Okome Paisley dinner review by Suzanne Oswald

Our resident food reviewer Suzanne Oswald heads to a new Asian eatery Okome on Moss Street, Paisley.

Known for its fresh, authentic Japanese cuisine, I was delighted to hear that the team behind Glasgow’s popular eatery Okome had decided to branch out to the centre of Paisley. 

Already well-established in Clarkston, Shawlands and in Glasgow’s West End, the team, galvanised by their recent success and fuelled by an ongoing ambition to expand, only recently opened their new restaurant on Moss Street at the end of July, but have already received nothing but praise from the locals. 

So, with their reputation already firmly established, we arrived with high expectations and large appetites. And we weren’t the only ones – judging from the bustling crowd of people waiting outside for their takeaways, and the constant flow of people arriving to sit in. 

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As we were welcomed inside, the spacious eatery appeared minimalist in style with its Japanese-inspired décor and wood-framed interiors – hanging flags and a gorgeous cherry blossom adding a splash of colour to the room.

The menu, however, was anything but. At first glance, I was almost overawed by the choice on offer – from the fresh and flavoursome sushi options to the intriguing range of ramen, rice bowls and bibimbap dishes. 

Okome’s ethos is ‘healthy delicious’ and their statement of purpose is to create a ‘truly authentic Japanese experience’. With that in mind, it’s clear that no stone has been left unturned in sourcing the best produce and freshest ingredients to bring this sizable mission to fruition.

Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a more substantial evening dinner, the vast menu ensures everyone is well catered for – with various vegetarian variations on offer. And for those not well-versed in the art of Japanese cuisine, there’s plenty of ways to dive in. 

Inspired to broach new territory myself, I opted for the beef bibimbap (£10.50) which arrived in glorious technicolour. Filled with warm fluffy rice, it was topped with beef; a vibrant array of freshly shredded veg such as crunchy carrots, courgettes, seaweed and beansprouts; a dollop of hot chilli paste; and a crisp, fried egg. Meticulously assembled, it was a treat to the eyes as much as it was to my taste buds – each flavour and texture coming together beautifully in the mouth. 

My partner Gianluca chose the tofu teriyaki bowl (£8.20). He assured me it was every bit as good as it looked – his bowl filled with rice; fresh, crunchy vegetables; and crispy, lightly battered cubes of tofu. Doused in a sweet, tangy teriyaki sauce, it hit every spot. What’s more, despite their affordable price tags, both dishes were as generous in portion size as they were in flavour. 

©Okome Paisley

With so much on offer, it would have been amiss to stick to our two mains, so we also ordered a plate of yasai gyozas (£4.40, five included) and the veggie set of sushi. The gyozas were crispy, lightly fried and packed with fresh flavour, not to mention accompanied by that all-important soy sauce.

For those not open to fish, the veggie platter was a delicious alternative – featuring elegant, bite-sized pieces of cucumber, avocado and pickle maki, yasai roll, tofu nigiri and edamame beans. Clean and precise, each piece was as fresh as the next – a trickle of soy sauce adding a sweet and saltiness to the vegetables. And at only £6.30, it was a generous side to share. Alternatively, it could be a tasty lunch, if you’re that way inclined. 

Given that everything arrived together and fairly quickly, our stay in the restaurant was short and sweet – but we nonetheless left feeling very satisfied. Perfect for a casual evening meal, a quick, healthy lunch or even a tasty takeaway, we’re delighted to confirm that Okome is another welcome addition to Paisley’s increasingly eclectic and fast-growing food scene. 

Okome, 30 Moss Street, Paisley, PA1 1BA, 0141 887 2111, website.