Columbia Restaurant Guide

Osaka Japanese Restaurant
4.2 stars (6 ratings)

(573) 875-8588

120 E. Nifong Blvd., Columbia, MO 65203

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Japanese Food & Culture History , Sushi Bar Food & Culture History

February 13, 2010 @ 3:02 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Mexico, Missouri
My husband, children and I go to Osakas once a year for the last 6 years. We always look forward to our trip and always eat at the Hibachi grill. The kids (and adults) get a big kick out of the chefs tossing their cooking utensils around and throwing shrimp for us to catch with our mouths. If you think that you do not like Japanese food, don't worry. The food is flavorful, but simply flavored-not overseasoned or too ethnic. There is chicken, seafood, steak, and vegetable dishes (for vegetarians). If you want more flavor, add the ginger sauce it is excellent. It is expensive though. Expect to spend a little more than $100 for a family of 4. Overall, this is a very entertaining and great family oriented place to eat.
July 5, 2007 @ 10:56 AM
1  out of 5 stars
a diner from Columbia, MO
A group of us went there after work. We ordered the hibachi dinner and everything went fine until food was cooked. The cook was completely unfriendly and when we got the food, it was overcooked and very bland. It was about as good as if you throw meat/seafood onto a skillet with a little salt and pepper. When I asked the waitress about it, she said she would take half the meals off the bill. So we continued to pick at our food and talk, until the manager came over. He asked what the problem was. We explained. Then he told us that we were wrong and that we didn't know what good food was. Then, he hand-delivered the bill, while people were still eating and demanded payment right then. As you can imagine, we were pretty angry. We told him that we were never coming back and he said, "good, I don't want you to come back." Then, as we were leaving (after paying the bill), he started making fun of our group to people at the bar, to the point where people turned around and were staring at us. Bottom line: bad food and even worse service. Truly one of the worst restaraunt experiences of my life.

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Avg Rating: 4  out of 5 stars

Number of Reviews: 6

February 13, 2010 @ 3:02 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Mexico, Missouri
My husband, children and I go to Osakas once a year for the last 6 years. We always look forward to our trip and always eat at the Hibachi grill. The kids (and adults) get a big kick out of the chefs tossing their cooking utensils around and throwing shrimp for us to catch with our mouths. If you think that you do not like Japanese food, don't worry. The food is flavorful, but simply flavored-not overseasoned or too ethnic. There is chicken, seafood, steak, and vegetable dishes (for vegetarians). If you want more flavor, add the ginger sauce it is excellent. It is expensive though. Expect to spend a little more than $100 for a family of 4. Overall, this is a very entertaining and great family oriented place to eat.
July 5, 2007 @ 10:56 AM
1  out of 5 stars
a diner from Columbia, MO
A group of us went there after work. We ordered the hibachi dinner and everything went fine until food was cooked. The cook was completely unfriendly and when we got the food, it was overcooked and very bland. It was about as good as if you throw meat/seafood onto a skillet with a little salt and pepper. When I asked the waitress about it, she said she would take half the meals off the bill. So we continued to pick at our food and talk, until the manager came over. He asked what the problem was. We explained. Then he told us that we were wrong and that we didn't know what good food was. Then, he hand-delivered the bill, while people were still eating and demanded payment right then. As you can imagine, we were pretty angry. We told him that we were never coming back and he said, "good, I don't want you to come back." Then, as we were leaving (after paying the bill), he started making fun of our group to people at the bar, to the point where people turned around and were staring at us. Bottom line: bad food and even worse service. Truly one of the worst restaraunt experiences of my life.
June 4, 2007 @ 4:53 PM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Columbia, MO
Osaka is a place you go for the experience, not the food. Having never been to a hibachi grill, I was impressed by the skill of our chef, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. The food, however, was bland and mediocre (and that's being generous.) I had chicken teryaki and steak, which was flavorless and tough. The fried rice was tasty, the vegetables had a pleasant crunch, and the service was so-so. This is a great place to take children, as we had a child under 4 at our table. She was given special chopsticks, and was treated very well. The experience is a unique one, but the food isn't enough to make you come back.
February 14, 2007 @ 8:00 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from columbia, mo
We love this restaurant. It's addictive. My husband eats raw seafood, but not me, ever and I love it!! There is something for everyone! The Hibachi grill is fun for kids and adults. They also have a private dining area that is great fun, no shoes allowed, pillow seating on the floor, karaoke machine. Owners are fabulous, friendly people and always there. Great service and waiters. A wonderful experience. If you don't find it on the menu, just ask. They are very accommodating. Dining area and rest rooms very clean.
July 26, 2004 @ 6:10 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from COLUMBIA
WE LOVE OSAKA!! THEY DON'T HAVE A KIDS MENU, BUT THEY ARE VERY ACCOMODATING. THEY EVEN HAVE SPECIAL CHOPSTICKS FOR KIDS SO THEY CAN FEEL A PART OF THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE. THE SERVICE IS WONDERFUL AND THE OWNERS HAVE BEEN THERE EVERY TIME WE HAVE. THERE ARE EXPLANATIONS OF EACH ITEM SO IF YOU ARE NOT FLUENT IN JAPANES YOU CAN STILL ORDER. THEY ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE SUSHI ON TABLE MENUS SO IF YOU ARE NOT QUITE SURE WHAT YOU WANT YOU CAN LOOK AT WHAT IS AVAILABLE. PEOPLE HAVE A MISCONCEPTION THAT JAPANESE RESTAURANTS ARE ALL ABOUT RAW SEAFOOD, TAKE IT FROM A NON-SEAFOOD EATER, THEY HAVE A LOT OF OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE GREAT. THEY HAVE TERIYAKI CHICKEN AND STEAK, THEY HAVE TAMAGO WHICH IS A SWEET OMELET OVER RICE WHICH IS WONDERFUL, AND THEN THERE IS THE HIBACHI THAT IS FUN TO WATCH AND VERY INTERACTIVE. THIS IS WHERE MY KIDS LOVE TO CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAYS! THEY ALSO HAVE A PARTY ROOM WHERE YOU SIT ON PILLOWS ON THE FLOOR..THEY EVEN HAVE A KARAOKE MACHINE! GO THERE, YOU WON'T BE SORRY!
July 19, 2004 @ 11:05 AM
4  out of 5 stars
a diner from Auxvasse, Missouri
I've only eaten there once. Food was fresh and was very presentable. Flavor is pretty good. There are a lot of choices, not all of them on the menu which makes it difficult for beginners with sushi to place an order. Just ask for help, though. Staff seems nice and friendly. Not as good as an I LOVE SUSHI restaurant, though.
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Recent Osaka Japanese Restaurant Reviews

February 13, 2010 @ 3:02 PM
5  out of 5 stars
a diner from Mexico, Missouri
My husband, children and I go to Osakas once a year for the last 6 years. We always look forward to our trip and always eat at the Hibachi grill. The kids (and adults) get a big kick out of the chefs tossing their cooking utensils around and throwing shrimp for us to catch with our mouths. If you think that you do not like Japanese food, don't worry. The food is flavorful, but simply flavored-not overseasoned or too ethnic. There is chicken, seafood, steak, and vegetable dishes (for vegetarians). If you want more flavor, add the ginger sauce it is excellent. It is expensive though. Expect to spend a little more than $100 for a family of 4. Overall, this is a very entertaining and great family oriented place to eat.
July 5, 2007 @ 10:56 AM
1  out of 5 stars
a diner from Columbia, MO
A group of us went there after work. We ordered the hibachi dinner and everything went fine until food was cooked. The cook was completely unfriendly and when we got the food, it was overcooked and very bland. It was about as good as if you throw meat/seafood onto a skillet with a little salt and pepper. When I asked the waitress about it, she said she would take half the meals off the bill. So we continued to pick at our food and talk, until the manager came over. He asked what the problem was. We explained. Then he told us that we were wrong and that we didn't know what good food was. Then, he hand-delivered the bill, while people were still eating and demanded payment right then. As you can imagine, we were pretty angry. We told him that we were never coming back and he said, "good, I don't want you to come back." Then, as we were leaving (after paying the bill), he started making fun of our group to people at the bar, to the point where people turned around and were staring at us. Bottom line: bad food and even worse service. Truly one of the worst restaraunt experiences of my life.