O Ya Still Offers Playful Vibes and Otherworldly Maki in Boston
One of Boston’s most famous restaurants, O Ya, is still reliably glorious, even after running for almost 20 years. Tucked away near South Station, the omakase is opulent and decadent.
O Ya’s only dining option is the $295 omakase (about $383.78 with fees and taxes), full of 20 courses of nigiri, sushi, and some surprises.
What to order
- One of the maki pieces is made otherworldly through a dark cloud of squid ink bubbles that hover above the fried Northern Belle oyster. It’s brine-on-brine, with a soft and crunchy texture delivered on top of a sweet rice-nori bite.
- A version of the foie spoon has been served for a while, and it still hits. House-cured foie gras is frozen, shaved into tiny crumbs, dehydrated, and served on a wooden spoon with some miso and a sliver of preserved yuzu. Pop the whole thing in your mouth, and it melts into a creamy pool of foie and miso that has almost chocolate notes.
- The beautiful fatty tuna is bluefin chutoro that was cut a little thicker than expected, but it’s enough for two bites. The small pool of wasabi oil was the only accompaniment, adding slight heat to balance the tender, rich meat.
The vibe
O Ya doesn’t have overly hushed fine-dining energy. The industrial space is welcoming with exposed brick walls and warm lighting. Diners settle in the long wooden bar or at the few tables.
Insider tip
For an add-on that doesn’t break the bank (any further), get the under-$15 fingerling potato chip, topped with truffle — the earthiness of the truffle plays well with the chip’s crunch and oil.
