It has been a month since Hello Nori’s newest location opened in Richmond Centre Mall. They are located next to Unico with their own external entrance and parking lot of sorts. However, are most inviting through the mall.
To celebrate a successful one month of business, they have decided to organize a traditional sake presentation to toast to the new location. An un-barreling called “Kagami-Biraki”. More on that later.
This was an unadvertised event, meant to be a surprise for those who were already planning on visiting. A way to surprise and delight their customers with a free shot of their house made sake with complimentary top ups.
As guests waited for their seats, we were able to partake in a sake tasting. Three types of sake that Hello Nori already regularly carries on their menu. Each curated to pair with their sashimi and seafood in general. I would begin my evening with this, taking the following notes.
The Rice magic, sparkling red was a unique one. Natural fermentation using the Champagne method. The result was a sweet and happy sake with little acidity and plenty of strawberry notes.
The Daiginjo 300 is considered a premium sake as determined by the rice milling. A finer grain, a lower percentage, and closer to the centre of the grain. This I found more similar to vodka and gin. Botanical forward with a floral herbaceous. Clear and sterile feeling this would pair well with fine white fish like hamachi.
The Oka Ginjo had the highest ABV out of the 3. It was dry, smokey, and salty. This would be best paired with stronger umami flavours like uni and with grilled fish and rice.
When time, we were invited to our seats to watch the show. A quick ceremony with some audience participation. I was even lucky enough to get to scoop my own cup of sake, right from the barrel.
This location has the same aesthetic as the other Hello Nori locations with the focus placed on the ceiling. Wooden waves coming together from all corners of the space to convene at a base. This resembled a tree with branches that splinter off into shelves along the back wall.
There were little upgrades made to the operations of this location. This included the rice cooker being built into the counters, so that they are more discrete. It definitely helped to foster the restaurant chain’s minimalistic theme. Similarly, they now have automatic sliding doors for the kitchen and the washrooms, not only are they an elegant touch, but a nice convenience as well.
The “Kagami-Biraki” involves a celebratory phrase being said three times, before the wooden top of a sake barrel is broken through with wooden mallets. The actual sake maker came out to christen this batch of Hello Sake, made exclusively for all of the restaurant’s locations.
The great thing about Hello Nori is that every seat is a great one. The entire premise is that you get a dedicated chef who watches out for your eating pace, and rolls your sushi by hand as soon as your plate is cleared. The goal is that your food is always fresh and warm. Served to you and enjoyed at the optimum temperature and texture. And for this, I am never disappointed, and always find the food consistently delicious.
We were seated right at the center, which I deem the best seat in the house. Ones that gave you a look at your chef preparing your hand rolls, as well as the oshi getting torched behind him.
We started our meal with their seasonal apple cinnamon cocktail that tasted like pie.
You are able to order your rolls a la carte, but I find myself gravitating towards the same rolls each time I visit, so simply check off their six piece combo option with the add on of their oshi.
For the latter, my seat-mate declared Hello Nori’s oshi to be on par with the famously, expensive and premium Miku, which has been given the credit for popularizing these in Vancouver. She declares that Hello Nori’s version is just as tasty, but at a third of the price. I would agree with her, especially as they use the similar technique of wood fire charcoal to enhance and torch the top of each.
There are only two oshi options, both served as a set of three, so I advise getting both. Where the shrimp is more creamy and sweet, the salmon is more refreshing with a hint of spice from the jalapeño. I liked bouncing back-and-forth between each, piece by piece.
As for the hand rolls, you are either ordering them for their taste or texture. The scallop for its creamy, sweet, milky finish. The tuna for its fragrant onion accent. The lobster for its sweetness and its hint of truffle. And the king crab for the lush, meaty texture.
All of which are great with their house made spicy dip. I find it serves as a nice break from dips of wasabi and soy. It is also worth mentioning that the staff are very attentive with water top ups and additional ginger refills.
Tonight would be my first time trying their sashimi platter, as I often stick with what I know and enjoy the safety of my order. But as a group, we shared a stunning platter beautifully garnished with edible flowers and green herbs. It all blended so well together visually that I missed the scallop slices hiding within half a lemon. This was all the same seafood and fish that goes into their respective hand roll, served delicately so that you can enjoy is texture unencumbered.
Notable mentions, include their squid curls with Shiso. I have never had such a lush and creamy piece of squid before. And the herb leaf really helps to temper some of its milkiness.
The bonito was interesting. I have only had this as flakes from the fish being dehydrated and sliced paper thin for a wispy topping. To have the actual fish now was unexpected and not as salty as I thought it would be. The meatiness of it reminded me of steak in how heavy was its chew.
In short, the Lower Mainland is happy to have another location to serving their cravings for quality seafood and rice. I recommended visiting for their happy menu.
Hello Nori – Richmond
6551 No. 3 Rd #1450, Richmond, BC V6Y 2B6
+1 (604) 889-6674
hellonori.com
