Best Lunch in Carlisle? Oka Tapasu BLEW US AWAY!

Tucked away in the heart of Carlisle, Oka Tapasu is a Japanese-Korean fusion gem that totally exceeded our expectations. We stopped in for lunch and were blown away by both the flavours and the service.

We ordered a spread that covered all cravings: the Korean Chicken Burger was crispy, juicy, and packed with that signature sweet-and-spicy kick. The Chicken Bento Box delivered on all fronts — generous portions, beautifully presented, and a great way to sample a little bit of everything. Our 12-year-old adores Asian cuisine so it was the ideal way for him and his Mam to sample a little bit of everything- sushi, Katsu Curry, Chicken Gyoza and- of course- sticky rice.

If Bao Buns are on a menu somewhere, we’re getting them. Oka’s offerings didn’t disappoint. They were soft, pillowy perfection. We opted for the crispy duck filled buns. Let’s just say, these have ruined the duck pancakes from our local take away! Don’t even get us started on the curry and sesame fries: addictive, golden and full of umami goodness. We shared these three ways, and there was more than enough to go around.

Everything we tried was delicious, and considering the quality, the price point felt more than fair. For meals and drinks for the three of us (please bear in mind that our child only eats adult portions now, so it was essentially three grown ups eating there today) we spent around £70… this doesn’t seem too bad considering we spent £55 on fish and chips in the Lake District last week!

Oka Tapasu is beautifully decorated and has a fantastic atmosphere. The service was outstanding too- from the easy booking system on the Oka Tapasu website, to the friendly and efficient staff in there. Oka Tapasu is officially on our must-eat list for anyone visiting Carlisle — or locals looking to shake up their usual lunch game. We will certainly be back!

Have you tried Oka Tapasu yet? Let us know your favourites!