KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar Introduce
For New York City sushi lovers who appreciate a simple concept executed with masterful precision, KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar is a must-visit destination. Located in the bustling Union Square area, this unique Japanese restaurant has perfected the art of the hand roll, turning it into a fast, fresh, and truly satisfying dining experience. Unlike traditional sushi spots that focus on a wide variety of nigiri and rolls, KazuNori has honed in on one specific dish, ensuring that every hand roll is crafted with the utmost care and quality. The result is a meal where the seaweed is crisp, the rice is warm and perfectly seasoned, and the fish is incredibly fresh, a combination that keeps customers coming back again and again.
The vibe at KazuNori is sleek and minimal, with a strong focus on efficiency and the culinary process itself. Customers sit at a counter where they can watch their hand rolls being made right in front of them and served immediately. This interactive experience is a major highlight, as it guarantees that each hand roll is eaten at its peak. The "no-tipping" policy is a notable feature, with a 16% fee added to each bill to help fund operations, creating a transparent and straightforward pricing model. While there can often be a wait, especially during peak hours, the quick service and the promise of a delicious meal make it well worth it. KazuNori is perfect for a solo diner looking for a quick, premium sushi fix, or for a small group of friends seeking a trendy and high-quality meal.
The beauty of KazuNori lies in its simplicity. By focusing on a single, core offering, the restaurant ensures that every component of the hand roll is of the highest possible quality. From the specially harvested seaweed to the signature warm rice, every detail is carefully considered. The fish, a testament to their commitment to freshness, is the star of the show. Customers rave about the buttery toro and the fresh, clean taste of the yellowtail, with many considering it the best quality for the price. The menu is structured to allow diners to enjoy a set number of hand rolls, from a small three-roll set to a larger six-roll set, ensuring a personalized and satisfying experience every time. It's a modern, streamlined approach to a classic Japanese dish that has found a perfect home in the fast-paced and quality-conscious culture of New York City.
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar is conveniently located at 125 University Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA. Its prime spot in the Union Square and Greenwich Village area makes it a very accessible and popular destination. The neighborhood is a major hub, served by multiple subway lines and bus routes, which makes it easy to get to from anywhere in Manhattan and beyond. This central location is ideal for a lunch break, a pre-theater dinner, or a meal after exploring the area's shops and attractions.
The restaurant has a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that it is welcoming to all patrons. While the counter-style seating is a key part of the dining experience, the space is designed for easy navigation. The trendy and casual atmosphere attracts a diverse crowd, including a fair number of tourists who seek out this unique dining experience. The convenience of the location, combined with the quick service, makes it a great choice for those who are on a schedule but don’t want to sacrifice quality. The presence of the restaurant in such a bustling area adds to its lively energy and makes it a clear choice for a quick, high-quality meal.
KazuNori offers a focused range of services designed around their signature hand roll concept. While the menu is simple, the service options are comprehensive and cater to a variety of customer needs.
- Dine-in: The primary service is the counter-style dine-in experience, where hand rolls are made and served one at a time to ensure maximum freshness. This is the recommended way to enjoy the food.
- Takeout & Delivery: For those who prefer to eat at home, KazuNori offers a variety of to-go options, including cut rolls and special to-go sets. These are specifically designed to maintain quality and flavor for a takeout meal.
- Hand Roll Kit: A truly unique offering is the "Hand Roll Kit." This kit comes with all the components needed to make 20 hand rolls at home, including four different fillings (toro, crab, yellowtail, and salmon), the signature warm rice, and seaweed. It is a fantastic option for a group or a special meal at home.
- Quick Service: The restaurant is known for its fast service, which makes it a great option for a quick and high-quality meal.
KazuNori stands out in the crowded New York dining scene due to its unique features and unwavering commitment to a specific dining style. These highlights are what make it a memorable and highly-rated sushi spot.
- The Original Hand Roll Bar Concept: KazuNori pioneered this unique format, where hand rolls are prepared and served one at a time. This method ensures that the seaweed remains crisp and the rice stays warm, a combination of textures and temperatures that is central to the experience.
- Exceptional Quality & Freshness: Customers consistently praise the high quality of the ingredients, from the fresh fish to the perfectly seasoned warm rice. The fish is often described as "buttery" and "clean-tasting."
- No-Tipping Policy: The restaurant operates on a no-tipping model, instead adding a flat 16% fee to the bill. This creates a transparent and consistent pricing structure that eliminates the guesswork of traditional tipping.
- Sleek & Minimalist Atmosphere: The restaurant's design is clean, sleek, and focused on the food. The counter-style seating creates an intimate and focused dining experience that feels both casual and special.
- Small, Focused Menu: By limiting their menu to a selection of hand rolls and sashimi, KazuNori has mastered its core offerings. This focus on a few items allows them to maintain a high level of quality and consistency.
For more information, you can contact KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar directly using the following information:
Address: 125 University Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA
Phone: (929) 220-3447
For New Yorkers who are passionate about sushi, KazuNori is an absolutely essential dining experience. What makes it worth choosing is its uncompromising dedication to quality and its innovative take on a classic dish. While many sushi places offer a vast, and sometimes overwhelming, menu, KazuNori simplifies the process and perfects the outcome. The hand rolls are a "perfectly seasoned" blend of textures and flavors that are hard to find elsewhere. The signature warm rice and crispy seaweed are standout features that make the meal a memorable and unique experience, one that a standard sushi roll can't replicate.
The quality for the price is another major draw. For a reasonable cost, especially in a city known for expensive sushi, you get a premium product that tastes fresh and clean. The structured set menus are a great way to try a variety of different hand rolls, from the classic crab and salmon to the more indulgent toro and lobster. The transparency of the no-tipping policy is also a refreshing change and adds to the overall value and convenience of the meal. The fact that they have even created a "Hand Roll Kit" for home use shows their commitment to their unique concept and their desire to share it with their customers beyond the restaurant walls.
In conclusion, KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar is a destination for true sushi aficionados. It’s a place where you can get a quick meal without sacrificing quality, where the food is prepared with care and served with speed. It’s perfect for a solo visit or a casual outing with friends who appreciate a focused, high-quality, and delicious dining experience. For an authentic and elevated take on the hand roll, KazuNori is undoubtedly the best choice in New York City.
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar Menu
Set Menus
- 3-Hand Roll
Salmon, Bay Scallop, Crab
- 4-Hand Roll
Toro, Yellowtail**, NZ Sea Bream* (when available), Crab
- 5-Hand Roll
Toro, Yellowtail**, Bay Scallop, Crab, Lobster
- 6-Hand Roll
Toro, Yellowtail**, Salmon, Bay Scallop, Crab, Lobster
The Nozie
- The Nozie
Nozawa's 6-Hand Roll order at KazuNori
Sashimi
- Albacore Sashimi
- Salmon Sashimi
- Toro Sashimi
finely chopped
- Special
if available
Hand Rolls
- Cucumber
- Bay Scallop
- Shrimp^
- Yamaimo
- Ko Ika
- Eel
- Salmon
- Albacore
- NZ Sea Bream*
- Toro
- Yellowtail**
- Crab
- Lobster
Drinks
- Sparkling Water
- Mexican Coke
- Mexican Sprite
- Diet Coke
- Iced Green Tea
- Hot Green Tea
- Sapporo Light
- Sapporo Premium
- Ozeki One Cup Sake
- KazuNori Nigori
To-Go Set Menus
- 16-Piece
Cut Rolls (4-piece each), Toro, Bay Scallop, Cucumber, Crab
- 16-Piece w/ Sea Bream
Cut Rolls (4-piece each), Toro, Crab, NZ Sea Bream*, Salmon
- 16-Piece w/ Lobster
Cut Rolls (4-piece each), Toro, Cucumber, Crab, Lobster
- 16-Piece & Sashimi
Cut Rolls (4-piece each), Toro, Cucumber, Yellowtail**, Crab, Salmon Sashimi
- Hand Roll Kit
Each kit comes with everything needed to make 20 hand rolls, including four different fillings (toro, crab, yellowtail, and salmon)
Cut Rolls
- Cucumber
- Bay Scallop
- Shrimp^
- Salmon
- NZ Sea Bream*
- Toro
- Yellowtail**
- Crab
- Lobster
Split Cut Roll
Pick two ingredients (4 pieces each)
- Split Cut Roll #1
Crab, Cucumber, NZ Sea Bream*, Salmon, Scallop, Shrimp^, Toro, Yellowtail**
- Split Cut Roll #2
Lobster + Crab, Cucumber, NZ Sea Bream*, Salmon, Scallop, Shrimp^, Toro, Yellowtail**
Sashimi
- Salmon Sashimi
- Special
if available
Drinks
- Mexican Coke
- Mexican Sprite
- Diet Coke
- Iced Green Tea
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
Crowd
- Tourists
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Parking
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar Photos










KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar Location
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
125 University Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar Reviews
pricehand rollstippingsalmonseaweedscalloppaylobsterconceptelbow
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Would eat here every week if I could. Best quality for the price rolls. About $20-25 per person and can get about 3 rolls. Each roll tasted distinct and the rice and seaweed were so well flavored.My favorite was the eel roll. Out of this world.The wait can get long so would recommend coming off-peak hours.
June 13 · Moonyoung LeeI tried the $35 six-piece set at Kazunori: The Hand Roll Bar, and it was a great experience overall. The vibe of the restaurant is sleek and minimal, with a strong focus on freshness and speed.Each hand roll was made right in front of me and served immediately, which kept the seaweed crisp and the flavors clean. The highlights were definitely the toro and the scallop rolls – buttery, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. I also appreciated how the rice was slightly warm, which really brought out the flavor of the fish.Portion-wise, it’s not super filling if you’re very hungry, but the quality makes it worthwhile. If you want a quick, premium sushi fix in a casual setting, Kazunori is a solid choice. I’d definitely come back or maybe go for the larger set next time!
July 22 · Nitiphum S.Hidden Gem in NY. It's a small restaurant and there is always a line at the door. If you don't feel like standing in the line you can order online or at the counter and take out. The food is amazing, they use very fresh ingredients and there are quite a few options of rolls. It's a little pricey but you are paying for the good quality products and the fresh fish.Unfortunately they do not take reservations, so get there a little earlier.
June 10 · Lys BorgesThis place simply has great the food and incredibly tasty, the price was expensive but well worth it. As you enter Kazu nori you are given a menu in which you mark off the items that you would like. The place is extremely organized and each person stand in a station ready to go. The rice is nice and warm and the seaweed it heaven. The fish is great as well. The only issues I foresee with this restaurant is that it is a bit depressing and the people working there had no emotion. The lighting was also very dim. But overall the food was great and also the food it made directly in front of you so you can see how it is made.Thank you,JO reviews out.
March 15 · John OlsenOverall, had a pleasurable experience at the restaurant. After being seated quickly, we placed our orders and were eating in no time. By the end of the meal, my friend and I with our stomachs full, went to pay the check only to find out that they did not take tap to pay. During this unfortunate situation, we have to get crafty and find an alternative way to pay leaving a scar on our opinion of the restaurant. If I was in town again, it’s somewhere I might stop by, but it’s definitely not a must go. It’s a fun experience for those who have not tried it, but I hope Kazunori is able to figure out their payment situation in the future. I also went to the bathroom, which was quite far in the back of the restaurant nice nonetheless. (Full disclosure. It was a little pricey.)
March 15 · William Cohen
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