Over the last few years, temaki-style sushi joints have become the go-to fast-but-not-casual rage for New Yorkers with no time to waste. Despite the endless options to dine at, these four should stay top of mind.
Hand rolled sushi—temaki—has long loitered at the bottom of sprawling menus and behind certain storefronts across the city for those who knew where to find it. In recent years, though, a rash of flashy hand roll-centric spots have opened across the city, perhaps beckoned by the success of the first KazuNori, which opened in Flatiron in 2017.
A dedicated hand roll bar made a lot of sense for New Yorkers, especially at lunchtime or on week nights; it felt like a way to microdose an omakase meal, equal parts indulgent and aesthetically delightful, but so much more efficient. (Which tracks, despite the seated interpretation: some accounts of the origins of temaki say it was developed as a style of sushi that could be enjoyed on the go.) Then came the original Nami Nori in West Village in 2019, from Masa veterans Taka Sakaeda, Jihan Lee, and Lisa Limb—followed by what seems like dozens of others. Many, like walk-in bar Noz Market on the Upper East Side, and Mari.ne Handroll near Bryant Park, come from restaurateurs running nearby flagship institutions with a much higher price tag.
Douska
Don’t leave without a bouncy ikura-uni roll, swaddled in crisp nori.
Douska, 63 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002.
KazuNori
A favorite for its cold fish and vaguely warm, perfectly al dente sushi rice.
KazuNori, 15 W 28th St. New York, NY 10001.
Temakase
This spot is all about efficiency, which is ideal considering nori goes limp within a minute or two of exposure to rice.
Temakase, 157 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003.
Noz Market
A much more affordable alternative to Sushi Noz, albeit without the comfort of… seats.
Noz Market, 1374 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10075.