Nami Nori is a minimalist restaurant located in Brooklyn, New York, designed in collaboration with Modellus Novus. Nami Nori introduced a novel sushi experience with their open-style temaki. Sakaeda, Lee, and Limb, all of whom honed their skills under the tutelage of Chef Masa Takayama, the sole 3-star Michelin sushi chef in the United States, envisioned a dining experience that prioritized quality, sustainability, and accessibility. They sought to break away from the emerging trend of exclusive, high-end omakase restaurants, firmly believing that open-style temaki was the key to achieving their vision. It didn’t take long for Nami Nori to make a splash, with their open-style temaki garnering rave reviews and their custom, handcrafted wooden temaki holders receiving praise for their innovative design. Nami Nori isn’t just about exceptional sushi; it’s a restaurant concept that embraces modern design.
Collaborating with the architecture firm Modellus Novus, known for their work on notable projects like Kappo Masa, Tatiana, Cote, The Whitney Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum, Nami Nori’s interior design draws inspiration from modern beach houses and traditional Japanese residences. The restaurants feature distinct design elements, including weathered wood floors, white washed brick walls, light-wood sushi bars adorned with rattan stools, and speckled terrazzo countertops. Large dried floral arrangements of foraged branches, wood, and flowers add a touch of natural beauty to each location. One of the standout features at Nami Nori is their custom-made wooden temaki holders. These holders are meticulously crafted by hand, designed to present the taco-shaped temaki in an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly manner. Each one is made to order, showcasing the restaurant’s commitment to both form and function.
