with a cool vibe (pretty remarkable, considering it's the Hill) and the service is always great. Good drinks and lots of space make it a smart choice when you want to eat well but stay out of Center City.
(3)J. V.
Possibly the best sushi in the Philadelphia area. I don't think I've had sushi any better in NY. Please, please order the kani kamizaki roll. Please!! The staff is knowledgable staff and the experience is always drama-free. Why go into the city?
(5)Michelle K.
this place is excellent! they have really creative rolls and everything is fresh. the waitstaff needs to be more informed about the restaurants menus and the the types of fish and sauces used - they did not know what albacore or ponzu sauce was.
(4)josh g.
my girlfriend was craving sushi so we decided to try osaka. even though i've spent a ton of time in chestnut hill, i'd never gotten around to dining there. first of all, it's very deceiving in terms of space. it looks small from the outside but it's quite spacious once you get in the door. they sat us right away and, even though we had to wait a little too long for our server to greet us, we didn't wait long for anything else the rest of our time. we were disappointed with the pomegranate mojito but that was the only thing we didn't enjoy. everything else was fantastic, especially the kani kamikaze roll.
(4)