Say Hello to Hello Nori: One of Toronto’s Hottest Sushi Spots

Crisp seaweed, warm rice, premium fillings like truffle lobster and torched unagi —each hand-rolled to order, right before your eyes. That’s the magic Hello Nori is bringing to Toronto’s Financial District. Known for elevating fast-casual Japanese dining, this Vancouver-born concept caters to both sushi lovers and foodies.

With a sleek design and a menu that celebrates Japanese flavours with a premium twist, Hello Nori (a proud Moneris merchant) is redefining fast-casual dining. It’s not your typical grab-and-go lunch spot. It features bar-style seating, rolls torched at table-side, and top-shelf ingredients.

We sat down with Isaac Olivier, Corporate Operations Director at Hello Nori, to hear about their journey, what keeps guests coming back for roll after roll, and how they keep operations running as seamlessly as their sake service.

Tell us how the Hello Nori concept came to life.

The journey began in 2021 when we opened Hello Nori on Robson Street in Vancouver. The concept is actually very close to home for us. I love Japanese food, and so does Chef Jay, our corporate chef. We had seen similar concepts around the world and noticed there wasn’t really anything like it in Canada. We thought Canada has great sushi, so why not bring something like this here? We put our heads together, found our first space, in the middle of COVID, no less, and opened our doors in 2021. Since then, it’s been one heck of a journey, that’s for sure.

When did this new Toronto location open, and why did you choose this location?

It feels like yesterday, but it was actually just about a month ago that we opened our York Street location. We always planned to open multiple spots in Toronto, and it made sense to spread them out across different districts. King Street is more entertainment-focused, so we see a lot of nightlife there. York Street, on the other hand, is all about the weekday hustle and power lunches Monday through Friday. Our guests here come in for our set menus, our oshis, and to entertain clients. It’s fast-paced, in-and-out service, exactly what we hoped for in this part of town.

What’s been the biggest challenge so far at this location?

York Street, as you can imagine, is really busy during weekday lunches. Dinner time can be a little quieter. We’ve leaned into delivery, takeout, and events to balance that out. For example, tonight we have a sold-out event, with two groups, 24 guests at 5:30 and another group at 7:30. Instead of relying only on walk-ins, we’re making the most of evening events, takeout, and delivery.

Let’s talk food. What’s the must-try item on the menu?

Honestly, our number one menu item is the truffle lobster roll. It’s been on the menu since day one and for good reason. It’s everything you want: truffle, lobster, premium ingredients. It’s beautiful. Guests try it once, and more often than not, they order a second one right after. I don’t see it ever leaving the menu.

Describe Hello Nori using three emojis.

I think we’re pretty cool, so the sunglasses emoji 😎 fits. We’re definitely tasty, so I’d go with the slurpy face emoji 😋, the one sticking its tongue out. And since we’re Japanese, of course the sushi emoji 🍣 makes total sense.

What’s the most popular/Instagram-worthy item?

It’s a toss-up. Our oshi is one of our most popular items. It’s not a hand roll, but people love it. We make salmon oshi with a Serrano pepper that’s torched right at the table. The other contender would be our ornate sashimi platters. Our chefs bring in fresh fish every day and usually prepare a stunning selection of four or five pieces arranged beautifully for our guests.

If Hello Nori were a person, how would you describe them?

I imagine someone who’s travelled the world, tried a lot of things, and not only knows what they like but also understands what others enjoy. Hello Nori is about creating a Japanese dining experience that’s accessible for everyone. That’s the kind of person Hello Nori would be.

Who’s your dream celebrity guest, and what would you like to serve them?

I’d say Pedro Pascal. If he walked through the door, I think everyone would lose their minds. As for what I’d serve him, definitely our hand rolls. He should go for one of our set menus. Five rolls are usually enough, especially if he wants to save room for our oshi, our sashimi platters, and maybe even dessert.

What’s your go-to order?

My go-to is always the five-hand roll set. It has everything I want. That set was designed with such a balance in mind. If I were to add anything, I’d go with the unagi roll. It’s torched tableside, and the first time the chef ever gave me one, I immediately asked for another. It’s just that good.

And finally, what’s it like working with Moneris?

Hello Nori is all about hospitality and service, and I’ve found Moneris really aligns with that. I’ve worked with a lot of different service providers, and anytime there’s an issue (which is rare with Moneris), they’re quick to support and resolve things. On top of that, their rates are great. No complaints at all.

Ready to Roll? Visit Hello Nori

Whether you're powering through a busy weekday or looking to impress on your next dinner out, Hello Nori serves up more than just incredible sushi. It's a modern Japanese dining experience you won’t forget. From truffle lobster rolls to flame-torched oshis and beautifully crafted sashimi platters, every bite is thoughtfully crafted to impress. Visit and taste it for yourself; your chopsticks—and your taste buds—will thank you.

My Experience: Sushi Goals? Achieved.

From the moment I stepped into Hello Nori, I was hooked. The sleek, modern decor strikes just the right balance between chic and welcoming, setting the stage for what turned out to be a feast for your senses. Each dish arrived looking like a work of art. The lobster hand roll was a decadent bite of buttery richness wrapped in delicate seaweed, while the sashimi platter dazzled with vibrant colours and impeccable freshness. It is unlike any sushi I’ve had. It was an experience that left me already dreaming of my next visit.