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Temaki Society
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Temaki Society
8.1
A handroll-leaning counter tucked inside a nightlife-style room, blending sushi precision with a downtown bar buzz. Fish quality is clean and well-seasoned, and the menu pushes beyond basics into richer, saucier temaki builds. Come for an elevated handroll session that feels like part of the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna temaki, Blue crab temaki, Uni & caviar temaki
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Handrolls in a bar-driven, after-dark Downtown setting.
Who should go: Sushi fans who want drinks and energy.
When to visit: Evenings before the bar peak.
What to order: Spicy tuna, blue crab, uni temaki.
Insider tip: Reserve bar seats for best pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited after 6pm; expect to circle. Nearby paid lots on Spring/Main typically run $8–$15 for the night.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning stylish—many guests dress up due to the nightlife-forward room, but jeans and a nice top are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud; you can hold a conversation at the counter, but the bar energy picks up as the night progresses.
Weekend wait: 35–55 minutes without a reservation, longer after 8pm.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—primarily an evening spot, but early-evening weekdays usually have minimal wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but viable—simple cucumber/avocado rolls and a few vegetable-forward sides.
Vegan options: Very limited—only basic veggie rolls and rice; sauces may contain mayo or dashi, so ask specifically.
Gluten-free options: Good options—many handrolls can be made with GF tamari; staff is used to navigating GF needs though cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—counter seating creates natural conversation flow, and the nightlife vibe adds energy without being overwhelming. Great if you want something fun but not overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes—especially early evening. Bar seats turn faster than tables, so walk-ins should target counter seating before 7pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal—it's a nightlife-forward room with higher noise and limited kid-oriented menu items. Teens are fine; younger children may feel out of place.
Best For
Better for: A more social, after-dark handroll experience—great cocktails, louder energy, and richer temaki options that feel elevated without becoming full omakase.
Skip if: You want a quiet, traditional handroll bar with minimalist flavors; choose Yunomi or KazuNori for cleaner, more classic pacing.
Temaki Society
8.3
A Downtown handroll bar with clear Korean-American fingerprints, from bossam-leaning flavors to bold, sauced temaki builds. The counter energy is lively and nightlife-adjacent, but the fish-to-rice balance stays clean and precise. Best as a paced set meal that feels like part of a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Temaki set, Bossam-inspired handroll, Uni-forward signature roll
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Korean-inflected temaki in a Downtown handroll format.
Who should go: Handroll lovers who want bold flavors.
When to visit: Early evening for shortest waits.
What to order: Temaki set, bossam roll, uni roll.
Insider tip: Go with a set for best rhythm and value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is possible but competitive after 6pm; several paid garages within a 2–4 minute walk offer the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual; Downtown nightlife energy means elevated tops and clean sneakers fit in, but full dressy attire isn’t required.
Noise level: Moderate—lively counter buzz but still manageable for conversation, especially if seated earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, depending on bar-seat turnover.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—primarily an evening destination.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Light but present; a few veggie-forward handrolls and sides, though the menu leans fish-forward.
Vegan options: Very limited; most rolls use fish, mayo-based sauces, or seasoned rice components.
Gluten-free options: Possible with careful ordering—several fish-and-rice rolls can be made gluten-conscious if sauces are adjusted, but cross-contact is likely in a compact bar setting.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—counter seating gives built-in pacing and interaction without feeling too formal. The lively-but-controlled energy creates an easy conversational rhythm.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes if you arrive early evening; bar seats turn over steadily. After 7:30pm on weekends, expect a wait and put your name down.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal—tight counter seating, nightlife energy, and sauced handrolls make it better suited for adults or older teens who enjoy sushi.
Best For
Better for: Guests who want Korean-inspired flavors within a handroll format, plus a more social, nightlife-adjacent vibe than traditional sushi counters.
Skip if: You want quiet, traditionalist sushi or a wide à la carte menu; this is structured around paced sets in a lively room.
Temaki Society
8.2
Temaki Society brings a Korean-influenced hand roll bar to the Historic Core, with premium fish, crunchy nori, and a tight, design-forward room. Signature rolls layer spice, acidity, and texture in ways that feel more chef-driven than many counter-service spots nearby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sae Woo Jang Signature Hand Roll, Scallop Hand Roll, Toro Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Korean-leaning hand rolls served in a sleek, design-heavy Broadway space.
Who should go: Downtown diners chasing creative, chef-y hand rolls.
When to visit: Dinner hours before or after a show nearby.
What to order: Sae Woo Jang, scallop hand roll, toro hand roll.
Insider tip: Ask about off-menu or seasonal hand rolls if you sit at the bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broadway and Spring can be tight after 6pm; nearby paid structures on 7th & Broadway or Spring Arcade usually have open spots ($6–$12). No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual. Most guests lean stylish—jeans are fine if paired with something polished.
Noise level: Moderate. Music-forward but still manageable for date-night conversation at the counter.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes for counter seats without a reservation; faster if you arrive before 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though service may be streamlined depending on staffing.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—mostly cucumber or veggie-focused rolls. This is a fish-driven menu.
Vegan options: Very limited. Vegan options may be restricted to basic nori-and-rice or vegetable-only rolls.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility. Most hand rolls can be made gluten-free with a tamari substitution; fried or sauced items may not qualify.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The sleek interior, counter interaction with chefs, and shareable roll pacing make it ideal for a relaxed but elevated first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for early evenings or weekdays. On busy nights, you may need to put your name in and return after a short walk; counter seats turn over fairly quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The room is compact, the vibe leans adult, and the menu is geared toward raw seafood. Teens comfortable with sushi will fare better than younger children.
Best For
Better for: Creative, Korean-influenced flavor profiles and design-focused ambiance that feels more curated than many nearby roll counters.
Skip if: You prefer traditional, minimalist hand rolls or need a menu with broad cooked or vegan options—Sushi Go 55 or KazuNori may suit you better.