Blue Ocean — Restaurant in Fairfax

OK where do I start? My experience here today was one of the worst EVER in my life....To make a long story short, I was treated as a liar by one of the chefs there.

I am Japanese, born and raised. I have been coming to Blue Ocean since 2005. Every time my clients, friends or newly moved Japanese people asked me where to eat authentic reasonably priced Japanese restaurant I have always recommended this restaurant in support of fellow Japanese business owner.

Today my husband brought me to this place after my friend's funeral to get something to go. I ordered Sushi Chef Special and Firefly Squid (Hotaru Ika) in Tamari Sauce and left. It was around 5:30PM.

We got home around 6:00PM. After eating sushi I opened the container which the small squids were supposed to be in. However there was nothing but liquid in it. I did not see one squid there. So I gave them a call and left a message around 6:30PM in regards to this matter. I waited about half an hour but did not hear anything from them. Since we really hated the idea of wasting the money (we paid for this item $8.50 in addition to $3.00 tip), my husband decided to take me back there. At this point I was thinking there may have been a simple mistake. It happens right?

At 7:30PM when I got there, I spoke to one of the waitresses. I showed the receipt, the actual item and showed the pic of how the inside of the container looked when I opened it. I kept it as polite and understanding as possible. She was very apologetic and asked if it is okay to show them to the chefs. I said "no problem". Mind you, this conversation was done in English since I was not sure if she spoke Japanese.

When the waitress showed all the stuff to one of the chefs he started talking all kinds of nonsense in Japanese (probably thinking I do not understand Japanese??). He kept mentioning why I waited so long to come back, the container and the paper bag is not the same one they use, there is no way the squid disappear magically..etc as if I am lying to them. This chef basically thought that I would eat the squid at home, then come back all the way from Woodbridge wasting gas just to scam them to get the free seconds.....Unbelievable.

After hearing his gibberish for a little while I finally intervened and explained to him exactly what happened in JAPANESE this time. He quickly turned away and flat out ignored me. Of course I did not get any apology from him. Overall, It was such a devastating incident to be treated like a scammer by one of my people....I will never go back...

WIFE ALMOST WENT TO THE ER today after eating their sushi because THERE WAS A 2-INCH BONE in the nigiri sushi.

I did take-out order of Chef’s sushi special and the moment my wife ate the first nigiri sushi, something poked deep inside her throat and she was coughing blood. What came out of her mouth was SHOCKING. It was a 2-inch sharp BONE. I immediately called the restaurant and let them know. I told them we longer felt safe to eat their food and wanted a refund which was the least the restaurant should offer along with an apology. Not only did they not offer us an apology but refused to give full refund and only partial. I brought up the fact that this is food safety hazard and that I can literally sue the restaurant for this reason and it was only then they “accepted” to give full refund. I’ve been to this restaurant several times and have enjoyed the place like many others. After today’s SERIOUS incident, I’m never going back and I warn others to be careful just like I “kindly” let them know to handle their ingredients carefully for other customers.

She’s currently still bleeding and we might have to end up in the ER if this continues.

They should have first asked if she’s okay when we called and they were only discussing how much refund they can give over the phone. I’m extremely disappointed and shocked at...

A Japanese friend recommended this spot and it definitely did not disappoint. Japanese owned and operated. I knew this place was going to be good when I arrived for Saturday around noon and the place was packed. Everything from the appetizers, nigiri and Japanese entrees were on point. My friends and I loved the fatty salmon belly, ikura, uni, chutoro and yellowtail nigiri. The fish was buttery and at a premium price the uni and salmon belly were so worth it. The fish was so fresh and yummy we had to order a 2nd round. The tekka tuna don, katsu don hokke shioyaki teishoku and the katsu curry were delicious entrees. The flavors of the cooked fish and pork were on point.

They give you a fair amount of fish and food quantity overall here. We each spent over $50, but definitely felt stuffed and got our value. This is a great place to bring the family to enjoy some quality Japanese food. The servers were great in knowing the speciality items and freshest cuts. You get a great deal here considering the size of the fish and price for some of the cuts...