KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar

For New Yorkers who appreciate the purity and precision of expertly crafted sushi, KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar offers a distinct and highly acclaimed dining experience. Located in the bustling NoMad neighborhood, KazuNori has perfected the art of the handroll, delivering each piece immediately after it's made to ensure optimal freshness and a truly unforgettable bite. This establishment stands out in the city's vast culinary landscape by focusing intently on this specific form of sushi, promising quality, authenticity, and excellent value.

KazuNori's philosophy centers on the idea that handrolls are best enjoyed moments after they are rolled, when the nori (seaweed) is still crisp and the rice is perfectly warm. This commitment to immediacy and quality creates a unique and engaging dining experience. It's a place where the simplicity of fresh ingredients—premium fish, signature warm rice, and specially harvested seaweed—comes together to redefine what New Yorkers might expect from sushi. Its reputation for fantastic ambiance, efficient service, and reasonable pricing, coupled with a notable no-tipping policy, makes it a compelling choice for any sushi enthusiast.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar is conveniently located at 15 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, USA. This prime address places it right in the heart of the vibrant NoMad (North of Madison Square Park) district. NoMad is a dynamic and fashionable neighborhood known for its blend of historic architecture, modern businesses, and a thriving culinary scene, making it a central and easily accessible dining destination.

The restaurant's location on West 28th Street ensures excellent accessibility via New York City's extensive public transportation system. It is just a short walk from major subway lines, including the N, Q, R, W, and 6 trains, which serve nearby stations like 28th Street and 34th Street-Herald Square. This makes KazuNori a remarkably convenient choice for commuters, office workers in Midtown and Flatiron, and residents from various parts of the city. Even with a line often forming, as noted by customers, its central location and the quick turnover of service make it a viable option for a delicious and efficient meal.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar focuses exclusively on delivering the purest handroll experience, complemented by a few select sashimi options and beverages. Their streamlined approach ensures consistent quality and efficiency:

• Signature Hand Roll Set Menus: KazuNori offers various set menus designed to provide a comprehensive handroll experience. These typically include 3-hand roll, 4-hand roll, 5-hand roll, and 6-hand roll sets, featuring popular choices like Toro, Yellowtail, Salmon, Bay Scallop, Crab, and Lobster. The "Nozie" set is also available, which is a specific 6-hand roll order.
• Fresh-to-Order Handrolls: Each handroll is crafted individually and delivered one at a time to the diner. This ensures that the seaweed (nori) remains incredibly crispy and crunchy, and the warm rice and fresh fish are enjoyed at their absolute best, directly upon preparation.
• A La Carte Handrolls: Beyond the sets, customers can also order individual handrolls from a wide selection of fillings, including Cucumber, Bay Scallop, Shrimp, Yamaimo, Ko Ika (squid), Eel, Salmon, Albacore, NZ Sea Bream, Toro, Yellowtail, Crab, and Lobster.
• High-Quality Sashimi: For those who enjoy pure cuts of fish, KazuNori offers a limited but premium selection of sashimi, such as Albacore Sashimi, Salmon Sashimi, and Toro Sashimi. Special sashimi options may also be available depending on daily freshness.
• To-Go Set Menus (Cut Rolls): Recognizing that handrolls are best enjoyed immediately, KazuNori offers special "To-Go Set Menus" which typically feature cut rolls rather than handrolls, made with the same quality ingredients but suitable for travel. Options include 16-piece sets with various fish combinations, and even larger "Hand Roll Kits" for making 20 handrolls at home.
• Curated Beverage Selection: To complement the fresh sushi, they offer a selection of beverages including bottled water, sparkling water, Mexican sodas, green tea (iced and hot), Sapporo beer, and Ozeki One Cup Sake.
• No Tipping Policy: KazuNori operates as a "no tipping establishment." A 16% fee is added to the bill, which is not a gratuity but revenue used to fund all operations, ensuring fair wages and consistent pricing.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar boasts several standout features that contribute to its loyal following and exceptional reputation in NYC:

• Unparalleled Freshness (One Roll at a Time Service): This is the defining highlight. By serving handrolls immediately after they are rolled, KazuNori ensures that the nori is consistently "crispy crunchy" and the rice is perfectly warm. This attention to detail elevates the experience significantly.
• Quality of Ingredients: Customers consistently praise the "quality of seaweed" and the "freshly rolled" fish. The ingredients are simple but of exceptionally high grade, reflecting a dedication to authentic flavors.
• Authentic Japanese Experience: The commitment to the traditional handroll format and the focus on core ingredients, combined with the bar-style seating, creates an authentic Japanese sushi bar atmosphere. Even a "born-and-raised Japanese" customer found the experience enjoyable and legitimate.
• Reasonably Priced: Despite the high quality, KazuNori is often noted as being "very reasonably priced." The set menus offer excellent value for the quality and experience provided, making premium sushi accessible.
• No Tipping Establishment: The transparent no-tipping policy, where a 16% fee covers all operations, is a notable feature that many New Yorkers appreciate for its straightforward approach to pricing and fair compensation for staff. Reviews confirm that service remains "fantastic" despite this policy.
• Efficient Service and Quick Line Movement: Even when a line forms, the highly efficient service ensures that it moves "relatively quickly." The streamlined process from ordering to receiving each handroll minimizes wait times for the dining experience itself.
• Relaxed and Chill Vibe: The ambiance is described as "fantastic," "very relaxed and chill." This makes it an ideal spot for a quick, high-quality meal without the formality or fuss of some traditional sushi restaurants.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar, with its streamlined menu and focus on quality and value, generally offers its "set menus" as the primary form of special pricing. These sets inherently provide a better value than ordering individual handrolls a la carte. As of recent information, these sets include:

• 3-Hand Roll Set: Salmon, Bay Scallop, Crab (around $18-$19)
• 4-Hand Roll Set: Toro, Yellowtail, NZ Sea Bream (when available), Crab (around $23-$24)
• 5-Hand Roll Set: Toro, Yellowtail, Bay Scallop, Crab, Lobster (around $29-$30)
• 6-Hand Roll Set: Toro, Yellowtail, Salmon, Bay Scallop, Crab, Lobster (around $34-$35)
• The Nozie: Nozawa's specific 6-hand roll order (around $35-$37)

Beyond these consistent set menu values, KazuNori occasionally introduces unique offerings or experiences:

• Daily Specials: As mentioned by a customer who enjoyed the "Ankimo (daily special)," KazuNori may offer special, seasonal items based on availability of fresh ingredients. These are typically announced in-store.
• Private Bar Experience: For special occasions or larger groups (7-12 guests), KazuNori at its Greenwich Village location (and potentially others) has offered a "Private Bar Experience" with a special set menu (e.g., three sashimis and eight hand rolls) for a prepaid reservation fee. While this is not a general daily special, it's a unique offering for those seeking a more exclusive experience.
• To-Go Set Menus and Hand Roll Kits: For off-site enjoyment, they offer cut roll sets and larger "Hand Roll Kits" (e.g., a kit for 20 handrolls serving 3-5 people for around $128-$136). These cater to those who wish to recreate a similar experience at home or for gatherings.

New Yorkers interested in the most current pricing and any limited-time specials should check KazuNori's official website menu page or inquire directly at the NoMad location. Their value proposition primarily lies in the quality-to-price ratio of their standard set menus and the no-tipping policy.

For New Yorkers looking to visit or learn more about KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar in NoMad, here are the essential contact details:

• Address: 15 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
• Phone: (347) 594-5940
• Mobile Phone: +1 347-594-5940

These contact points are ideal for checking current operating hours (typically Sunday-Thursday 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM), inquiring about the menu, or understanding the queue situation. While they don't take traditional reservations for the main bar seating, larger private bar experiences may be reservable at select locations. For urgent matters, they also provide a dedicated email: NoMad@Kazunorisushi.com.

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar is an exceptionally suitable dining destination for New Yorkers, perfectly embodying the city's desire for quality, efficiency, and unique culinary experiences. Its prime location in the bustling NoMad district ensures easy accessibility via numerous subway lines, making it a convenient stop for a quick, delicious lunch or a relaxed evening meal for professionals and residents alike. The consistent quality of its ingredients—from the perfectly warm rice to the crispy nori and fresh fish—sets a high standard that resonates deeply with discerning local palates.

What truly makes KazuNori a local favorite is its singular focus on freshly made handrolls, delivered one at a time, ensuring that each bite is at its peak. This specialized approach, combined with a surprisingly reasonable price point for the quality offered, makes it an outstanding value in a city known for its high dining costs. The no-tipping policy adds transparency and ease to the dining experience, further enhancing its appeal. Even when there's a line, the quick turnover and the "relaxed and chill vibe" make the wait worthwhile. For New Yorkers who crave authentic, high-quality sushi in a distinctive and unpretentious setting, KazuNori offers an experience that is undoubtedly "worth multiple visits."

KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar

15 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, USA