After falling in love with Yunta in December, we were eager to check out Executive Chef Bruno Macchiavello’s latest venture: Oshen.
Located in Colony Village at the intersection of Colony and Rea Roads, Oshen brings a high-quality sushi experience to South Charlotte—a welcome addition to the area’s dining scene. Aside from Hestia Rooftop, few restaurants nearby offer sushi with this level of creativity and execution. Because of its rising popularity, reservations are highly recommended.
Billed as a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant, Oshen is nestled among some of Charlotte’s most welcoming communities. While kids are certainly invited, the lively atmosphere, particularly the loud music might make conversations with family a challenge. That said, it’s an ideal spot for date nights or dinner with friends, where the energy adds to the experience.
Oshen puts its own spin on traditional Japanese sushi. Nigiri, typically served as plain fish over rice, is enhanced with fresh herbs and spices, creating a new and refreshing take on each bite.
We started with the edamame with ponzu and chili garlic, which packed a flavorful kick. Our sushi selections included nigiri and scallops served with soy butter, caramelized with a torch, as well as yellowtail, salmon, and eel. The eel and scallops were the standout favorites of the night.
We also sampled the Tuna Tataki Crudo, featuring seared AAA tuna, sweet sesame ginger ponzu, and bonito flakes. If you’re unfamiliar, crudo (meaning "raw" in Italian) is typically an Italian-style dish of raw fish dressed with olive oil, citrus, and other seasonings—a unique addition to the menu.
The black cod caught our eye as well, and we’re excited to return and try the chirashi bowls, which allow you to build-your-own, a rare find in Charlotte. At just $14, it’s an incredible lunch value.
While the menu is somewhat limited, and not everything is sushi, we were impressed with the quality and execution of each dish. The only minor drawback was the elevated noise level, but it didn’t take away from the experience.
Would we return? Absolutely. Oshen brings something fresh to the South Charlotte dining scene, and we’re excited to go back.
Pro Tip: Parking Made Easy
Parking near the restaurant is limited, so save yourself the hassle by parking near the bank or in front of Harris Teeter, you’ll get a spot faster and sneak in a few extra steps!
