
The people behind popular New Orleans pop-up Nori Guys will soon open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Mid-City.
Hibachi Grill is on pace to open in the coming weeks on Broad Street in the former home of Las Delicias de Honduras near Coffee Science, co-owner Kenny Truong said.
Truong had a stall in the Pythian Market, which was under the culinary direction of Nigel Pais. After the market closed, Pais and Troung embarked on their new venture with bar pop-ups around the city and appearances at local festivals.
Nori Guys would solidify an identity as the sushi taco pop-up in Crescent City.
The spicy tuna sushi taco is a street food creation from the New Orleans pop-up Nori Guys. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
“Our sushi tacos are pretty much a deconstructed sushi roll,” Truong explained.
Nori Guys fries a sheet of nori, the seaweed that holds a roll together, with batter and forms it into a taco shape before filling it with a protein like crab or salmon, rice, some sauces and maybe some other additives such as a wakame salad.
The duo opened a stall in City Market on Elysian Fields Avenue in June, but Troung said that venture didn’t work well for his team and the departure spurred them to find a location in the neighborhood where they built a loyal fanbase.
Truong said the new shop at 400 S Broad St. will be where hibachi and sushi taco lovers can get the hibachi experience at a lower price threshold.
“We are going to bring fresh and high-quality ingredients, focusing on both traditional Japanese dishes and local flavors to connect with the New Orleans community,” Truong said.
In addition to hibachi and the famous sushi tacos, customers can expect menu items such as bang bang chicken, yaki noodles, fried rice, braised oxtail, grilled lamb chops and spicy edamame.
Truong said the Nori Guys brand is also here to stay. The chefs will continue to pop up around New Orleans and serve their signature dishes that guests have come to love.