The team behind Blue Ocean is back for another good time. Owner Ben Sawyer’s new concept, Oni, will bring sushi and noodle favorites to the Grove in early March. Their refined menu will honor the Blue Ocean legacy while starting a new chapter for the Japanese pub.
An oni appears in Japanese mythology as a demon that is notoriously hard to kill, making it perfect for the resurrection of Blue Ocean. According to Sawyer, it was not his decision, but the landlord’s, for the former restaurant to leave its location in the Delmar Loop. After nearly two decades, Blue Ocean shut its doors at the end of October 2025 with the promise to be back.
Oni will feature a menu reminiscent of but distinct from its ancestor. “I love the idea of a smaller menu,” Sawyer said. Sushi and ramen favorites remain, but Sawyer’s goal is quality over quantity. They’re bringing in new items too, perfect for the roll-out of regular lunch hours. The Oni St. Paul will be loaded with pork belly, mayonnaise and eel sauce on a house-made bun, ideal for both dine-in or take-out meals. The drink menu features seasonally rotating house cocktails, plus local and Japanese beer on tap. The new concept will also have drip coffee and espresso available anytime for those who need an afternoon pick-me-up or a boost after a night enjoying the bar.
“It was difficult,” Sawyer said of pivoting to a new location after 17 years on Delmar Boulevard. However, the new space at 4370 Manchester Ave. came with everything the team was looking for, from furniture to a completely built-out kitchen from Tempus, the fine-dining restaurant that formerly held the space. The bones are solid, but Sawyer had the opportunity to curate the vibe inside. “We wanted our own identity,” Sawyer said of the new space, which is full of red light, dark wood and neon. “A little darker, a little grittier, a little meaner.” He brought many of the signature posters from Blue Ocean, showcasing anime and other Japanese art. The back wall is full of a mural of the Major from Ghost in the Shell done by Sawyer himself.
Sawyer is a published illustrator who has drawn for the Five Nights at Freddy’s and John Carpenter franchises. He met Eakachi Ploentham, the former owner of Blue Ocean, when Ploentham approached Sawyer about painting murals in the space on Delmar, and years later, Sawyer picked up kitchen work there. “Cooking for people with my art on the walls felt so amazing,” he said. It’s what he loves about being an owner now too, after stepping into a management role and eventually ownership of the restaurant in summer of 2025. Sawyer loves to host, and owning a restaurant allows him to curate an experience for his guests, from the food to the vibe to the music.
While the original hope was to find another place on Delmar, Sawyer is excited about the move to the Grove. “If you can’t be on Delmar, you want to be in the Grove.” Both areas offer a walkable feel, and while similar restaurants have been moving to Delmar, the Grove could do for some sushi. “The reception has been overwhelmingly great, both online and in person,” Sawyer said. He hopes to partner with area businesses like Platypus in the future.
Oni plans to open on March 1, pending building inspections. Catch lunch service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, plus dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, Oni will be open until 1:30 a.m. for a late-night good time. Keep an eye on their socials for updates.