Nori — Restaurant in Austin

These reviews aren't discussing why you don't get value for your money at Nori. Sure, food at Nori tastes okay, but the fine yet forgettable tastes compensate for many other details. Give any thought to their food and you'll realize how disappointing their dishes are. Caveat, if you're a vegan/vegetarian and want Japanese food then try Nori. You may gain something from trying dishes that are tough to find without meat, but know you're wildly overpaying. If you're not vegan/vegetarian, avoid Nori.

I'm supremely confident that Nori uses boxed Golden Curry brand to create their curry. I know this because I've been using Golden Curry for a decade as a starter base. Everyone at my table agreed it tasted exactly like Golden Curry which costs $4 for 6 servings at HEB instead of $20 for 1 serving at Nori. Nori seems to use the mild or medium curry version and simply follows instructions on the box - add potatoes, onions, carrots, done. They served it to me almost room temperature which is, to be direct, absolutely wrong. Curry that's not piping hot is unappealing mush. If you've never had curry then think of it like very thick soup. Hot soup? Great. Cold soup? Can be good. Room temp soup? Universal no.

The gyoza is the most obvious way they overcharge you. You get $15 for four pieces and an ocean of sauce you can't eat. You're given chopsticks for the gyoza which means that you can't do anything with the sauce beyond dip 4-8 times. There's likely to be 1/2 cup of uneaten liquids when you're done which you can't do anything with unless you pick up the plate and drink it. It's terribly wasteful of Nori and means you're paying for literal trash. The gyozas aren't fried, they're steamed, which means they're extra soft. Not a bad thing, unless you plate them in a swimming pool for guests like Nori does. The oil splatter marks all along the side of the plate suggest they plated the gyozas with as much thought as they put into the rest of the dish.

A minor bright spot was the tan tan ramen. The mushrooms in it are absolutely delicious and by far the best thing my table ate. They should be featured in a stand alone plate. The tan tan broth is savory but safe meaning you'll remember a hot salty liquid with some thickness and no real character. A tan tan should have spice and richness offsetting gentle veggie tones. A larger problem is that there's not enough broth. Ramen should have plenty of liquid which absorbs flavor as you eat and becomes even richer by then end. They pack so much "stuff" in the bowl that you can't enjoy the liquid. That may sound like getting value, but you're actually being denied the basic nature of ramen.

Then there's the service. Wait staff is genuinely nice but incomplete. Fir example, my table wasn't offered a refill of water. You also can't see the level in the glasses thanks to the spiked (very unappealing on your lips to drink from) texture so it's likely they didn't know. But they still didn't ask. They also didn't ask if we needed a box for leftovers. Felt like all personality without a real service touch.

Our waiter also told us they're in between head chefs (as of August 2025) and they're using the old chef's recipes which may also be an issue. I'll be returning to try the sushi but my expectations are low. I've spent months traveling in Japan, Hawaii, and plenty of Japanese restaurants in between, so I can say that Nori is not worth a visit unless you're dietarily restricted from...

Our dining experience at Nori in Austin, Texas, was nothing short of spectacular. As vegetarians, we often hesitate to choose sushi restaurants due to their typically limited vegetarian options. However, celebrating a birthday at Nori was a revelation. The restaurant's full vegan menu offered an astounding variety of rolls that went far beyond the usual avocado roll we are accustomed to.

From the moment we walked in, the waiting staff made the evening exceptional. They were incredibly attentive and helpful as we navigated the vibrant menu, ensuring we understood the ingredients and could make the best choices. Their enthusiasm and knowledge of the vegan options were contagious, setting a joyful tone for the celebration.

The menu at Nori is a treasure trove of creative and delectable vegan sushi rolls. Each roll was a delightful surprise, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. We savored innovative combinations like the Volcano, with its perfect balance of sweetness and heat, and the Sunflower, which offered a delightful crunch. The freshness of the ingredients and the artistry in each roll were truly impressive.

Celebrating a birthday at Nori was a unique and memorable experience. The variety and creativity of the vegan sushi rolls allowed us to explore new flavors and enjoy a truly gourmet meal. I highly recommend Nori to any vegetarian or vegan sushi lover looking for a dining experience that is both satisfying and exciting. This restaurant has redefined what vegan sushi can be, and we can't wait to return for more culinary adventures.

Nori has become our yearly tradition for my wife’s birthday, and it never disappoints. This vegan sushi gem in Austin continues to exceed expectations. We were warmly welcomed with a sweet, personalized note on our table, setting the tone for a truly special evening. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel genuinely celebrated. Every dish was fresh, creative, and beautifully presented a real treat for both the eyes and taste buds. Do not miss the espresso martini easily one of the best we’ve had. Nori is a perfect mix of thoughtful service and exceptional...

My wife and I visited our son and daughter in law (who is vegetarian) at their home in Austin. Based on their positive experiences dining at Nori, the four of us decided to visit together.

After starting with a very tasty Shitake Gyoza, we ordered, from the Maki part of the (depicted) menu the Volcano, Sunflower, Spider, Rainbow and Dragon. The fullness of flavor and the beauty of presentation of these dishes were wonderful. We truly enjoyed these dishes

We then decided we wanted more. We ordered the Creamy Crunchy and the Texan. Frankly, the listed ingredients of the Texan leaned us against ordering it, but my son convinced us.

The Texan is comprised of smoked Tofu, Avocado and Jalapeño, topped with smoked tempeh, tempura flakes, served with blueberry barbecue, spicy Mayo and Roasted garlic.

What a surprise!! The smokiness of the tofu and sweetness of the blueberry barbecue sauce played off of each other quite well. We still wonder how, but are thankful that, the chef came up with the combination of ingredients that make up the Texan.

The service was wonderful, thanks to our server Anastasio, who we hope to see again when we return. He was responsive but never intrusive and we appreciate his assistance when needed.

The atmosphere is stylish, but not overly so, clean and not noisy at all.

I am a meat lover and proud of it, and Austin has fantastic barbecue, but Nori should not be missed by anyone who likes quality sushi. I highly recommend it and can't wait to eat there again. UPDATE: Brought more family to Nori's, this time for lunch. Our server Ruba was absolutely excellent and, hopefully, will be assigned to our table for our next visit.

The Bao Buns, Karaage and Okonomiyaki were a great start for us. The Origami was great, as were the Brooklyn, the Tempeh Temple and the Buddha.

Nori has achieved "go to Sushi restaurant" status with us when we visit Austin. I strongly recommend that you...