Wabi Nori Queens

Had the most amazing experience at the newly renovated Wabi Nori (used to be called Kaizen). First, each course of the Omakase was creative, well balanced, and executed with perfection. We started with some appetizers - Oysters, duck breast with Uni, toro on toast, steam eggs with truffle; follow by a series of creative nigiri - each has its unique sauce, garnish, and presentation. We truly felt Chef Sam’s passion as he chose unique techniques in each course, making them stand out from all the other Omakase. Secondly, the environment and vibe was loungy, chilled and comfortable. Our waitress took away our plates at the right moment, refilled your water without asking, and always smiling. The place is busy, but nothing is neglected, Manager Sunny really held it down. Everyone from our party really enjoyed the experience, we already made plans to come back next week with a different group of friends!

I went there for Mother’s Day special omakase. Chef Sam never lets me disappoint. The majority of raw fish are freshly imported from Japan. He creates a very stylish and crafted menu according to seasonal ingredients. The service is impeccable. I always enjoy hospitality from the manager Sunny. This is my go-to place for high quality omakase.

My girlfriend and I have been here a few times now and every visit just reinforces why this place is special. We did omakase most recently and it was genuinely one of the best dining experiences I can remember. Sam behind the bar is the real deal — watching him work is half the experience. He takes his time, explains each piece, and you can tell he actually cares about what he’s putting in front of you. Sunny keeps the whole place running with this effortless warmth that makes you feel like you’re a regular even if it’s your first time. The food speaks for itself, but the people are what make it unforgettable. Highly recommend if you’re on the fence about omakase — this is the right place to do it.

5-star⭐️ It is definitely the TOP TIER Japanese cuisine and service, Incredible place in Queens Flushing!!! It’s my first time here. Usually I love to get to the city for Japanese food, and my friend recommended this place. We started with a happy hour and I had a cocktail ,Saturn, it’s infused with passion fruit juice, sweet and lovely. Then we started with fried chicken and soft shelf crab, crunchy and simply comfort food. After the happy hour, it’s the highlight of the night :::: Sashimi platter 🍱 Chef Sam gave us a warm greeting and introduced everything one by one: sakura uni, kinmedai, and all other types of fish. The sashimi platter is absolutely a paradise: fresh and something you can’t resist: the umami . You just don’t need any soy sauce on top but the sashimi are sweet and rich in flavor. Also, Chef Sam made us a special dish， Akazu 赤酢 rice and まぐろ! We all loved it as we truly taste the essence of umamiうま味🍣 In between courses, they recommended to have a bite of young ginger to refresh the breath so that you can better taste different layers of sashimi, the young ginger is insane!!! They are soft ( most of the time, those ginger are tough to chew) I love it and I love everything! We love the service of Sunny and Thiha, and Chef Sam for the hospitality. They are brilliant and very attentive to your needs. The personal touch is something which can never be replaced. It’s the warmth and depth of people. We feel it. 5 ⭐

I’m a regular here and absolutely love this place! Manager Sunny always goes above and beyond—he remembers customers’ names, what they like, and even their usual orders, which makes every visit feel so personal and welcoming. He’s always smiling, incredibly professional, and just a joy to be around. Chef Sam is amazing—the food and drinks are consistently outstanding. Every dish is flavorful and beautifully done. This spot is truly a hidden gem in Flushing. Highly recommend!

I’m so glad flushing is finally getting more upscale feeling restaurants. I came on a Saturday for brunch, the music was fantastic, vibes were immaculate and the food was great. Not having to leave queens to find a place with great food and vibes is incredible. Wabi nori is blending city feeling with queens dining, and they have done an impeccable job. Highly recommend

Had a layover in NY so we took it as an opportunity to try out Wabi Nori. They’re known for their contemporary hand rolls and the restaurant is located in Flushing. The service was great and food came out really quickly. I loved the Saturn cocktail, not much of a drinker but this was really nice to sip on. Out of the appetizers we ordered, the soft shell crab was the star. It was a whole crab cut in half on top of spicy mayo, crispy and meaty. The hand rolls are served on wooden planks that you put onto nori yourself. It’s a unique experience and not just for show as it ensures the nori stays crispy when you’re ready to eat it. I liked that it wasn’t chewy because it’d be hard to eat with the large portions. The (real) crab and lobsters ones were loaded which are rare to find. The only thing we found wasn’t worth it was the Tuna Flight. The pieces were way too cold which made it feel like we were eating freshly defrosted fish. The texture was great for the Akami and Chutoro though. What we ordered: ⭐️ Karaage $10 ⭐️ Soft shell crab $13 ⭐️ Shishito peppers $7 🍸Saturn cocktail (gin, passion fruit, lemon, orgeat) $10 🍸 White tiger (bourbon, coconut rum, pineapple, mint) $10 🍣 2x 6 hand roll set $39 (Spicy tuna, salmon, yellowtail, scallop, crab, lobster) 🍣 2x miso cod hand rolls $13 & bluefin otoro hand rolls $15 🍣 Tuna flight (6pc) $28

This was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. I rarely leave reviews for places but knew I had to for WabiNori! The fish was fresh and hefty, the sauces/toppings used for the handrolls were unique and paired so well with everything! My favorite was the ortoro specialty roll and the yellowtail roll but everything was so good. The dessert was also delicious— we had the tiramisu and it was so uniquely done. The drinks were tasty and definitely weren’t lacking alcohol(lol) Compliments to the chef and owner!! They are spectacular and have created a wonderful dining experience. I also enjoyed the music selection. The entire restaurant made me feel on cloud 9!! Highly highly recommend