Located in downtown Warsaw, Oku Roji, a Japanese restaurant, might be missed my most visitors. Even locals have a hard time finding it if they even know about it in the first place. Located at the northeast corner of Center and Buffalo Streets, Oku Roji is in the basement of the tropical-themed bar Paradiso. In fact, if you are standing at the front entrance to Paradiso, all you have to do is look down to the sidewalk and into the windows behind the steps for a glimpse of this Warsaw treasure.
How To Get There
Finding where Oku Roji is located is one thing but the first thought that will probably come to your mind is how to get there? Since it’s located in a basement, there is no outdoor entrance to it. Instead, just head over to Anthology Whiskey Bar two doors to the east and they’ll get you pointed in the right direction. Just make sure you have a reservation as the space at Oku Roji is limited, even with the recently renovations which added more dining space.
The Atmosphere
Visitors to Oku Roji will be escorted from Anthology to Paradiso where stairs will lead them to the basement and Oku Roji. The first thing you’ll notice is the soundtrack for your evening. The rotation is heavy on late 90s/early 2000s hip hop and it’s loud. It’s not intrusive to the point where you can’t have a conversation but definitely loud enough to make you tap your feet, nod your head and recite some of the lyrics.
The next thing that will come to mind as you step off the stairs is how the heck is a place like this in Warsaw, Indiana? Combined with the owner’s appreciation for Japanese culture and Warsaw’s ever-evolving dining scene, Oku Roji’s existence comes as less of a surprise. While it may be the only restaurant in the community located in a basement, Oku Roji joins a growing list of restaurants in the Warsaw/Winona Lake community offering patrons an eclectic choice of dishes. From Rua to Biryani and stalwarts such as Yamato and Wong’s, Warsaw’s restaurant scene continues to grow to match the needs of its growing culturally-diverse population.
The Food and Drinks
One of the aspects of a dining experience at Oku Roji that I appreciate is that anyone can go there and find a plate they like, even if they have never had Japanese cuisine. Oku Roji’s menu (the menu is a little dated so keep that in mind as some things may have changed) features small plates such as Gyoza (pork dumplings), Onigiri (rice triangle with pork belly and other toppings) and Tebasaki *(chicken wings) and Pokufurosu (potato salad). Take away the Japanese names and those would be items you would find in the majority of restaurants.
Our favorite main dish, Gyudon, is essentially thinly sliced brisket on a bed of rice. It’s a staple for us and a must-order item on every visit.
Ramen is available as well as rice bowls and raw fish.
The cocktails utilize Japanese spirits. For instance, an Old Fashioned becomes a Japanese Old Fashioned due to its utilization of Japanese whisky. Japanese beers are also on the menu and largely to blame for my latest obsession with Sapporo. Saki, wine and other spirits are also available.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a good way to impress your family, friends, out-of-town visitors, etc. and want to accomplish that by taking them out to dinner at a cool spot, you can’t go wrong with Oku Roji. While finding spots like this are becoming easier to find in the Warsaw area, Oku Roji still maintains its uniqueness as a destination restaurant, one that more people should know about.
Tags: indiana, japanese, kosciusko, oku roji, places to eat, warsawThinking about visiting Kosciusko County? Consider your own island or one of our lakefront resorts!
