Yuki Handroll Bar

Yuki is one of the only restaurants in Austin dedicated to handrolls, so both casual fans of handheld sushi and California transplants looking for a suitable substitute for KazuNori (the menu is almost identical) can find common ground at this strip mall restaurant in Bee Caves. All the seating takes place at a large wrap-around counter, so you can watch pupils dilate as the guest across from you makes their way through a set menu of three to seven handrolls. The rice is warm and well-seasoned, the nori is as crispy as it gets without turning brittle, and the cuts of fish are generous, if a little cold at times. You can order from a handful of suggested combinations—each roll is made to order—or go a la carte. Whichever route you choose, you’ll want to finish the meal off with a couple pieces of nigiri, preferably the bluefin toro or torched unagi.

photo credit: Nicolai McCrary