The hamachi crudo was so refreshing!! Dondi gave us amazing service Must try the Fatty Tuna Handroll read more

Kitsu Nori - Left: Tuna Sashimi Right: Hamachi Crudo - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Over the past three years, it seems like Austin has exploded with sushi and omakase options, so it was refreshing to have a dining experience that was all about hand rolls. I appreciated the extensive selection, and being familiar with Paul Qi's style, it's no surprise that he is a James Beard Award winner. His creativity really shines at Kitsu Nori. We enjoyed the chips and dip, hamachi crudo, and Ora King aburi. I went a little overboard with the hand rolls, but they were so delicious I couldn't contain myself: Maine lobster, fatty tuna, Maine scallop, and spicy tuna. Each one was packed with its own distinct flavor, and somehow none of the rolls competed with each other. The pièce de résistance of the evening was the lobster Thermidor and the dry-aged toro steak. Both were outstanding. I cannot sing Paul's praises enough. His creativity and execution make this experience stand out in a city that has no shortage of sushi. And do not sleep on the cocktails--they were amazing! read more

The food at Kitsu Nori was absolutely delicious! We went during happy hour, when most of the hand rolls were half off, which was such a great deal. We also got the hamachi crudo, which was delicious, although the portion was pretty small with only four pieces. We sat outside at the bar, and the setup could definitely be improved. The ground wasn't level, there were only three chairs, and it seemed to be the only part of the outdoor area without much shade or fans blowing, so it got a little uncomfortable. The inside, including the indoor bar, is reservation-only, so I'd definitely recommend booking ahead if you want to sit inside. Service was just okay--the host wasn't the friendliest, and the bartenders could have been a little more attentive. That said, the food was good enough that I would absolutely come back, especially for happy hour! read more

Kitsu Nori - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Odd menu. Bad service. The food and drinks are expensive. I am not typically a huge fan of hand rolls, but these hand rolls were actually really good. My friends and I went here on a Wednesday night. The restaurant was busier than I expected. The hostess told me a party of 4 would need to be seated outside. Fine. The hostess seated us at a coffee table. There were 3 or 4 other open tables available. I said we cannot eat dinner at a coffee table, we need something table-height. She insisted the other tables were reserved and this is the only place we could sit to eat. We went back and forth a few times. Finally she offered to sit us somewhere else. We were re-seated, however it was a hot night and we were mostly in the direct sun. We ordered some drinks, and I asked if we could move to a table that was not in the sun. Again, the waiter insisted those tables were reserved, and we cannot sit at another table. In total we were at the restaurant for about an hour and a half. The outside area was noticeably less and less busy as the night went on. When we left about 7:00, we were the only people sitting outside. The tables mentioned were absolutely not reserved. The wait staff just could not be bothered to accommodate us, even though we were all uncomfortable where we were sitting. The service was incredibly slow and the waiter was a bit smug. Overall, it was not worth the money and none of us will go back. read more

Kitsu Nori is definitely a vibe! This small yet intimate spot specializes in seafood and sushi, with a few steak and vegetable dishes rounding out the menu. I stopped by toward the end of happy hour, and the place was absolutely packed. We took advantage of the half-priced hand rolls and ordered the lobster, crab and spicy tuna. All three were excellent, but the lobster was the standout. It was unique, generously filled with meat and easily my favorite of the bunch. To round out the meal, we also ordered the hamachi crudo and Wagyu steak. Both were packed with flavor and complemented the hand rolls really well. The restaurant also has a charming outdoor patio and a full bar, making it a great spot to enjoy a drink when the weather is nice. My only real drawbacks are that the dining room gets pretty loud because of the small space and parking is extremely limited, which makes visiting a bit less convenient. That said, the food and atmosphere were impressive enough that I'd happily give the late-night happy hour a try next time. read more

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Oh my goodness! What an incredible date night and happy hour! We booked a week in advance for a double date because it gets packed during Tuna Time, and now I completely understand why! The cocktails were fantastic! I started with the margarita and then tried the Old Fashioned. I normally never order an Old Fashioned, but I ended up having two! The flavor was absolutely on point. I think the miso soup is the best I've ever had, and it's only $2 during Happy Hour! Both crudos were from the Happy Hour menu and were delightful. The hand rolls were such a fun experience because the sushi and seaweed wrap are served separately, so you assemble them yourself. I ordered three... then had to order a fourth. They're generously sized, but everything was so good I couldn't stop trying more! 1. Mushroom Hand Roll: OMFG. Get it. Try it. Eat it for life. Just do it. 2. Scallop Hand Roll: Great flavor. I'd absolutely order it again. 3. Crab Hand Roll: At first, I thought it needed a little more flavor... then I added the house made soy sauce and it completely changed it. Perfect. 4. Fatty Tuna Hand Roll: Loved it! This was probably my second favorite. I tried one bite without soy sauce and another with it. The little bit of spice was perfect. My only mistake? I ate the mushroom hand roll first. It was so ridiculously good that everything after it had a hard act to follow. My advice is to save the mushroom for last so you end on the highest note possible. Also, do NOT skip the house made soy sauce. I could drink it. It's gluten free and made with mushroom powder and kombu. It adds so much flavor to everything. We'll absolutely be back. I'll be telling everyone about this place. read more

I recently visited a couple good friends in Austin, and we checked out Chef Paul Qui's new South Austin hand roll bar, Kitsu Nori. We stopped in right when they opened to take advantage of Tuna Time (happy hour), where crudos and most hand rolls are 50% off. It's one of the best deals in town. Kitsu Nori puts a unique spin on the hand roll experience, serving each roll so you wrap it yourself right before eating. The nori stays perfectly crisp, and the freshness of the seafood really stands out. The Matcha Colada paired perfectly with the meal and was especially refreshing on a hot Texas summer day. The Uni and Lobster hand rolls were my favorites, while the Yellowtail Crudo and Cucumber Salad were standouts as well. The biggest surprise of the meal was the American Wagyu New York Strip, one of the best steaks I've had in a long time. It helped make this one of my Top 10 meals of 2026. read more

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Ever since I discovered this place, I made myself a promise that I would come here for the happy hour at least once a week. It's been six weeks in a row and I have been keeping up the promise because this place is just that good. You get top-notch quality of sushi at a fraction of the cost. You're gonna happy hour. The fresh seaweed paper entirely changes the game and there's no place that's like this. So my favorites to order are the fatty tuna, spicy salmon, mushroom, hamachi That ube tres leches dessert though is literally my top favorite is currently in Austin read more

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Overall, I had a good experience here. We went for happy hour and the hand rolls were very reasonably priced. How they presented the hand rolls was fun to be able to build them yourself. The only cons I'd say is the service took awhile and it was pretty noisy inside. The patio is very cute and would be nice once it starts cooling down. read more

Kitsu Nori - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I visited Kitsu Nori last week, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. It honestly feels like a new crush. All jokes aside, I had such a great experience here. I stopped in for lunch, grabbed a seat at the bar, and happened to come during a slower time, which I really enjoyed. I was told their happy hour gets packed, so reservations are definitely recommended if you're planning to visit then. They actually have two different happy hours, one during the day & also a late night one--which I find extremely inviting (I'll use any excuse come back). The lunch menu is a bit more limited than dinner, which features larger, more enticing entrées that have already convinced me I'll be returning sooner than later. Even so, everything I tried was fantastic. The miso soup was rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying. I also ordered an assortment of hand rolls, caviar, and the scallop ceviche. The scallop ceviche was beautifully presented & one of the most unique dishes I've had in a while--the scallops were plump and melted in your mouth while the rest of the dish was bright, refreshing, and bursting with incredible flavor. I also loved that they serve Ora King Salmon hand rolls. My favorites were the Brown Butter Lobster, Wagyu A5 Miyazaki Beef, and even the simple cucumber hand roll, which was ultra refreshing between the richer bites. To finish, I had their tres leches-style Ube Twinkie, and it was absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD. Overall, Kitsu Nori absolutely lives up to the hype. From the warm service and immersive ambiance to the thoughtful execution of every dish, it's easy to see why this place has earned such a following. I can't wait to come back for dinner. read more

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Came here for happy hour and got lucky being able to walk in without a reservation. They also don't actually take reservation so it's first come first. Each piece served in its own individual wooden holder that you use to pick up the hand rolls. They give you nori on the side to wrap around each piece yourself, plus soy sauce in a little dropper bottle so you can control exactly how much you add. We got a nice variety including eggplants, salmon, spicy tuna,... Great happy hour deal for the quality you're getting! read more

Kitsu Nori - Eggplant, fatty tuna (x2), salmon, spicy salmon (x2) - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

This place wasn't on my radar, but a friend recommended it and wow, I'm so glad she did! The space is beautiful, the staff is wonderful, the cocktails are unique and delicious, and the hand rolls are a must-try! I won't lie, it's one of those places where you pay for the quality, but it's worth it and their happy hour is as solid as they come. We tried a significant amount of the menu and everything was delightful. I'll definitely be back. read more

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You won't even notice this place when you drive on south lamar. The entrance is the very underwhelming, but inside and the backyard is very upscale and nice. The hand rolls are delicious. Happy hour prices make is very reasonable. I'll be back read more

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I made a reservation for Kitsu Nori on my trip to Austin. We decided for bar seating since it was so humid outside. We were placed by the register which was interesting. Maybe I'm not used to Austin weather, but there were a lot of flies in the restaurant in front of us where they were prepping the food to the point they had to put a fan in front of us to prevent them from touching our food. We started our meal off with the chip and dip which on the menu made it seem more blue crab. It came and maybe 3/4 of the cup was sour cream. It was a little off putting for us and they ended up removing it off our bill which was nice. We also got the hamachi crudo which was wonderful! It was great with the supremes and the sauce! Would recommend this. We were hungry still so we got the Salmon Butter ($24) which we assumed would be enough to supplement our hunger. We were kinda shocked at how small of a portion it was for the price. The inside wasn't fully cooked but considering the place, we thought it was fine to eat. The flavors all worked well together and we enjoyed it. Again, sour cream made it on this plate despite not being on the menu. For hand rolls, I got the fatty tuna, salmon and scallops. All of them tasted good and had unique flavors to each. I would say they're missing just a little something to elevate the flavor. I didn't love having to make my own hand roll though I understand why it was designed like that since they give it all at once and don't want it to get soggy. All of our servers were incredibly kind throughout our meal and very attentive! I enjoyed aspects of our meal but next time I might stick to more of the cold fish/menu. read more

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This is a popular and lively (i.e., loud) restaurant on S.Lamar. One of their specialties is their hand rolls. We tried tuna, spicy tuna, and salmon. The presentation was lovely, but I found out I don't like making my own hand rolls. All the fish on the rolls was ground up, which i didn't like either. We shared a tiny seaweed salad that was elevated with sliced strawberries and thinly sliced baby cucumbers. It was the best thing we ordered. There's a nice space in the back of the building with outdoor dining and lots of misters to keep the temperature cooler. read more

Kitsu Nori - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Overall-great hand rolls! Fish was very fresh (zero smell or fishy taste). The service was ok, once we were greeted it was more consistent-at first we were unsure if we had a server (took about 10 mins or so). Very quaint indoor area, I'm actually glad we were able to snag a reservation at the bar, best seating in my opinion. I do think it was a bit too warm inside, but it was 100 degrees out so maybe the air couldn't keep up? Cooler months the patio would be awesome. My only other complaint would be the appetizers are extremely tiny on HH (4 tiny slices in what looks like a soy sauce dish). I would go again on happy hour because I think it made it worth it, not sure that I'd pay full price otherwise. My friend and I agreed that the "dining experience" was nice, cute soy sauce droppers too. Lychee margarita was also great! read more

Kitsu Nori - Blue crab, salmon, tuna, fatty tuna, scallop & hamachi app - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

We arrived right at opening time (4 PM), and the restaurant wasn't quite ready for guests. The entry door in the back is so dimly lit that you can barely see through it, and the host swung it open and hit my hand when we tried to enter. Inside, the layout feels off. The dining room tables are packed so tightly together that getting into the booth requires physically moving the table. You're essentially seated inside your neighbors' conversations. Between the noise level and the cramped spacing, it felt more like a loud club than a restaurant that's supposed to feel intimate or upscale. Even at only about half capacity, it was difficult to hear both our server and the person sitting across from me. The handroll concept looks fun in theory (sliding the fish and rice onto fresh nori yourself), but in practice, it felt awkward and messy and made me feel stupid not being able to follow their verbal instructions. The rice sticks to the wooden serving surface, so instead of feeling elegant or interactive, it just felt clumsy. The pricing also felt wildly disconnected from the actual quality of the fish. Most of the handroll fillings are minced, which came across more like a way to disguise mid-tier fish while charging premium prices. The whole experience felt more focused on novelty and presentation than quality. There were also several minor issues throughout the meal. Our server forgot 2 of the 12 hand rolls that we ordered, and we were initially charged incorrectly for the happy hour miso soup. After we mentioned it, they removed those charges from the bill. That said, there were a few highlights. The miso soup had a rich, hearty flavor, the nori was impressively fresh and crisp, and the seared wagyu handroll was easily the best thing we ordered (HH pricing $25 for one). Overall, this felt like a gimmicky dining experience that's relying on trendiness and presentation to justify luxury pricing without delivering the quality or atmosphere to match. Even at happy hour pricing, I wouldn't recommend it. read more

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Went to kitsu nori for a date night. The experience was well crafted, with high quality food, but was on the pricier side. Before we arrived we made a reservation & got a text a few hours before about where to park. Made it easy to find since it's a bit hidden. Parking was no problem for us, and we entered through the courtyard in the back. Once inside, the place is intimate & cozy - it was a squeeze to get back to our 2 person table with other diners already eating. Once seated we stared ordering & food started to come out one at a time. We just got soup, hand rolls and dessert. Soup was much needed because had we started as hungry as we were on the hand rolls, we wouldn't have appreciated them each as much. We shared 7 hand rolls (each of the premium ones, minus the caviar one due to price), but I'd recommend 5 or 6 rolls to yourself. Best rolls were the wagu, scallop, and lobster. Dessert was the best! They one have 1 daily dessert & we were lucky enough to get the ube one! So good. It was the only part of the meal that we got more than 2 bites out of & really enjoyed it. Overall it was delicious & vibey, but not a lot of food unless you're ready to send around $400 (our meal was right around $200 and that was sharing each roll between 2 ppl) read more

Kitsu Nori - Ube Twinkie dessert of the day - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I came for their new late night happy hour, which features 50% off hand rolls and it was so worth it! The rice is seasoned so well, the fish was plentiful, and it's an interactive experience as you wrap your own hand roll. The lobster and fatty tuna were standouts. Don't sleep on the mushroom hand roll either. All in all, we ended up ordering 14 hand rolls and I left feeling pretty full. They are pretty pricey outside of happy hour, so not sure it's worth the full price, but as far as Austin hand roll places go, this one's the best. read more

Kitsu Nori - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Good food, but tight indoor seating on a rainy day The food here was good, but a rainy day forced everyone indoors, making the space incredibly packed. Because our outdoor reservation had to be moved, we were seated at the bar, which made it pretty awkward and difficult to socialize with our group. As for the menu, the hand rolls and cold appetizers were the highlights and very tasty. However, considering the price point, I'd honestly prefer to go to Soto for a similar meal. I'd still be open to coming back, but next time I'd aim for happy hour to get a better overall experience! read more

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The happy hour is amazing! Hand rolls are 50% and from 4:00-5:30. There is limited parking in front of the restaurant and more parking in the neighborhood. There are more veggie handrolls here than I've seen at any other restaurant in Austin. The servers were very attentive and nice too. read more

Kitsu Nori - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

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got there at 4:30 and was told it'd be a 1.5 hr wait. thankfully we got to the bar and got seated and can also order there to skip the line yahoo!! drinks soooo strong. matcha colada was so yummy, not very matcha but a good colada nonetheless. lychee martini good flavor too fav handroll- scallop and bluefin tuna. fatty tuna was like mush that just dissipated with one bite it was kinda crazy lobster was kinda tough but you get a lot. avocado rolll had good flavor. would come back only for HH read more

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I really wanted to love Kitsu Nori, but my experience landed squarely in the middle. On the positive side, the hand rolls are absolutely the highlight. The fatty tuna and Maine lobster were easily the standouts, both rich, fresh, and perfectly balanced. Honestly, those two alone are worth ordering again. The other rolls: tuna, salmon, and hamachi were solid as well and could easily hold their own. That said, the crudos were a letdown. The hamachi crudo in particular looked more like escolar, which was a bit off-putting, and overall the dishes lacked the same freshness and punch of flavor as the hand rolls. For the price point, they felt pretty underwhelming. Service was another issue. With only two people running the floor, things already felt stretched thin, but Jared in particular made the experience worse. He seemed far more focused on bussing tables than actually taking care of guests, and his attitude came off as dismissive, snapping at both customers and coworkers rather than being attentive or welcoming. It put a noticeable damper on the meal. Overall, great hand rolls, but inconsistent food and lackluster service make it hard to justify a higher rating or a return trip with other (better) options scattered around town. read more

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We first visited during the soft opening, and while the experience was just okay, we decided to give it another shot after they announced their late-night happy hour. I'm glad we did. The restaurant is definitely on the pricey side at regular menu prices, but the happy hour is where this place really shines. The value is much better, making it an easy choice if you're looking for a casual spot to enjoy sushi and hand rolls without spending a fortune. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, so it can get a bit loud when it's busy. The ambience is nice enough, but it's more of a lively, casual atmosphere than an intimate dining experience. The staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our visit, which made the experience even better. Overall, I'd recommend coming during happy hour. If you're looking for a casual sushi and hand roll spot with good value, this is definitely worth checking out. read more

We went for their new late night happy hour! This is definitely a great deal for happy hour. The drinks were good, I got the matcha frozen drink and my friend got the gin martini. The martini was very strong but good! The hand rolls were good, however I wouldn't say they're at uchi level. They're a good mid tier sushi spot especially at the happy hour price. We had a bunch of hand rolls (they are small but mighty) and were full off of about 6 rolls and a cucumber salad. My favorite was the spicy tuna, and my friend loved the regular tuna! We also tried the scallop, the fatty tuna, salmon, and avocado rolls, out of the fish ones I think our two favorites were the only standouts. Def would come here again for happy hour though! read more

Kitsu Nori - Bluefin tuna, salmon, spicy tuna closest to camera, gin martini and matcha frozen, and cucumber salad! - Japanese Near Me - Austin, Texas

Everything tasted good! Hamachi was the best dish. Not a lot of indoor space. Our server was very helpful read more

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I highly recommend making a reservation first since it's such a small space. We were lucky and got seat seats at the bar where you can see the chefs making the food. The hand rolls were all amazing and they have such an interesting way of presenting them that I have not seen before. I love that the sushi rice is pink-- the chef uses beet juice to make it that color. The cocktails were also really good and really strong. Everything about this place was great. We'll definitely be back again. I also highly recommend the mushroom salad. It was so good. read more

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Interior is lovely - it has seating around the bar as well as tables around the perimeter. Outside seating is tucked away from South Lamar and is also a very nice setting. We came for the happy hour with half-off hand rolls (except the lobster), as well as half off the crudos. We ordered both of the crudos, the hamachi and the sake. The crudos were not my favorite part of the meal. While the ingredient combinations were creative, the fish did not seem to be of very high quality. We also ordered the tuna, crab, salmon, and scallop hand rolls. The concept, as many have mentioned, is quite fun and makes for a fun experience. I agree that portions of fish are not so generous. Our favorite was the tuna, as the crab was a bit overwhelmed with the heavier sauce and the scallop was a very small portion. For happy hour it is a fun experience though! read more

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I have never heard of Kitsu Nori until my husband booked it for date night. It wasn't plastered and advertised all over IG by food bloggers. It's a new sushi spot that recently opened at the end of 2025. Parking is limited but we utilized the Chipotle parking lot next door. Entry is through the courtyard and once you walk through the doors you are greeted with a very intimate cozy modern setting. Service was superb and we had a nice time chatting and getting our servers recommendations. The food was everything I could ask for and more! All the fish and uni on our hand rolls were fresh! Our favorites were the Uni, Hamachi, Mushroom, Fatty Tuna and Blue Crab. What was unique to me was that they give you the seaweed on the side and place the fillings in the hand roll holder that has a tab. The tab allows one to easily lift and place the fillings on the piece of seaweed. I really enjoyed the whole experience. We also tired the American Waygu dish which were really enjoyed. The steak had a nice crust and was cooked perfectly. The au poivre sauce was perfection. It was creamy and the black peppercorn taste paired perfectly with the steak. My husband wanted to drink the sauce itself. What made our night even more special was meeting Paul Qui, the owner himself! My husband and I will definitely be back for more date nights here! Do yourself a favor and book a reservation here now! read more

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Unbelievably delicious sushi and great ambiance. We felt extremely cared for by our server, who was knowledgeable about the menu and helped us choose the most flavorful dishes. Will definitely be back again. Posh atmosphere with a local flair. read more

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Went back last night, just as fantastic as 2 weeks ago. Great service and great vibes. They accommodated our group of 6 and went above and beyond! Tried the eggplant handroll this time and it was so good! read more

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We had a blast at Kitsu Nori! Think Uchi level food, but take the service up 2 notches. In other words, the service was as incredible as the food! We tried a bunch of everything , you really cannot go wrong here. My call outs - Get the lobster, it's way more convenient than eating it in a steakhouse at 3X the flavours - hand rolls were 10/10 - the mocktails were delicious, not on menu but they accommodated with two options! Note - the have this really cool, more relaxed outdoor seating patio which had a bar seating area too! Plenty of parking We are guaranteed to be back! read more

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I love what they've done with the space, the color-soaked blue wallpaper and the bar seating. It's all super stunning. Unfortunately I thought the food wasn't worth the price, and with such a small menu, the total price can sky rocket quickly. Chips and Dip - I enjoyed this housemade potato chip and crab dip with the generous amount of real crab, topped with crab legs. 4/5 Ora King Crudo - this was my favorite dish and I really enjoyed the combo of the blueberry, kale, and soft salmon. 5/5 Negimaki - this was a whopping $50 and I don't think it was worth it at all. The texture of the negi was unique but stringy in not a good way. The asian pear was warm and not refreshing. 3/5 Salmon Butter - the salmon was just perfectly cooked but I didn't love the deconstructed egg and toppings to go with it to make a tostada. 3/5 The handrolls are their most popular. I tried two: Salmon with ponzu (4/5) and Maine Lobster (3/5). I thought the experience was fun as you slide out the handroll from its wooden holder into a nori sheet. Overall, I think Austin has better japanese, sushi, and handroll options for a lower price point. read more

Visited for the first time in March. Food was delicious. They were still getting their bearings straight and got very slammed during HH. Even though my friends and I ordered at the same time, my food came out dead last after everyone was done eating. They did make sure to get everything sorted out for me, so I'll definitely go back. read more

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Overall a 4.5. The TDLR is that the fish here is really great quality, but you're also paying for it as portions are very small. Mushroom salad - good amount of mushrooms (had to be mixed up from the bottom because I didn't see them at first). Fresh leaves, light and not overpowering dressing. Hit the spot but not mind-blowing. Salmon butter: a chunk of salmon, and then roe, grated egg white, grated egg yolk, creme fraîche, slivers of onion, something crunchy. You mix these together, squeeze the lemon wedge, and then eat it with tostada. The quality of this salmon was incredible. The salmon was only warmed through so it was in that liminal space between being raw and cooked where the salmon itself becomes super smooth and was a great texture that is hard to achieve. But overall, the seasoning wasn't quite right. Too much creme fraîche (i didn't even mix it all in for fear of losing the salmon flavor) and I had to ask for more salt to just "pick up" the flavor. Much better once I did. The handrolls are truly excellent. I got scallop and fatty tuna. It's really the quality of the fish here that shines. The scallop was tender and sweet. The negitoro sang in my mouth. Sitting at the bar, I got to watch other dishes being prepared. The hamachi crudo (four slices of hamachi) looked great and again it's the quality of the fish that shines. The block they sliced the hamachi from was so smooth and buttery looking I thought it might have been escolar at first. Note however that the handrolls here are about the size of a nigiri. Not necessarily a bad thing but something to be aware of. I think the amount of fish in the handroll is actually similar to that of the handrolls at Musashino (I was actually sitting at the sushi bar eating handrolls at Musashino about 40 mins before I then did the same at kitsu nori, long story). I saw the wagyu carpaccio being made and it took a while to even understand what it was because it seemed like the thinnest slices and tiniest portion. I'm not someone who won't pay for quality (I have happily paid to eat at tsuke edomae multiple times), but there were some things here that raised my eyebrow. The saving grace to the prices and why I would be happy to eat here is that this place is on the in-kind app (at least for now). Ambiance: This relatively new restaurant has snagged itself a surprisingly nice location and would be an excellent place for a date. Can't tell from the street but there's plenty of parking, the outside courtyard is cute and casual (with tv and fire pit) but then the inside feels very intimate with a lovely ambiance. The inside is quite small - just a few tables and then the bar. Bar is great for solo dining. Servers all friendly and seem happy to be there. read more

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Kitsu Nori offers one of the best handroll happy hours in Austin, and it's clear that locals know about it because this place gets absolutely packed. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation well in advance, or arriving early and being prepared to wait. With most handrolls at half price and $10 cocktail specials, happy hour is a great deal. The handrolls are more than solid for the price, and I love that they serve the seaweed separately so it stays crisp with every bite. Their hamachi crudo also seems like a more affordable take on Uchi's hamachi chili, and it's surprisingly similar for a fraction of the price. I'd skip the salmon crudo, though, since it was overly simple and the portion was quite small. Overall, happy hour is definitely the best time to visit. I'm not sure I'd pay full price for the handrolls, especially since they can take around 20 to 30 minutes to come out, but at happy hour prices, it's absolutely worth checking out. read more

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Had a really great experience at Kitsu Nori! The food was delicious and everything tasted fresh and well-made. The quality definitely stood out, and I'd happily come back for it. Great server Dondi, who was amazing throughout our visit. He was super friendly, attentive, and took the time to explain the menu and answer our questions, which made the experience even better. The interior is also adorable--cozy, and very welcoming. It has a warm vibe that makes you want to stay and enjoy your meal. Overall, great food, excellent service, and a lovely atmosphere. Definitely recommend! read more

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Kitsui Nori was a fantastic experience. The sushi was exceptional--fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. We really enjoyed the hand roll concept, which made the meal feel fun, approachable, and a little different from a typical sushi dinner. We appreciated the layout, design and artwork including the outdoor dining area. The pricing was also very reasonable for the quality of the food. The staff could not have been nicer, and Paul (Owner/James Beard Award & Top Chef Winner) took time to speak with us about the restaurant and the care that goes into sourcing and preparing the food. We will definitely return and I highly recommend others try Kitsui Nori as well. Looking forward to the pizza and Italian restaurant he is opening next door. read more

A friend and I checked out their Happy Hour this Monday and had a great time! The parking situation was a bit challenging, but I ended up finding a street spot not to far away. Jayce was our awesome waiter and Phil was one of the sushi chefs and we had fun chatting with both of them and the others. They have 1/2 off certain rolls and items. And $10 cocktails. Unfortunately, no sake specials. They were out of their junmai by the glass so they offered a discount on a similar one which was delicious. They served up the handrolls in a unique way and show you how to wrap each with seaweed paper. So yummy and such a cozy, fun experience! The salmon was so buttery!! Phil gave us a couple of tasters on the house, which we really appreciated! They turned on the US v Belgium World Cup soccer game after the customers thinned out after HH ended. We got there at 5pm and left close to 8:30 pm! I hope to make it back here again soon! read more

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Two words, mushroom handroll - get it! It was MY FAVORITE! Would come back and order 5 of them for my meal. Chips and crab dip is also good. Other rolls were OK, not as outstanding as the mushroom. Also tried the Toro Cashew app, wasn't a fan of the sauce, needs some citrus. They keep the nori (seaweed) separate and you get to assemble the handroll together before eating . This keeps the nori from getting soggy if pre-assembled. There is a parking lot and you enter behind the building. read more

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