Crispy, Fresh & Intimate: Inside Matsunori Handroll Bar

Jun 8

2 min read

The Vibe

Walking into Matsunori, the first thing you notice is how intentional everything feels. It's intimate and sleek — the kind of spot where the food and decor does all the talking. If you can snag a seat at the bar, do it. Watching the chefs roll everything fresh right in front of you can be an experience but that of course is dependent on what you are trying to go for.

What I Ordered

🥗 Seaweed Salad

We started with the seaweed salad — a mix of seaweed, cucumber, and sesame seeds — and it was the perfect opener. Light, refreshing, and subtly savory. It set the tone for the meal without being heavy, which you'll appreciate once the scrumptious handrolls start coming out.

🍣 Toro Mushroom Handroll

This was the standout of the night. The combination of rich, fatty toro with earthy mushroom sounds unexpected, but it works in the most luxurious way. Each bite was buttery and deeply savory, with the crispy seaweed adding just the right amount of texture. If you want something that'll hit you but leave you with a lasting impression, order this.

🦀 Spicy Crab Handroll

The spicy crab brought the heat — but in a balanced, restrained way that let the softness of the crab still shine through. This one had great flavor contrast and was easily one of the most crowd-pleasing rolls of the bunch. A must-order for anyone who loves a little kick and a small taste of seafood.

🐟 Salmon Handroll

Classic for a reason. The salmon was incredibly fresh and clean-tasting, with just the right amount of rice — because at Matsunori, it's more fish than rice, and you feel that in every bite. Simple, satisfying, and a great benchmark for how good quality fish can be.

🍵 Iced Hojicha Latte

Don't sleep on the drinks here. The iced hojicha latte was a lovely way to wind down the meal — smoky, slightly sweet, and wonderfully cooling. It complemented the richness of the handrolls perfectly and felt like a thoughtful pairing rather than an afterthought.

When I picked up the drink menu, I was feeling matcha but due to going here after work, I didn't want the high caffeine count in the matcha to mess with my sleep later on especially on a weekday so I opted for Hojicha instead. So for those who still want to be drinking matcha but want lower caffine, try out Hojicha! Maybe you'll like it better especially if you are not a fan of grassy drinks like Matcha.

Final Verdict

Matsunori Handroll Bar is the real deal. It's best for small bites or for those who are practicing portion control. Every roll is special and creatively crafted in its own way and there's something interesting in every handroll. There are vegetarian options as well. I would come back again just to try out something new or even maybe revisit old favorites. The toro and mushroom handroll is definitely something on my favorites list for sure.