Sushi Lover's Heaven. Take your pick and enjoy all there sushi.
(5)
Lady R.
Like other commenters mentioned, the service is slow. Between that and menus that severely needed cleaning, they lose a star. We sat there watching the waiter joke with the cooks and bartender for a while after we had closed our menus and made it clear we were ready to order. But the food was great. They serve Poke salad which isn't always on sushi menus and I really love it. I got a fairly large portion of it for $10. I requested the sauce be served on the side in case it was too spicy for my sensitive palate. For some reason, the waiter placed a fork on my plate when he served it- but he didn't do the same for my friend who ordered the same dish prepared in the same way maybe ten minutes later. I wasn't sure if I should be grateful or offended but I just went ahead and tore it up with chopsticks. Ultimately left full and happy. Would go again but will definitely go knowing the service won't be stellar.
(4)
Katie S.
Origami is in my top 2 places to get sushi in this city. In fact, I like it so much, I don't really even want to tell you about it. My only regret is that I don't get down to Freret Street nearly enough to visit every time I want sushi. I originally went when it was newer and was suggested to go by word of mouth. They seemed to have some service issues when they first opened but all seems to have been resolved and I've had nothing but glowing and happy experiences here ever since. The ambiance is super nice and clean. It's nicer looking than most sushi places but not trendy-looking and still perfectly casual. The sushi chefs seems to be really accommodating for custom sushi arrangements or special requests. The sushi quality is consistently great. The owner also seems to be there a lot and you can tell it makes a big difference service-wise. Everyone is super friendly and the sushi chefs are always big on keeping their customers at the sushi bar entertained and happy during peak dining hours. Everyone is sort of just "happy looking" when they eat here. I can't explain it exactly. This place just always seems to have a really great vibe going. It's perfect for a group or date night followed by a stroll down Freret Street. The Poke Salad is a unique staple on this menu. You will also notice in the pictures section that there are a few unique speciality rolls like the Funky Margarita Roll. The Tiger Roll is probably my favorite so far but there are still plenty of other things I want to try from this place still, like their Salmon Carpaccio, and I keep seeing people getting these giant custom chirashi sushi spreads that look fantastic! So I really need to go back and ask about that stuff so I can write an update soon on my newer and more daring experiences.
(5)
Camille P.
Eh....I hate to say it but I wasn't impressed. I mean from the tap water lemonade to the bland teriyaki I just left wanting more. Love the space and the waitstaff was so kind but they gotta do more with the menu. Omg that salad dressing in the salad served in the bento box was like chewing minced meat. And idk what kinda soy sauce they have but it's a salt lick! Man, I wanted to love this place. ...eh oh well.
(3)
Henry H.
This place is very meh in my opinion. They overdo it on the rice and their specialty rolls. I've had the blackjack roll and a couple others. They just put too much everything. I like my sushi to taste like sushi not some sweet mushy mess.
(2)
Kelsey H.
I love this place. From the moment i walked in I fell in love. Working here was also a blessing. Sushi is always fresh, seeing everything being made in the back definitely made working/eating here more enjoyable. The chirashi is my all time favorite thing. Fresh fish, seaweed salad, squid salad, rice soup and salad. Definitely worth it. Haven't found a single place in this city that does it like them. Sushi chefs are amazing and funny! Talk to them, they have amazing stories to tell you! I'd say my all time favorite sushi place anywhere in the country. Hamachi is to die for, stuffed jalapeños as well. Special rolls are huge so eat with caution but totally worth it for the prices
(5)
Niki M.
Origami is one of my favorite places to stop in and pick up some food. I am absolutely in love with their poke salad! It's an AMAZING deal at $8.95. It's loaded with big chunks of tuna and veggies. What really sets it apart from other poke salads is the slightly spicy dressing. I could literally drink it. On my last visit, instead of just doing my regular pick up, I decided to sit at the bar and order an appetizer. I got the curried soft shell crab. It was to die for and a reasonable $9.95. I easily made a meal out of that and a small house salad. The reason for four stars instead of five? I found the service at the bar to be slow and lacking attention. All in all though, I still highly recommend Origami for the tasty food and very reasonable prices.
(4)
Jeanne H.
Not the fastest service but the sushi is delicious
(5)
Vicky L.
I've been here a handful of times before, and was not impressed. I never got around to reviewing them before last week's visit, and I would have given them 2 stars before. My recent visit, about a week ago, I was really impressed with the service and food, so I'm giving them 3 stars today. Their sashimi platter is HUGE, especially at that price. Its made for sharing. Order that, along with a few rolls, you're going to be rolling out of there happy and stuffed. Pro-tip: Be discerning about where you sit. If you're claustrophobic, there are a few places that make it miserable. Then there's also the booth that gets all the air-conditioning.
(3)
Chef D.
The BEST best Japanese restaurant in NOLA. We live in the neighborhood and eat there often. Everything is consistently fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I'm not a big fan of sushi, but the rolls and sashimi that I see coming out of the sushi bar look incredible. Our faves are the curry soft shell crab appetizer (OMG!! Best soft shell in NOLA, except maybe Clancy's), the Zaru Soba, and the salmon teriyaki side. A great meal to share with 2.
(5)
Melanie T.
One of my favorite sushi joints in New Orleans! I go every time I'm in town and my parents go at least once a week. They have a miso eggplant that is to die for! Portions are large and the fish is super fresh, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(5)
Vlad S.
Place is nice. We came at 3.30 and ordered 2 rolls and 2 soups, it's 4 now and weee! rolls r finnaly on the table
(2)
Stephanie D.
Usually a huge fan of this establishment. Maybe it's their intricate specialty rolls or the nostalgia of being back at my old stomping grounds, but tonight's dinner was worse than the morning after a night out at tucks. The sashimi dinner was with out a doubt the worst I've had in the city. Very disappointed considering the pictures all look so good. I give the one star for our waiter who was tonight's only redeeming quality, otherwise a total wash
(1)
Kris A.
Clean modern decor. Homemade gyoza:) yummy poke salad and that gets extra points because not everybody offers it. Yellowtail AND salmon hamachi kama- impressive. Warning- they hide wasabi under the fish in their sushi. Now I know- no more surprises. Theres nothing like a surprise wake up call to the sinus cavity! Overall we enjoyed ourselves and I highly recommend if youre in the neighborhood.
(4)
Angela P.
The sushi is fresh and good.The miso is flavorful, yet mild. The noodle bowls are large and delicious. The staff is friendly. It is family friendly, while still feeling like a nice restaurant.
(4)
Judy C.
This is a lovely restaurant close to Tulane's campus; it is about a 15 minute walk. The sushi rolls were yummy and the cost ran from $5 to $15 per order. I went with a group of 6 so we were able to get a large variety of sushi to share. We had everything from eel, spicy tuna, smoked salmon, crunchy roll, stuffed jalapenos, to shrimp and vegetable tempura. All and all, the bill came out to $13 a person. Also, the sushi chef was extremely friendly. He stopped us right before we left the restaurant and held a brief conversation with us.
(4)
Sidney C.
On a weekday (evening), we walked in and were immediately seated. We really enjoyed this place. High quality sushi, hot saki, and ice cold Sapporo. Winning combination.
(4)
Angelina B.
Best sashimi I've had in nola, easily. But it's pretty obvious that the reviews for this place either aren't read by the management, or they just don't care: the service is freaking horrible. There was a clump of waitstaff gossiping in the back corner, though it wasn't remotely close to closing, and they did jack to remedy what turned into a total service fiasco. Our waitress was dressed like someone on her way to a Bourbon bachelorette party - everything was hanging out - and she had no idea what was going on. She took 30 minutes to take our order, and 30 minutes after that she arrived with someone else's appetizer, which we returned. She brought one of our two appetizers, noticed our waters were empty, took my sister's request for lemon for her water, and disappeared. The second appetizer arrived, cold, after twenty minutes. One water was refilled by a different waiter - the other three remained empty for the entire evening. She brings us someone else's sushi, we return it. Brings us the first of our rolls, has no idea what they are, so she points at a roll and says it has mango on it. Whatever. She brings us the second round with reasonable alacrity, still doesn't know what she's giving us. The sushi is delicious, though. At the end of the meal, we have no water, my sister got nary a lemon slice, and it takes thirty minutes for the check to arrive. My impression is this: these people seem to think they're running a Quarter business, and that doesn't fly in Uptown. It doesn't matter how good your food is, if it's expensive and your service is the worst this side of the highway, it's just not going to work out. I'm a service worker myself, and I still couldn't bring myself to tip the waitress - it was that bad. Origami, read your reviews and DO SOMETHING.
(3)
Lauren W.
Came here craving a good sushi deal. The lunch special is approx. $11 and comes with Miso soup, salad, and 3 rolls. That's a great deal! I got the spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, and fresh salmon/avocado. All 3 were very tasty. I only wish it came with masago and sesame seeds. I should have asked for some on the side. This meal provided me lunch and dinner, so I was very happy.
(4)
Marielle S.
I am SO glad that I waited for Origami to get settled in before I tried it. On the night that we went it wasn't crowded at all and the service was great! We were seated at a booth and after looking over the menu, we decided to order the salmon sashimi, the tiger roll and the margarita roll. The salmon sashimi was really fresh and cut thick. This might sound silly, but I liked that it was cut into an even number of pieces so that each person gets their fair share. The margarita roll was excellent was reminiscent of the margarita rolls I had had at other sushi places. By far the star of the meal was the tiger roll. I can't find a menu, so I can't find the exact ingredients, but it was SO GOOD. Like... so good I might order two the next time I go. I could have eaten the entire thing on my own! Origami is a little more expensive than other sushi places, but the atmosphere and service was great and the food was excellent. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Gina L.
Love this spot!! Chef Steve is amazing and you can meet him at the sushi bar. The quality of food is fresh and is probably the best place I've had sushi in Nola. Service is prompt and prices are decent. The margarita roll has guacamole on top (I know it sounds weird at first, but the idea is genius), and is one of my favs! Parking can be a pain, but I usually don't have any issues finding a spot on the street.
(4)
Stephen H.
My new favorite sushi spot in NOLA. Everything was fresh, staff was awesome and Steve Nguyen's passion for detail really shows when you taste the sushi. He made me a Funky Margarita with spicy tuna and it was stupendous. Fresh homemade guacamole and perfect fish set this roll above the rest
(5)
Margaret D.
Sushi rolls are not very good. The grilled mushroom roll was almost inedible. I'm not vegetarian, but it sounded good. It ended up being terrible. The other rolls we tried ranged from eh to just ok. They were all kind of sloppily out together with tons of rice that made some hard to eat in one bite and the fish did not seem to be the freshest. The atmosphere is fine, but they could use some music. It was oddly quiet. Service was friendly, but a bit slow and inattentive.
(2)
Jill D.
When I'm in New Orleans I probably go to Origami about once a month. This isn't because it's super tasty, it just happens to be the closest sushi place to my house. I can not speak to their other entrees since I have only ever gotten sushi, but from what I've experienced the food is mediocre. Their sushi rolls are huge, I'm talking some of the biggest rolls I've ever had. Some people love this, but in my opinion makes it more of a rice ball more than a piece of sushi, as well as increases the difficulty of eating. So while you are getting more of a bang for your buck, you are also not getting that desired sushi full. On top of that, they use imitation crab. This is a huge pet-peeve of mine because a nice sushi restaurant should be serving fresh fish not fake crab! (This might be my northern blood talking though.) Last time I went there I got the yami yami roll, the tiger roll, and a snow crab roll. The yami yami was by farr the best. And it was covered in eel sauce which makes any meal taste good. All-in-all, the people at origami are really friendly and it's atmosphere is pleasant. On top of that, you can go there without spending too much and get really full. I'll go back to Origami, and if you live close, you should too but just keep in mind nothing you order will be drool inducing.
(4)
Chrissy G.
Excellent sushi! Only downside is that the place has a old smell-- like it needs air freshener. Kind of affects your experience.
(4)
Rachel L.
Fish was fresh, I especially liked the salmon, it was like eating fatty salmon. Eel was perfectly made, better than most eel I've had in California. Was slightly disappointed that the chef couldn't make the special open sushi plate because it was busy, therefore we didn't get to try smelt and oyster. There's always a next time when I'm back in this city.
(4)
Joi B.
**Stellar lunch specials** But first let me remark on the chandeliers that appear to be dripping with swan feathers. Now, I'm sure they are not actual swan feathers, but how gorgeously Josephine Bakeresque! On a similar note, while Origami may not be as disco-sushi- fabulous as Sake Cafe (read: trendy), I like their ambiance a great deal more. It's half way between authentic Japanese minimalism, with a more sleek & modern appeal. The long sushi bar is more inviting and less intimidating than at most Japanese restaurants I've been to, with young, friendly sushi chefs behind them (one female! So awesome). On to our meal. There is a lunch menu with reasonable prices for Bento boxes and sushi/sashimi plates. I got three vegetarian rolls (choose from avocado, cucumber and asparagus) for 11.95 which included soup *and* salad. Everything was fresh, flavorful and the sushi chef arranged my wasabi in a leaf and carrots in the shape of blossoms. How lovely can you get? Our waitress was as sweet as pie, speedy (much appreciated at crunch, I mean lunch time) and our water glasses were never empty. Note that there are a fair number of vegetarian options. I look forward to returning regularly. Tofu steak, here's looking at you!
(4)
Thuy L.
Origami is my go to spot. Is rather my husband take me here vs a fine dining. I know I'll be serve well and honestly.
(5)
Suzanne C.
Note to Origami: if your host can't hear me on the phone, your phone is in the wrong place. Note to potential diners: the servers at Origami don't know what MSG is, nor could they tell me if it appeared in any of their food. For people with MSG allergies, that's dangerous. The manager I finally spoke to insisted there was no MSG in the soy sauce, but soy sauce is pretty low on the list of offenders these days. I need to know if the udon dishes are safe, especially if I'm coming to eat the udon with a bud who is allergic to MSG. Note to anyone who manages or owns Origami who is reading: I shouldn't have to go through three staffers to get simple answers, nor should I be passed around like a hot potato or subjected to the least informed staff at your prices. Get it together so folks with allergies feel safe patronizing your establishment. You absolutely lost some dinner guests over this one. Maybe I'm just grumpy, but I think it's fair to want my friends to have safe dinners and make informed decisions about their food. Accessibility notes: Ramp is on side of building. No braille menu or signage. Can get loud at peak hours.
(1)
Gina G.
This is a great sushi destination. My favorite is their stuffed jalapenos. Wow! They have it listed as a special of the day but it really should be listed on their appetizers section. And those chandeliers; I couldn't stop looking at them. It's like they were made from feathers. So beautiful.
(4)
John L. H.
Located in the old Sitting Duck, Origami is very good. Freret Street has come a long way since I used to visit in the 90s. When I visited the bar that formerly occupied this space, I was always worried that I would be bashed over the head when walking to my car. It amazes me how much this area has moved towards the high end, and Origami fits in very well. The restaurant has a large sushi bar and several large booths along the wall. The booths have very high backs which seem to give more privacy than the traditional low backed variety. On the night I visited there were more staff than customers which should have meant fast service, but there were some hiccups. I had to wait far too long to receive the bill, and once I received it, they disappeared never to return. It was a good thing I had cash or I may still be waiting for my card to be swiped. The food was excellent. I was highly impressed by the combination of flavors in the special rolls, and the quality of the ingredients. The food was on the expensive side, but for a fancy place, I think it was worth it. If you are looking for a high end sushi experience, give Origami a try.
(4)
Tzippi D.
Loved this Japanese restaurant. Food was just what we were looking for. Excellently prepared with perfect seasoning. Very friendly, attentive service. Nice calm ambience. Eggplant dengaku to die for. Likewise beef yakisoba. I'm not a sushi eater but my daughter had Funky Margarita with crawfish and loved it. Has a nice spicy guacamole on top.
(5)
Jennie A.
The sushi is okay as are the other plates offered at Origami. Nothing over the top or amazing... Decent sushi.
(3)
Sam 'Wags' W.
Among the top couple up-scale sushi restaurants, located in the ever improving Freret corridor. The menu of sushi and sashimi is quite extensive and a bit on the pricey side. If you are looking for an up-scale option over the beat-nick Mikimodo crowd, Origami is your fold of paper.
(5)
Colin A.
The vegetarian gyoza dumplings were a little bland, but the sushi was great. I had the Black Jack roll, which was delicious and some tuna and salmon sashimi. All of the fish was great, and the prices were about as fair as sushi gets around here.
(3)
Daniel B.
It's not like I really like writing bad reviews, but here goes. We are tried and true Sake Cafe goers, but decided to try something new. Bad idea. The interior is bland and the seats are cold, uninviting, and uncomfortable. Aside from one other table, we were the only people in the place (another bad sign). The service was acceptable, but the sushi was seriously sub par. I mean this when I say.... you can go to any Rouses grocery store and get much better (with much better presentation) sushi than Origami. That pretty much says it all right there. Won't be back...Sake Cafe here we come again!
(1)
Brittany K.
I'm a big fan of origami! The miso soup is really good and the sara roll is my go-to. It is overflowing with the crunchy stuff on top, but I love it. There is a "hidden" menu that doesn't show up on their website that has some delish rolls (including the sara roll and fresh salmon roll that I can recall off the top of my head). If you go to the restaurant, their menu lists everything. I typically order to go here and it's always pretty quick, even when I just go and order at the bar. Would definitely recommend!
(4)
David L.
Very solid sushi joint. Owner is friendly (maybe too friendly), service is fast, and free poke salad at the sushi bar! Good neighborhood sushi joint.
(4)
Darla L.
Went here for dinner with a close friend. I had peeked at their Yelp reviews before going to get a handle on the best menu items which turned out to be their special rolls. After having the Geisha roll and the Margarita roll, I couldn't agree more. They were absolutely delicious --- much better than what I've had at Ninja for the price you pay! They have a very nice interior and very roomy booth seats with large tables. Service was excellent. Would definitely recommend for any occasion.
(5)
Paul B.
I have no idea what the reviewers below were thinking but this was BY FAR the worst sushi and sushi experience we have ever had! For starters, the sake was lukewarm at best. The poke salad was drenched in some sort of sauce with no flavor and the fish was FAR from tender. The fish being raw should not be "chewy". Had the Gustavo roll based on others reviews. Chopped tuna with a ton of rice around it- nothing like the description. And it tasted like dog food. We sent that roll back and the server had the nerve to tell us-after we said the roll was disgusting-well that is the Gustav roll. She did not ask if we wanted anything else to eat or drink and did not come back until we flagged her down for the bill. By the way, it was 5:00 and there were a total of 4 customers in the entire place at the time. Overall I give this place 0 stars for food and if I could give a negative for service I would! There are many other sushi places in this city-AVOID ORIGAMI!!!!
(1)
Jinyoung P.
Had a sushi date here with my friend K last week. We ordered a specialty roll (I forget the name and can't find the menu online) and three of the more standard rolls. I really wish I had the menu in front of me so I could tell you what they were, but I gotta say that the specialty roll was off the hook. When I go back next, I definitely want to try some of the other ones! Service was good. Our server checked in with us often enough but not too much. Overall a pleasant experience with delicious sushi in my tummy.
(4)
Dominique L.
in being allergic to fish (not shellfish) I had never had sushi until 2 years ago when I took a chance on one of their avocado rolls. I've gotten more adventurous and have never had a problem. they even make the lobster roll for me with out imitation crab. I recommend the poboy roll and the shigure appetizer for any fish allergies!! their soft shell crab specials & oysters shooters are also fantastic! perfect rice, crisp fresh ingredients, great presentation & a beautiful atmosphere! perfection all around!!
(5)
Liz C.
Origami is a classic New Orleans sushi joint: slow-paced service, affordable and delicious sushi. Lots of creative rolls here, and the portions are perfect for making two meals out of a dish. Three rolls split between two people will be MORE than enough to share. I have dined in and picked up from here three or four times, and the staff are always extremely friendly and accommodating. Minus one star because the feel of the restaurant isn't very authentic, but that could just be my lingering haunting memories of Friar Tuck's (the business that once inhabited the building). :P
(4)
Seth B.
It's a typical sushi joint in New Orleans so the food is pretty good. The service can be a bit bizarre and slow so I recommend take out. For the area I think they do a really good job and it's party of the Freret St food scene!!
(4)
Jen L.
The first time I went to Origami it had only been open a couple of weeks & the service was comical rather than bad. I watched confused waitstaff pinball off of each other in confusion over who was responsible for what. The rolls & sushi were good though, so knew I would be back. Fast forward to my most recent couple of visits, both times we were large groups (6ish) and were seated right away (even over Mardi Gras weekend). The staffing issues seemed to have been solved. I've now tried a good portion of their menu and I've not been wowed by anything. The portions on some rolls are huge (which can lead to massive over ordering). And I've gotten a couple of items that had ingredients that weren't listed on the menu which was odd (and off putting for one of my friends). The space is lovely and the location is convenient for me. But I've not been wowed by the food, so while I won't cross it off the list, it won't be my first choice.
(3)
M E.
Found this on Yelp. Had a bunch of rolls. Thought all the seafood was fresher than the average American sushi place. Thought some of their house special rolls were great (sorry, forget which ones). The reviewers that mention bad service are accurate. It's just standard inattentive sushi place service -- the people are nice if you can get one to your table. The LOL moment is when we waited 15 minutes for a bowl of ice cream at the end. You know. Because it's hard to scoop ice cream...
(4)
Jasmine H.
Some of the best sushi I have tried in New Orleans - I will definitely be coming back. They have a good selection of rolls, as well as salads, other Japanese entrees (grilled dishes, sushi & sashimi etc), noodles, tempura and a few desserts. I ordered the tiger roll (highly recommended) and tried a few others - they were loaded with decent quality fish and were delicious. Some of the dishes on the menu show a Vietnamese / Chinese influence - for example, you can order sriracha sauce on top of your sushi, if you like a bit of extra spice. The only downside was that the service was a little sloppy, although we did have a group of more than 20 people.
(4)
Andrea Joy A.
I really struggled with deciding whether to give this 2 stars or 1. In a nutshell: the food here was good. Not great, but good. However, the service quite possibly was the worst I have ever experienced. Went here with my husband, brother, and brother's girlfriend. Full disclosure: it was Mardi Gras evening which meant that many restaurants were closed for the holiday, however this one was not. That said, the restaurant was less than half full and we called ahead to inquire as to the kitchen wait-time. We were told it would only be 30 minutes. We were seated promptly and ordered a mix of sushi and appetizers. It was obvious that our waiter struggled with English but my husband speaks Japanese and was able to get our point across. I ordered an appetizer as an entree (as there weren't many vegetarian options) and he confirmed that it would come out with the entrees rather than beforehand. 20 minutes later, my entree arrived as an appetizer. Meanwhile, the edamame we ordered was nowhere to be found. The sushi came shortly thereafter, but my husband's chicken yaki soba was missing. After politely waiting for his to come for 5-10 minutes (it's not like our sushi was getting cold) and being unable to find our waiter, we asked a different waitress where the yaki soba was. She told us it was coming out "soon." In that time we also noticed our waiter in a confrontation with another table about what they were alleging was a double charge on their credit card. Also during this time we were out of water. We asked the available waitress (since our waiter was very much preoccupied and not attentive) for water but then she disappeared. Finally, our waiter came over and gave my brother and his girlfriend water, and then disappeared to refill the pitcher leaving my husband and i with no water for 5-10 more minutes. In approximately 15 minutes of waiting for my husband's meal, we asked multiple serves multiple times (not just our own) how long it would be. All we were told was "soon" or "in a few minutes." FInally, when our frustration became quite obvious, our sheepish waiter admitted that the kitchen had just started cooking it (at this point the rest of us had finished eating) and said, "do you still want it?" Umm...what else is he going to do? Not eat dinner? My husband's yaki soba finally came approximately 30 minutes after the sushi came out, and it was much too hot to eat. The rest of us ended up watching him eat the piping hot food since we had nothing left to munch on. The icing on the cake was when the bill came: the waiter had given us a whopping 10% off the yaki soba due to my insisting that it be free (80 cents off is what they gave us instead) but charged us for the edamame that never came. We had to send the check back. For the first time in my entire life we left no tip. When we walked out there was another party leaving, who had had the same server. We overheard them saying they had chosen to leave cash in the hostess jar rather than for the waiter. That makes three disgruntled groups of diners (don't forget the party who was double charged) in an hour time period. It takes a lot for the service to be so bad as to overshadow good food. But, one star it is.
(1)
Stephen H.
This is one of our favorite sushi spots. The food is always good. Rice krispy and tuna sandwich are must try items. The service, however reminds me of football players that look good during training but choke under pressure. Go here on a busy night and you'll understand. Our most recent trip though was great. Our server Twee? Tui? was extremely attentive and fun. In addition to being friendly, funny and on point, she went to bar tending school where she learned a red snapper, kamikaze, long island ice tea.......you get the picture. So not only can she recommend a dinner item, but she can get you tipsy at the same time. I think I may be in love. Don't tell my wife..
(4)
Rene D.
I'm hesitant to write a review for a place that's so new. But my experience was so lovely, I want to share. if you're going to try out a place, by all means do it on a night when most New Orleanians are glued to TV sets watching football. It's as if you've purchased the place out for the night and are greeted by pleasant servers. The space is spartan in decor. But, that's not the point. I came for the fish, and boy, was it great. High quality and great variety. I ordered only sashimi; I can't talk about 10-ingredient rolls that are deep fried and sauces masking the flavors of the fish. I know it's raw; if you don't want to eat raw food, then don't brag about how much you love sushi. Others did mention the service, and can say, for an empty place and quite a few staff members standing around with nothing to do, my beverages should have arrived much faster. With encouraging the staff to pick up the pace, Origami will be a great place for sushi Uptown. Finally!
(4)
Moira R.
I was quite impressed with the decor here. The restaurant is extremely clean and very modern looking. My lady friend and I decided to go for a visit last night after hearing about their tempura banana dish. We love fried banana dishes so this was right up my ally. It was a Monday night at 9PM. So, I wasn't that surprised that the place was fairly empty with just a few people sitting at the bar. They attended to us reasonably quickly and let us sit wherever we liked. We ordered two hot green teas and the tempura banana dish. The tea was good. The banana dish arrived beautifully displayed with a small dish of ice cream. I ordered mango ice cream to go with the banana. Either the mango flavor was very strange or we actually had lychee ice cream. I'm not sure. Either way, the ice cream was good but different tasting. The service was good and our tea pot was refilled when it was empty. For $10 it was a good evening dessert and tea outing.
(3)
Victoria T.
Finally i got the chance to try origami considering how close it is to my campus. I liked the decor in the restaruant, small, quaint and the ambiance was comforting. Now on to food! We ordered the crispy rice, Jackpot roll, and you can't go wrong with the baked salmon. To start off, the crispy rice consists of three mini crispy rice squares and on top of each rice had something different on it, the first one had spicy crawfish, the second had tuna, and the last had tofu on top. the portions for these were just right and the sauce to on these added a good extra flavor to them. The Jackpot roll is a deep fried roll with salmon and tuna, sriracha (which i love), and eel sauce. It tasted just lovely. They had a lot of other special rolls on the menu I will come back and try too. Overall I enjoyed eating here and the prices here are reasonable considering the portions here are huge, which is a good thing. I will definitey come back to try other things
(4)
Christine G.
I really love coming in to Origami. The calm decor and quiet music, make it a real retreat between meetings. My favorite roll is the Gustar roll, delicious with plenty of salmon and fresh mango. They are also very generous with the shrimp in tempura orders, which is a delight. Service staff are calm, accomodating, and reflect the restaurant's peaceful and inviting vibe.
(5)
Kim-Thao H.
A very pleasant experience! I was very hesitant to try this place because of the previous reviews, but this place is literally 2 minutes away from my school so what the hay! Why not?! Upon walking in the door, my eyes were immediately drawn to the big round lights hanging from the ceiling. They literally look like balls with cut paper hanging around them! They're very different, but pretty cool I have to add. The restaurant has nice decor and a very chill atmosphere. Very spacious too! My friend and I came around 5 pm on a weekday so the restaurant was pretty much empty when we came. The waittress was very sweet and benevolent and the service was spot on! I didn't expect any less since we were one of the few people in there. Hahha. So my advice would be to try this place on a weekday when it's not busy, then your experience would be as delightful as mine! Now on to the food business. We ordered the Beef Tataki as our appetizer. Let me start by saying that this is definitely not your typical beef tataki. At most Japanese restaurants, beef tataki is thinly sliced beed cooked rare on a bed of onions and ponzu sauce. Here, it's completely different! The pieces of beef are larger, but still tender and good. It's served with lettuce and spinach! Never seen that before! The sauce is more of a citrus lime/lemon flavor and it comes with sriracha sauce on the side of course! We both really enjoyed this dish; it may be different but in a good way! As for rolls, we decided on three special rolls: the Tiger Roll, Gustav Roll, and Jackpot Roll. All of them were really good! The fish was fresh and they really hit the spot. The Tiger Roll comes with salmon, tuna, whitefish, eel, crunchy, and eel sauce. Very standard, but good! The Gustav Roll came with cream cheese, spicy tuna, salmon, mango, and a sweet chili sauce. I'm not a big fan of cream cheese, so I took it out, A very refreshing and light roll! As with anything with mango, YUMMM! The Jackpot roll was a deep-fried roll with tuna and a couple other things I don't remember. Teehee. Sorry, long day of school! It came with eel sauce, spicy mayo, and sriracha. I was worried I wouldn't like it, because i have tried other fried rolls before that I thought were a bit overwhelming, but this wasn't at all! The rolls are very good, but not the best I ever had and not enough for me to give 5 stars. Sorry! Dessert time! Of course only my galfriend and I would be fat enough to eat all that and STILL have room for dessert! No meal is complete without something sweet! Teehee :) We got our beloved fried cheesecake and mango ice cream (red bean ran out :() The tempura cheesecake was decadent and fresh! I lovedddd that the batter was crispy! Just how I like it! But the mango ice cream tasted more like melon. Hrmmm maybe they mixed it up. Overall, still very satisfying! I can't wait to come back and try some more of these goodies!
(4)
Troy D.
Really enjoyed meal there with my wife last night. Only thing i can complain about is the booths. Seats are a little too far from table to eat comfortably. Sushi was fresh and flavorful. We will be back.
(5)
Casey M.
The sushi gets 5 stars. The service gets -3 stars for being extraordinarily slow. The chef gets -1 star for talking more than doing his job. Therefore overall rating is 1 star. For anyone interested in rice, the rice is excellent.
(1)
Sean K.
I have a habit of going to Kyoto on Sunday nights, all geared up for gorging on lots of fine piscine flesh. Problem. Kyoto is closed on Sundays. Solution. Origami. I typically eat right at the bar, but I thought Origami's double-wide booth tables were great for arranging several shared plates at a time. I won't belabor how much I like the squid salad from Kyoto, but Origami's is equal to if not greater than. (Still runner up to Domenica's octo carpaccio in the cold seafood dish category). If there were a Creole Creamery next door, this place would dislodge Kyoto from the top of my favorite sushi places slash easy prepackaged date night destinations. Still, it's yet another place doing good things on Freret, so domo arigato for that, y'all.
(4)
Dmitri S.
I went for the first time ever today and LOVED IT! I got the grilled mackerel dinner plate. I guess nobody really buys that, because the owner and employees were surprised. I enjoyed the food, and also got a free miso soup and red bean ice cream (which they don't sell). But I had a nice conversation with the owner and 2 employees. The service was good and I will for sure be back.
(5)
Lianna P.
Went here for lunch today with a friend who lives close by and eats here a lot. How insanely lucky for us! The head sushi chef guided us through a succession of dishes at his whim, starting with a mini Poke Salad for each of us. I've never liked squid before, but I loved it today. (Quick note on the ambience: sleek, lacquered traditional Japanese meets modern New Orleans with a few weird tchotchkes. A+). Next was the Tuna Sandwich, a cute and funny take on the traditional with raw tuna "bread" hugging a generous portion of crab mix, avocado and some type of sauce. Delicious. Then came some Jalapeno Poppers, filled with cream cheese and tuna tartare, and fried lightly in tempura batter--a yummy twist on a classic, and not something you'd expect at a sushi spot. After that, some flavorful miso soup and another two rolls pulled it all together. It was the perfect amount of food, so fresh I felt like I was actually tasting the ocean my tuna swam in. The chef conversed with us throughout, telling us what he was creating. Service was polite and attentive without being intrusive (dishes bussed promptly, water refilled). I'd definitely recommend a visit.
(5)
Kimberly J.
This delicious addition to Freret St. Origami is on par with the best sushi restaurants in the city with a modern fresh flair. Service was better than most and the rolls are creative. Just before posting this review, I read the others. I think they've worked out some of the kinks others complained about just after opening. Our server was fantastic, our rolls were amazingly good and everything arrived in a timely manner. I will be back to continue sampling the unique special rolls category!
(4)
Kelsey G.
I'm hoping that my experience was because we were too eager to see some sushi standoff between another local place and here prove that the one within walking distance would be better. It probably doesn't help that we had gone in during their first month of operation, but that shouldn't be an excuse for any new place, it should be the exception for why it stood out as extraordinary. Sadly, it was just ordinary. After what seemed a long ordeal to get drinks and appetizers, ordering sushi as a vegetarian was somewhat embarrassing for myself as well as our server. She was perplexed at my request to build my own roll because their vegan options were not what I had hoped for. When I decided to settle and order their veggie roll with one thing substituted, she came back to tell me the sushi chef was kinda bothered and confused and then charged me an additional fee for the switch (really, because my slice of mango was so unusual and your asparagus cost so much less?) My friends said they enjoyed their fish rolls but probably wouldn't go back just because the slow service, attitude and lack-of New Orleans charm cancelled out any piece of sushi that they liked. Looks like we'll continue our trek down to the other local Japanese favorite.
(2)
Katie T.
I enjoyed my first experience at Origami. My mom and I decided stray from our usual Kyoto to try it out. We were really glad we did. Not sure how the who sushi biz works, but there were rolls that I have had at other places on the menu that I thought were exclusive to those places. Guess they trade recipes or something. Anyway, we shared the cucumber salad which was amazing, got miso soup of course, and we shared the Sara roll which is on the Kyoto menu and the Burning Woman roll which is on the Little Tokyo menu. Both rolls were awesome. I think Origami's version of the Burning Woman is actually better. The pepper tuna on top is soooooo good. We also shared a bottle of sake which was just ok. I will be gracing Origami with my business again and soon I am sure since I work so close to it.
(4)
Johnny B.
This is one of only a few authentic Japanese restaurants in New Orleans. I have never had a bad experience. Make sure you try the Chirashi. Excellent fresh sushi.
(5)
Ben C.
The Roll selection is great i've been there numerous times and never had the same thing. The service staff and chefs are great, the chefs often engage me and ask about my order, and how i liked it and generally are nice people and happy to be there conversing with you and working. I love the place i go there at least two times a month. The meals are delicious and the presentation is always top notch too. 5 stars from me. I would highly recommend you make a trip to origami.
(5)
Laura D.
Best sushi in New Orleans! Steve is first class. The sushi is fresh and inventive. Origami is a must every time is come back home to New Orleans!
(5)
Christine N.
If authentic sushi and fresh fish is what you're looking for, this is the place. The uni (sea urchin), oyster shooters, sweet shrimp, etc is always fresh and delicious. I love the modern yet retro atmosphere. If the menu doesn't have what you're craving for, feel free to request something from the sushi chefs. Friendly staff and great service. Origami is my new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(5)
Jonathan D.
Nice ambiance, pleasant staff, very fast and efficient take-out ordering, large menu with a lot of options (appetizers, miso, udon, soba, salad, teryaki, sushi, etc.), and very fresh-tasting fish. The Poke Salad ($8.95) -- with sliced cucumbers, tuna sashimi, squid, a little bit of seaweed and a spicy ponzu sauce -- is very refreshing and flavorful. It could be a light lunch all by itself. But here comes the negative: Too many menu items usually indicates a lack of focus in the kitchen, and this appears to be the case at Origami. They would do well to focus on a few things that they are very good at, rather than trying to cater to everyone. One thing that they are not very talented at, I am afraid to report, is the creative sushi roll. The combinations sound really good on paper, but aren't so great in execution. For instance the Burning Man Roll (~$12) contains two kinds of spiced tuna, avocado, panko and eel sauce. The mushy tuna mix inside had an unpleasant texture and flavor, and the roll was not well constructed, so that it fell apart when being lifted with chopsticks. The size of the roll was very generous, but it is not something I would ever order again. Ditto for the Tiger Roll (~$15) with three kinds of fish, eel and smelt roe; again, the construction was very poor, and the flavor was mediocre. In my mind, what distinguishes great sushi from merely competent sushi is excellent construction and fresh, bold flavors. These sushi rolls were lacking in both departments.
(3)
Ivana J.
We ordered a salmon avocado roll and yellowtail roll to go and ate it by the river. It may have partly been the ambiance, but I found the sushi delicious. There was ample fish in each roll and the rolls were a good size. It was nothing spectacular, but I was not disappointed.
(4)
Amanda M.
Had a pleasant experience at Origami last night. As other posters have mentioned, they did a great job renovating dingy Friar Tucks. It is well decorated, with a calming atmosphere. We had great service, and our waiter worked hard to be sure we had everything we wanted, were never short on water etc. Pretty typical roll prices - $5 for the standard rolls, $10-$15 for the specialties. While that may seem high for specialty rolls, these were huge! We got the Tiger Roll (which was fine) and the Burning Man Roll (which was amazing). There were a lot of other interesting specialty rolls on the menu that I am excited to come back and try. Really my only issue was that my Special Eel Roll was completely falling apart. 6 of the 8 pieces unravelled as I picked them up, and it was just not very impressive. This isn't the worst thing in the world, but I would expect a sushi restaurant to be able to make a standard roll correctly. I definitely plan on going back to try the rest of the menu. Its nice to have a new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(3)
Jean-Paul V.
Went a few nights ago and had a great experience, but then it was a Sunday eve during the holidays. As such, we got great service; we were one of like 5 tables. The story goes the original Kyoto on Prytania family renovated and leased this spot after the delinquent high school bar once here (Friar Tuck's formerly Wit's Inn) finally closed after a fatal shooting in early 2011. So you have an old building with new blood in a rebounding area full of hamburgers, hot dogs, and cocktails. Sidling up to sushi is at once refreshing and genius. The menu and quality are comparable to Kyoto, and while that's good I wasn't exacty expecting that. Fresh, but standard and priced to market. No bargains but nothing crazy either. Will be back -
(4)
Stephen R.
I used to live right next door to this restaurant when it was the sleaze-O college bar Friar Tucks. Although I will fondly remember $5 pitchers of beer after work and passed out Tulane students sleeping in my bushes the neighborhood is much improved with the addition of this Sushi Bar. The name Origami threw me a little bit as I expected my napkin to be meticulously folded into a swan and my doggy bag to a tin foil dragon, but the place was actually really nice. Everyone working there was Asian, which always instills confidence in the authenticity of the cuisine and as with many fine sushi restaurants, the fresh fish was displayed in a glass case below the chef's station. The staff was friendly and the server was very helpful. My girlfriend and I were starving so when presented with the paper menu and a pencil commonly found in these types of establishments we started checking off rolls and appetizers voraciously. It didn't help that we were drinking 22 Oz bottles of Ichi Ban. By the time the server had arrived we had ordered squid sashimi, ginger green salads, a dynamite roll, and three other varied rolls. The waiter looked a bit shocked and said "are you sure you want all that?" Assuring him that we were starving he began bringing each item out as it was prepared. I knew we were in deep shit when I saw the table of four next to us struggle to finish their 3 rolls that were brought out on these tremendous platters. The first roll that came out (dynamite I think) was the circumference of a coffee mug and we didn't even attempt to finish it. When the waiter brought each additional roll we sent him to box up every previous roll that we couldn't finish. He never complained and remained professional about the added trips and I tipped him well. It was easy to tip him well since our bill was so reasonable. The prices are really, REALLY decent for such a great atmosphere and quality product. I feasted on Sushi for two days after we visited Origami and thought it was far and away the best sushi in New Orleans--if not the best I have ever had. Frou, frou sushi purists from New York and San Fran will likely disagree, but if you are an average Joe with a love of sushi don't miss this place. Bravo.
(5)
C S.
Love this restaurant!! Strongly recommend their stuffed shiitake mushroom, beef soba and Philadelphia roll!!! Yummy!!! And great price too!!!
(4)
Jon R.
Really good food. Steve is the best chef in the city. Modern, clean interior design. We come here about once a week.
(5)
Marvelle W.
The tiger roll and mystery roll were delicious! One of my new fab spots...
(4)
Brittany R.
LOVED THIS PLACE. it is a little odd to walk in and remember when it used to be Tuck's, however, the food is great! huge portions. i got the rice crispy, the black jack roll, and the tropical roll. all were amazing and very large portions. the spicy tuna in the black jack roll was very delicious. I have been to a lot of sushi places around town and it is nice to go somewhere where you feel like you really get your moneys worth.
(5)
Spenser K.
When I saw that a new sushi restaurant was going in where the really quite despicable Tucks used to be, I was extremely excited. I go to school at Tulane and bike down Freret several times a week, so sime close, simple sushi sounded great! With that in mind, mah lady and I stopped in on a Tuesday night for dinner. First, the positive. The decor in the place is really great. The atmosphere, though it could use a bit of dimming (not a whole lot, just a tad to make it more intimate), is wonderful. I could barely believe that Origami is what used to be Tucks. The art on the walls was great, the sushi bar looked awesome, and everything seemed well put together. Unfortunately, the decor was the best thing about our experience. The waiters (there were two working the night I was there) did not seem to have assigned tables, and there wasn't anybody to seat us. Once the guy working the sushi bar directed us to a table, we had to ask one of the waiters for a menu. Service for the rest of the meal was similarly confused; both waiters tried to take our order, but no one asked how our food tasted. When our sushi did come, it came in three different increments, which doesn't make much sense to me, since I like to try and sample all of the food at once. The service was simply poor--not the worst that I've experienced, but poor indeed. I was hoping that bad service might indicate great food, but here I was also incorrect. We had four rolls, two basics and two specials. While our two basics were good (it's hard to mess up a crunchy and a philadelphia roll), our special rolls were not only expensive, they just weren't impressive. Both of the special rolls seemed to be lacking something, and one of them had been toasted with a butane torch (I presume this, because it tasted a little like gas). While the rolls looked good on paper, they simply didn't fit the bill. All told, if you want great sushi uptown, there are several other places you could go: Hana, Kyoto, etc. I intend to give Origami another chance after they've settled in, but for now, "Meh. I've experienced better" pretty accurately described my experience.
(2)
Alyssa P.
After searching and searching for a good sushi place in New Orleans, I'm happy to say the search is over! Origami is reasonably priced and generous in proportions. The sushi is always fresh and they have such a wide variety of flavors that I've never experienced at other Japanese restaurants. Among a long list of other things, my boyfriend and I always get the Poke Salad and the Mussels (Sake or Curry? It is always a debate because they're both great!) We recently tried their special, Oyster Shooters, and they were a huge hit at the table. They don't come with cocktail sauce but don't worry, there is plenty of kick! We sent a compliment to the kitchen and the chef came out personally and told us the ingredients, which included a wasabi oil. MMM definitely been dreaming about those :) Looking forward to our next visit soon!
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Best sushi I've had thus far in New Orleans. Burning Man roll is fantastic! I found the hot sake to be a little harsh on the finish compared to other varieties I've had, but that's my only complaint. Food and service were great!
(4)
Lisa A.
This place was so delicious! I went there with some friends. The sushi chefs are awesome. We ordered some rolls with and without fish along with many appetizers. The vegetarian options are awesome! Love this place.
(5)
Melissa R.
If I could rate this place solely on the food it would be five stars, hands down without a doubt. It was the BEST sushi I have had in New Orleans-It was amazing. The rolls were truly original and they were so delicious. However, I have to give Origami just three stars because the whole experience was prettty terrible. I know it was opening night, but, like I said the experience was so bad I really can't cut them any slack. After sitting at our table and waiting for 20 minutes without anyone approaching us, I finally had to stand up and go get menus myself. We were NEVER waited on. After waiting for 30 minutes we had to flag down the waitress multiple times to get her to come over to the table. We only ordered two special rolls (again-they really were incredible). After WAITING AN HOUR, the waitress brought over one roll- the wrong roll!! Ugh. Finally, one of the rolls came out and thirty minutes later the second roll came out. We were there for about TWO HOURS. We never even got water! :-( Origami, the food was so so yummy. Please work on the wait staff situation so I can come back and enjoy my experience.
(3)
Kristin B.
I am moreso writing this review to counter the bad service reviews from the opening weekend of Origami. I went last night with a friend and the service was fantastic - we were promptly sat, our drinks arrived quickly and were refilled constantly, the servers checked in on us frequently. I also liked that they updated us on how long things would take ("your other two rolls will be 5 more minutes, but I wanted to bring what was ready now!"). And most importantly, I saw a true sign of service professionalism when our server didn't bat an eye at our gigantic sushi order (we were having a "LAY OFF ME, I"M STARVING" moment, and will not apologize). I think that perhaps Origami had a rough take-off regarding service but seem to have ironed out the kinks nicely. As for other aspects: I can't believe this place used to be Friar Tucks. Very spartan-chic interior, with especially amazing light fixtures. The sushi was extremely good (but not the best in NOLA) - very fresh, very interesting, well assembled, and the rolls are HUGE for the price. I am serious about the size - even the order of edamame was giant. Remember how I said that we were eating our stress/feelings? Well, we spent the same amount of money that we always do for sushi but ended up staggering out to go fully realize food comas that lasted all night. With finals coming up.... we'll be back, Origami. Oh, we WILL be back. With LOTS of feelings to eat. Prepare accordingly.
(5)
Trey M.
Pros: modern decor, new building in an area experiencing a renaissance - props for investing in the local economy. Cons: similar to other reviewers, service was non-existent. My wife and I decided to give it a shot last weekend (or at least look at the menu). We walked in and stood at the hostess stand for literally four minutes before we left. Many servers walked by - some even made eye contact - buy no one acknowledged we were there. We started laughing because the other reviews were so true. We figured that if they treat us this way before they have our order, the rest of the experience would likely be bad. Hopefully this place will get its act together and we might give it another go.
(1)
Philip K.
My favorite sushi place in NOLA thus far especially for special rolls. When you take in to account price, freshness, atmosphere, service-- Origami comes out on top in my book. I have been here for lunch and dinner and it is awesome. Lunch they have a super good sushi special where for around the bargain price of $10 you get a salad, miso, and 3 basic rolls. Who can beat that? Always a guaranteed nice lunch. Dinner has been awesome too, they have really really yummy special house rolls and unlike other places you feel like you are definitely getting what you pay for. They also always accommodate requests (like taking cream cheese out of rolls etc.). They even give you warm towels at the begining of your meal, score!
(5)
Damian P.
Sushi Lover's Heaven. Take your pick and enjoy all there sushi.
(5)
Amelia R.
Best Sushi I have had in New Orleans. I had none of the problems other yelp reviews claim. We were seated as soon as we walked in, the service was great and the food was awesome! Just a few years ago when I was a Loyola freshman I used to frequent the disgusting bar called Tucks. The new owners of the place have done a FANTASTIC job remodeling this place. The decorations are very nice and it feels VERY clean in the restaurant! The food was also great! We started with the salmon and cream cheese tempura which was even better than I expected! Then we got a crunchy roll and the funky margarita roll. The crunchy roll was really good but not what I was expecting. It isn't your typical crunchy but it is really fantastic, just beware it is almost twice the size of a typical sushi roll. I loved the funky margarita roll but our waitress later told us some people don't like it. It is almost an Asian Mexican fusion sushi roll. It has spicy crawfish inside and topped with tuna and salmon. Then they put a guacamole with a bit of wasabi mixed into it on top of the entire roll. Sounds really weird but I thought it was great! I will defiantly be going back for another of one of those. Defiantly try this if you are in to fun creative sushi. If you just wan't classic sushi this is not the roll for you! We also got the cheese cake tempura which was great too! All in all, go try this place! Really nice people working there and they provide great service and have fantastic fun creative sushi rolls. A very nice change from the typical sushi you find in New Orleans. GO.
(5)
Nikit K.
Pricey but soooooo fresh and delicious. Must have tropical roll. Love how they make the mustard for the shumai.
(5)
George F.
Great sushi!! My new favorite place to eat sushi In
(4)
Bryan S.
If you like Little Tokyo, you will like Origami which was started by a few people who used to work there, so some of the rolls are the same as Little Tokyo. The miso soup is good, and all the rolls are great. The Poboy roll is as good as the Little Tokyo original.. Would like to see them create a few more original rolls and other menu items.
(4)
C S.
First up, we order the 'Origami appetizer, panko cooked to a nearly charred texture. I tried to remain optimistic (even over my better half's protestation that the texture was like she imagined fried catfood to taste like) but lackluster would be the best I could say. 14 minutes to get two glasses of wine from the bar to my table 3.5 feet away, and things went downhill from there. The middle of the road specialty roll sealed the deal for me. I'm a overly forgiving diner, and I could say I'd try it again, but truth be told there are far too many sushi restaurants around for me to let both a mediocre roll AND an over ten minute glass of wine sway me back. Disappointing, as we have come to LOVE most all of the restaurants on Freret.
(2)
Amanda W.
Okay, I get it, it's opening night. But my experience here tonight was, without a doubt, the worst restaurant experience I've ever had. We got there around 6:45, and waited at the podium to be seated. There was no host in sight, but there was someone (who was clearly an employee) standing at the back of the restaurant and staring at everyone. Um, ok. We were seated after a few minutes wait, and we were stuck in a small room behind a wall. We waited at least 15 minutes for them to bring menus over. Once we determined what we wanted, we had been waiting at least 25-30 minutes. The waitress had been in and out of our little room multiple times, completely ignoring us each time. She finally came over and, not looking up at all, grabbed the menus and our sushi order. I had to stop her from leaving in order to ask for water, a bottle of saki, and some edamame. She appeared to have heard me and yet we waited AN HOUR and we had gotten two out of our three waters, the waitress had not checked in on us, and we had gotten neither our appetizer/sake or our entrees. We checked with another table in our room who weren't even lucky enough to get water yet, and they said that they had been waiting about an hour, and they had been there before us. We complained to the manager, and to more than one waiter/waitress. They did...absolutely nothing. Did not even acknowledge us. We walked out so angry and hungry that I desperately wanted to be snarky when the owner/manager said "Thanks" to us on our way out. We drove straight to Ninja and satisfied our sushi craving within 20 minutes. I could have swam to Japan, married a Japanese guy, brought him back to America, and asked him to make us sushi before this place would have given us food. Absolutely ridiculous, and the whole staff was completely unapologetic about our experience. I'm extremely disappointed, and probably won't be going back any time soon (or at least until they learn to train their waitstaff).
(1)
Scraggs D.
Currently my favorite sushi in New Orleans. The burning man roll was one of the best ive ever had. the origami roll with fried banana around it is a fun novelty but not something I will get regularly. Good ambience and good service. I will be back. If this place was a little cheaper, I'd be there more often.
(4)
Rachael L.
I really wanted to like this place and went in with high hopes. We went in for lunch, this being one of the few sushi places that doesn't close from 2:30-5. The service was good, and the waitress did what she could but the food did not match the atmosphere. The sashimi was almost 1/2 an inch thick, and lacked any grace. I should not have the bite-off a piece. When I realized that a roll came covered in eel sauce (of which I can't stand) they would not remake it because it was already made. I was told they could remake it but I would be charged for both rolls. All in all I will NOT be going back.
(2)
Alyson I.
I am surprised to see so many negative reviews concerning the service at Origami. I have eaten there 3 times and had excellent service each time. The first time I went was for lunch with two girlfriends and our three kids. The waitress was great with our kids and very helpful. I liked it so much I took my husband for dinner 2 nights later and we ate dinner there last night. I really enjoy the specialty rolls I have tried, the Saints Kicker roll, the Tiger roll, and the Jackpot roll. The standard rolls are very good too.
(4)
Connie N.
Yay finally a NON-artery-clogging restaurant on The New Freret! Don't get me wrong, I love Dat Dog, Company Burger, and Midway but sometime's it's nice to stuff something slightly less cheesy in my face. While it isn't my number 1 sushi pick in the city, Origami is definitely a close second. I've heard dirty rumors that the service is shoddy, but I didn't find that to be the case when I went (albeit on a weekday night). Anyway they're a fairly new establishment just getting their bearings straight, so I say cut 'em a little slack and give their tasty sushi a try!
(4)
Melissa E.
Since my review of Origami, I've found out some more information about the link of Kyoto and Origami, which is miniscule. What I understand is that a former partner in Kyoto, who left the partnership years ago has opened Origami. So, I'm happy to hear that my fav sushi place, Kyoto, is not to blame for my dreadful experience at Origami.
(1)
Emily S.
So far, this is my favorite sushi in the city. Haven't tried them all quite yet, but I personally love this place. They're very rarely busy, but service is sometimes hit-and-miss, though never actually poor. I've never waited for a table, which I love, and the rolls are AMAZING and well-priced. I've liked every roll I've had but my favorites are the Burning Woman and Chocolate City. Their miso and tempura are fantastic as well and the sushi pretty much always comes out promptly. My only complaint is that they always close their kitchen way earlier than necessary, so even if we want to order take-out at 10:20 (when they close at 11) they turn us down and we end up going to other sushi places, which are never as good.
(5)
Em C.
I have had several delicious meals at Origami. I love their Poke salad and could probably eat it everyday. All the roles I have tried were really yummy as well. Their specialty roles are huge and a good value for the price point. I haven't had any major issues with the service such as the other reviewers have mentioned so I think time has allowed them to work out some of the kinks. I will note that one of the servers I had had a challenging time understanding special requests because of a language barrier but in the end our whole order was correct so I won't hold it against them too much. Overall I think this is now my first choice for sushi in the area (over Sake Cafe, Kyoto and Ninja).
(4)
A. C.
What a great new place! The sushi is delicious with beautiful presentation, and brown rice is available for an extra 50 cents. The prices are pretty average for New Orleans sushi places. I'll definitely be back, though I'm sure it'll be full of Tulane girls in no time.
(4)
Cynthia S.
I think this place is underrated at 2.5 stars. I would personally give it 3.5 stars if yelp would allow me to but won't go up to 4 because, being from the west coast, I'm accustomed to better sushi than any of NOLA's offerings. First off, I'd like to say that the decorating staff did an amazing job of covering up the fact that this place used to be Friar Tuck's, one of the frattiest and grossest bars known to mankind. The place looks very clean. Contrary to all the complaints about slow customer service, we were seated almost immediately and our orders were taken and food were brought to us in a very normal time frame. I wouldn't say it was "fast," but it was Saturday around 7:30pm and very busy, and service certainly wasn't slow. Our server came by regularly and someone else, possibly an owner or manager, came by to check on us as well. They're really cleaning up their act. I had a Tiger Roll, which I'd definitely recommend, and the miso soup. The food itself was good - nothing I'll be raving about, but very solid and I'd definitely come back to satisfy a sushi craving. My only other complaint was, though it was a specialty roll and quite filling, it was priced at $14 which is a bit much for any roll in my opinion.
(3)
Felip F.
I never thought this building could get any better the old stomping grounds of tucks. But I was proven wrong. Origami is the cats pajamas. This is by far the best authentic sushi spot in Nola thus far. Finally decided to start yelling just for this place. It's awesome. People are all friendly. Chefs will talk and answer questions. And it's nice to have a modern, clean look to a sushi joint and not a dark, grungy feel. - white fish carpaccio. Burning man. Mystery roll. Boooomb
(5)
Lauren C.
I went here for the first time on a whim this week, and was totally impressed. This was the best sushi I have had in New Orleans. The service was very good, although our soups could have come out a little faster. Everyone was exceedingly nice and friendly to us. The food was awesome. We ordered the eggplant-miso appetizer, which was really really good, the fried chicken appetizer, also really good, and the rainbow roll. The tuna sushi was the best I've ever had, I think! Really nice place. The prices weren't bad either. It was a great experience, and I can't wait to go back. This will be my go-to sushi restaurant from now on.
(5)
Jessica B.
My boyfriend and I thought we would try some place new for value-priced sushi. I love Hoshun and Sake Cafe, but can't afford to go there once a week to satisfy my sushi craving. So, we hopped on Yelp and find a week old establishment, which I was pretty excited about. I love new businesses. The atmosphere when I walked in made this typical Thursday night dinner feel more like a swank date night. New and hip.... nice. I wish I could say the excitement carried us through the meal. We did have to wait at a bar stool for about 10 minutes to grab a table at this small establishment. A host did tell us to have a seat at the bar while we wait, but the bartender never spoke to us; not "hello", not "would you like a drink?", Nada. He just served the waiters' drinks and had no customers. That's a tough gig for a bartender. I hope he realizes this misstep when he stares at his minuscule tips at the end of the night. Our service was barely sufficient. We were sat at a table with no plates, chopsticks or linens. Warm towels were the first thing to get to us from our waitress. Waters and plum wine made it just fine as well. By the time our waitress came back to take our appetizer order, we knew what we wanted for entrees as well. We ordered miso soups and house salads, and she ran away before I could finish our order. She rushed over with the soups, saw our sushi order on a paper, and I had to "WAIT!" her before she ran away again to get my sake order in, which she even wasn't sure came in a bottle. The salad came and we still had not received any plates, saucers, linens, or chopsticks. We had to stop another waitress for chopsticks. Then, the sushi came. She called out the sushi as if the entire plate were for one person. Yet, the two rolls were the only ones we ordered, and were on only one plate. I just said "You can put it in the middle". She ran again, and we had to practically yell at her for plates. Finally, we got plates. After the plates we didn't see our waitress until she brought the check. The place was full at the time, but it was as if she had other matters besides tables to get her attention. The manager asked if we were okay, which we just said "sure." The waitress who gave us our chopsticks picked up our plates after several minutes of us sitting there with the plates empty. She also asked if we received our bill. "No. Not yet". She tried her best to sell us dessert. Not happening. Our waitress brought our check, picked it up, but the chopstick waitress brought it back to be signed. The food/drink was like no other, and not in a good way. My unfiltered sake was served in a martini glass. The house salad ginger dressing was oily and not very ginger-y. The miso's tofu chunks were too big and awkward. To me, miso is a delicate soup, not chunky in any way. The two sushi rolls we ordered came with soy paper (FEMA Roll and Big Easy Roll) which is why we ordered them. I prefer soy paper over the overabundance of rice found at most "value sushi" places. Well, to our surprise, our rolls came with an abundance and rice AND soy paper. There was very little fish/crab/etc in the middle, and loads of rice surrounding. My boyfriend saw my dismay a quarter through the meal, and proceeded with "I know it's disappointing, but just put it in your mouth". After giggling for a good 3 minutes, I did eat more of our rice rolls. But, I'm not happy about it. Nor will we be returning. I would much rather have awesome sushi once a month then suffer through another one of these rice-filler and snow crab abundant rolls, bad service, value sushi places again. Sorry Origami, but your food and service do not match your decor. It's time for an upgrade in staffing.
(1)
Dominique F.
This is my favorite sushi place in new orleans! The staff was friendly and the food is just awesome. The tabo special roll, black jack roll and rock and roll roll are the best!
(5)
Joe L.
I guess I was lucky to get there early on opening night. The service was great and I can honestly say that the rolls we had were superior to any rolls I have had at other sushi joints. I had the eggplant with miso sauce which was terrific. Now, as the place got slammed I can see why others did not get the service our table recieved. I only saw three wait staff and there was no hostess from what I could see. Things got crazy once the place was full. I have seen this at a few other openings as well in the past. Amanda, the guy that you spoke about that was clearly an employee, staring at everyone was actually the guy that set up the registers. He was there helping the wait staff if/when they had problems ringing things up. He was not an employee. I know because I wondered the same thing and started a conversation with him. I am going to assume either the owner had no idea it would be this busy or some people did not show up. Either way they need to fix the service quickly. I think maybe this is why I make allot of opening nights at new places. They can get very interesting. LOL
(4)
Jared S.
I've been here twice, both times to get their lunch special. It's $11.95 for a salad, miso soup, and three different rolls of sushi (24 total pieces). It's filling, delicious, and the service is good. This is one of my favorite spots in Nola.
(5)
Cupcake D.
I noticed a lot of complaints about service, but I experienced nothing but excellent service at Origami. They were very polite and prompt. The person who appeared to be the manager or owner even directed me to the bathroom when he saw me get up from our table. The sushi was great, and they have a large and interesting menu. I especially liked the Burning Woman roll (it had peppered tuna) and the Tropical roll (salmon and mango). The atmosphere was nicely decorated and the booths are generous and high backed. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Lady R.
Like other commenters mentioned, the service is slow. Between that and menus that severely needed cleaning, they lose a star. We sat there watching the waiter joke with the cooks and bartender for a while after we had closed our menus and made it clear we were ready to order. But the food was great. They serve Poke salad which isn't always on sushi menus and I really love it. I got a fairly large portion of it for $10. I requested the sauce be served on the side in case it was too spicy for my sensitive palate. For some reason, the waiter placed a fork on my plate when he served it- but he didn't do the same for my friend who ordered the same dish prepared in the same way maybe ten minutes later. I wasn't sure if I should be grateful or offended but I just went ahead and tore it up with chopsticks. Ultimately left full and happy. Would go again but will definitely go knowing the service won't be stellar.
(4)
Angela P.
The sushi is fresh and good.The miso is flavorful, yet mild. The noodle bowls are large and delicious. The staff is friendly. It is family friendly, while still feeling like a nice restaurant.
(4)
Judy C.
This is a lovely restaurant close to Tulane's campus; it is about a 15 minute walk. The sushi rolls were yummy and the cost ran from $5 to $15 per order. I went with a group of 6 so we were able to get a large variety of sushi to share. We had everything from eel, spicy tuna, smoked salmon, crunchy roll, stuffed jalapenos, to shrimp and vegetable tempura. All and all, the bill came out to $13 a person. Also, the sushi chef was extremely friendly. He stopped us right before we left the restaurant and held a brief conversation with us.
(4)
Katie S.
Origami is in my top 2 places to get sushi in this city. In fact, I like it so much, I don't really even want to tell you about it. My only regret is that I don't get down to Freret Street nearly enough to visit every time I want sushi. I originally went when it was newer and was suggested to go by word of mouth. They seemed to have some service issues when they first opened but all seems to have been resolved and I've had nothing but glowing and happy experiences here ever since. The ambiance is super nice and clean. It's nicer looking than most sushi places but not trendy-looking and still perfectly casual. The sushi chefs seems to be really accommodating for custom sushi arrangements or special requests. The sushi quality is consistently great. The owner also seems to be there a lot and you can tell it makes a big difference service-wise. Everyone is super friendly and the sushi chefs are always big on keeping their customers at the sushi bar entertained and happy during peak dining hours. Everyone is sort of just "happy looking" when they eat here. I can't explain it exactly. This place just always seems to have a really great vibe going. It's perfect for a group or date night followed by a stroll down Freret Street. The Poke Salad is a unique staple on this menu. You will also notice in the pictures section that there are a few unique speciality rolls like the Funky Margarita Roll. The Tiger Roll is probably my favorite so far but there are still plenty of other things I want to try from this place still, like their Salmon Carpaccio, and I keep seeing people getting these giant custom chirashi sushi spreads that look fantastic! So I really need to go back and ask about that stuff so I can write an update soon on my newer and more daring experiences.
(5)
Camille P.
Eh....I hate to say it but I wasn't impressed. I mean from the tap water lemonade to the bland teriyaki I just left wanting more. Love the space and the waitstaff was so kind but they gotta do more with the menu. Omg that salad dressing in the salad served in the bento box was like chewing minced meat. And idk what kinda soy sauce they have but it's a salt lick! Man, I wanted to love this place. ...eh oh well.
(3)
Henry H.
This place is very meh in my opinion. They overdo it on the rice and their specialty rolls. I've had the blackjack roll and a couple others. They just put too much everything. I like my sushi to taste like sushi not some sweet mushy mess.
(2)
Kelsey H.
I love this place. From the moment i walked in I fell in love. Working here was also a blessing. Sushi is always fresh, seeing everything being made in the back definitely made working/eating here more enjoyable. The chirashi is my all time favorite thing. Fresh fish, seaweed salad, squid salad, rice soup and salad. Definitely worth it. Haven't found a single place in this city that does it like them. Sushi chefs are amazing and funny! Talk to them, they have amazing stories to tell you! I'd say my all time favorite sushi place anywhere in the country. Hamachi is to die for, stuffed jalapeños as well. Special rolls are huge so eat with caution but totally worth it for the prices
(5)
Niki M.
Origami is one of my favorite places to stop in and pick up some food. I am absolutely in love with their poke salad! It's an AMAZING deal at $8.95. It's loaded with big chunks of tuna and veggies. What really sets it apart from other poke salads is the slightly spicy dressing. I could literally drink it. On my last visit, instead of just doing my regular pick up, I decided to sit at the bar and order an appetizer. I got the curried soft shell crab. It was to die for and a reasonable $9.95. I easily made a meal out of that and a small house salad. The reason for four stars instead of five? I found the service at the bar to be slow and lacking attention. All in all though, I still highly recommend Origami for the tasty food and very reasonable prices.
(4)
Jeanne H.
Not the fastest service but the sushi is delicious
(5)
Vicky L.
I've been here a handful of times before, and was not impressed. I never got around to reviewing them before last week's visit, and I would have given them 2 stars before. My recent visit, about a week ago, I was really impressed with the service and food, so I'm giving them 3 stars today. Their sashimi platter is HUGE, especially at that price. Its made for sharing. Order that, along with a few rolls, you're going to be rolling out of there happy and stuffed. Pro-tip: Be discerning about where you sit. If you're claustrophobic, there are a few places that make it miserable. Then there's also the booth that gets all the air-conditioning.
(3)
Chef D.
The BEST best Japanese restaurant in NOLA. We live in the neighborhood and eat there often. Everything is consistently fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I'm not a big fan of sushi, but the rolls and sashimi that I see coming out of the sushi bar look incredible. Our faves are the curry soft shell crab appetizer (OMG!! Best soft shell in NOLA, except maybe Clancy's), the Zaru Soba, and the salmon teriyaki side. A great meal to share with 2.
(5)
Melanie T.
One of my favorite sushi joints in New Orleans! I go every time I'm in town and my parents go at least once a week. They have a miso eggplant that is to die for! Portions are large and the fish is super fresh, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(5)
Vlad S.
Place is nice. We came at 3.30 and ordered 2 rolls and 2 soups, it's 4 now and weee! rolls r finnaly on the table
(2)
Stephanie D.
Usually a huge fan of this establishment. Maybe it's their intricate specialty rolls or the nostalgia of being back at my old stomping grounds, but tonight's dinner was worse than the morning after a night out at tucks. The sashimi dinner was with out a doubt the worst I've had in the city. Very disappointed considering the pictures all look so good. I give the one star for our waiter who was tonight's only redeeming quality, otherwise a total wash
(1)
Kris A.
Clean modern decor. Homemade gyoza:) yummy poke salad and that gets extra points because not everybody offers it. Yellowtail AND salmon hamachi kama- impressive. Warning- they hide wasabi under the fish in their sushi. Now I know- no more surprises. Theres nothing like a surprise wake up call to the sinus cavity! Overall we enjoyed ourselves and I highly recommend if youre in the neighborhood.
(4)
Sidney C.
On a weekday (evening), we walked in and were immediately seated. We really enjoyed this place. High quality sushi, hot saki, and ice cold Sapporo. Winning combination.
(4)
Angelina B.
Best sashimi I've had in nola, easily. But it's pretty obvious that the reviews for this place either aren't read by the management, or they just don't care: the service is freaking horrible. There was a clump of waitstaff gossiping in the back corner, though it wasn't remotely close to closing, and they did jack to remedy what turned into a total service fiasco. Our waitress was dressed like someone on her way to a Bourbon bachelorette party - everything was hanging out - and she had no idea what was going on. She took 30 minutes to take our order, and 30 minutes after that she arrived with someone else's appetizer, which we returned. She brought one of our two appetizers, noticed our waters were empty, took my sister's request for lemon for her water, and disappeared. The second appetizer arrived, cold, after twenty minutes. One water was refilled by a different waiter - the other three remained empty for the entire evening. She brings us someone else's sushi, we return it. Brings us the first of our rolls, has no idea what they are, so she points at a roll and says it has mango on it. Whatever. She brings us the second round with reasonable alacrity, still doesn't know what she's giving us. The sushi is delicious, though. At the end of the meal, we have no water, my sister got nary a lemon slice, and it takes thirty minutes for the check to arrive. My impression is this: these people seem to think they're running a Quarter business, and that doesn't fly in Uptown. It doesn't matter how good your food is, if it's expensive and your service is the worst this side of the highway, it's just not going to work out. I'm a service worker myself, and I still couldn't bring myself to tip the waitress - it was that bad. Origami, read your reviews and DO SOMETHING.
(3)
Lauren W.
Came here craving a good sushi deal. The lunch special is approx. $11 and comes with Miso soup, salad, and 3 rolls. That's a great deal! I got the spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, and fresh salmon/avocado. All 3 were very tasty. I only wish it came with masago and sesame seeds. I should have asked for some on the side. This meal provided me lunch and dinner, so I was very happy.
(4)
Marielle S.
I am SO glad that I waited for Origami to get settled in before I tried it. On the night that we went it wasn't crowded at all and the service was great! We were seated at a booth and after looking over the menu, we decided to order the salmon sashimi, the tiger roll and the margarita roll. The salmon sashimi was really fresh and cut thick. This might sound silly, but I liked that it was cut into an even number of pieces so that each person gets their fair share. The margarita roll was excellent was reminiscent of the margarita rolls I had had at other sushi places. By far the star of the meal was the tiger roll. I can't find a menu, so I can't find the exact ingredients, but it was SO GOOD. Like... so good I might order two the next time I go. I could have eaten the entire thing on my own! Origami is a little more expensive than other sushi places, but the atmosphere and service was great and the food was excellent. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Gina L.
Love this spot!! Chef Steve is amazing and you can meet him at the sushi bar. The quality of food is fresh and is probably the best place I've had sushi in Nola. Service is prompt and prices are decent. The margarita roll has guacamole on top (I know it sounds weird at first, but the idea is genius), and is one of my favs! Parking can be a pain, but I usually don't have any issues finding a spot on the street.
(4)
Stephen H.
My new favorite sushi spot in NOLA. Everything was fresh, staff was awesome and Steve Nguyen's passion for detail really shows when you taste the sushi. He made me a Funky Margarita with spicy tuna and it was stupendous. Fresh homemade guacamole and perfect fish set this roll above the rest
(5)
Margaret D.
Sushi rolls are not very good. The grilled mushroom roll was almost inedible. I'm not vegetarian, but it sounded good. It ended up being terrible. The other rolls we tried ranged from eh to just ok. They were all kind of sloppily out together with tons of rice that made some hard to eat in one bite and the fish did not seem to be the freshest. The atmosphere is fine, but they could use some music. It was oddly quiet. Service was friendly, but a bit slow and inattentive.
(2)
Jill D.
When I'm in New Orleans I probably go to Origami about once a month. This isn't because it's super tasty, it just happens to be the closest sushi place to my house. I can not speak to their other entrees since I have only ever gotten sushi, but from what I've experienced the food is mediocre. Their sushi rolls are huge, I'm talking some of the biggest rolls I've ever had. Some people love this, but in my opinion makes it more of a rice ball more than a piece of sushi, as well as increases the difficulty of eating. So while you are getting more of a bang for your buck, you are also not getting that desired sushi full. On top of that, they use imitation crab. This is a huge pet-peeve of mine because a nice sushi restaurant should be serving fresh fish not fake crab! (This might be my northern blood talking though.) Last time I went there I got the yami yami roll, the tiger roll, and a snow crab roll. The yami yami was by farr the best. And it was covered in eel sauce which makes any meal taste good. All-in-all, the people at origami are really friendly and it's atmosphere is pleasant. On top of that, you can go there without spending too much and get really full. I'll go back to Origami, and if you live close, you should too but just keep in mind nothing you order will be drool inducing.
(4)
Chrissy G.
Excellent sushi! Only downside is that the place has a old smell-- like it needs air freshener. Kind of affects your experience.
(4)
Rachel L.
Fish was fresh, I especially liked the salmon, it was like eating fatty salmon. Eel was perfectly made, better than most eel I've had in California. Was slightly disappointed that the chef couldn't make the special open sushi plate because it was busy, therefore we didn't get to try smelt and oyster. There's always a next time when I'm back in this city.
(4)
Joi B.
**Stellar lunch specials** But first let me remark on the chandeliers that appear to be dripping with swan feathers. Now, I'm sure they are not actual swan feathers, but how gorgeously Josephine Bakeresque! On a similar note, while Origami may not be as disco-sushi- fabulous as Sake Cafe (read: trendy), I like their ambiance a great deal more. It's half way between authentic Japanese minimalism, with a more sleek & modern appeal. The long sushi bar is more inviting and less intimidating than at most Japanese restaurants I've been to, with young, friendly sushi chefs behind them (one female! So awesome). On to our meal. There is a lunch menu with reasonable prices for Bento boxes and sushi/sashimi plates. I got three vegetarian rolls (choose from avocado, cucumber and asparagus) for 11.95 which included soup *and* salad. Everything was fresh, flavorful and the sushi chef arranged my wasabi in a leaf and carrots in the shape of blossoms. How lovely can you get? Our waitress was as sweet as pie, speedy (much appreciated at crunch, I mean lunch time) and our water glasses were never empty. Note that there are a fair number of vegetarian options. I look forward to returning regularly. Tofu steak, here's looking at you!
(4)
Thuy L.
Origami is my go to spot. Is rather my husband take me here vs a fine dining. I know I'll be serve well and honestly.
(5)
Suzanne C.
Note to Origami: if your host can't hear me on the phone, your phone is in the wrong place. Note to potential diners: the servers at Origami don't know what MSG is, nor could they tell me if it appeared in any of their food. For people with MSG allergies, that's dangerous. The manager I finally spoke to insisted there was no MSG in the soy sauce, but soy sauce is pretty low on the list of offenders these days. I need to know if the udon dishes are safe, especially if I'm coming to eat the udon with a bud who is allergic to MSG. Note to anyone who manages or owns Origami who is reading: I shouldn't have to go through three staffers to get simple answers, nor should I be passed around like a hot potato or subjected to the least informed staff at your prices. Get it together so folks with allergies feel safe patronizing your establishment. You absolutely lost some dinner guests over this one. Maybe I'm just grumpy, but I think it's fair to want my friends to have safe dinners and make informed decisions about their food. Accessibility notes: Ramp is on side of building. No braille menu or signage. Can get loud at peak hours.
(1)
Gina G.
This is a great sushi destination. My favorite is their stuffed jalapenos. Wow! They have it listed as a special of the day but it really should be listed on their appetizers section. And those chandeliers; I couldn't stop looking at them. It's like they were made from feathers. So beautiful.
(4)
John L. H.
Located in the old Sitting Duck, Origami is very good. Freret Street has come a long way since I used to visit in the 90s. When I visited the bar that formerly occupied this space, I was always worried that I would be bashed over the head when walking to my car. It amazes me how much this area has moved towards the high end, and Origami fits in very well. The restaurant has a large sushi bar and several large booths along the wall. The booths have very high backs which seem to give more privacy than the traditional low backed variety. On the night I visited there were more staff than customers which should have meant fast service, but there were some hiccups. I had to wait far too long to receive the bill, and once I received it, they disappeared never to return. It was a good thing I had cash or I may still be waiting for my card to be swiped. The food was excellent. I was highly impressed by the combination of flavors in the special rolls, and the quality of the ingredients. The food was on the expensive side, but for a fancy place, I think it was worth it. If you are looking for a high end sushi experience, give Origami a try.
(4)
Tzippi D.
Loved this Japanese restaurant. Food was just what we were looking for. Excellently prepared with perfect seasoning. Very friendly, attentive service. Nice calm ambience. Eggplant dengaku to die for. Likewise beef yakisoba. I'm not a sushi eater but my daughter had Funky Margarita with crawfish and loved it. Has a nice spicy guacamole on top.
(5)
Jennie A.
The sushi is okay as are the other plates offered at Origami. Nothing over the top or amazing... Decent sushi.
(3)
Sam 'Wags' W.
Among the top couple up-scale sushi restaurants, located in the ever improving Freret corridor. The menu of sushi and sashimi is quite extensive and a bit on the pricey side. If you are looking for an up-scale option over the beat-nick Mikimodo crowd, Origami is your fold of paper.
(5)
Colin A.
The vegetarian gyoza dumplings were a little bland, but the sushi was great. I had the Black Jack roll, which was delicious and some tuna and salmon sashimi. All of the fish was great, and the prices were about as fair as sushi gets around here.
(3)
Daniel B.
It's not like I really like writing bad reviews, but here goes. We are tried and true Sake Cafe goers, but decided to try something new. Bad idea. The interior is bland and the seats are cold, uninviting, and uncomfortable. Aside from one other table, we were the only people in the place (another bad sign). The service was acceptable, but the sushi was seriously sub par. I mean this when I say.... you can go to any Rouses grocery store and get much better (with much better presentation) sushi than Origami. That pretty much says it all right there. Won't be back...Sake Cafe here we come again!
(1)
Brittany K.
I'm a big fan of origami! The miso soup is really good and the sara roll is my go-to. It is overflowing with the crunchy stuff on top, but I love it. There is a "hidden" menu that doesn't show up on their website that has some delish rolls (including the sara roll and fresh salmon roll that I can recall off the top of my head). If you go to the restaurant, their menu lists everything. I typically order to go here and it's always pretty quick, even when I just go and order at the bar. Would definitely recommend!
(4)
Brittany R.
LOVED THIS PLACE. it is a little odd to walk in and remember when it used to be Tuck's, however, the food is great! huge portions. i got the rice crispy, the black jack roll, and the tropical roll. all were amazing and very large portions. the spicy tuna in the black jack roll was very delicious. I have been to a lot of sushi places around town and it is nice to go somewhere where you feel like you really get your moneys worth.
(5)
C S.
First up, we order the 'Origami appetizer, panko cooked to a nearly charred texture. I tried to remain optimistic (even over my better half's protestation that the texture was like she imagined fried catfood to taste like) but lackluster would be the best I could say. 14 minutes to get two glasses of wine from the bar to my table 3.5 feet away, and things went downhill from there. The middle of the road specialty roll sealed the deal for me. I'm a overly forgiving diner, and I could say I'd try it again, but truth be told there are far too many sushi restaurants around for me to let both a mediocre roll AND an over ten minute glass of wine sway me back. Disappointing, as we have come to LOVE most all of the restaurants on Freret.
(2)
Amanda W.
Okay, I get it, it's opening night. But my experience here tonight was, without a doubt, the worst restaurant experience I've ever had. We got there around 6:45, and waited at the podium to be seated. There was no host in sight, but there was someone (who was clearly an employee) standing at the back of the restaurant and staring at everyone. Um, ok. We were seated after a few minutes wait, and we were stuck in a small room behind a wall. We waited at least 15 minutes for them to bring menus over. Once we determined what we wanted, we had been waiting at least 25-30 minutes. The waitress had been in and out of our little room multiple times, completely ignoring us each time. She finally came over and, not looking up at all, grabbed the menus and our sushi order. I had to stop her from leaving in order to ask for water, a bottle of saki, and some edamame. She appeared to have heard me and yet we waited AN HOUR and we had gotten two out of our three waters, the waitress had not checked in on us, and we had gotten neither our appetizer/sake or our entrees. We checked with another table in our room who weren't even lucky enough to get water yet, and they said that they had been waiting about an hour, and they had been there before us. We complained to the manager, and to more than one waiter/waitress. They did...absolutely nothing. Did not even acknowledge us. We walked out so angry and hungry that I desperately wanted to be snarky when the owner/manager said "Thanks" to us on our way out. We drove straight to Ninja and satisfied our sushi craving within 20 minutes. I could have swam to Japan, married a Japanese guy, brought him back to America, and asked him to make us sushi before this place would have given us food. Absolutely ridiculous, and the whole staff was completely unapologetic about our experience. I'm extremely disappointed, and probably won't be going back any time soon (or at least until they learn to train their waitstaff).
(1)
Scraggs D.
Currently my favorite sushi in New Orleans. The burning man roll was one of the best ive ever had. the origami roll with fried banana around it is a fun novelty but not something I will get regularly. Good ambience and good service. I will be back. If this place was a little cheaper, I'd be there more often.
(4)
Rachael L.
I really wanted to like this place and went in with high hopes. We went in for lunch, this being one of the few sushi places that doesn't close from 2:30-5. The service was good, and the waitress did what she could but the food did not match the atmosphere. The sashimi was almost 1/2 an inch thick, and lacked any grace. I should not have the bite-off a piece. When I realized that a roll came covered in eel sauce (of which I can't stand) they would not remake it because it was already made. I was told they could remake it but I would be charged for both rolls. All in all I will NOT be going back.
(2)
Alyson I.
I am surprised to see so many negative reviews concerning the service at Origami. I have eaten there 3 times and had excellent service each time. The first time I went was for lunch with two girlfriends and our three kids. The waitress was great with our kids and very helpful. I liked it so much I took my husband for dinner 2 nights later and we ate dinner there last night. I really enjoy the specialty rolls I have tried, the Saints Kicker roll, the Tiger roll, and the Jackpot roll. The standard rolls are very good too.
(4)
Connie N.
Yay finally a NON-artery-clogging restaurant on The New Freret! Don't get me wrong, I love Dat Dog, Company Burger, and Midway but sometime's it's nice to stuff something slightly less cheesy in my face. While it isn't my number 1 sushi pick in the city, Origami is definitely a close second. I've heard dirty rumors that the service is shoddy, but I didn't find that to be the case when I went (albeit on a weekday night). Anyway they're a fairly new establishment just getting their bearings straight, so I say cut 'em a little slack and give their tasty sushi a try!
(4)
Melissa E.
Since my review of Origami, I've found out some more information about the link of Kyoto and Origami, which is miniscule. What I understand is that a former partner in Kyoto, who left the partnership years ago has opened Origami. So, I'm happy to hear that my fav sushi place, Kyoto, is not to blame for my dreadful experience at Origami.
(1)
Emily S.
So far, this is my favorite sushi in the city. Haven't tried them all quite yet, but I personally love this place. They're very rarely busy, but service is sometimes hit-and-miss, though never actually poor. I've never waited for a table, which I love, and the rolls are AMAZING and well-priced. I've liked every roll I've had but my favorites are the Burning Woman and Chocolate City. Their miso and tempura are fantastic as well and the sushi pretty much always comes out promptly. My only complaint is that they always close their kitchen way earlier than necessary, so even if we want to order take-out at 10:20 (when they close at 11) they turn us down and we end up going to other sushi places, which are never as good.
(5)
Em C.
I have had several delicious meals at Origami. I love their Poke salad and could probably eat it everyday. All the roles I have tried were really yummy as well. Their specialty roles are huge and a good value for the price point. I haven't had any major issues with the service such as the other reviewers have mentioned so I think time has allowed them to work out some of the kinks. I will note that one of the servers I had had a challenging time understanding special requests because of a language barrier but in the end our whole order was correct so I won't hold it against them too much. Overall I think this is now my first choice for sushi in the area (over Sake Cafe, Kyoto and Ninja).
(4)
A. C.
What a great new place! The sushi is delicious with beautiful presentation, and brown rice is available for an extra 50 cents. The prices are pretty average for New Orleans sushi places. I'll definitely be back, though I'm sure it'll be full of Tulane girls in no time.
(4)
Jessica B.
My boyfriend and I thought we would try some place new for value-priced sushi. I love Hoshun and Sake Cafe, but can't afford to go there once a week to satisfy my sushi craving. So, we hopped on Yelp and find a week old establishment, which I was pretty excited about. I love new businesses. The atmosphere when I walked in made this typical Thursday night dinner feel more like a swank date night. New and hip.... nice. I wish I could say the excitement carried us through the meal. We did have to wait at a bar stool for about 10 minutes to grab a table at this small establishment. A host did tell us to have a seat at the bar while we wait, but the bartender never spoke to us; not "hello", not "would you like a drink?", Nada. He just served the waiters' drinks and had no customers. That's a tough gig for a bartender. I hope he realizes this misstep when he stares at his minuscule tips at the end of the night. Our service was barely sufficient. We were sat at a table with no plates, chopsticks or linens. Warm towels were the first thing to get to us from our waitress. Waters and plum wine made it just fine as well. By the time our waitress came back to take our appetizer order, we knew what we wanted for entrees as well. We ordered miso soups and house salads, and she ran away before I could finish our order. She rushed over with the soups, saw our sushi order on a paper, and I had to "WAIT!" her before she ran away again to get my sake order in, which she even wasn't sure came in a bottle. The salad came and we still had not received any plates, saucers, linens, or chopsticks. We had to stop another waitress for chopsticks. Then, the sushi came. She called out the sushi as if the entire plate were for one person. Yet, the two rolls were the only ones we ordered, and were on only one plate. I just said "You can put it in the middle". She ran again, and we had to practically yell at her for plates. Finally, we got plates. After the plates we didn't see our waitress until she brought the check. The place was full at the time, but it was as if she had other matters besides tables to get her attention. The manager asked if we were okay, which we just said "sure." The waitress who gave us our chopsticks picked up our plates after several minutes of us sitting there with the plates empty. She also asked if we received our bill. "No. Not yet". She tried her best to sell us dessert. Not happening. Our waitress brought our check, picked it up, but the chopstick waitress brought it back to be signed. The food/drink was like no other, and not in a good way. My unfiltered sake was served in a martini glass. The house salad ginger dressing was oily and not very ginger-y. The miso's tofu chunks were too big and awkward. To me, miso is a delicate soup, not chunky in any way. The two sushi rolls we ordered came with soy paper (FEMA Roll and Big Easy Roll) which is why we ordered them. I prefer soy paper over the overabundance of rice found at most "value sushi" places. Well, to our surprise, our rolls came with an abundance and rice AND soy paper. There was very little fish/crab/etc in the middle, and loads of rice surrounding. My boyfriend saw my dismay a quarter through the meal, and proceeded with "I know it's disappointing, but just put it in your mouth". After giggling for a good 3 minutes, I did eat more of our rice rolls. But, I'm not happy about it. Nor will we be returning. I would much rather have awesome sushi once a month then suffer through another one of these rice-filler and snow crab abundant rolls, bad service, value sushi places again. Sorry Origami, but your food and service do not match your decor. It's time for an upgrade in staffing.
(1)
Cynthia S.
I think this place is underrated at 2.5 stars. I would personally give it 3.5 stars if yelp would allow me to but won't go up to 4 because, being from the west coast, I'm accustomed to better sushi than any of NOLA's offerings. First off, I'd like to say that the decorating staff did an amazing job of covering up the fact that this place used to be Friar Tuck's, one of the frattiest and grossest bars known to mankind. The place looks very clean. Contrary to all the complaints about slow customer service, we were seated almost immediately and our orders were taken and food were brought to us in a very normal time frame. I wouldn't say it was "fast," but it was Saturday around 7:30pm and very busy, and service certainly wasn't slow. Our server came by regularly and someone else, possibly an owner or manager, came by to check on us as well. They're really cleaning up their act. I had a Tiger Roll, which I'd definitely recommend, and the miso soup. The food itself was good - nothing I'll be raving about, but very solid and I'd definitely come back to satisfy a sushi craving. My only other complaint was, though it was a specialty roll and quite filling, it was priced at $14 which is a bit much for any roll in my opinion.
(3)
Felip F.
I never thought this building could get any better the old stomping grounds of tucks. But I was proven wrong. Origami is the cats pajamas. This is by far the best authentic sushi spot in Nola thus far. Finally decided to start yelling just for this place. It's awesome. People are all friendly. Chefs will talk and answer questions. And it's nice to have a modern, clean look to a sushi joint and not a dark, grungy feel. - white fish carpaccio. Burning man. Mystery roll. Boooomb
(5)
Lauren C.
I went here for the first time on a whim this week, and was totally impressed. This was the best sushi I have had in New Orleans. The service was very good, although our soups could have come out a little faster. Everyone was exceedingly nice and friendly to us. The food was awesome. We ordered the eggplant-miso appetizer, which was really really good, the fried chicken appetizer, also really good, and the rainbow roll. The tuna sushi was the best I've ever had, I think! Really nice place. The prices weren't bad either. It was a great experience, and I can't wait to go back. This will be my go-to sushi restaurant from now on.
(5)
Dominique F.
This is my favorite sushi place in new orleans! The staff was friendly and the food is just awesome. The tabo special roll, black jack roll and rock and roll roll are the best!
(5)
Joe L.
I guess I was lucky to get there early on opening night. The service was great and I can honestly say that the rolls we had were superior to any rolls I have had at other sushi joints. I had the eggplant with miso sauce which was terrific. Now, as the place got slammed I can see why others did not get the service our table recieved. I only saw three wait staff and there was no hostess from what I could see. Things got crazy once the place was full. I have seen this at a few other openings as well in the past. Amanda, the guy that you spoke about that was clearly an employee, staring at everyone was actually the guy that set up the registers. He was there helping the wait staff if/when they had problems ringing things up. He was not an employee. I know because I wondered the same thing and started a conversation with him. I am going to assume either the owner had no idea it would be this busy or some people did not show up. Either way they need to fix the service quickly. I think maybe this is why I make allot of opening nights at new places. They can get very interesting. LOL
(4)
Jared S.
I've been here twice, both times to get their lunch special. It's $11.95 for a salad, miso soup, and three different rolls of sushi (24 total pieces). It's filling, delicious, and the service is good. This is one of my favorite spots in Nola.
(5)
Cupcake D.
I noticed a lot of complaints about service, but I experienced nothing but excellent service at Origami. They were very polite and prompt. The person who appeared to be the manager or owner even directed me to the bathroom when he saw me get up from our table. The sushi was great, and they have a large and interesting menu. I especially liked the Burning Woman roll (it had peppered tuna) and the Tropical roll (salmon and mango). The atmosphere was nicely decorated and the booths are generous and high backed. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
David L.
Very solid sushi joint. Owner is friendly (maybe too friendly), service is fast, and free poke salad at the sushi bar! Good neighborhood sushi joint.
(4)
Darla L.
Went here for dinner with a close friend. I had peeked at their Yelp reviews before going to get a handle on the best menu items which turned out to be their special rolls. After having the Geisha roll and the Margarita roll, I couldn't agree more. They were absolutely delicious --- much better than what I've had at Ninja for the price you pay! They have a very nice interior and very roomy booth seats with large tables. Service was excellent. Would definitely recommend for any occasion.
(5)
Paul B.
I have no idea what the reviewers below were thinking but this was BY FAR the worst sushi and sushi experience we have ever had! For starters, the sake was lukewarm at best. The poke salad was drenched in some sort of sauce with no flavor and the fish was FAR from tender. The fish being raw should not be "chewy". Had the Gustavo roll based on others reviews. Chopped tuna with a ton of rice around it- nothing like the description. And it tasted like dog food. We sent that roll back and the server had the nerve to tell us-after we said the roll was disgusting-well that is the Gustav roll. She did not ask if we wanted anything else to eat or drink and did not come back until we flagged her down for the bill. By the way, it was 5:00 and there were a total of 4 customers in the entire place at the time. Overall I give this place 0 stars for food and if I could give a negative for service I would! There are many other sushi places in this city-AVOID ORIGAMI!!!!
(1)
Jinyoung P.
Had a sushi date here with my friend K last week. We ordered a specialty roll (I forget the name and can't find the menu online) and three of the more standard rolls. I really wish I had the menu in front of me so I could tell you what they were, but I gotta say that the specialty roll was off the hook. When I go back next, I definitely want to try some of the other ones! Service was good. Our server checked in with us often enough but not too much. Overall a pleasant experience with delicious sushi in my tummy.
(4)
Dominique L.
in being allergic to fish (not shellfish) I had never had sushi until 2 years ago when I took a chance on one of their avocado rolls. I've gotten more adventurous and have never had a problem. they even make the lobster roll for me with out imitation crab. I recommend the poboy roll and the shigure appetizer for any fish allergies!! their soft shell crab specials & oysters shooters are also fantastic! perfect rice, crisp fresh ingredients, great presentation & a beautiful atmosphere! perfection all around!!
(5)
Liz C.
Origami is a classic New Orleans sushi joint: slow-paced service, affordable and delicious sushi. Lots of creative rolls here, and the portions are perfect for making two meals out of a dish. Three rolls split between two people will be MORE than enough to share. I have dined in and picked up from here three or four times, and the staff are always extremely friendly and accommodating. Minus one star because the feel of the restaurant isn't very authentic, but that could just be my lingering haunting memories of Friar Tuck's (the business that once inhabited the building). :P
(4)
Seth B.
It's a typical sushi joint in New Orleans so the food is pretty good. The service can be a bit bizarre and slow so I recommend take out. For the area I think they do a really good job and it's party of the Freret St food scene!!
(4)
Jen L.
The first time I went to Origami it had only been open a couple of weeks & the service was comical rather than bad. I watched confused waitstaff pinball off of each other in confusion over who was responsible for what. The rolls & sushi were good though, so knew I would be back. Fast forward to my most recent couple of visits, both times we were large groups (6ish) and were seated right away (even over Mardi Gras weekend). The staffing issues seemed to have been solved. I've now tried a good portion of their menu and I've not been wowed by anything. The portions on some rolls are huge (which can lead to massive over ordering). And I've gotten a couple of items that had ingredients that weren't listed on the menu which was odd (and off putting for one of my friends). The space is lovely and the location is convenient for me. But I've not been wowed by the food, so while I won't cross it off the list, it won't be my first choice.
(3)
M E.
Found this on Yelp. Had a bunch of rolls. Thought all the seafood was fresher than the average American sushi place. Thought some of their house special rolls were great (sorry, forget which ones). The reviewers that mention bad service are accurate. It's just standard inattentive sushi place service -- the people are nice if you can get one to your table. The LOL moment is when we waited 15 minutes for a bowl of ice cream at the end. You know. Because it's hard to scoop ice cream...
(4)
Jasmine H.
Some of the best sushi I have tried in New Orleans - I will definitely be coming back. They have a good selection of rolls, as well as salads, other Japanese entrees (grilled dishes, sushi & sashimi etc), noodles, tempura and a few desserts. I ordered the tiger roll (highly recommended) and tried a few others - they were loaded with decent quality fish and were delicious. Some of the dishes on the menu show a Vietnamese / Chinese influence - for example, you can order sriracha sauce on top of your sushi, if you like a bit of extra spice. The only downside was that the service was a little sloppy, although we did have a group of more than 20 people.
(4)
Andrea Joy A.
I really struggled with deciding whether to give this 2 stars or 1. In a nutshell: the food here was good. Not great, but good. However, the service quite possibly was the worst I have ever experienced. Went here with my husband, brother, and brother's girlfriend. Full disclosure: it was Mardi Gras evening which meant that many restaurants were closed for the holiday, however this one was not. That said, the restaurant was less than half full and we called ahead to inquire as to the kitchen wait-time. We were told it would only be 30 minutes. We were seated promptly and ordered a mix of sushi and appetizers. It was obvious that our waiter struggled with English but my husband speaks Japanese and was able to get our point across. I ordered an appetizer as an entree (as there weren't many vegetarian options) and he confirmed that it would come out with the entrees rather than beforehand. 20 minutes later, my entree arrived as an appetizer. Meanwhile, the edamame we ordered was nowhere to be found. The sushi came shortly thereafter, but my husband's chicken yaki soba was missing. After politely waiting for his to come for 5-10 minutes (it's not like our sushi was getting cold) and being unable to find our waiter, we asked a different waitress where the yaki soba was. She told us it was coming out "soon." In that time we also noticed our waiter in a confrontation with another table about what they were alleging was a double charge on their credit card. Also during this time we were out of water. We asked the available waitress (since our waiter was very much preoccupied and not attentive) for water but then she disappeared. Finally, our waiter came over and gave my brother and his girlfriend water, and then disappeared to refill the pitcher leaving my husband and i with no water for 5-10 more minutes. In approximately 15 minutes of waiting for my husband's meal, we asked multiple serves multiple times (not just our own) how long it would be. All we were told was "soon" or "in a few minutes." FInally, when our frustration became quite obvious, our sheepish waiter admitted that the kitchen had just started cooking it (at this point the rest of us had finished eating) and said, "do you still want it?" Umm...what else is he going to do? Not eat dinner? My husband's yaki soba finally came approximately 30 minutes after the sushi came out, and it was much too hot to eat. The rest of us ended up watching him eat the piping hot food since we had nothing left to munch on. The icing on the cake was when the bill came: the waiter had given us a whopping 10% off the yaki soba due to my insisting that it be free (80 cents off is what they gave us instead) but charged us for the edamame that never came. We had to send the check back. For the first time in my entire life we left no tip. When we walked out there was another party leaving, who had had the same server. We overheard them saying they had chosen to leave cash in the hostess jar rather than for the waiter. That makes three disgruntled groups of diners (don't forget the party who was double charged) in an hour time period. It takes a lot for the service to be so bad as to overshadow good food. But, one star it is.
(1)
Stephen H.
This is one of our favorite sushi spots. The food is always good. Rice krispy and tuna sandwich are must try items. The service, however reminds me of football players that look good during training but choke under pressure. Go here on a busy night and you'll understand. Our most recent trip though was great. Our server Twee? Tui? was extremely attentive and fun. In addition to being friendly, funny and on point, she went to bar tending school where she learned a red snapper, kamikaze, long island ice tea.......you get the picture. So not only can she recommend a dinner item, but she can get you tipsy at the same time. I think I may be in love. Don't tell my wife..
(4)
Rene D.
I'm hesitant to write a review for a place that's so new. But my experience was so lovely, I want to share. if you're going to try out a place, by all means do it on a night when most New Orleanians are glued to TV sets watching football. It's as if you've purchased the place out for the night and are greeted by pleasant servers. The space is spartan in decor. But, that's not the point. I came for the fish, and boy, was it great. High quality and great variety. I ordered only sashimi; I can't talk about 10-ingredient rolls that are deep fried and sauces masking the flavors of the fish. I know it's raw; if you don't want to eat raw food, then don't brag about how much you love sushi. Others did mention the service, and can say, for an empty place and quite a few staff members standing around with nothing to do, my beverages should have arrived much faster. With encouraging the staff to pick up the pace, Origami will be a great place for sushi Uptown. Finally!
(4)
Moira R.
I was quite impressed with the decor here. The restaurant is extremely clean and very modern looking. My lady friend and I decided to go for a visit last night after hearing about their tempura banana dish. We love fried banana dishes so this was right up my ally. It was a Monday night at 9PM. So, I wasn't that surprised that the place was fairly empty with just a few people sitting at the bar. They attended to us reasonably quickly and let us sit wherever we liked. We ordered two hot green teas and the tempura banana dish. The tea was good. The banana dish arrived beautifully displayed with a small dish of ice cream. I ordered mango ice cream to go with the banana. Either the mango flavor was very strange or we actually had lychee ice cream. I'm not sure. Either way, the ice cream was good but different tasting. The service was good and our tea pot was refilled when it was empty. For $10 it was a good evening dessert and tea outing.
(3)
Victoria T.
Finally i got the chance to try origami considering how close it is to my campus. I liked the decor in the restaruant, small, quaint and the ambiance was comforting. Now on to food! We ordered the crispy rice, Jackpot roll, and you can't go wrong with the baked salmon. To start off, the crispy rice consists of three mini crispy rice squares and on top of each rice had something different on it, the first one had spicy crawfish, the second had tuna, and the last had tofu on top. the portions for these were just right and the sauce to on these added a good extra flavor to them. The Jackpot roll is a deep fried roll with salmon and tuna, sriracha (which i love), and eel sauce. It tasted just lovely. They had a lot of other special rolls on the menu I will come back and try too. Overall I enjoyed eating here and the prices here are reasonable considering the portions here are huge, which is a good thing. I will definitey come back to try other things
(4)
Christine G.
I really love coming in to Origami. The calm decor and quiet music, make it a real retreat between meetings. My favorite roll is the Gustar roll, delicious with plenty of salmon and fresh mango. They are also very generous with the shrimp in tempura orders, which is a delight. Service staff are calm, accomodating, and reflect the restaurant's peaceful and inviting vibe.
(5)
Kim-Thao H.
A very pleasant experience! I was very hesitant to try this place because of the previous reviews, but this place is literally 2 minutes away from my school so what the hay! Why not?! Upon walking in the door, my eyes were immediately drawn to the big round lights hanging from the ceiling. They literally look like balls with cut paper hanging around them! They're very different, but pretty cool I have to add. The restaurant has nice decor and a very chill atmosphere. Very spacious too! My friend and I came around 5 pm on a weekday so the restaurant was pretty much empty when we came. The waittress was very sweet and benevolent and the service was spot on! I didn't expect any less since we were one of the few people in there. Hahha. So my advice would be to try this place on a weekday when it's not busy, then your experience would be as delightful as mine! Now on to the food business. We ordered the Beef Tataki as our appetizer. Let me start by saying that this is definitely not your typical beef tataki. At most Japanese restaurants, beef tataki is thinly sliced beed cooked rare on a bed of onions and ponzu sauce. Here, it's completely different! The pieces of beef are larger, but still tender and good. It's served with lettuce and spinach! Never seen that before! The sauce is more of a citrus lime/lemon flavor and it comes with sriracha sauce on the side of course! We both really enjoyed this dish; it may be different but in a good way! As for rolls, we decided on three special rolls: the Tiger Roll, Gustav Roll, and Jackpot Roll. All of them were really good! The fish was fresh and they really hit the spot. The Tiger Roll comes with salmon, tuna, whitefish, eel, crunchy, and eel sauce. Very standard, but good! The Gustav Roll came with cream cheese, spicy tuna, salmon, mango, and a sweet chili sauce. I'm not a big fan of cream cheese, so I took it out, A very refreshing and light roll! As with anything with mango, YUMMM! The Jackpot roll was a deep-fried roll with tuna and a couple other things I don't remember. Teehee. Sorry, long day of school! It came with eel sauce, spicy mayo, and sriracha. I was worried I wouldn't like it, because i have tried other fried rolls before that I thought were a bit overwhelming, but this wasn't at all! The rolls are very good, but not the best I ever had and not enough for me to give 5 stars. Sorry! Dessert time! Of course only my galfriend and I would be fat enough to eat all that and STILL have room for dessert! No meal is complete without something sweet! Teehee :) We got our beloved fried cheesecake and mango ice cream (red bean ran out :() The tempura cheesecake was decadent and fresh! I lovedddd that the batter was crispy! Just how I like it! But the mango ice cream tasted more like melon. Hrmmm maybe they mixed it up. Overall, still very satisfying! I can't wait to come back and try some more of these goodies!
(4)
Troy D.
Really enjoyed meal there with my wife last night. Only thing i can complain about is the booths. Seats are a little too far from table to eat comfortably. Sushi was fresh and flavorful. We will be back.
(5)
Casey M.
The sushi gets 5 stars. The service gets -3 stars for being extraordinarily slow. The chef gets -1 star for talking more than doing his job. Therefore overall rating is 1 star. For anyone interested in rice, the rice is excellent.
(1)
Sean K.
I have a habit of going to Kyoto on Sunday nights, all geared up for gorging on lots of fine piscine flesh. Problem. Kyoto is closed on Sundays. Solution. Origami. I typically eat right at the bar, but I thought Origami's double-wide booth tables were great for arranging several shared plates at a time. I won't belabor how much I like the squid salad from Kyoto, but Origami's is equal to if not greater than. (Still runner up to Domenica's octo carpaccio in the cold seafood dish category). If there were a Creole Creamery next door, this place would dislodge Kyoto from the top of my favorite sushi places slash easy prepackaged date night destinations. Still, it's yet another place doing good things on Freret, so domo arigato for that, y'all.
(4)
Dmitri S.
I went for the first time ever today and LOVED IT! I got the grilled mackerel dinner plate. I guess nobody really buys that, because the owner and employees were surprised. I enjoyed the food, and also got a free miso soup and red bean ice cream (which they don't sell). But I had a nice conversation with the owner and 2 employees. The service was good and I will for sure be back.
(5)
Lianna P.
Went here for lunch today with a friend who lives close by and eats here a lot. How insanely lucky for us! The head sushi chef guided us through a succession of dishes at his whim, starting with a mini Poke Salad for each of us. I've never liked squid before, but I loved it today. (Quick note on the ambience: sleek, lacquered traditional Japanese meets modern New Orleans with a few weird tchotchkes. A+). Next was the Tuna Sandwich, a cute and funny take on the traditional with raw tuna "bread" hugging a generous portion of crab mix, avocado and some type of sauce. Delicious. Then came some Jalapeno Poppers, filled with cream cheese and tuna tartare, and fried lightly in tempura batter--a yummy twist on a classic, and not something you'd expect at a sushi spot. After that, some flavorful miso soup and another two rolls pulled it all together. It was the perfect amount of food, so fresh I felt like I was actually tasting the ocean my tuna swam in. The chef conversed with us throughout, telling us what he was creating. Service was polite and attentive without being intrusive (dishes bussed promptly, water refilled). I'd definitely recommend a visit.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Best sushi I've had thus far in New Orleans. Burning Man roll is fantastic! I found the hot sake to be a little harsh on the finish compared to other varieties I've had, but that's my only complaint. Food and service were great!
(4)
Lisa A.
This place was so delicious! I went there with some friends. The sushi chefs are awesome. We ordered some rolls with and without fish along with many appetizers. The vegetarian options are awesome! Love this place.
(5)
C S.
Love this restaurant!! Strongly recommend their stuffed shiitake mushroom, beef soba and Philadelphia roll!!! Yummy!!! And great price too!!!
(4)
Kelsey G.
I'm hoping that my experience was because we were too eager to see some sushi standoff between another local place and here prove that the one within walking distance would be better. It probably doesn't help that we had gone in during their first month of operation, but that shouldn't be an excuse for any new place, it should be the exception for why it stood out as extraordinary. Sadly, it was just ordinary. After what seemed a long ordeal to get drinks and appetizers, ordering sushi as a vegetarian was somewhat embarrassing for myself as well as our server. She was perplexed at my request to build my own roll because their vegan options were not what I had hoped for. When I decided to settle and order their veggie roll with one thing substituted, she came back to tell me the sushi chef was kinda bothered and confused and then charged me an additional fee for the switch (really, because my slice of mango was so unusual and your asparagus cost so much less?) My friends said they enjoyed their fish rolls but probably wouldn't go back just because the slow service, attitude and lack-of New Orleans charm cancelled out any piece of sushi that they liked. Looks like we'll continue our trek down to the other local Japanese favorite.
(2)
Katie T.
I enjoyed my first experience at Origami. My mom and I decided stray from our usual Kyoto to try it out. We were really glad we did. Not sure how the who sushi biz works, but there were rolls that I have had at other places on the menu that I thought were exclusive to those places. Guess they trade recipes or something. Anyway, we shared the cucumber salad which was amazing, got miso soup of course, and we shared the Sara roll which is on the Kyoto menu and the Burning Woman roll which is on the Little Tokyo menu. Both rolls were awesome. I think Origami's version of the Burning Woman is actually better. The pepper tuna on top is soooooo good. We also shared a bottle of sake which was just ok. I will be gracing Origami with my business again and soon I am sure since I work so close to it.
(4)
Johnny B.
This is one of only a few authentic Japanese restaurants in New Orleans. I have never had a bad experience. Make sure you try the Chirashi. Excellent fresh sushi.
(5)
Kimberly J.
This delicious addition to Freret St. Origami is on par with the best sushi restaurants in the city with a modern fresh flair. Service was better than most and the rolls are creative. Just before posting this review, I read the others. I think they've worked out some of the kinks others complained about just after opening. Our server was fantastic, our rolls were amazingly good and everything arrived in a timely manner. I will be back to continue sampling the unique special rolls category!
(4)
Philip K.
My favorite sushi place in NOLA thus far especially for special rolls. When you take in to account price, freshness, atmosphere, service-- Origami comes out on top in my book. I have been here for lunch and dinner and it is awesome. Lunch they have a super good sushi special where for around the bargain price of $10 you get a salad, miso, and 3 basic rolls. Who can beat that? Always a guaranteed nice lunch. Dinner has been awesome too, they have really really yummy special house rolls and unlike other places you feel like you are definitely getting what you pay for. They also always accommodate requests (like taking cream cheese out of rolls etc.). They even give you warm towels at the begining of your meal, score!
(5)
Jonathan D.
Nice ambiance, pleasant staff, very fast and efficient take-out ordering, large menu with a lot of options (appetizers, miso, udon, soba, salad, teryaki, sushi, etc.), and very fresh-tasting fish. The Poke Salad ($8.95) -- with sliced cucumbers, tuna sashimi, squid, a little bit of seaweed and a spicy ponzu sauce -- is very refreshing and flavorful. It could be a light lunch all by itself. But here comes the negative: Too many menu items usually indicates a lack of focus in the kitchen, and this appears to be the case at Origami. They would do well to focus on a few things that they are very good at, rather than trying to cater to everyone. One thing that they are not very talented at, I am afraid to report, is the creative sushi roll. The combinations sound really good on paper, but aren't so great in execution. For instance the Burning Man Roll (~$12) contains two kinds of spiced tuna, avocado, panko and eel sauce. The mushy tuna mix inside had an unpleasant texture and flavor, and the roll was not well constructed, so that it fell apart when being lifted with chopsticks. The size of the roll was very generous, but it is not something I would ever order again. Ditto for the Tiger Roll (~$15) with three kinds of fish, eel and smelt roe; again, the construction was very poor, and the flavor was mediocre. In my mind, what distinguishes great sushi from merely competent sushi is excellent construction and fresh, bold flavors. These sushi rolls were lacking in both departments.
(3)
Ivana J.
We ordered a salmon avocado roll and yellowtail roll to go and ate it by the river. It may have partly been the ambiance, but I found the sushi delicious. There was ample fish in each roll and the rolls were a good size. It was nothing spectacular, but I was not disappointed.
(4)
Amanda M.
Had a pleasant experience at Origami last night. As other posters have mentioned, they did a great job renovating dingy Friar Tucks. It is well decorated, with a calming atmosphere. We had great service, and our waiter worked hard to be sure we had everything we wanted, were never short on water etc. Pretty typical roll prices - $5 for the standard rolls, $10-$15 for the specialties. While that may seem high for specialty rolls, these were huge! We got the Tiger Roll (which was fine) and the Burning Man Roll (which was amazing). There were a lot of other interesting specialty rolls on the menu that I am excited to come back and try. Really my only issue was that my Special Eel Roll was completely falling apart. 6 of the 8 pieces unravelled as I picked them up, and it was just not very impressive. This isn't the worst thing in the world, but I would expect a sushi restaurant to be able to make a standard roll correctly. I definitely plan on going back to try the rest of the menu. Its nice to have a new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(3)
Jean-Paul V.
Went a few nights ago and had a great experience, but then it was a Sunday eve during the holidays. As such, we got great service; we were one of like 5 tables. The story goes the original Kyoto on Prytania family renovated and leased this spot after the delinquent high school bar once here (Friar Tuck's formerly Wit's Inn) finally closed after a fatal shooting in early 2011. So you have an old building with new blood in a rebounding area full of hamburgers, hot dogs, and cocktails. Sidling up to sushi is at once refreshing and genius. The menu and quality are comparable to Kyoto, and while that's good I wasn't exacty expecting that. Fresh, but standard and priced to market. No bargains but nothing crazy either. Will be back -
(4)
Stephen R.
I used to live right next door to this restaurant when it was the sleaze-O college bar Friar Tucks. Although I will fondly remember $5 pitchers of beer after work and passed out Tulane students sleeping in my bushes the neighborhood is much improved with the addition of this Sushi Bar. The name Origami threw me a little bit as I expected my napkin to be meticulously folded into a swan and my doggy bag to a tin foil dragon, but the place was actually really nice. Everyone working there was Asian, which always instills confidence in the authenticity of the cuisine and as with many fine sushi restaurants, the fresh fish was displayed in a glass case below the chef's station. The staff was friendly and the server was very helpful. My girlfriend and I were starving so when presented with the paper menu and a pencil commonly found in these types of establishments we started checking off rolls and appetizers voraciously. It didn't help that we were drinking 22 Oz bottles of Ichi Ban. By the time the server had arrived we had ordered squid sashimi, ginger green salads, a dynamite roll, and three other varied rolls. The waiter looked a bit shocked and said "are you sure you want all that?" Assuring him that we were starving he began bringing each item out as it was prepared. I knew we were in deep shit when I saw the table of four next to us struggle to finish their 3 rolls that were brought out on these tremendous platters. The first roll that came out (dynamite I think) was the circumference of a coffee mug and we didn't even attempt to finish it. When the waiter brought each additional roll we sent him to box up every previous roll that we couldn't finish. He never complained and remained professional about the added trips and I tipped him well. It was easy to tip him well since our bill was so reasonable. The prices are really, REALLY decent for such a great atmosphere and quality product. I feasted on Sushi for two days after we visited Origami and thought it was far and away the best sushi in New Orleans--if not the best I have ever had. Frou, frou sushi purists from New York and San Fran will likely disagree, but if you are an average Joe with a love of sushi don't miss this place. Bravo.
(5)
Jon R.
Really good food. Steve is the best chef in the city. Modern, clean interior design. We come here about once a week.
(5)
Marvelle W.
The tiger roll and mystery roll were delicious! One of my new fab spots...
(4)
Spenser K.
When I saw that a new sushi restaurant was going in where the really quite despicable Tucks used to be, I was extremely excited. I go to school at Tulane and bike down Freret several times a week, so sime close, simple sushi sounded great! With that in mind, mah lady and I stopped in on a Tuesday night for dinner. First, the positive. The decor in the place is really great. The atmosphere, though it could use a bit of dimming (not a whole lot, just a tad to make it more intimate), is wonderful. I could barely believe that Origami is what used to be Tucks. The art on the walls was great, the sushi bar looked awesome, and everything seemed well put together. Unfortunately, the decor was the best thing about our experience. The waiters (there were two working the night I was there) did not seem to have assigned tables, and there wasn't anybody to seat us. Once the guy working the sushi bar directed us to a table, we had to ask one of the waiters for a menu. Service for the rest of the meal was similarly confused; both waiters tried to take our order, but no one asked how our food tasted. When our sushi did come, it came in three different increments, which doesn't make much sense to me, since I like to try and sample all of the food at once. The service was simply poor--not the worst that I've experienced, but poor indeed. I was hoping that bad service might indicate great food, but here I was also incorrect. We had four rolls, two basics and two specials. While our two basics were good (it's hard to mess up a crunchy and a philadelphia roll), our special rolls were not only expensive, they just weren't impressive. Both of the special rolls seemed to be lacking something, and one of them had been toasted with a butane torch (I presume this, because it tasted a little like gas). While the rolls looked good on paper, they simply didn't fit the bill. All told, if you want great sushi uptown, there are several other places you could go: Hana, Kyoto, etc. I intend to give Origami another chance after they've settled in, but for now, "Meh. I've experienced better" pretty accurately described my experience.
(2)
Alyssa P.
After searching and searching for a good sushi place in New Orleans, I'm happy to say the search is over! Origami is reasonably priced and generous in proportions. The sushi is always fresh and they have such a wide variety of flavors that I've never experienced at other Japanese restaurants. Among a long list of other things, my boyfriend and I always get the Poke Salad and the Mussels (Sake or Curry? It is always a debate because they're both great!) We recently tried their special, Oyster Shooters, and they were a huge hit at the table. They don't come with cocktail sauce but don't worry, there is plenty of kick! We sent a compliment to the kitchen and the chef came out personally and told us the ingredients, which included a wasabi oil. MMM definitely been dreaming about those :) Looking forward to our next visit soon!
(4)
Melissa R.
If I could rate this place solely on the food it would be five stars, hands down without a doubt. It was the BEST sushi I have had in New Orleans-It was amazing. The rolls were truly original and they were so delicious. However, I have to give Origami just three stars because the whole experience was prettty terrible. I know it was opening night, but, like I said the experience was so bad I really can't cut them any slack. After sitting at our table and waiting for 20 minutes without anyone approaching us, I finally had to stand up and go get menus myself. We were NEVER waited on. After waiting for 30 minutes we had to flag down the waitress multiple times to get her to come over to the table. We only ordered two special rolls (again-they really were incredible). After WAITING AN HOUR, the waitress brought over one roll- the wrong roll!! Ugh. Finally, one of the rolls came out and thirty minutes later the second roll came out. We were there for about TWO HOURS. We never even got water! :-( Origami, the food was so so yummy. Please work on the wait staff situation so I can come back and enjoy my experience.
(3)
Kristin B.
I am moreso writing this review to counter the bad service reviews from the opening weekend of Origami. I went last night with a friend and the service was fantastic - we were promptly sat, our drinks arrived quickly and were refilled constantly, the servers checked in on us frequently. I also liked that they updated us on how long things would take ("your other two rolls will be 5 more minutes, but I wanted to bring what was ready now!"). And most importantly, I saw a true sign of service professionalism when our server didn't bat an eye at our gigantic sushi order (we were having a "LAY OFF ME, I"M STARVING" moment, and will not apologize). I think that perhaps Origami had a rough take-off regarding service but seem to have ironed out the kinks nicely. As for other aspects: I can't believe this place used to be Friar Tucks. Very spartan-chic interior, with especially amazing light fixtures. The sushi was extremely good (but not the best in NOLA) - very fresh, very interesting, well assembled, and the rolls are HUGE for the price. I am serious about the size - even the order of edamame was giant. Remember how I said that we were eating our stress/feelings? Well, we spent the same amount of money that we always do for sushi but ended up staggering out to go fully realize food comas that lasted all night. With finals coming up.... we'll be back, Origami. Oh, we WILL be back. With LOTS of feelings to eat. Prepare accordingly.
(5)
Trey M.
Pros: modern decor, new building in an area experiencing a renaissance - props for investing in the local economy. Cons: similar to other reviewers, service was non-existent. My wife and I decided to give it a shot last weekend (or at least look at the menu). We walked in and stood at the hostess stand for literally four minutes before we left. Many servers walked by - some even made eye contact - buy no one acknowledged we were there. We started laughing because the other reviews were so true. We figured that if they treat us this way before they have our order, the rest of the experience would likely be bad. Hopefully this place will get its act together and we might give it another go.
(1)
Amelia R.
Best Sushi I have had in New Orleans. I had none of the problems other yelp reviews claim. We were seated as soon as we walked in, the service was great and the food was awesome! Just a few years ago when I was a Loyola freshman I used to frequent the disgusting bar called Tucks. The new owners of the place have done a FANTASTIC job remodeling this place. The decorations are very nice and it feels VERY clean in the restaurant! The food was also great! We started with the salmon and cream cheese tempura which was even better than I expected! Then we got a crunchy roll and the funky margarita roll. The crunchy roll was really good but not what I was expecting. It isn't your typical crunchy but it is really fantastic, just beware it is almost twice the size of a typical sushi roll. I loved the funky margarita roll but our waitress later told us some people don't like it. It is almost an Asian Mexican fusion sushi roll. It has spicy crawfish inside and topped with tuna and salmon. Then they put a guacamole with a bit of wasabi mixed into it on top of the entire roll. Sounds really weird but I thought it was great! I will defiantly be going back for another of one of those. Defiantly try this if you are in to fun creative sushi. If you just wan't classic sushi this is not the roll for you! We also got the cheese cake tempura which was great too! All in all, go try this place! Really nice people working there and they provide great service and have fantastic fun creative sushi rolls. A very nice change from the typical sushi you find in New Orleans. GO.
(5)
Nikit K.
Pricey but soooooo fresh and delicious. Must have tropical roll. Love how they make the mustard for the shumai.
(5)
George F.
Great sushi!! My new favorite place to eat sushi In
(4)
Bryan S.
If you like Little Tokyo, you will like Origami which was started by a few people who used to work there, so some of the rolls are the same as Little Tokyo. The miso soup is good, and all the rolls are great. The Poboy roll is as good as the Little Tokyo original.. Would like to see them create a few more original rolls and other menu items.
(4)
Ben C.
The Roll selection is great i've been there numerous times and never had the same thing. The service staff and chefs are great, the chefs often engage me and ask about my order, and how i liked it and generally are nice people and happy to be there conversing with you and working. I love the place i go there at least two times a month. The meals are delicious and the presentation is always top notch too. 5 stars from me. I would highly recommend you make a trip to origami.
(5)
Laura D.
Best sushi in New Orleans! Steve is first class. The sushi is fresh and inventive. Origami is a must every time is come back home to New Orleans!
(5)
Christine N.
If authentic sushi and fresh fish is what you're looking for, this is the place. The uni (sea urchin), oyster shooters, sweet shrimp, etc is always fresh and delicious. I love the modern yet retro atmosphere. If the menu doesn't have what you're craving for, feel free to request something from the sushi chefs. Friendly staff and great service. Origami is my new sushi spot in New Orleans.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Damian P.
Sushi Lover's Heaven. Take your pick and enjoy all there sushi.
(5)Lady R.
Like other commenters mentioned, the service is slow. Between that and menus that severely needed cleaning, they lose a star. We sat there watching the waiter joke with the cooks and bartender for a while after we had closed our menus and made it clear we were ready to order. But the food was great. They serve Poke salad which isn't always on sushi menus and I really love it. I got a fairly large portion of it for $10. I requested the sauce be served on the side in case it was too spicy for my sensitive palate. For some reason, the waiter placed a fork on my plate when he served it- but he didn't do the same for my friend who ordered the same dish prepared in the same way maybe ten minutes later. I wasn't sure if I should be grateful or offended but I just went ahead and tore it up with chopsticks. Ultimately left full and happy. Would go again but will definitely go knowing the service won't be stellar.
(4)Katie S.
Origami is in my top 2 places to get sushi in this city. In fact, I like it so much, I don't really even want to tell you about it. My only regret is that I don't get down to Freret Street nearly enough to visit every time I want sushi. I originally went when it was newer and was suggested to go by word of mouth. They seemed to have some service issues when they first opened but all seems to have been resolved and I've had nothing but glowing and happy experiences here ever since. The ambiance is super nice and clean. It's nicer looking than most sushi places but not trendy-looking and still perfectly casual. The sushi chefs seems to be really accommodating for custom sushi arrangements or special requests. The sushi quality is consistently great. The owner also seems to be there a lot and you can tell it makes a big difference service-wise. Everyone is super friendly and the sushi chefs are always big on keeping their customers at the sushi bar entertained and happy during peak dining hours. Everyone is sort of just "happy looking" when they eat here. I can't explain it exactly. This place just always seems to have a really great vibe going. It's perfect for a group or date night followed by a stroll down Freret Street. The Poke Salad is a unique staple on this menu. You will also notice in the pictures section that there are a few unique speciality rolls like the Funky Margarita Roll. The Tiger Roll is probably my favorite so far but there are still plenty of other things I want to try from this place still, like their Salmon Carpaccio, and I keep seeing people getting these giant custom chirashi sushi spreads that look fantastic! So I really need to go back and ask about that stuff so I can write an update soon on my newer and more daring experiences.
(5)Camille P.
Eh....I hate to say it but I wasn't impressed. I mean from the tap water lemonade to the bland teriyaki I just left wanting more. Love the space and the waitstaff was so kind but they gotta do more with the menu. Omg that salad dressing in the salad served in the bento box was like chewing minced meat. And idk what kinda soy sauce they have but it's a salt lick! Man, I wanted to love this place. ...eh oh well.
(3)Henry H.
This place is very meh in my opinion. They overdo it on the rice and their specialty rolls. I've had the blackjack roll and a couple others. They just put too much everything. I like my sushi to taste like sushi not some sweet mushy mess.
(2)Kelsey H.
I love this place. From the moment i walked in I fell in love. Working here was also a blessing. Sushi is always fresh, seeing everything being made in the back definitely made working/eating here more enjoyable. The chirashi is my all time favorite thing. Fresh fish, seaweed salad, squid salad, rice soup and salad. Definitely worth it. Haven't found a single place in this city that does it like them. Sushi chefs are amazing and funny! Talk to them, they have amazing stories to tell you! I'd say my all time favorite sushi place anywhere in the country. Hamachi is to die for, stuffed jalapeños as well. Special rolls are huge so eat with caution but totally worth it for the prices
(5)Niki M.
Origami is one of my favorite places to stop in and pick up some food. I am absolutely in love with their poke salad! It's an AMAZING deal at $8.95. It's loaded with big chunks of tuna and veggies. What really sets it apart from other poke salads is the slightly spicy dressing. I could literally drink it. On my last visit, instead of just doing my regular pick up, I decided to sit at the bar and order an appetizer. I got the curried soft shell crab. It was to die for and a reasonable $9.95. I easily made a meal out of that and a small house salad. The reason for four stars instead of five? I found the service at the bar to be slow and lacking attention. All in all though, I still highly recommend Origami for the tasty food and very reasonable prices.
(4)Jeanne H.
Not the fastest service but the sushi is delicious
(5)Vicky L.
I've been here a handful of times before, and was not impressed. I never got around to reviewing them before last week's visit, and I would have given them 2 stars before. My recent visit, about a week ago, I was really impressed with the service and food, so I'm giving them 3 stars today. Their sashimi platter is HUGE, especially at that price. Its made for sharing. Order that, along with a few rolls, you're going to be rolling out of there happy and stuffed. Pro-tip: Be discerning about where you sit. If you're claustrophobic, there are a few places that make it miserable. Then there's also the booth that gets all the air-conditioning.
(3)Chef D.
The BEST best Japanese restaurant in NOLA. We live in the neighborhood and eat there often. Everything is consistently fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I'm not a big fan of sushi, but the rolls and sashimi that I see coming out of the sushi bar look incredible. Our faves are the curry soft shell crab appetizer (OMG!! Best soft shell in NOLA, except maybe Clancy's), the Zaru Soba, and the salmon teriyaki side. A great meal to share with 2.
(5)Melanie T.
One of my favorite sushi joints in New Orleans! I go every time I'm in town and my parents go at least once a week. They have a miso eggplant that is to die for! Portions are large and the fish is super fresh, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(5)Vlad S.
Place is nice. We came at 3.30 and ordered 2 rolls and 2 soups, it's 4 now and weee! rolls r finnaly on the table
(2)Stephanie D.
Usually a huge fan of this establishment. Maybe it's their intricate specialty rolls or the nostalgia of being back at my old stomping grounds, but tonight's dinner was worse than the morning after a night out at tucks. The sashimi dinner was with out a doubt the worst I've had in the city. Very disappointed considering the pictures all look so good. I give the one star for our waiter who was tonight's only redeeming quality, otherwise a total wash
(1)Kris A.
Clean modern decor. Homemade gyoza:) yummy poke salad and that gets extra points because not everybody offers it. Yellowtail AND salmon hamachi kama- impressive. Warning- they hide wasabi under the fish in their sushi. Now I know- no more surprises. Theres nothing like a surprise wake up call to the sinus cavity! Overall we enjoyed ourselves and I highly recommend if youre in the neighborhood.
(4)Angela P.
The sushi is fresh and good.The miso is flavorful, yet mild. The noodle bowls are large and delicious. The staff is friendly. It is family friendly, while still feeling like a nice restaurant.
(4)Judy C.
This is a lovely restaurant close to Tulane's campus; it is about a 15 minute walk. The sushi rolls were yummy and the cost ran from $5 to $15 per order. I went with a group of 6 so we were able to get a large variety of sushi to share. We had everything from eel, spicy tuna, smoked salmon, crunchy roll, stuffed jalapenos, to shrimp and vegetable tempura. All and all, the bill came out to $13 a person. Also, the sushi chef was extremely friendly. He stopped us right before we left the restaurant and held a brief conversation with us.
(4)Sidney C.
On a weekday (evening), we walked in and were immediately seated. We really enjoyed this place. High quality sushi, hot saki, and ice cold Sapporo. Winning combination.
(4)Angelina B.
Best sashimi I've had in nola, easily. But it's pretty obvious that the reviews for this place either aren't read by the management, or they just don't care: the service is freaking horrible. There was a clump of waitstaff gossiping in the back corner, though it wasn't remotely close to closing, and they did jack to remedy what turned into a total service fiasco. Our waitress was dressed like someone on her way to a Bourbon bachelorette party - everything was hanging out - and she had no idea what was going on. She took 30 minutes to take our order, and 30 minutes after that she arrived with someone else's appetizer, which we returned. She brought one of our two appetizers, noticed our waters were empty, took my sister's request for lemon for her water, and disappeared. The second appetizer arrived, cold, after twenty minutes. One water was refilled by a different waiter - the other three remained empty for the entire evening. She brings us someone else's sushi, we return it. Brings us the first of our rolls, has no idea what they are, so she points at a roll and says it has mango on it. Whatever. She brings us the second round with reasonable alacrity, still doesn't know what she's giving us. The sushi is delicious, though. At the end of the meal, we have no water, my sister got nary a lemon slice, and it takes thirty minutes for the check to arrive. My impression is this: these people seem to think they're running a Quarter business, and that doesn't fly in Uptown. It doesn't matter how good your food is, if it's expensive and your service is the worst this side of the highway, it's just not going to work out. I'm a service worker myself, and I still couldn't bring myself to tip the waitress - it was that bad. Origami, read your reviews and DO SOMETHING.
(3)Lauren W.
Came here craving a good sushi deal. The lunch special is approx. $11 and comes with Miso soup, salad, and 3 rolls. That's a great deal! I got the spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, and fresh salmon/avocado. All 3 were very tasty. I only wish it came with masago and sesame seeds. I should have asked for some on the side. This meal provided me lunch and dinner, so I was very happy.
(4)Marielle S.
I am SO glad that I waited for Origami to get settled in before I tried it. On the night that we went it wasn't crowded at all and the service was great! We were seated at a booth and after looking over the menu, we decided to order the salmon sashimi, the tiger roll and the margarita roll. The salmon sashimi was really fresh and cut thick. This might sound silly, but I liked that it was cut into an even number of pieces so that each person gets their fair share. The margarita roll was excellent was reminiscent of the margarita rolls I had had at other sushi places. By far the star of the meal was the tiger roll. I can't find a menu, so I can't find the exact ingredients, but it was SO GOOD. Like... so good I might order two the next time I go. I could have eaten the entire thing on my own! Origami is a little more expensive than other sushi places, but the atmosphere and service was great and the food was excellent. I will definitely be back!
(4)Gina L.
Love this spot!! Chef Steve is amazing and you can meet him at the sushi bar. The quality of food is fresh and is probably the best place I've had sushi in Nola. Service is prompt and prices are decent. The margarita roll has guacamole on top (I know it sounds weird at first, but the idea is genius), and is one of my favs! Parking can be a pain, but I usually don't have any issues finding a spot on the street.
(4)Stephen H.
My new favorite sushi spot in NOLA. Everything was fresh, staff was awesome and Steve Nguyen's passion for detail really shows when you taste the sushi. He made me a Funky Margarita with spicy tuna and it was stupendous. Fresh homemade guacamole and perfect fish set this roll above the rest
(5)Margaret D.
Sushi rolls are not very good. The grilled mushroom roll was almost inedible. I'm not vegetarian, but it sounded good. It ended up being terrible. The other rolls we tried ranged from eh to just ok. They were all kind of sloppily out together with tons of rice that made some hard to eat in one bite and the fish did not seem to be the freshest. The atmosphere is fine, but they could use some music. It was oddly quiet. Service was friendly, but a bit slow and inattentive.
(2)Jill D.
When I'm in New Orleans I probably go to Origami about once a month. This isn't because it's super tasty, it just happens to be the closest sushi place to my house. I can not speak to their other entrees since I have only ever gotten sushi, but from what I've experienced the food is mediocre. Their sushi rolls are huge, I'm talking some of the biggest rolls I've ever had. Some people love this, but in my opinion makes it more of a rice ball more than a piece of sushi, as well as increases the difficulty of eating. So while you are getting more of a bang for your buck, you are also not getting that desired sushi full. On top of that, they use imitation crab. This is a huge pet-peeve of mine because a nice sushi restaurant should be serving fresh fish not fake crab! (This might be my northern blood talking though.) Last time I went there I got the yami yami roll, the tiger roll, and a snow crab roll. The yami yami was by farr the best. And it was covered in eel sauce which makes any meal taste good. All-in-all, the people at origami are really friendly and it's atmosphere is pleasant. On top of that, you can go there without spending too much and get really full. I'll go back to Origami, and if you live close, you should too but just keep in mind nothing you order will be drool inducing.
(4)Chrissy G.
Excellent sushi! Only downside is that the place has a old smell-- like it needs air freshener. Kind of affects your experience.
(4)Rachel L.
Fish was fresh, I especially liked the salmon, it was like eating fatty salmon. Eel was perfectly made, better than most eel I've had in California. Was slightly disappointed that the chef couldn't make the special open sushi plate because it was busy, therefore we didn't get to try smelt and oyster. There's always a next time when I'm back in this city.
(4)Joi B.
**Stellar lunch specials** But first let me remark on the chandeliers that appear to be dripping with swan feathers. Now, I'm sure they are not actual swan feathers, but how gorgeously Josephine Bakeresque! On a similar note, while Origami may not be as disco-sushi- fabulous as Sake Cafe (read: trendy), I like their ambiance a great deal more. It's half way between authentic Japanese minimalism, with a more sleek & modern appeal. The long sushi bar is more inviting and less intimidating than at most Japanese restaurants I've been to, with young, friendly sushi chefs behind them (one female! So awesome). On to our meal. There is a lunch menu with reasonable prices for Bento boxes and sushi/sashimi plates. I got three vegetarian rolls (choose from avocado, cucumber and asparagus) for 11.95 which included soup *and* salad. Everything was fresh, flavorful and the sushi chef arranged my wasabi in a leaf and carrots in the shape of blossoms. How lovely can you get? Our waitress was as sweet as pie, speedy (much appreciated at crunch, I mean lunch time) and our water glasses were never empty. Note that there are a fair number of vegetarian options. I look forward to returning regularly. Tofu steak, here's looking at you!
(4)Thuy L.
Origami is my go to spot. Is rather my husband take me here vs a fine dining. I know I'll be serve well and honestly.
(5)Suzanne C.
Note to Origami: if your host can't hear me on the phone, your phone is in the wrong place. Note to potential diners: the servers at Origami don't know what MSG is, nor could they tell me if it appeared in any of their food. For people with MSG allergies, that's dangerous. The manager I finally spoke to insisted there was no MSG in the soy sauce, but soy sauce is pretty low on the list of offenders these days. I need to know if the udon dishes are safe, especially if I'm coming to eat the udon with a bud who is allergic to MSG. Note to anyone who manages or owns Origami who is reading: I shouldn't have to go through three staffers to get simple answers, nor should I be passed around like a hot potato or subjected to the least informed staff at your prices. Get it together so folks with allergies feel safe patronizing your establishment. You absolutely lost some dinner guests over this one. Maybe I'm just grumpy, but I think it's fair to want my friends to have safe dinners and make informed decisions about their food. Accessibility notes: Ramp is on side of building. No braille menu or signage. Can get loud at peak hours.
(1)Gina G.
This is a great sushi destination. My favorite is their stuffed jalapenos. Wow! They have it listed as a special of the day but it really should be listed on their appetizers section. And those chandeliers; I couldn't stop looking at them. It's like they were made from feathers. So beautiful.
(4)John L. H.
Located in the old Sitting Duck, Origami is very good. Freret Street has come a long way since I used to visit in the 90s. When I visited the bar that formerly occupied this space, I was always worried that I would be bashed over the head when walking to my car. It amazes me how much this area has moved towards the high end, and Origami fits in very well. The restaurant has a large sushi bar and several large booths along the wall. The booths have very high backs which seem to give more privacy than the traditional low backed variety. On the night I visited there were more staff than customers which should have meant fast service, but there were some hiccups. I had to wait far too long to receive the bill, and once I received it, they disappeared never to return. It was a good thing I had cash or I may still be waiting for my card to be swiped. The food was excellent. I was highly impressed by the combination of flavors in the special rolls, and the quality of the ingredients. The food was on the expensive side, but for a fancy place, I think it was worth it. If you are looking for a high end sushi experience, give Origami a try.
(4)Tzippi D.
Loved this Japanese restaurant. Food was just what we were looking for. Excellently prepared with perfect seasoning. Very friendly, attentive service. Nice calm ambience. Eggplant dengaku to die for. Likewise beef yakisoba. I'm not a sushi eater but my daughter had Funky Margarita with crawfish and loved it. Has a nice spicy guacamole on top.
(5)Jennie A.
The sushi is okay as are the other plates offered at Origami. Nothing over the top or amazing... Decent sushi.
(3)Sam 'Wags' W.
Among the top couple up-scale sushi restaurants, located in the ever improving Freret corridor. The menu of sushi and sashimi is quite extensive and a bit on the pricey side. If you are looking for an up-scale option over the beat-nick Mikimodo crowd, Origami is your fold of paper.
(5)Colin A.
The vegetarian gyoza dumplings were a little bland, but the sushi was great. I had the Black Jack roll, which was delicious and some tuna and salmon sashimi. All of the fish was great, and the prices were about as fair as sushi gets around here.
(3)Daniel B.
It's not like I really like writing bad reviews, but here goes. We are tried and true Sake Cafe goers, but decided to try something new. Bad idea. The interior is bland and the seats are cold, uninviting, and uncomfortable. Aside from one other table, we were the only people in the place (another bad sign). The service was acceptable, but the sushi was seriously sub par. I mean this when I say.... you can go to any Rouses grocery store and get much better (with much better presentation) sushi than Origami. That pretty much says it all right there. Won't be back...Sake Cafe here we come again!
(1)Brittany K.
I'm a big fan of origami! The miso soup is really good and the sara roll is my go-to. It is overflowing with the crunchy stuff on top, but I love it. There is a "hidden" menu that doesn't show up on their website that has some delish rolls (including the sara roll and fresh salmon roll that I can recall off the top of my head). If you go to the restaurant, their menu lists everything. I typically order to go here and it's always pretty quick, even when I just go and order at the bar. Would definitely recommend!
(4)David L.
Very solid sushi joint. Owner is friendly (maybe too friendly), service is fast, and free poke salad at the sushi bar! Good neighborhood sushi joint.
(4)Darla L.
Went here for dinner with a close friend. I had peeked at their Yelp reviews before going to get a handle on the best menu items which turned out to be their special rolls. After having the Geisha roll and the Margarita roll, I couldn't agree more. They were absolutely delicious --- much better than what I've had at Ninja for the price you pay! They have a very nice interior and very roomy booth seats with large tables. Service was excellent. Would definitely recommend for any occasion.
(5)Paul B.
I have no idea what the reviewers below were thinking but this was BY FAR the worst sushi and sushi experience we have ever had! For starters, the sake was lukewarm at best. The poke salad was drenched in some sort of sauce with no flavor and the fish was FAR from tender. The fish being raw should not be "chewy". Had the Gustavo roll based on others reviews. Chopped tuna with a ton of rice around it- nothing like the description. And it tasted like dog food. We sent that roll back and the server had the nerve to tell us-after we said the roll was disgusting-well that is the Gustav roll. She did not ask if we wanted anything else to eat or drink and did not come back until we flagged her down for the bill. By the way, it was 5:00 and there were a total of 4 customers in the entire place at the time. Overall I give this place 0 stars for food and if I could give a negative for service I would! There are many other sushi places in this city-AVOID ORIGAMI!!!!
(1)Jinyoung P.
Had a sushi date here with my friend K last week. We ordered a specialty roll (I forget the name and can't find the menu online) and three of the more standard rolls. I really wish I had the menu in front of me so I could tell you what they were, but I gotta say that the specialty roll was off the hook. When I go back next, I definitely want to try some of the other ones! Service was good. Our server checked in with us often enough but not too much. Overall a pleasant experience with delicious sushi in my tummy.
(4)Dominique L.
in being allergic to fish (not shellfish) I had never had sushi until 2 years ago when I took a chance on one of their avocado rolls. I've gotten more adventurous and have never had a problem. they even make the lobster roll for me with out imitation crab. I recommend the poboy roll and the shigure appetizer for any fish allergies!! their soft shell crab specials & oysters shooters are also fantastic! perfect rice, crisp fresh ingredients, great presentation & a beautiful atmosphere! perfection all around!!
(5)Liz C.
Origami is a classic New Orleans sushi joint: slow-paced service, affordable and delicious sushi. Lots of creative rolls here, and the portions are perfect for making two meals out of a dish. Three rolls split between two people will be MORE than enough to share. I have dined in and picked up from here three or four times, and the staff are always extremely friendly and accommodating. Minus one star because the feel of the restaurant isn't very authentic, but that could just be my lingering haunting memories of Friar Tuck's (the business that once inhabited the building). :P
(4)Seth B.
It's a typical sushi joint in New Orleans so the food is pretty good. The service can be a bit bizarre and slow so I recommend take out. For the area I think they do a really good job and it's party of the Freret St food scene!!
(4)Jen L.
The first time I went to Origami it had only been open a couple of weeks & the service was comical rather than bad. I watched confused waitstaff pinball off of each other in confusion over who was responsible for what. The rolls & sushi were good though, so knew I would be back. Fast forward to my most recent couple of visits, both times we were large groups (6ish) and were seated right away (even over Mardi Gras weekend). The staffing issues seemed to have been solved. I've now tried a good portion of their menu and I've not been wowed by anything. The portions on some rolls are huge (which can lead to massive over ordering). And I've gotten a couple of items that had ingredients that weren't listed on the menu which was odd (and off putting for one of my friends). The space is lovely and the location is convenient for me. But I've not been wowed by the food, so while I won't cross it off the list, it won't be my first choice.
(3)M E.
Found this on Yelp. Had a bunch of rolls. Thought all the seafood was fresher than the average American sushi place. Thought some of their house special rolls were great (sorry, forget which ones). The reviewers that mention bad service are accurate. It's just standard inattentive sushi place service -- the people are nice if you can get one to your table. The LOL moment is when we waited 15 minutes for a bowl of ice cream at the end. You know. Because it's hard to scoop ice cream...
(4)Jasmine H.
Some of the best sushi I have tried in New Orleans - I will definitely be coming back. They have a good selection of rolls, as well as salads, other Japanese entrees (grilled dishes, sushi & sashimi etc), noodles, tempura and a few desserts. I ordered the tiger roll (highly recommended) and tried a few others - they were loaded with decent quality fish and were delicious. Some of the dishes on the menu show a Vietnamese / Chinese influence - for example, you can order sriracha sauce on top of your sushi, if you like a bit of extra spice. The only downside was that the service was a little sloppy, although we did have a group of more than 20 people.
(4)Andrea Joy A.
I really struggled with deciding whether to give this 2 stars or 1. In a nutshell: the food here was good. Not great, but good. However, the service quite possibly was the worst I have ever experienced. Went here with my husband, brother, and brother's girlfriend. Full disclosure: it was Mardi Gras evening which meant that many restaurants were closed for the holiday, however this one was not. That said, the restaurant was less than half full and we called ahead to inquire as to the kitchen wait-time. We were told it would only be 30 minutes. We were seated promptly and ordered a mix of sushi and appetizers. It was obvious that our waiter struggled with English but my husband speaks Japanese and was able to get our point across. I ordered an appetizer as an entree (as there weren't many vegetarian options) and he confirmed that it would come out with the entrees rather than beforehand. 20 minutes later, my entree arrived as an appetizer. Meanwhile, the edamame we ordered was nowhere to be found. The sushi came shortly thereafter, but my husband's chicken yaki soba was missing. After politely waiting for his to come for 5-10 minutes (it's not like our sushi was getting cold) and being unable to find our waiter, we asked a different waitress where the yaki soba was. She told us it was coming out "soon." In that time we also noticed our waiter in a confrontation with another table about what they were alleging was a double charge on their credit card. Also during this time we were out of water. We asked the available waitress (since our waiter was very much preoccupied and not attentive) for water but then she disappeared. Finally, our waiter came over and gave my brother and his girlfriend water, and then disappeared to refill the pitcher leaving my husband and i with no water for 5-10 more minutes. In approximately 15 minutes of waiting for my husband's meal, we asked multiple serves multiple times (not just our own) how long it would be. All we were told was "soon" or "in a few minutes." FInally, when our frustration became quite obvious, our sheepish waiter admitted that the kitchen had just started cooking it (at this point the rest of us had finished eating) and said, "do you still want it?" Umm...what else is he going to do? Not eat dinner? My husband's yaki soba finally came approximately 30 minutes after the sushi came out, and it was much too hot to eat. The rest of us ended up watching him eat the piping hot food since we had nothing left to munch on. The icing on the cake was when the bill came: the waiter had given us a whopping 10% off the yaki soba due to my insisting that it be free (80 cents off is what they gave us instead) but charged us for the edamame that never came. We had to send the check back. For the first time in my entire life we left no tip. When we walked out there was another party leaving, who had had the same server. We overheard them saying they had chosen to leave cash in the hostess jar rather than for the waiter. That makes three disgruntled groups of diners (don't forget the party who was double charged) in an hour time period. It takes a lot for the service to be so bad as to overshadow good food. But, one star it is.
(1)Stephen H.
This is one of our favorite sushi spots. The food is always good. Rice krispy and tuna sandwich are must try items. The service, however reminds me of football players that look good during training but choke under pressure. Go here on a busy night and you'll understand. Our most recent trip though was great. Our server Twee? Tui? was extremely attentive and fun. In addition to being friendly, funny and on point, she went to bar tending school where she learned a red snapper, kamikaze, long island ice tea.......you get the picture. So not only can she recommend a dinner item, but she can get you tipsy at the same time. I think I may be in love. Don't tell my wife..
(4)Rene D.
I'm hesitant to write a review for a place that's so new. But my experience was so lovely, I want to share. if you're going to try out a place, by all means do it on a night when most New Orleanians are glued to TV sets watching football. It's as if you've purchased the place out for the night and are greeted by pleasant servers. The space is spartan in decor. But, that's not the point. I came for the fish, and boy, was it great. High quality and great variety. I ordered only sashimi; I can't talk about 10-ingredient rolls that are deep fried and sauces masking the flavors of the fish. I know it's raw; if you don't want to eat raw food, then don't brag about how much you love sushi. Others did mention the service, and can say, for an empty place and quite a few staff members standing around with nothing to do, my beverages should have arrived much faster. With encouraging the staff to pick up the pace, Origami will be a great place for sushi Uptown. Finally!
(4)Moira R.
I was quite impressed with the decor here. The restaurant is extremely clean and very modern looking. My lady friend and I decided to go for a visit last night after hearing about their tempura banana dish. We love fried banana dishes so this was right up my ally. It was a Monday night at 9PM. So, I wasn't that surprised that the place was fairly empty with just a few people sitting at the bar. They attended to us reasonably quickly and let us sit wherever we liked. We ordered two hot green teas and the tempura banana dish. The tea was good. The banana dish arrived beautifully displayed with a small dish of ice cream. I ordered mango ice cream to go with the banana. Either the mango flavor was very strange or we actually had lychee ice cream. I'm not sure. Either way, the ice cream was good but different tasting. The service was good and our tea pot was refilled when it was empty. For $10 it was a good evening dessert and tea outing.
(3)Victoria T.
Finally i got the chance to try origami considering how close it is to my campus. I liked the decor in the restaruant, small, quaint and the ambiance was comforting. Now on to food! We ordered the crispy rice, Jackpot roll, and you can't go wrong with the baked salmon. To start off, the crispy rice consists of three mini crispy rice squares and on top of each rice had something different on it, the first one had spicy crawfish, the second had tuna, and the last had tofu on top. the portions for these were just right and the sauce to on these added a good extra flavor to them. The Jackpot roll is a deep fried roll with salmon and tuna, sriracha (which i love), and eel sauce. It tasted just lovely. They had a lot of other special rolls on the menu I will come back and try too. Overall I enjoyed eating here and the prices here are reasonable considering the portions here are huge, which is a good thing. I will definitey come back to try other things
(4)Christine G.
I really love coming in to Origami. The calm decor and quiet music, make it a real retreat between meetings. My favorite roll is the Gustar roll, delicious with plenty of salmon and fresh mango. They are also very generous with the shrimp in tempura orders, which is a delight. Service staff are calm, accomodating, and reflect the restaurant's peaceful and inviting vibe.
(5)Kim-Thao H.
A very pleasant experience! I was very hesitant to try this place because of the previous reviews, but this place is literally 2 minutes away from my school so what the hay! Why not?! Upon walking in the door, my eyes were immediately drawn to the big round lights hanging from the ceiling. They literally look like balls with cut paper hanging around them! They're very different, but pretty cool I have to add. The restaurant has nice decor and a very chill atmosphere. Very spacious too! My friend and I came around 5 pm on a weekday so the restaurant was pretty much empty when we came. The waittress was very sweet and benevolent and the service was spot on! I didn't expect any less since we were one of the few people in there. Hahha. So my advice would be to try this place on a weekday when it's not busy, then your experience would be as delightful as mine! Now on to the food business. We ordered the Beef Tataki as our appetizer. Let me start by saying that this is definitely not your typical beef tataki. At most Japanese restaurants, beef tataki is thinly sliced beed cooked rare on a bed of onions and ponzu sauce. Here, it's completely different! The pieces of beef are larger, but still tender and good. It's served with lettuce and spinach! Never seen that before! The sauce is more of a citrus lime/lemon flavor and it comes with sriracha sauce on the side of course! We both really enjoyed this dish; it may be different but in a good way! As for rolls, we decided on three special rolls: the Tiger Roll, Gustav Roll, and Jackpot Roll. All of them were really good! The fish was fresh and they really hit the spot. The Tiger Roll comes with salmon, tuna, whitefish, eel, crunchy, and eel sauce. Very standard, but good! The Gustav Roll came with cream cheese, spicy tuna, salmon, mango, and a sweet chili sauce. I'm not a big fan of cream cheese, so I took it out, A very refreshing and light roll! As with anything with mango, YUMMM! The Jackpot roll was a deep-fried roll with tuna and a couple other things I don't remember. Teehee. Sorry, long day of school! It came with eel sauce, spicy mayo, and sriracha. I was worried I wouldn't like it, because i have tried other fried rolls before that I thought were a bit overwhelming, but this wasn't at all! The rolls are very good, but not the best I ever had and not enough for me to give 5 stars. Sorry! Dessert time! Of course only my galfriend and I would be fat enough to eat all that and STILL have room for dessert! No meal is complete without something sweet! Teehee :) We got our beloved fried cheesecake and mango ice cream (red bean ran out :() The tempura cheesecake was decadent and fresh! I lovedddd that the batter was crispy! Just how I like it! But the mango ice cream tasted more like melon. Hrmmm maybe they mixed it up. Overall, still very satisfying! I can't wait to come back and try some more of these goodies!
(4)Troy D.
Really enjoyed meal there with my wife last night. Only thing i can complain about is the booths. Seats are a little too far from table to eat comfortably. Sushi was fresh and flavorful. We will be back.
(5)Casey M.
The sushi gets 5 stars. The service gets -3 stars for being extraordinarily slow. The chef gets -1 star for talking more than doing his job. Therefore overall rating is 1 star. For anyone interested in rice, the rice is excellent.
(1)Sean K.
I have a habit of going to Kyoto on Sunday nights, all geared up for gorging on lots of fine piscine flesh. Problem. Kyoto is closed on Sundays. Solution. Origami. I typically eat right at the bar, but I thought Origami's double-wide booth tables were great for arranging several shared plates at a time. I won't belabor how much I like the squid salad from Kyoto, but Origami's is equal to if not greater than. (Still runner up to Domenica's octo carpaccio in the cold seafood dish category). If there were a Creole Creamery next door, this place would dislodge Kyoto from the top of my favorite sushi places slash easy prepackaged date night destinations. Still, it's yet another place doing good things on Freret, so domo arigato for that, y'all.
(4)Dmitri S.
I went for the first time ever today and LOVED IT! I got the grilled mackerel dinner plate. I guess nobody really buys that, because the owner and employees were surprised. I enjoyed the food, and also got a free miso soup and red bean ice cream (which they don't sell). But I had a nice conversation with the owner and 2 employees. The service was good and I will for sure be back.
(5)Lianna P.
Went here for lunch today with a friend who lives close by and eats here a lot. How insanely lucky for us! The head sushi chef guided us through a succession of dishes at his whim, starting with a mini Poke Salad for each of us. I've never liked squid before, but I loved it today. (Quick note on the ambience: sleek, lacquered traditional Japanese meets modern New Orleans with a few weird tchotchkes. A+). Next was the Tuna Sandwich, a cute and funny take on the traditional with raw tuna "bread" hugging a generous portion of crab mix, avocado and some type of sauce. Delicious. Then came some Jalapeno Poppers, filled with cream cheese and tuna tartare, and fried lightly in tempura batter--a yummy twist on a classic, and not something you'd expect at a sushi spot. After that, some flavorful miso soup and another two rolls pulled it all together. It was the perfect amount of food, so fresh I felt like I was actually tasting the ocean my tuna swam in. The chef conversed with us throughout, telling us what he was creating. Service was polite and attentive without being intrusive (dishes bussed promptly, water refilled). I'd definitely recommend a visit.
(5)Kimberly J.
This delicious addition to Freret St. Origami is on par with the best sushi restaurants in the city with a modern fresh flair. Service was better than most and the rolls are creative. Just before posting this review, I read the others. I think they've worked out some of the kinks others complained about just after opening. Our server was fantastic, our rolls were amazingly good and everything arrived in a timely manner. I will be back to continue sampling the unique special rolls category!
(4)Kelsey G.
I'm hoping that my experience was because we were too eager to see some sushi standoff between another local place and here prove that the one within walking distance would be better. It probably doesn't help that we had gone in during their first month of operation, but that shouldn't be an excuse for any new place, it should be the exception for why it stood out as extraordinary. Sadly, it was just ordinary. After what seemed a long ordeal to get drinks and appetizers, ordering sushi as a vegetarian was somewhat embarrassing for myself as well as our server. She was perplexed at my request to build my own roll because their vegan options were not what I had hoped for. When I decided to settle and order their veggie roll with one thing substituted, she came back to tell me the sushi chef was kinda bothered and confused and then charged me an additional fee for the switch (really, because my slice of mango was so unusual and your asparagus cost so much less?) My friends said they enjoyed their fish rolls but probably wouldn't go back just because the slow service, attitude and lack-of New Orleans charm cancelled out any piece of sushi that they liked. Looks like we'll continue our trek down to the other local Japanese favorite.
(2)Katie T.
I enjoyed my first experience at Origami. My mom and I decided stray from our usual Kyoto to try it out. We were really glad we did. Not sure how the who sushi biz works, but there were rolls that I have had at other places on the menu that I thought were exclusive to those places. Guess they trade recipes or something. Anyway, we shared the cucumber salad which was amazing, got miso soup of course, and we shared the Sara roll which is on the Kyoto menu and the Burning Woman roll which is on the Little Tokyo menu. Both rolls were awesome. I think Origami's version of the Burning Woman is actually better. The pepper tuna on top is soooooo good. We also shared a bottle of sake which was just ok. I will be gracing Origami with my business again and soon I am sure since I work so close to it.
(4)Johnny B.
This is one of only a few authentic Japanese restaurants in New Orleans. I have never had a bad experience. Make sure you try the Chirashi. Excellent fresh sushi.
(5)Ben C.
The Roll selection is great i've been there numerous times and never had the same thing. The service staff and chefs are great, the chefs often engage me and ask about my order, and how i liked it and generally are nice people and happy to be there conversing with you and working. I love the place i go there at least two times a month. The meals are delicious and the presentation is always top notch too. 5 stars from me. I would highly recommend you make a trip to origami.
(5)Laura D.
Best sushi in New Orleans! Steve is first class. The sushi is fresh and inventive. Origami is a must every time is come back home to New Orleans!
(5)Christine N.
If authentic sushi and fresh fish is what you're looking for, this is the place. The uni (sea urchin), oyster shooters, sweet shrimp, etc is always fresh and delicious. I love the modern yet retro atmosphere. If the menu doesn't have what you're craving for, feel free to request something from the sushi chefs. Friendly staff and great service. Origami is my new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(5)Jonathan D.
Nice ambiance, pleasant staff, very fast and efficient take-out ordering, large menu with a lot of options (appetizers, miso, udon, soba, salad, teryaki, sushi, etc.), and very fresh-tasting fish. The Poke Salad ($8.95) -- with sliced cucumbers, tuna sashimi, squid, a little bit of seaweed and a spicy ponzu sauce -- is very refreshing and flavorful. It could be a light lunch all by itself. But here comes the negative: Too many menu items usually indicates a lack of focus in the kitchen, and this appears to be the case at Origami. They would do well to focus on a few things that they are very good at, rather than trying to cater to everyone. One thing that they are not very talented at, I am afraid to report, is the creative sushi roll. The combinations sound really good on paper, but aren't so great in execution. For instance the Burning Man Roll (~$12) contains two kinds of spiced tuna, avocado, panko and eel sauce. The mushy tuna mix inside had an unpleasant texture and flavor, and the roll was not well constructed, so that it fell apart when being lifted with chopsticks. The size of the roll was very generous, but it is not something I would ever order again. Ditto for the Tiger Roll (~$15) with three kinds of fish, eel and smelt roe; again, the construction was very poor, and the flavor was mediocre. In my mind, what distinguishes great sushi from merely competent sushi is excellent construction and fresh, bold flavors. These sushi rolls were lacking in both departments.
(3)Ivana J.
We ordered a salmon avocado roll and yellowtail roll to go and ate it by the river. It may have partly been the ambiance, but I found the sushi delicious. There was ample fish in each roll and the rolls were a good size. It was nothing spectacular, but I was not disappointed.
(4)Amanda M.
Had a pleasant experience at Origami last night. As other posters have mentioned, they did a great job renovating dingy Friar Tucks. It is well decorated, with a calming atmosphere. We had great service, and our waiter worked hard to be sure we had everything we wanted, were never short on water etc. Pretty typical roll prices - $5 for the standard rolls, $10-$15 for the specialties. While that may seem high for specialty rolls, these were huge! We got the Tiger Roll (which was fine) and the Burning Man Roll (which was amazing). There were a lot of other interesting specialty rolls on the menu that I am excited to come back and try. Really my only issue was that my Special Eel Roll was completely falling apart. 6 of the 8 pieces unravelled as I picked them up, and it was just not very impressive. This isn't the worst thing in the world, but I would expect a sushi restaurant to be able to make a standard roll correctly. I definitely plan on going back to try the rest of the menu. Its nice to have a new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(3)Jean-Paul V.
Went a few nights ago and had a great experience, but then it was a Sunday eve during the holidays. As such, we got great service; we were one of like 5 tables. The story goes the original Kyoto on Prytania family renovated and leased this spot after the delinquent high school bar once here (Friar Tuck's formerly Wit's Inn) finally closed after a fatal shooting in early 2011. So you have an old building with new blood in a rebounding area full of hamburgers, hot dogs, and cocktails. Sidling up to sushi is at once refreshing and genius. The menu and quality are comparable to Kyoto, and while that's good I wasn't exacty expecting that. Fresh, but standard and priced to market. No bargains but nothing crazy either. Will be back -
(4)Stephen R.
I used to live right next door to this restaurant when it was the sleaze-O college bar Friar Tucks. Although I will fondly remember $5 pitchers of beer after work and passed out Tulane students sleeping in my bushes the neighborhood is much improved with the addition of this Sushi Bar. The name Origami threw me a little bit as I expected my napkin to be meticulously folded into a swan and my doggy bag to a tin foil dragon, but the place was actually really nice. Everyone working there was Asian, which always instills confidence in the authenticity of the cuisine and as with many fine sushi restaurants, the fresh fish was displayed in a glass case below the chef's station. The staff was friendly and the server was very helpful. My girlfriend and I were starving so when presented with the paper menu and a pencil commonly found in these types of establishments we started checking off rolls and appetizers voraciously. It didn't help that we were drinking 22 Oz bottles of Ichi Ban. By the time the server had arrived we had ordered squid sashimi, ginger green salads, a dynamite roll, and three other varied rolls. The waiter looked a bit shocked and said "are you sure you want all that?" Assuring him that we were starving he began bringing each item out as it was prepared. I knew we were in deep shit when I saw the table of four next to us struggle to finish their 3 rolls that were brought out on these tremendous platters. The first roll that came out (dynamite I think) was the circumference of a coffee mug and we didn't even attempt to finish it. When the waiter brought each additional roll we sent him to box up every previous roll that we couldn't finish. He never complained and remained professional about the added trips and I tipped him well. It was easy to tip him well since our bill was so reasonable. The prices are really, REALLY decent for such a great atmosphere and quality product. I feasted on Sushi for two days after we visited Origami and thought it was far and away the best sushi in New Orleans--if not the best I have ever had. Frou, frou sushi purists from New York and San Fran will likely disagree, but if you are an average Joe with a love of sushi don't miss this place. Bravo.
(5)C S.
Love this restaurant!! Strongly recommend their stuffed shiitake mushroom, beef soba and Philadelphia roll!!! Yummy!!! And great price too!!!
(4)Jon R.
Really good food. Steve is the best chef in the city. Modern, clean interior design. We come here about once a week.
(5)Marvelle W.
The tiger roll and mystery roll were delicious! One of my new fab spots...
(4)Brittany R.
LOVED THIS PLACE. it is a little odd to walk in and remember when it used to be Tuck's, however, the food is great! huge portions. i got the rice crispy, the black jack roll, and the tropical roll. all were amazing and very large portions. the spicy tuna in the black jack roll was very delicious. I have been to a lot of sushi places around town and it is nice to go somewhere where you feel like you really get your moneys worth.
(5)Spenser K.
When I saw that a new sushi restaurant was going in where the really quite despicable Tucks used to be, I was extremely excited. I go to school at Tulane and bike down Freret several times a week, so sime close, simple sushi sounded great! With that in mind, mah lady and I stopped in on a Tuesday night for dinner. First, the positive. The decor in the place is really great. The atmosphere, though it could use a bit of dimming (not a whole lot, just a tad to make it more intimate), is wonderful. I could barely believe that Origami is what used to be Tucks. The art on the walls was great, the sushi bar looked awesome, and everything seemed well put together. Unfortunately, the decor was the best thing about our experience. The waiters (there were two working the night I was there) did not seem to have assigned tables, and there wasn't anybody to seat us. Once the guy working the sushi bar directed us to a table, we had to ask one of the waiters for a menu. Service for the rest of the meal was similarly confused; both waiters tried to take our order, but no one asked how our food tasted. When our sushi did come, it came in three different increments, which doesn't make much sense to me, since I like to try and sample all of the food at once. The service was simply poor--not the worst that I've experienced, but poor indeed. I was hoping that bad service might indicate great food, but here I was also incorrect. We had four rolls, two basics and two specials. While our two basics were good (it's hard to mess up a crunchy and a philadelphia roll), our special rolls were not only expensive, they just weren't impressive. Both of the special rolls seemed to be lacking something, and one of them had been toasted with a butane torch (I presume this, because it tasted a little like gas). While the rolls looked good on paper, they simply didn't fit the bill. All told, if you want great sushi uptown, there are several other places you could go: Hana, Kyoto, etc. I intend to give Origami another chance after they've settled in, but for now, "Meh. I've experienced better" pretty accurately described my experience.
(2)Alyssa P.
After searching and searching for a good sushi place in New Orleans, I'm happy to say the search is over! Origami is reasonably priced and generous in proportions. The sushi is always fresh and they have such a wide variety of flavors that I've never experienced at other Japanese restaurants. Among a long list of other things, my boyfriend and I always get the Poke Salad and the Mussels (Sake or Curry? It is always a debate because they're both great!) We recently tried their special, Oyster Shooters, and they were a huge hit at the table. They don't come with cocktail sauce but don't worry, there is plenty of kick! We sent a compliment to the kitchen and the chef came out personally and told us the ingredients, which included a wasabi oil. MMM definitely been dreaming about those :) Looking forward to our next visit soon!
(4)Elizabeth S.
Best sushi I've had thus far in New Orleans. Burning Man roll is fantastic! I found the hot sake to be a little harsh on the finish compared to other varieties I've had, but that's my only complaint. Food and service were great!
(4)Lisa A.
This place was so delicious! I went there with some friends. The sushi chefs are awesome. We ordered some rolls with and without fish along with many appetizers. The vegetarian options are awesome! Love this place.
(5)Melissa R.
If I could rate this place solely on the food it would be five stars, hands down without a doubt. It was the BEST sushi I have had in New Orleans-It was amazing. The rolls were truly original and they were so delicious. However, I have to give Origami just three stars because the whole experience was prettty terrible. I know it was opening night, but, like I said the experience was so bad I really can't cut them any slack. After sitting at our table and waiting for 20 minutes without anyone approaching us, I finally had to stand up and go get menus myself. We were NEVER waited on. After waiting for 30 minutes we had to flag down the waitress multiple times to get her to come over to the table. We only ordered two special rolls (again-they really were incredible). After WAITING AN HOUR, the waitress brought over one roll- the wrong roll!! Ugh. Finally, one of the rolls came out and thirty minutes later the second roll came out. We were there for about TWO HOURS. We never even got water! :-( Origami, the food was so so yummy. Please work on the wait staff situation so I can come back and enjoy my experience.
(3)Kristin B.
I am moreso writing this review to counter the bad service reviews from the opening weekend of Origami. I went last night with a friend and the service was fantastic - we were promptly sat, our drinks arrived quickly and were refilled constantly, the servers checked in on us frequently. I also liked that they updated us on how long things would take ("your other two rolls will be 5 more minutes, but I wanted to bring what was ready now!"). And most importantly, I saw a true sign of service professionalism when our server didn't bat an eye at our gigantic sushi order (we were having a "LAY OFF ME, I"M STARVING" moment, and will not apologize). I think that perhaps Origami had a rough take-off regarding service but seem to have ironed out the kinks nicely. As for other aspects: I can't believe this place used to be Friar Tucks. Very spartan-chic interior, with especially amazing light fixtures. The sushi was extremely good (but not the best in NOLA) - very fresh, very interesting, well assembled, and the rolls are HUGE for the price. I am serious about the size - even the order of edamame was giant. Remember how I said that we were eating our stress/feelings? Well, we spent the same amount of money that we always do for sushi but ended up staggering out to go fully realize food comas that lasted all night. With finals coming up.... we'll be back, Origami. Oh, we WILL be back. With LOTS of feelings to eat. Prepare accordingly.
(5)Trey M.
Pros: modern decor, new building in an area experiencing a renaissance - props for investing in the local economy. Cons: similar to other reviewers, service was non-existent. My wife and I decided to give it a shot last weekend (or at least look at the menu). We walked in and stood at the hostess stand for literally four minutes before we left. Many servers walked by - some even made eye contact - buy no one acknowledged we were there. We started laughing because the other reviews were so true. We figured that if they treat us this way before they have our order, the rest of the experience would likely be bad. Hopefully this place will get its act together and we might give it another go.
(1)Philip K.
My favorite sushi place in NOLA thus far especially for special rolls. When you take in to account price, freshness, atmosphere, service-- Origami comes out on top in my book. I have been here for lunch and dinner and it is awesome. Lunch they have a super good sushi special where for around the bargain price of $10 you get a salad, miso, and 3 basic rolls. Who can beat that? Always a guaranteed nice lunch. Dinner has been awesome too, they have really really yummy special house rolls and unlike other places you feel like you are definitely getting what you pay for. They also always accommodate requests (like taking cream cheese out of rolls etc.). They even give you warm towels at the begining of your meal, score!
(5)Damian P.
Sushi Lover's Heaven. Take your pick and enjoy all there sushi.
(5)Amelia R.
Best Sushi I have had in New Orleans. I had none of the problems other yelp reviews claim. We were seated as soon as we walked in, the service was great and the food was awesome! Just a few years ago when I was a Loyola freshman I used to frequent the disgusting bar called Tucks. The new owners of the place have done a FANTASTIC job remodeling this place. The decorations are very nice and it feels VERY clean in the restaurant! The food was also great! We started with the salmon and cream cheese tempura which was even better than I expected! Then we got a crunchy roll and the funky margarita roll. The crunchy roll was really good but not what I was expecting. It isn't your typical crunchy but it is really fantastic, just beware it is almost twice the size of a typical sushi roll. I loved the funky margarita roll but our waitress later told us some people don't like it. It is almost an Asian Mexican fusion sushi roll. It has spicy crawfish inside and topped with tuna and salmon. Then they put a guacamole with a bit of wasabi mixed into it on top of the entire roll. Sounds really weird but I thought it was great! I will defiantly be going back for another of one of those. Defiantly try this if you are in to fun creative sushi. If you just wan't classic sushi this is not the roll for you! We also got the cheese cake tempura which was great too! All in all, go try this place! Really nice people working there and they provide great service and have fantastic fun creative sushi rolls. A very nice change from the typical sushi you find in New Orleans. GO.
(5)Nikit K.
Pricey but soooooo fresh and delicious. Must have tropical roll. Love how they make the mustard for the shumai.
(5)George F.
Great sushi!! My new favorite place to eat sushi In
(4)Bryan S.
If you like Little Tokyo, you will like Origami which was started by a few people who used to work there, so some of the rolls are the same as Little Tokyo. The miso soup is good, and all the rolls are great. The Poboy roll is as good as the Little Tokyo original.. Would like to see them create a few more original rolls and other menu items.
(4)C S.
First up, we order the 'Origami appetizer, panko cooked to a nearly charred texture. I tried to remain optimistic (even over my better half's protestation that the texture was like she imagined fried catfood to taste like) but lackluster would be the best I could say. 14 minutes to get two glasses of wine from the bar to my table 3.5 feet away, and things went downhill from there. The middle of the road specialty roll sealed the deal for me. I'm a overly forgiving diner, and I could say I'd try it again, but truth be told there are far too many sushi restaurants around for me to let both a mediocre roll AND an over ten minute glass of wine sway me back. Disappointing, as we have come to LOVE most all of the restaurants on Freret.
(2)Amanda W.
Okay, I get it, it's opening night. But my experience here tonight was, without a doubt, the worst restaurant experience I've ever had. We got there around 6:45, and waited at the podium to be seated. There was no host in sight, but there was someone (who was clearly an employee) standing at the back of the restaurant and staring at everyone. Um, ok. We were seated after a few minutes wait, and we were stuck in a small room behind a wall. We waited at least 15 minutes for them to bring menus over. Once we determined what we wanted, we had been waiting at least 25-30 minutes. The waitress had been in and out of our little room multiple times, completely ignoring us each time. She finally came over and, not looking up at all, grabbed the menus and our sushi order. I had to stop her from leaving in order to ask for water, a bottle of saki, and some edamame. She appeared to have heard me and yet we waited AN HOUR and we had gotten two out of our three waters, the waitress had not checked in on us, and we had gotten neither our appetizer/sake or our entrees. We checked with another table in our room who weren't even lucky enough to get water yet, and they said that they had been waiting about an hour, and they had been there before us. We complained to the manager, and to more than one waiter/waitress. They did...absolutely nothing. Did not even acknowledge us. We walked out so angry and hungry that I desperately wanted to be snarky when the owner/manager said "Thanks" to us on our way out. We drove straight to Ninja and satisfied our sushi craving within 20 minutes. I could have swam to Japan, married a Japanese guy, brought him back to America, and asked him to make us sushi before this place would have given us food. Absolutely ridiculous, and the whole staff was completely unapologetic about our experience. I'm extremely disappointed, and probably won't be going back any time soon (or at least until they learn to train their waitstaff).
(1)Scraggs D.
Currently my favorite sushi in New Orleans. The burning man roll was one of the best ive ever had. the origami roll with fried banana around it is a fun novelty but not something I will get regularly. Good ambience and good service. I will be back. If this place was a little cheaper, I'd be there more often.
(4)Rachael L.
I really wanted to like this place and went in with high hopes. We went in for lunch, this being one of the few sushi places that doesn't close from 2:30-5. The service was good, and the waitress did what she could but the food did not match the atmosphere. The sashimi was almost 1/2 an inch thick, and lacked any grace. I should not have the bite-off a piece. When I realized that a roll came covered in eel sauce (of which I can't stand) they would not remake it because it was already made. I was told they could remake it but I would be charged for both rolls. All in all I will NOT be going back.
(2)Alyson I.
I am surprised to see so many negative reviews concerning the service at Origami. I have eaten there 3 times and had excellent service each time. The first time I went was for lunch with two girlfriends and our three kids. The waitress was great with our kids and very helpful. I liked it so much I took my husband for dinner 2 nights later and we ate dinner there last night. I really enjoy the specialty rolls I have tried, the Saints Kicker roll, the Tiger roll, and the Jackpot roll. The standard rolls are very good too.
(4)Connie N.
Yay finally a NON-artery-clogging restaurant on The New Freret! Don't get me wrong, I love Dat Dog, Company Burger, and Midway but sometime's it's nice to stuff something slightly less cheesy in my face. While it isn't my number 1 sushi pick in the city, Origami is definitely a close second. I've heard dirty rumors that the service is shoddy, but I didn't find that to be the case when I went (albeit on a weekday night). Anyway they're a fairly new establishment just getting their bearings straight, so I say cut 'em a little slack and give their tasty sushi a try!
(4)Melissa E.
Since my review of Origami, I've found out some more information about the link of Kyoto and Origami, which is miniscule. What I understand is that a former partner in Kyoto, who left the partnership years ago has opened Origami. So, I'm happy to hear that my fav sushi place, Kyoto, is not to blame for my dreadful experience at Origami.
(1)Emily S.
So far, this is my favorite sushi in the city. Haven't tried them all quite yet, but I personally love this place. They're very rarely busy, but service is sometimes hit-and-miss, though never actually poor. I've never waited for a table, which I love, and the rolls are AMAZING and well-priced. I've liked every roll I've had but my favorites are the Burning Woman and Chocolate City. Their miso and tempura are fantastic as well and the sushi pretty much always comes out promptly. My only complaint is that they always close their kitchen way earlier than necessary, so even if we want to order take-out at 10:20 (when they close at 11) they turn us down and we end up going to other sushi places, which are never as good.
(5)Em C.
I have had several delicious meals at Origami. I love their Poke salad and could probably eat it everyday. All the roles I have tried were really yummy as well. Their specialty roles are huge and a good value for the price point. I haven't had any major issues with the service such as the other reviewers have mentioned so I think time has allowed them to work out some of the kinks. I will note that one of the servers I had had a challenging time understanding special requests because of a language barrier but in the end our whole order was correct so I won't hold it against them too much. Overall I think this is now my first choice for sushi in the area (over Sake Cafe, Kyoto and Ninja).
(4)A. C.
What a great new place! The sushi is delicious with beautiful presentation, and brown rice is available for an extra 50 cents. The prices are pretty average for New Orleans sushi places. I'll definitely be back, though I'm sure it'll be full of Tulane girls in no time.
(4)Cynthia S.
I think this place is underrated at 2.5 stars. I would personally give it 3.5 stars if yelp would allow me to but won't go up to 4 because, being from the west coast, I'm accustomed to better sushi than any of NOLA's offerings. First off, I'd like to say that the decorating staff did an amazing job of covering up the fact that this place used to be Friar Tuck's, one of the frattiest and grossest bars known to mankind. The place looks very clean. Contrary to all the complaints about slow customer service, we were seated almost immediately and our orders were taken and food were brought to us in a very normal time frame. I wouldn't say it was "fast," but it was Saturday around 7:30pm and very busy, and service certainly wasn't slow. Our server came by regularly and someone else, possibly an owner or manager, came by to check on us as well. They're really cleaning up their act. I had a Tiger Roll, which I'd definitely recommend, and the miso soup. The food itself was good - nothing I'll be raving about, but very solid and I'd definitely come back to satisfy a sushi craving. My only other complaint was, though it was a specialty roll and quite filling, it was priced at $14 which is a bit much for any roll in my opinion.
(3)Felip F.
I never thought this building could get any better the old stomping grounds of tucks. But I was proven wrong. Origami is the cats pajamas. This is by far the best authentic sushi spot in Nola thus far. Finally decided to start yelling just for this place. It's awesome. People are all friendly. Chefs will talk and answer questions. And it's nice to have a modern, clean look to a sushi joint and not a dark, grungy feel. - white fish carpaccio. Burning man. Mystery roll. Boooomb
(5)Lauren C.
I went here for the first time on a whim this week, and was totally impressed. This was the best sushi I have had in New Orleans. The service was very good, although our soups could have come out a little faster. Everyone was exceedingly nice and friendly to us. The food was awesome. We ordered the eggplant-miso appetizer, which was really really good, the fried chicken appetizer, also really good, and the rainbow roll. The tuna sushi was the best I've ever had, I think! Really nice place. The prices weren't bad either. It was a great experience, and I can't wait to go back. This will be my go-to sushi restaurant from now on.
(5)Jessica B.
My boyfriend and I thought we would try some place new for value-priced sushi. I love Hoshun and Sake Cafe, but can't afford to go there once a week to satisfy my sushi craving. So, we hopped on Yelp and find a week old establishment, which I was pretty excited about. I love new businesses. The atmosphere when I walked in made this typical Thursday night dinner feel more like a swank date night. New and hip.... nice. I wish I could say the excitement carried us through the meal. We did have to wait at a bar stool for about 10 minutes to grab a table at this small establishment. A host did tell us to have a seat at the bar while we wait, but the bartender never spoke to us; not "hello", not "would you like a drink?", Nada. He just served the waiters' drinks and had no customers. That's a tough gig for a bartender. I hope he realizes this misstep when he stares at his minuscule tips at the end of the night. Our service was barely sufficient. We were sat at a table with no plates, chopsticks or linens. Warm towels were the first thing to get to us from our waitress. Waters and plum wine made it just fine as well. By the time our waitress came back to take our appetizer order, we knew what we wanted for entrees as well. We ordered miso soups and house salads, and she ran away before I could finish our order. She rushed over with the soups, saw our sushi order on a paper, and I had to "WAIT!" her before she ran away again to get my sake order in, which she even wasn't sure came in a bottle. The salad came and we still had not received any plates, saucers, linens, or chopsticks. We had to stop another waitress for chopsticks. Then, the sushi came. She called out the sushi as if the entire plate were for one person. Yet, the two rolls were the only ones we ordered, and were on only one plate. I just said "You can put it in the middle". She ran again, and we had to practically yell at her for plates. Finally, we got plates. After the plates we didn't see our waitress until she brought the check. The place was full at the time, but it was as if she had other matters besides tables to get her attention. The manager asked if we were okay, which we just said "sure." The waitress who gave us our chopsticks picked up our plates after several minutes of us sitting there with the plates empty. She also asked if we received our bill. "No. Not yet". She tried her best to sell us dessert. Not happening. Our waitress brought our check, picked it up, but the chopstick waitress brought it back to be signed. The food/drink was like no other, and not in a good way. My unfiltered sake was served in a martini glass. The house salad ginger dressing was oily and not very ginger-y. The miso's tofu chunks were too big and awkward. To me, miso is a delicate soup, not chunky in any way. The two sushi rolls we ordered came with soy paper (FEMA Roll and Big Easy Roll) which is why we ordered them. I prefer soy paper over the overabundance of rice found at most "value sushi" places. Well, to our surprise, our rolls came with an abundance and rice AND soy paper. There was very little fish/crab/etc in the middle, and loads of rice surrounding. My boyfriend saw my dismay a quarter through the meal, and proceeded with "I know it's disappointing, but just put it in your mouth". After giggling for a good 3 minutes, I did eat more of our rice rolls. But, I'm not happy about it. Nor will we be returning. I would much rather have awesome sushi once a month then suffer through another one of these rice-filler and snow crab abundant rolls, bad service, value sushi places again. Sorry Origami, but your food and service do not match your decor. It's time for an upgrade in staffing.
(1)Dominique F.
This is my favorite sushi place in new orleans! The staff was friendly and the food is just awesome. The tabo special roll, black jack roll and rock and roll roll are the best!
(5)Joe L.
I guess I was lucky to get there early on opening night. The service was great and I can honestly say that the rolls we had were superior to any rolls I have had at other sushi joints. I had the eggplant with miso sauce which was terrific. Now, as the place got slammed I can see why others did not get the service our table recieved. I only saw three wait staff and there was no hostess from what I could see. Things got crazy once the place was full. I have seen this at a few other openings as well in the past. Amanda, the guy that you spoke about that was clearly an employee, staring at everyone was actually the guy that set up the registers. He was there helping the wait staff if/when they had problems ringing things up. He was not an employee. I know because I wondered the same thing and started a conversation with him. I am going to assume either the owner had no idea it would be this busy or some people did not show up. Either way they need to fix the service quickly. I think maybe this is why I make allot of opening nights at new places. They can get very interesting. LOL
(4)Jared S.
I've been here twice, both times to get their lunch special. It's $11.95 for a salad, miso soup, and three different rolls of sushi (24 total pieces). It's filling, delicious, and the service is good. This is one of my favorite spots in Nola.
(5)Cupcake D.
I noticed a lot of complaints about service, but I experienced nothing but excellent service at Origami. They were very polite and prompt. The person who appeared to be the manager or owner even directed me to the bathroom when he saw me get up from our table. The sushi was great, and they have a large and interesting menu. I especially liked the Burning Woman roll (it had peppered tuna) and the Tropical roll (salmon and mango). The atmosphere was nicely decorated and the booths are generous and high backed. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Lady R.
Like other commenters mentioned, the service is slow. Between that and menus that severely needed cleaning, they lose a star. We sat there watching the waiter joke with the cooks and bartender for a while after we had closed our menus and made it clear we were ready to order. But the food was great. They serve Poke salad which isn't always on sushi menus and I really love it. I got a fairly large portion of it for $10. I requested the sauce be served on the side in case it was too spicy for my sensitive palate. For some reason, the waiter placed a fork on my plate when he served it- but he didn't do the same for my friend who ordered the same dish prepared in the same way maybe ten minutes later. I wasn't sure if I should be grateful or offended but I just went ahead and tore it up with chopsticks. Ultimately left full and happy. Would go again but will definitely go knowing the service won't be stellar.
(4)Angela P.
The sushi is fresh and good.The miso is flavorful, yet mild. The noodle bowls are large and delicious. The staff is friendly. It is family friendly, while still feeling like a nice restaurant.
(4)Judy C.
This is a lovely restaurant close to Tulane's campus; it is about a 15 minute walk. The sushi rolls were yummy and the cost ran from $5 to $15 per order. I went with a group of 6 so we were able to get a large variety of sushi to share. We had everything from eel, spicy tuna, smoked salmon, crunchy roll, stuffed jalapenos, to shrimp and vegetable tempura. All and all, the bill came out to $13 a person. Also, the sushi chef was extremely friendly. He stopped us right before we left the restaurant and held a brief conversation with us.
(4)Katie S.
Origami is in my top 2 places to get sushi in this city. In fact, I like it so much, I don't really even want to tell you about it. My only regret is that I don't get down to Freret Street nearly enough to visit every time I want sushi. I originally went when it was newer and was suggested to go by word of mouth. They seemed to have some service issues when they first opened but all seems to have been resolved and I've had nothing but glowing and happy experiences here ever since. The ambiance is super nice and clean. It's nicer looking than most sushi places but not trendy-looking and still perfectly casual. The sushi chefs seems to be really accommodating for custom sushi arrangements or special requests. The sushi quality is consistently great. The owner also seems to be there a lot and you can tell it makes a big difference service-wise. Everyone is super friendly and the sushi chefs are always big on keeping their customers at the sushi bar entertained and happy during peak dining hours. Everyone is sort of just "happy looking" when they eat here. I can't explain it exactly. This place just always seems to have a really great vibe going. It's perfect for a group or date night followed by a stroll down Freret Street. The Poke Salad is a unique staple on this menu. You will also notice in the pictures section that there are a few unique speciality rolls like the Funky Margarita Roll. The Tiger Roll is probably my favorite so far but there are still plenty of other things I want to try from this place still, like their Salmon Carpaccio, and I keep seeing people getting these giant custom chirashi sushi spreads that look fantastic! So I really need to go back and ask about that stuff so I can write an update soon on my newer and more daring experiences.
(5)Camille P.
Eh....I hate to say it but I wasn't impressed. I mean from the tap water lemonade to the bland teriyaki I just left wanting more. Love the space and the waitstaff was so kind but they gotta do more with the menu. Omg that salad dressing in the salad served in the bento box was like chewing minced meat. And idk what kinda soy sauce they have but it's a salt lick! Man, I wanted to love this place. ...eh oh well.
(3)Henry H.
This place is very meh in my opinion. They overdo it on the rice and their specialty rolls. I've had the blackjack roll and a couple others. They just put too much everything. I like my sushi to taste like sushi not some sweet mushy mess.
(2)Kelsey H.
I love this place. From the moment i walked in I fell in love. Working here was also a blessing. Sushi is always fresh, seeing everything being made in the back definitely made working/eating here more enjoyable. The chirashi is my all time favorite thing. Fresh fish, seaweed salad, squid salad, rice soup and salad. Definitely worth it. Haven't found a single place in this city that does it like them. Sushi chefs are amazing and funny! Talk to them, they have amazing stories to tell you! I'd say my all time favorite sushi place anywhere in the country. Hamachi is to die for, stuffed jalapeños as well. Special rolls are huge so eat with caution but totally worth it for the prices
(5)Niki M.
Origami is one of my favorite places to stop in and pick up some food. I am absolutely in love with their poke salad! It's an AMAZING deal at $8.95. It's loaded with big chunks of tuna and veggies. What really sets it apart from other poke salads is the slightly spicy dressing. I could literally drink it. On my last visit, instead of just doing my regular pick up, I decided to sit at the bar and order an appetizer. I got the curried soft shell crab. It was to die for and a reasonable $9.95. I easily made a meal out of that and a small house salad. The reason for four stars instead of five? I found the service at the bar to be slow and lacking attention. All in all though, I still highly recommend Origami for the tasty food and very reasonable prices.
(4)Jeanne H.
Not the fastest service but the sushi is delicious
(5)Vicky L.
I've been here a handful of times before, and was not impressed. I never got around to reviewing them before last week's visit, and I would have given them 2 stars before. My recent visit, about a week ago, I was really impressed with the service and food, so I'm giving them 3 stars today. Their sashimi platter is HUGE, especially at that price. Its made for sharing. Order that, along with a few rolls, you're going to be rolling out of there happy and stuffed. Pro-tip: Be discerning about where you sit. If you're claustrophobic, there are a few places that make it miserable. Then there's also the booth that gets all the air-conditioning.
(3)Chef D.
The BEST best Japanese restaurant in NOLA. We live in the neighborhood and eat there often. Everything is consistently fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I'm not a big fan of sushi, but the rolls and sashimi that I see coming out of the sushi bar look incredible. Our faves are the curry soft shell crab appetizer (OMG!! Best soft shell in NOLA, except maybe Clancy's), the Zaru Soba, and the salmon teriyaki side. A great meal to share with 2.
(5)Melanie T.
One of my favorite sushi joints in New Orleans! I go every time I'm in town and my parents go at least once a week. They have a miso eggplant that is to die for! Portions are large and the fish is super fresh, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu!
(5)Vlad S.
Place is nice. We came at 3.30 and ordered 2 rolls and 2 soups, it's 4 now and weee! rolls r finnaly on the table
(2)Stephanie D.
Usually a huge fan of this establishment. Maybe it's their intricate specialty rolls or the nostalgia of being back at my old stomping grounds, but tonight's dinner was worse than the morning after a night out at tucks. The sashimi dinner was with out a doubt the worst I've had in the city. Very disappointed considering the pictures all look so good. I give the one star for our waiter who was tonight's only redeeming quality, otherwise a total wash
(1)Kris A.
Clean modern decor. Homemade gyoza:) yummy poke salad and that gets extra points because not everybody offers it. Yellowtail AND salmon hamachi kama- impressive. Warning- they hide wasabi under the fish in their sushi. Now I know- no more surprises. Theres nothing like a surprise wake up call to the sinus cavity! Overall we enjoyed ourselves and I highly recommend if youre in the neighborhood.
(4)Sidney C.
On a weekday (evening), we walked in and were immediately seated. We really enjoyed this place. High quality sushi, hot saki, and ice cold Sapporo. Winning combination.
(4)Angelina B.
Best sashimi I've had in nola, easily. But it's pretty obvious that the reviews for this place either aren't read by the management, or they just don't care: the service is freaking horrible. There was a clump of waitstaff gossiping in the back corner, though it wasn't remotely close to closing, and they did jack to remedy what turned into a total service fiasco. Our waitress was dressed like someone on her way to a Bourbon bachelorette party - everything was hanging out - and she had no idea what was going on. She took 30 minutes to take our order, and 30 minutes after that she arrived with someone else's appetizer, which we returned. She brought one of our two appetizers, noticed our waters were empty, took my sister's request for lemon for her water, and disappeared. The second appetizer arrived, cold, after twenty minutes. One water was refilled by a different waiter - the other three remained empty for the entire evening. She brings us someone else's sushi, we return it. Brings us the first of our rolls, has no idea what they are, so she points at a roll and says it has mango on it. Whatever. She brings us the second round with reasonable alacrity, still doesn't know what she's giving us. The sushi is delicious, though. At the end of the meal, we have no water, my sister got nary a lemon slice, and it takes thirty minutes for the check to arrive. My impression is this: these people seem to think they're running a Quarter business, and that doesn't fly in Uptown. It doesn't matter how good your food is, if it's expensive and your service is the worst this side of the highway, it's just not going to work out. I'm a service worker myself, and I still couldn't bring myself to tip the waitress - it was that bad. Origami, read your reviews and DO SOMETHING.
(3)Lauren W.
Came here craving a good sushi deal. The lunch special is approx. $11 and comes with Miso soup, salad, and 3 rolls. That's a great deal! I got the spicy tuna, spicy shrimp, and fresh salmon/avocado. All 3 were very tasty. I only wish it came with masago and sesame seeds. I should have asked for some on the side. This meal provided me lunch and dinner, so I was very happy.
(4)Marielle S.
I am SO glad that I waited for Origami to get settled in before I tried it. On the night that we went it wasn't crowded at all and the service was great! We were seated at a booth and after looking over the menu, we decided to order the salmon sashimi, the tiger roll and the margarita roll. The salmon sashimi was really fresh and cut thick. This might sound silly, but I liked that it was cut into an even number of pieces so that each person gets their fair share. The margarita roll was excellent was reminiscent of the margarita rolls I had had at other sushi places. By far the star of the meal was the tiger roll. I can't find a menu, so I can't find the exact ingredients, but it was SO GOOD. Like... so good I might order two the next time I go. I could have eaten the entire thing on my own! Origami is a little more expensive than other sushi places, but the atmosphere and service was great and the food was excellent. I will definitely be back!
(4)Gina L.
Love this spot!! Chef Steve is amazing and you can meet him at the sushi bar. The quality of food is fresh and is probably the best place I've had sushi in Nola. Service is prompt and prices are decent. The margarita roll has guacamole on top (I know it sounds weird at first, but the idea is genius), and is one of my favs! Parking can be a pain, but I usually don't have any issues finding a spot on the street.
(4)Stephen H.
My new favorite sushi spot in NOLA. Everything was fresh, staff was awesome and Steve Nguyen's passion for detail really shows when you taste the sushi. He made me a Funky Margarita with spicy tuna and it was stupendous. Fresh homemade guacamole and perfect fish set this roll above the rest
(5)Margaret D.
Sushi rolls are not very good. The grilled mushroom roll was almost inedible. I'm not vegetarian, but it sounded good. It ended up being terrible. The other rolls we tried ranged from eh to just ok. They were all kind of sloppily out together with tons of rice that made some hard to eat in one bite and the fish did not seem to be the freshest. The atmosphere is fine, but they could use some music. It was oddly quiet. Service was friendly, but a bit slow and inattentive.
(2)Jill D.
When I'm in New Orleans I probably go to Origami about once a month. This isn't because it's super tasty, it just happens to be the closest sushi place to my house. I can not speak to their other entrees since I have only ever gotten sushi, but from what I've experienced the food is mediocre. Their sushi rolls are huge, I'm talking some of the biggest rolls I've ever had. Some people love this, but in my opinion makes it more of a rice ball more than a piece of sushi, as well as increases the difficulty of eating. So while you are getting more of a bang for your buck, you are also not getting that desired sushi full. On top of that, they use imitation crab. This is a huge pet-peeve of mine because a nice sushi restaurant should be serving fresh fish not fake crab! (This might be my northern blood talking though.) Last time I went there I got the yami yami roll, the tiger roll, and a snow crab roll. The yami yami was by farr the best. And it was covered in eel sauce which makes any meal taste good. All-in-all, the people at origami are really friendly and it's atmosphere is pleasant. On top of that, you can go there without spending too much and get really full. I'll go back to Origami, and if you live close, you should too but just keep in mind nothing you order will be drool inducing.
(4)Chrissy G.
Excellent sushi! Only downside is that the place has a old smell-- like it needs air freshener. Kind of affects your experience.
(4)Rachel L.
Fish was fresh, I especially liked the salmon, it was like eating fatty salmon. Eel was perfectly made, better than most eel I've had in California. Was slightly disappointed that the chef couldn't make the special open sushi plate because it was busy, therefore we didn't get to try smelt and oyster. There's always a next time when I'm back in this city.
(4)Joi B.
**Stellar lunch specials** But first let me remark on the chandeliers that appear to be dripping with swan feathers. Now, I'm sure they are not actual swan feathers, but how gorgeously Josephine Bakeresque! On a similar note, while Origami may not be as disco-sushi- fabulous as Sake Cafe (read: trendy), I like their ambiance a great deal more. It's half way between authentic Japanese minimalism, with a more sleek & modern appeal. The long sushi bar is more inviting and less intimidating than at most Japanese restaurants I've been to, with young, friendly sushi chefs behind them (one female! So awesome). On to our meal. There is a lunch menu with reasonable prices for Bento boxes and sushi/sashimi plates. I got three vegetarian rolls (choose from avocado, cucumber and asparagus) for 11.95 which included soup *and* salad. Everything was fresh, flavorful and the sushi chef arranged my wasabi in a leaf and carrots in the shape of blossoms. How lovely can you get? Our waitress was as sweet as pie, speedy (much appreciated at crunch, I mean lunch time) and our water glasses were never empty. Note that there are a fair number of vegetarian options. I look forward to returning regularly. Tofu steak, here's looking at you!
(4)Thuy L.
Origami is my go to spot. Is rather my husband take me here vs a fine dining. I know I'll be serve well and honestly.
(5)Suzanne C.
Note to Origami: if your host can't hear me on the phone, your phone is in the wrong place. Note to potential diners: the servers at Origami don't know what MSG is, nor could they tell me if it appeared in any of their food. For people with MSG allergies, that's dangerous. The manager I finally spoke to insisted there was no MSG in the soy sauce, but soy sauce is pretty low on the list of offenders these days. I need to know if the udon dishes are safe, especially if I'm coming to eat the udon with a bud who is allergic to MSG. Note to anyone who manages or owns Origami who is reading: I shouldn't have to go through three staffers to get simple answers, nor should I be passed around like a hot potato or subjected to the least informed staff at your prices. Get it together so folks with allergies feel safe patronizing your establishment. You absolutely lost some dinner guests over this one. Maybe I'm just grumpy, but I think it's fair to want my friends to have safe dinners and make informed decisions about their food. Accessibility notes: Ramp is on side of building. No braille menu or signage. Can get loud at peak hours.
(1)Gina G.
This is a great sushi destination. My favorite is their stuffed jalapenos. Wow! They have it listed as a special of the day but it really should be listed on their appetizers section. And those chandeliers; I couldn't stop looking at them. It's like they were made from feathers. So beautiful.
(4)John L. H.
Located in the old Sitting Duck, Origami is very good. Freret Street has come a long way since I used to visit in the 90s. When I visited the bar that formerly occupied this space, I was always worried that I would be bashed over the head when walking to my car. It amazes me how much this area has moved towards the high end, and Origami fits in very well. The restaurant has a large sushi bar and several large booths along the wall. The booths have very high backs which seem to give more privacy than the traditional low backed variety. On the night I visited there were more staff than customers which should have meant fast service, but there were some hiccups. I had to wait far too long to receive the bill, and once I received it, they disappeared never to return. It was a good thing I had cash or I may still be waiting for my card to be swiped. The food was excellent. I was highly impressed by the combination of flavors in the special rolls, and the quality of the ingredients. The food was on the expensive side, but for a fancy place, I think it was worth it. If you are looking for a high end sushi experience, give Origami a try.
(4)Tzippi D.
Loved this Japanese restaurant. Food was just what we were looking for. Excellently prepared with perfect seasoning. Very friendly, attentive service. Nice calm ambience. Eggplant dengaku to die for. Likewise beef yakisoba. I'm not a sushi eater but my daughter had Funky Margarita with crawfish and loved it. Has a nice spicy guacamole on top.
(5)Jennie A.
The sushi is okay as are the other plates offered at Origami. Nothing over the top or amazing... Decent sushi.
(3)Sam 'Wags' W.
Among the top couple up-scale sushi restaurants, located in the ever improving Freret corridor. The menu of sushi and sashimi is quite extensive and a bit on the pricey side. If you are looking for an up-scale option over the beat-nick Mikimodo crowd, Origami is your fold of paper.
(5)Colin A.
The vegetarian gyoza dumplings were a little bland, but the sushi was great. I had the Black Jack roll, which was delicious and some tuna and salmon sashimi. All of the fish was great, and the prices were about as fair as sushi gets around here.
(3)Daniel B.
It's not like I really like writing bad reviews, but here goes. We are tried and true Sake Cafe goers, but decided to try something new. Bad idea. The interior is bland and the seats are cold, uninviting, and uncomfortable. Aside from one other table, we were the only people in the place (another bad sign). The service was acceptable, but the sushi was seriously sub par. I mean this when I say.... you can go to any Rouses grocery store and get much better (with much better presentation) sushi than Origami. That pretty much says it all right there. Won't be back...Sake Cafe here we come again!
(1)Brittany K.
I'm a big fan of origami! The miso soup is really good and the sara roll is my go-to. It is overflowing with the crunchy stuff on top, but I love it. There is a "hidden" menu that doesn't show up on their website that has some delish rolls (including the sara roll and fresh salmon roll that I can recall off the top of my head). If you go to the restaurant, their menu lists everything. I typically order to go here and it's always pretty quick, even when I just go and order at the bar. Would definitely recommend!
(4)Brittany R.
LOVED THIS PLACE. it is a little odd to walk in and remember when it used to be Tuck's, however, the food is great! huge portions. i got the rice crispy, the black jack roll, and the tropical roll. all were amazing and very large portions. the spicy tuna in the black jack roll was very delicious. I have been to a lot of sushi places around town and it is nice to go somewhere where you feel like you really get your moneys worth.
(5)C S.
First up, we order the 'Origami appetizer, panko cooked to a nearly charred texture. I tried to remain optimistic (even over my better half's protestation that the texture was like she imagined fried catfood to taste like) but lackluster would be the best I could say. 14 minutes to get two glasses of wine from the bar to my table 3.5 feet away, and things went downhill from there. The middle of the road specialty roll sealed the deal for me. I'm a overly forgiving diner, and I could say I'd try it again, but truth be told there are far too many sushi restaurants around for me to let both a mediocre roll AND an over ten minute glass of wine sway me back. Disappointing, as we have come to LOVE most all of the restaurants on Freret.
(2)Amanda W.
Okay, I get it, it's opening night. But my experience here tonight was, without a doubt, the worst restaurant experience I've ever had. We got there around 6:45, and waited at the podium to be seated. There was no host in sight, but there was someone (who was clearly an employee) standing at the back of the restaurant and staring at everyone. Um, ok. We were seated after a few minutes wait, and we were stuck in a small room behind a wall. We waited at least 15 minutes for them to bring menus over. Once we determined what we wanted, we had been waiting at least 25-30 minutes. The waitress had been in and out of our little room multiple times, completely ignoring us each time. She finally came over and, not looking up at all, grabbed the menus and our sushi order. I had to stop her from leaving in order to ask for water, a bottle of saki, and some edamame. She appeared to have heard me and yet we waited AN HOUR and we had gotten two out of our three waters, the waitress had not checked in on us, and we had gotten neither our appetizer/sake or our entrees. We checked with another table in our room who weren't even lucky enough to get water yet, and they said that they had been waiting about an hour, and they had been there before us. We complained to the manager, and to more than one waiter/waitress. They did...absolutely nothing. Did not even acknowledge us. We walked out so angry and hungry that I desperately wanted to be snarky when the owner/manager said "Thanks" to us on our way out. We drove straight to Ninja and satisfied our sushi craving within 20 minutes. I could have swam to Japan, married a Japanese guy, brought him back to America, and asked him to make us sushi before this place would have given us food. Absolutely ridiculous, and the whole staff was completely unapologetic about our experience. I'm extremely disappointed, and probably won't be going back any time soon (or at least until they learn to train their waitstaff).
(1)Scraggs D.
Currently my favorite sushi in New Orleans. The burning man roll was one of the best ive ever had. the origami roll with fried banana around it is a fun novelty but not something I will get regularly. Good ambience and good service. I will be back. If this place was a little cheaper, I'd be there more often.
(4)Rachael L.
I really wanted to like this place and went in with high hopes. We went in for lunch, this being one of the few sushi places that doesn't close from 2:30-5. The service was good, and the waitress did what she could but the food did not match the atmosphere. The sashimi was almost 1/2 an inch thick, and lacked any grace. I should not have the bite-off a piece. When I realized that a roll came covered in eel sauce (of which I can't stand) they would not remake it because it was already made. I was told they could remake it but I would be charged for both rolls. All in all I will NOT be going back.
(2)Alyson I.
I am surprised to see so many negative reviews concerning the service at Origami. I have eaten there 3 times and had excellent service each time. The first time I went was for lunch with two girlfriends and our three kids. The waitress was great with our kids and very helpful. I liked it so much I took my husband for dinner 2 nights later and we ate dinner there last night. I really enjoy the specialty rolls I have tried, the Saints Kicker roll, the Tiger roll, and the Jackpot roll. The standard rolls are very good too.
(4)Connie N.
Yay finally a NON-artery-clogging restaurant on The New Freret! Don't get me wrong, I love Dat Dog, Company Burger, and Midway but sometime's it's nice to stuff something slightly less cheesy in my face. While it isn't my number 1 sushi pick in the city, Origami is definitely a close second. I've heard dirty rumors that the service is shoddy, but I didn't find that to be the case when I went (albeit on a weekday night). Anyway they're a fairly new establishment just getting their bearings straight, so I say cut 'em a little slack and give their tasty sushi a try!
(4)Melissa E.
Since my review of Origami, I've found out some more information about the link of Kyoto and Origami, which is miniscule. What I understand is that a former partner in Kyoto, who left the partnership years ago has opened Origami. So, I'm happy to hear that my fav sushi place, Kyoto, is not to blame for my dreadful experience at Origami.
(1)Emily S.
So far, this is my favorite sushi in the city. Haven't tried them all quite yet, but I personally love this place. They're very rarely busy, but service is sometimes hit-and-miss, though never actually poor. I've never waited for a table, which I love, and the rolls are AMAZING and well-priced. I've liked every roll I've had but my favorites are the Burning Woman and Chocolate City. Their miso and tempura are fantastic as well and the sushi pretty much always comes out promptly. My only complaint is that they always close their kitchen way earlier than necessary, so even if we want to order take-out at 10:20 (when they close at 11) they turn us down and we end up going to other sushi places, which are never as good.
(5)Em C.
I have had several delicious meals at Origami. I love their Poke salad and could probably eat it everyday. All the roles I have tried were really yummy as well. Their specialty roles are huge and a good value for the price point. I haven't had any major issues with the service such as the other reviewers have mentioned so I think time has allowed them to work out some of the kinks. I will note that one of the servers I had had a challenging time understanding special requests because of a language barrier but in the end our whole order was correct so I won't hold it against them too much. Overall I think this is now my first choice for sushi in the area (over Sake Cafe, Kyoto and Ninja).
(4)A. C.
What a great new place! The sushi is delicious with beautiful presentation, and brown rice is available for an extra 50 cents. The prices are pretty average for New Orleans sushi places. I'll definitely be back, though I'm sure it'll be full of Tulane girls in no time.
(4)Jessica B.
My boyfriend and I thought we would try some place new for value-priced sushi. I love Hoshun and Sake Cafe, but can't afford to go there once a week to satisfy my sushi craving. So, we hopped on Yelp and find a week old establishment, which I was pretty excited about. I love new businesses. The atmosphere when I walked in made this typical Thursday night dinner feel more like a swank date night. New and hip.... nice. I wish I could say the excitement carried us through the meal. We did have to wait at a bar stool for about 10 minutes to grab a table at this small establishment. A host did tell us to have a seat at the bar while we wait, but the bartender never spoke to us; not "hello", not "would you like a drink?", Nada. He just served the waiters' drinks and had no customers. That's a tough gig for a bartender. I hope he realizes this misstep when he stares at his minuscule tips at the end of the night. Our service was barely sufficient. We were sat at a table with no plates, chopsticks or linens. Warm towels were the first thing to get to us from our waitress. Waters and plum wine made it just fine as well. By the time our waitress came back to take our appetizer order, we knew what we wanted for entrees as well. We ordered miso soups and house salads, and she ran away before I could finish our order. She rushed over with the soups, saw our sushi order on a paper, and I had to "WAIT!" her before she ran away again to get my sake order in, which she even wasn't sure came in a bottle. The salad came and we still had not received any plates, saucers, linens, or chopsticks. We had to stop another waitress for chopsticks. Then, the sushi came. She called out the sushi as if the entire plate were for one person. Yet, the two rolls were the only ones we ordered, and were on only one plate. I just said "You can put it in the middle". She ran again, and we had to practically yell at her for plates. Finally, we got plates. After the plates we didn't see our waitress until she brought the check. The place was full at the time, but it was as if she had other matters besides tables to get her attention. The manager asked if we were okay, which we just said "sure." The waitress who gave us our chopsticks picked up our plates after several minutes of us sitting there with the plates empty. She also asked if we received our bill. "No. Not yet". She tried her best to sell us dessert. Not happening. Our waitress brought our check, picked it up, but the chopstick waitress brought it back to be signed. The food/drink was like no other, and not in a good way. My unfiltered sake was served in a martini glass. The house salad ginger dressing was oily and not very ginger-y. The miso's tofu chunks were too big and awkward. To me, miso is a delicate soup, not chunky in any way. The two sushi rolls we ordered came with soy paper (FEMA Roll and Big Easy Roll) which is why we ordered them. I prefer soy paper over the overabundance of rice found at most "value sushi" places. Well, to our surprise, our rolls came with an abundance and rice AND soy paper. There was very little fish/crab/etc in the middle, and loads of rice surrounding. My boyfriend saw my dismay a quarter through the meal, and proceeded with "I know it's disappointing, but just put it in your mouth". After giggling for a good 3 minutes, I did eat more of our rice rolls. But, I'm not happy about it. Nor will we be returning. I would much rather have awesome sushi once a month then suffer through another one of these rice-filler and snow crab abundant rolls, bad service, value sushi places again. Sorry Origami, but your food and service do not match your decor. It's time for an upgrade in staffing.
(1)Cynthia S.
I think this place is underrated at 2.5 stars. I would personally give it 3.5 stars if yelp would allow me to but won't go up to 4 because, being from the west coast, I'm accustomed to better sushi than any of NOLA's offerings. First off, I'd like to say that the decorating staff did an amazing job of covering up the fact that this place used to be Friar Tuck's, one of the frattiest and grossest bars known to mankind. The place looks very clean. Contrary to all the complaints about slow customer service, we were seated almost immediately and our orders were taken and food were brought to us in a very normal time frame. I wouldn't say it was "fast," but it was Saturday around 7:30pm and very busy, and service certainly wasn't slow. Our server came by regularly and someone else, possibly an owner or manager, came by to check on us as well. They're really cleaning up their act. I had a Tiger Roll, which I'd definitely recommend, and the miso soup. The food itself was good - nothing I'll be raving about, but very solid and I'd definitely come back to satisfy a sushi craving. My only other complaint was, though it was a specialty roll and quite filling, it was priced at $14 which is a bit much for any roll in my opinion.
(3)Felip F.
I never thought this building could get any better the old stomping grounds of tucks. But I was proven wrong. Origami is the cats pajamas. This is by far the best authentic sushi spot in Nola thus far. Finally decided to start yelling just for this place. It's awesome. People are all friendly. Chefs will talk and answer questions. And it's nice to have a modern, clean look to a sushi joint and not a dark, grungy feel. - white fish carpaccio. Burning man. Mystery roll. Boooomb
(5)Lauren C.
I went here for the first time on a whim this week, and was totally impressed. This was the best sushi I have had in New Orleans. The service was very good, although our soups could have come out a little faster. Everyone was exceedingly nice and friendly to us. The food was awesome. We ordered the eggplant-miso appetizer, which was really really good, the fried chicken appetizer, also really good, and the rainbow roll. The tuna sushi was the best I've ever had, I think! Really nice place. The prices weren't bad either. It was a great experience, and I can't wait to go back. This will be my go-to sushi restaurant from now on.
(5)Dominique F.
This is my favorite sushi place in new orleans! The staff was friendly and the food is just awesome. The tabo special roll, black jack roll and rock and roll roll are the best!
(5)Joe L.
I guess I was lucky to get there early on opening night. The service was great and I can honestly say that the rolls we had were superior to any rolls I have had at other sushi joints. I had the eggplant with miso sauce which was terrific. Now, as the place got slammed I can see why others did not get the service our table recieved. I only saw three wait staff and there was no hostess from what I could see. Things got crazy once the place was full. I have seen this at a few other openings as well in the past. Amanda, the guy that you spoke about that was clearly an employee, staring at everyone was actually the guy that set up the registers. He was there helping the wait staff if/when they had problems ringing things up. He was not an employee. I know because I wondered the same thing and started a conversation with him. I am going to assume either the owner had no idea it would be this busy or some people did not show up. Either way they need to fix the service quickly. I think maybe this is why I make allot of opening nights at new places. They can get very interesting. LOL
(4)Jared S.
I've been here twice, both times to get their lunch special. It's $11.95 for a salad, miso soup, and three different rolls of sushi (24 total pieces). It's filling, delicious, and the service is good. This is one of my favorite spots in Nola.
(5)Cupcake D.
I noticed a lot of complaints about service, but I experienced nothing but excellent service at Origami. They were very polite and prompt. The person who appeared to be the manager or owner even directed me to the bathroom when he saw me get up from our table. The sushi was great, and they have a large and interesting menu. I especially liked the Burning Woman roll (it had peppered tuna) and the Tropical roll (salmon and mango). The atmosphere was nicely decorated and the booths are generous and high backed. I will definitely be going back!
(5)David L.
Very solid sushi joint. Owner is friendly (maybe too friendly), service is fast, and free poke salad at the sushi bar! Good neighborhood sushi joint.
(4)Darla L.
Went here for dinner with a close friend. I had peeked at their Yelp reviews before going to get a handle on the best menu items which turned out to be their special rolls. After having the Geisha roll and the Margarita roll, I couldn't agree more. They were absolutely delicious --- much better than what I've had at Ninja for the price you pay! They have a very nice interior and very roomy booth seats with large tables. Service was excellent. Would definitely recommend for any occasion.
(5)Paul B.
I have no idea what the reviewers below were thinking but this was BY FAR the worst sushi and sushi experience we have ever had! For starters, the sake was lukewarm at best. The poke salad was drenched in some sort of sauce with no flavor and the fish was FAR from tender. The fish being raw should not be "chewy". Had the Gustavo roll based on others reviews. Chopped tuna with a ton of rice around it- nothing like the description. And it tasted like dog food. We sent that roll back and the server had the nerve to tell us-after we said the roll was disgusting-well that is the Gustav roll. She did not ask if we wanted anything else to eat or drink and did not come back until we flagged her down for the bill. By the way, it was 5:00 and there were a total of 4 customers in the entire place at the time. Overall I give this place 0 stars for food and if I could give a negative for service I would! There are many other sushi places in this city-AVOID ORIGAMI!!!!
(1)Jinyoung P.
Had a sushi date here with my friend K last week. We ordered a specialty roll (I forget the name and can't find the menu online) and three of the more standard rolls. I really wish I had the menu in front of me so I could tell you what they were, but I gotta say that the specialty roll was off the hook. When I go back next, I definitely want to try some of the other ones! Service was good. Our server checked in with us often enough but not too much. Overall a pleasant experience with delicious sushi in my tummy.
(4)Dominique L.
in being allergic to fish (not shellfish) I had never had sushi until 2 years ago when I took a chance on one of their avocado rolls. I've gotten more adventurous and have never had a problem. they even make the lobster roll for me with out imitation crab. I recommend the poboy roll and the shigure appetizer for any fish allergies!! their soft shell crab specials & oysters shooters are also fantastic! perfect rice, crisp fresh ingredients, great presentation & a beautiful atmosphere! perfection all around!!
(5)Liz C.
Origami is a classic New Orleans sushi joint: slow-paced service, affordable and delicious sushi. Lots of creative rolls here, and the portions are perfect for making two meals out of a dish. Three rolls split between two people will be MORE than enough to share. I have dined in and picked up from here three or four times, and the staff are always extremely friendly and accommodating. Minus one star because the feel of the restaurant isn't very authentic, but that could just be my lingering haunting memories of Friar Tuck's (the business that once inhabited the building). :P
(4)Seth B.
It's a typical sushi joint in New Orleans so the food is pretty good. The service can be a bit bizarre and slow so I recommend take out. For the area I think they do a really good job and it's party of the Freret St food scene!!
(4)Jen L.
The first time I went to Origami it had only been open a couple of weeks & the service was comical rather than bad. I watched confused waitstaff pinball off of each other in confusion over who was responsible for what. The rolls & sushi were good though, so knew I would be back. Fast forward to my most recent couple of visits, both times we were large groups (6ish) and were seated right away (even over Mardi Gras weekend). The staffing issues seemed to have been solved. I've now tried a good portion of their menu and I've not been wowed by anything. The portions on some rolls are huge (which can lead to massive over ordering). And I've gotten a couple of items that had ingredients that weren't listed on the menu which was odd (and off putting for one of my friends). The space is lovely and the location is convenient for me. But I've not been wowed by the food, so while I won't cross it off the list, it won't be my first choice.
(3)M E.
Found this on Yelp. Had a bunch of rolls. Thought all the seafood was fresher than the average American sushi place. Thought some of their house special rolls were great (sorry, forget which ones). The reviewers that mention bad service are accurate. It's just standard inattentive sushi place service -- the people are nice if you can get one to your table. The LOL moment is when we waited 15 minutes for a bowl of ice cream at the end. You know. Because it's hard to scoop ice cream...
(4)Jasmine H.
Some of the best sushi I have tried in New Orleans - I will definitely be coming back. They have a good selection of rolls, as well as salads, other Japanese entrees (grilled dishes, sushi & sashimi etc), noodles, tempura and a few desserts. I ordered the tiger roll (highly recommended) and tried a few others - they were loaded with decent quality fish and were delicious. Some of the dishes on the menu show a Vietnamese / Chinese influence - for example, you can order sriracha sauce on top of your sushi, if you like a bit of extra spice. The only downside was that the service was a little sloppy, although we did have a group of more than 20 people.
(4)Andrea Joy A.
I really struggled with deciding whether to give this 2 stars or 1. In a nutshell: the food here was good. Not great, but good. However, the service quite possibly was the worst I have ever experienced. Went here with my husband, brother, and brother's girlfriend. Full disclosure: it was Mardi Gras evening which meant that many restaurants were closed for the holiday, however this one was not. That said, the restaurant was less than half full and we called ahead to inquire as to the kitchen wait-time. We were told it would only be 30 minutes. We were seated promptly and ordered a mix of sushi and appetizers. It was obvious that our waiter struggled with English but my husband speaks Japanese and was able to get our point across. I ordered an appetizer as an entree (as there weren't many vegetarian options) and he confirmed that it would come out with the entrees rather than beforehand. 20 minutes later, my entree arrived as an appetizer. Meanwhile, the edamame we ordered was nowhere to be found. The sushi came shortly thereafter, but my husband's chicken yaki soba was missing. After politely waiting for his to come for 5-10 minutes (it's not like our sushi was getting cold) and being unable to find our waiter, we asked a different waitress where the yaki soba was. She told us it was coming out "soon." In that time we also noticed our waiter in a confrontation with another table about what they were alleging was a double charge on their credit card. Also during this time we were out of water. We asked the available waitress (since our waiter was very much preoccupied and not attentive) for water but then she disappeared. Finally, our waiter came over and gave my brother and his girlfriend water, and then disappeared to refill the pitcher leaving my husband and i with no water for 5-10 more minutes. In approximately 15 minutes of waiting for my husband's meal, we asked multiple serves multiple times (not just our own) how long it would be. All we were told was "soon" or "in a few minutes." FInally, when our frustration became quite obvious, our sheepish waiter admitted that the kitchen had just started cooking it (at this point the rest of us had finished eating) and said, "do you still want it?" Umm...what else is he going to do? Not eat dinner? My husband's yaki soba finally came approximately 30 minutes after the sushi came out, and it was much too hot to eat. The rest of us ended up watching him eat the piping hot food since we had nothing left to munch on. The icing on the cake was when the bill came: the waiter had given us a whopping 10% off the yaki soba due to my insisting that it be free (80 cents off is what they gave us instead) but charged us for the edamame that never came. We had to send the check back. For the first time in my entire life we left no tip. When we walked out there was another party leaving, who had had the same server. We overheard them saying they had chosen to leave cash in the hostess jar rather than for the waiter. That makes three disgruntled groups of diners (don't forget the party who was double charged) in an hour time period. It takes a lot for the service to be so bad as to overshadow good food. But, one star it is.
(1)Stephen H.
This is one of our favorite sushi spots. The food is always good. Rice krispy and tuna sandwich are must try items. The service, however reminds me of football players that look good during training but choke under pressure. Go here on a busy night and you'll understand. Our most recent trip though was great. Our server Twee? Tui? was extremely attentive and fun. In addition to being friendly, funny and on point, she went to bar tending school where she learned a red snapper, kamikaze, long island ice tea.......you get the picture. So not only can she recommend a dinner item, but she can get you tipsy at the same time. I think I may be in love. Don't tell my wife..
(4)Rene D.
I'm hesitant to write a review for a place that's so new. But my experience was so lovely, I want to share. if you're going to try out a place, by all means do it on a night when most New Orleanians are glued to TV sets watching football. It's as if you've purchased the place out for the night and are greeted by pleasant servers. The space is spartan in decor. But, that's not the point. I came for the fish, and boy, was it great. High quality and great variety. I ordered only sashimi; I can't talk about 10-ingredient rolls that are deep fried and sauces masking the flavors of the fish. I know it's raw; if you don't want to eat raw food, then don't brag about how much you love sushi. Others did mention the service, and can say, for an empty place and quite a few staff members standing around with nothing to do, my beverages should have arrived much faster. With encouraging the staff to pick up the pace, Origami will be a great place for sushi Uptown. Finally!
(4)Moira R.
I was quite impressed with the decor here. The restaurant is extremely clean and very modern looking. My lady friend and I decided to go for a visit last night after hearing about their tempura banana dish. We love fried banana dishes so this was right up my ally. It was a Monday night at 9PM. So, I wasn't that surprised that the place was fairly empty with just a few people sitting at the bar. They attended to us reasonably quickly and let us sit wherever we liked. We ordered two hot green teas and the tempura banana dish. The tea was good. The banana dish arrived beautifully displayed with a small dish of ice cream. I ordered mango ice cream to go with the banana. Either the mango flavor was very strange or we actually had lychee ice cream. I'm not sure. Either way, the ice cream was good but different tasting. The service was good and our tea pot was refilled when it was empty. For $10 it was a good evening dessert and tea outing.
(3)Victoria T.
Finally i got the chance to try origami considering how close it is to my campus. I liked the decor in the restaruant, small, quaint and the ambiance was comforting. Now on to food! We ordered the crispy rice, Jackpot roll, and you can't go wrong with the baked salmon. To start off, the crispy rice consists of three mini crispy rice squares and on top of each rice had something different on it, the first one had spicy crawfish, the second had tuna, and the last had tofu on top. the portions for these were just right and the sauce to on these added a good extra flavor to them. The Jackpot roll is a deep fried roll with salmon and tuna, sriracha (which i love), and eel sauce. It tasted just lovely. They had a lot of other special rolls on the menu I will come back and try too. Overall I enjoyed eating here and the prices here are reasonable considering the portions here are huge, which is a good thing. I will definitey come back to try other things
(4)Christine G.
I really love coming in to Origami. The calm decor and quiet music, make it a real retreat between meetings. My favorite roll is the Gustar roll, delicious with plenty of salmon and fresh mango. They are also very generous with the shrimp in tempura orders, which is a delight. Service staff are calm, accomodating, and reflect the restaurant's peaceful and inviting vibe.
(5)Kim-Thao H.
A very pleasant experience! I was very hesitant to try this place because of the previous reviews, but this place is literally 2 minutes away from my school so what the hay! Why not?! Upon walking in the door, my eyes were immediately drawn to the big round lights hanging from the ceiling. They literally look like balls with cut paper hanging around them! They're very different, but pretty cool I have to add. The restaurant has nice decor and a very chill atmosphere. Very spacious too! My friend and I came around 5 pm on a weekday so the restaurant was pretty much empty when we came. The waittress was very sweet and benevolent and the service was spot on! I didn't expect any less since we were one of the few people in there. Hahha. So my advice would be to try this place on a weekday when it's not busy, then your experience would be as delightful as mine! Now on to the food business. We ordered the Beef Tataki as our appetizer. Let me start by saying that this is definitely not your typical beef tataki. At most Japanese restaurants, beef tataki is thinly sliced beed cooked rare on a bed of onions and ponzu sauce. Here, it's completely different! The pieces of beef are larger, but still tender and good. It's served with lettuce and spinach! Never seen that before! The sauce is more of a citrus lime/lemon flavor and it comes with sriracha sauce on the side of course! We both really enjoyed this dish; it may be different but in a good way! As for rolls, we decided on three special rolls: the Tiger Roll, Gustav Roll, and Jackpot Roll. All of them were really good! The fish was fresh and they really hit the spot. The Tiger Roll comes with salmon, tuna, whitefish, eel, crunchy, and eel sauce. Very standard, but good! The Gustav Roll came with cream cheese, spicy tuna, salmon, mango, and a sweet chili sauce. I'm not a big fan of cream cheese, so I took it out, A very refreshing and light roll! As with anything with mango, YUMMM! The Jackpot roll was a deep-fried roll with tuna and a couple other things I don't remember. Teehee. Sorry, long day of school! It came with eel sauce, spicy mayo, and sriracha. I was worried I wouldn't like it, because i have tried other fried rolls before that I thought were a bit overwhelming, but this wasn't at all! The rolls are very good, but not the best I ever had and not enough for me to give 5 stars. Sorry! Dessert time! Of course only my galfriend and I would be fat enough to eat all that and STILL have room for dessert! No meal is complete without something sweet! Teehee :) We got our beloved fried cheesecake and mango ice cream (red bean ran out :() The tempura cheesecake was decadent and fresh! I lovedddd that the batter was crispy! Just how I like it! But the mango ice cream tasted more like melon. Hrmmm maybe they mixed it up. Overall, still very satisfying! I can't wait to come back and try some more of these goodies!
(4)Troy D.
Really enjoyed meal there with my wife last night. Only thing i can complain about is the booths. Seats are a little too far from table to eat comfortably. Sushi was fresh and flavorful. We will be back.
(5)Casey M.
The sushi gets 5 stars. The service gets -3 stars for being extraordinarily slow. The chef gets -1 star for talking more than doing his job. Therefore overall rating is 1 star. For anyone interested in rice, the rice is excellent.
(1)Sean K.
I have a habit of going to Kyoto on Sunday nights, all geared up for gorging on lots of fine piscine flesh. Problem. Kyoto is closed on Sundays. Solution. Origami. I typically eat right at the bar, but I thought Origami's double-wide booth tables were great for arranging several shared plates at a time. I won't belabor how much I like the squid salad from Kyoto, but Origami's is equal to if not greater than. (Still runner up to Domenica's octo carpaccio in the cold seafood dish category). If there were a Creole Creamery next door, this place would dislodge Kyoto from the top of my favorite sushi places slash easy prepackaged date night destinations. Still, it's yet another place doing good things on Freret, so domo arigato for that, y'all.
(4)Dmitri S.
I went for the first time ever today and LOVED IT! I got the grilled mackerel dinner plate. I guess nobody really buys that, because the owner and employees were surprised. I enjoyed the food, and also got a free miso soup and red bean ice cream (which they don't sell). But I had a nice conversation with the owner and 2 employees. The service was good and I will for sure be back.
(5)Lianna P.
Went here for lunch today with a friend who lives close by and eats here a lot. How insanely lucky for us! The head sushi chef guided us through a succession of dishes at his whim, starting with a mini Poke Salad for each of us. I've never liked squid before, but I loved it today. (Quick note on the ambience: sleek, lacquered traditional Japanese meets modern New Orleans with a few weird tchotchkes. A+). Next was the Tuna Sandwich, a cute and funny take on the traditional with raw tuna "bread" hugging a generous portion of crab mix, avocado and some type of sauce. Delicious. Then came some Jalapeno Poppers, filled with cream cheese and tuna tartare, and fried lightly in tempura batter--a yummy twist on a classic, and not something you'd expect at a sushi spot. After that, some flavorful miso soup and another two rolls pulled it all together. It was the perfect amount of food, so fresh I felt like I was actually tasting the ocean my tuna swam in. The chef conversed with us throughout, telling us what he was creating. Service was polite and attentive without being intrusive (dishes bussed promptly, water refilled). I'd definitely recommend a visit.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Best sushi I've had thus far in New Orleans. Burning Man roll is fantastic! I found the hot sake to be a little harsh on the finish compared to other varieties I've had, but that's my only complaint. Food and service were great!
(4)Lisa A.
This place was so delicious! I went there with some friends. The sushi chefs are awesome. We ordered some rolls with and without fish along with many appetizers. The vegetarian options are awesome! Love this place.
(5)C S.
Love this restaurant!! Strongly recommend their stuffed shiitake mushroom, beef soba and Philadelphia roll!!! Yummy!!! And great price too!!!
(4)Kelsey G.
I'm hoping that my experience was because we were too eager to see some sushi standoff between another local place and here prove that the one within walking distance would be better. It probably doesn't help that we had gone in during their first month of operation, but that shouldn't be an excuse for any new place, it should be the exception for why it stood out as extraordinary. Sadly, it was just ordinary. After what seemed a long ordeal to get drinks and appetizers, ordering sushi as a vegetarian was somewhat embarrassing for myself as well as our server. She was perplexed at my request to build my own roll because their vegan options were not what I had hoped for. When I decided to settle and order their veggie roll with one thing substituted, she came back to tell me the sushi chef was kinda bothered and confused and then charged me an additional fee for the switch (really, because my slice of mango was so unusual and your asparagus cost so much less?) My friends said they enjoyed their fish rolls but probably wouldn't go back just because the slow service, attitude and lack-of New Orleans charm cancelled out any piece of sushi that they liked. Looks like we'll continue our trek down to the other local Japanese favorite.
(2)Katie T.
I enjoyed my first experience at Origami. My mom and I decided stray from our usual Kyoto to try it out. We were really glad we did. Not sure how the who sushi biz works, but there were rolls that I have had at other places on the menu that I thought were exclusive to those places. Guess they trade recipes or something. Anyway, we shared the cucumber salad which was amazing, got miso soup of course, and we shared the Sara roll which is on the Kyoto menu and the Burning Woman roll which is on the Little Tokyo menu. Both rolls were awesome. I think Origami's version of the Burning Woman is actually better. The pepper tuna on top is soooooo good. We also shared a bottle of sake which was just ok. I will be gracing Origami with my business again and soon I am sure since I work so close to it.
(4)Johnny B.
This is one of only a few authentic Japanese restaurants in New Orleans. I have never had a bad experience. Make sure you try the Chirashi. Excellent fresh sushi.
(5)Kimberly J.
This delicious addition to Freret St. Origami is on par with the best sushi restaurants in the city with a modern fresh flair. Service was better than most and the rolls are creative. Just before posting this review, I read the others. I think they've worked out some of the kinks others complained about just after opening. Our server was fantastic, our rolls were amazingly good and everything arrived in a timely manner. I will be back to continue sampling the unique special rolls category!
(4)Philip K.
My favorite sushi place in NOLA thus far especially for special rolls. When you take in to account price, freshness, atmosphere, service-- Origami comes out on top in my book. I have been here for lunch and dinner and it is awesome. Lunch they have a super good sushi special where for around the bargain price of $10 you get a salad, miso, and 3 basic rolls. Who can beat that? Always a guaranteed nice lunch. Dinner has been awesome too, they have really really yummy special house rolls and unlike other places you feel like you are definitely getting what you pay for. They also always accommodate requests (like taking cream cheese out of rolls etc.). They even give you warm towels at the begining of your meal, score!
(5)Jonathan D.
Nice ambiance, pleasant staff, very fast and efficient take-out ordering, large menu with a lot of options (appetizers, miso, udon, soba, salad, teryaki, sushi, etc.), and very fresh-tasting fish. The Poke Salad ($8.95) -- with sliced cucumbers, tuna sashimi, squid, a little bit of seaweed and a spicy ponzu sauce -- is very refreshing and flavorful. It could be a light lunch all by itself. But here comes the negative: Too many menu items usually indicates a lack of focus in the kitchen, and this appears to be the case at Origami. They would do well to focus on a few things that they are very good at, rather than trying to cater to everyone. One thing that they are not very talented at, I am afraid to report, is the creative sushi roll. The combinations sound really good on paper, but aren't so great in execution. For instance the Burning Man Roll (~$12) contains two kinds of spiced tuna, avocado, panko and eel sauce. The mushy tuna mix inside had an unpleasant texture and flavor, and the roll was not well constructed, so that it fell apart when being lifted with chopsticks. The size of the roll was very generous, but it is not something I would ever order again. Ditto for the Tiger Roll (~$15) with three kinds of fish, eel and smelt roe; again, the construction was very poor, and the flavor was mediocre. In my mind, what distinguishes great sushi from merely competent sushi is excellent construction and fresh, bold flavors. These sushi rolls were lacking in both departments.
(3)Ivana J.
We ordered a salmon avocado roll and yellowtail roll to go and ate it by the river. It may have partly been the ambiance, but I found the sushi delicious. There was ample fish in each roll and the rolls were a good size. It was nothing spectacular, but I was not disappointed.
(4)Amanda M.
Had a pleasant experience at Origami last night. As other posters have mentioned, they did a great job renovating dingy Friar Tucks. It is well decorated, with a calming atmosphere. We had great service, and our waiter worked hard to be sure we had everything we wanted, were never short on water etc. Pretty typical roll prices - $5 for the standard rolls, $10-$15 for the specialties. While that may seem high for specialty rolls, these were huge! We got the Tiger Roll (which was fine) and the Burning Man Roll (which was amazing). There were a lot of other interesting specialty rolls on the menu that I am excited to come back and try. Really my only issue was that my Special Eel Roll was completely falling apart. 6 of the 8 pieces unravelled as I picked them up, and it was just not very impressive. This isn't the worst thing in the world, but I would expect a sushi restaurant to be able to make a standard roll correctly. I definitely plan on going back to try the rest of the menu. Its nice to have a new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(3)Jean-Paul V.
Went a few nights ago and had a great experience, but then it was a Sunday eve during the holidays. As such, we got great service; we were one of like 5 tables. The story goes the original Kyoto on Prytania family renovated and leased this spot after the delinquent high school bar once here (Friar Tuck's formerly Wit's Inn) finally closed after a fatal shooting in early 2011. So you have an old building with new blood in a rebounding area full of hamburgers, hot dogs, and cocktails. Sidling up to sushi is at once refreshing and genius. The menu and quality are comparable to Kyoto, and while that's good I wasn't exacty expecting that. Fresh, but standard and priced to market. No bargains but nothing crazy either. Will be back -
(4)Stephen R.
I used to live right next door to this restaurant when it was the sleaze-O college bar Friar Tucks. Although I will fondly remember $5 pitchers of beer after work and passed out Tulane students sleeping in my bushes the neighborhood is much improved with the addition of this Sushi Bar. The name Origami threw me a little bit as I expected my napkin to be meticulously folded into a swan and my doggy bag to a tin foil dragon, but the place was actually really nice. Everyone working there was Asian, which always instills confidence in the authenticity of the cuisine and as with many fine sushi restaurants, the fresh fish was displayed in a glass case below the chef's station. The staff was friendly and the server was very helpful. My girlfriend and I were starving so when presented with the paper menu and a pencil commonly found in these types of establishments we started checking off rolls and appetizers voraciously. It didn't help that we were drinking 22 Oz bottles of Ichi Ban. By the time the server had arrived we had ordered squid sashimi, ginger green salads, a dynamite roll, and three other varied rolls. The waiter looked a bit shocked and said "are you sure you want all that?" Assuring him that we were starving he began bringing each item out as it was prepared. I knew we were in deep shit when I saw the table of four next to us struggle to finish their 3 rolls that were brought out on these tremendous platters. The first roll that came out (dynamite I think) was the circumference of a coffee mug and we didn't even attempt to finish it. When the waiter brought each additional roll we sent him to box up every previous roll that we couldn't finish. He never complained and remained professional about the added trips and I tipped him well. It was easy to tip him well since our bill was so reasonable. The prices are really, REALLY decent for such a great atmosphere and quality product. I feasted on Sushi for two days after we visited Origami and thought it was far and away the best sushi in New Orleans--if not the best I have ever had. Frou, frou sushi purists from New York and San Fran will likely disagree, but if you are an average Joe with a love of sushi don't miss this place. Bravo.
(5)Jon R.
Really good food. Steve is the best chef in the city. Modern, clean interior design. We come here about once a week.
(5)Marvelle W.
The tiger roll and mystery roll were delicious! One of my new fab spots...
(4)Spenser K.
When I saw that a new sushi restaurant was going in where the really quite despicable Tucks used to be, I was extremely excited. I go to school at Tulane and bike down Freret several times a week, so sime close, simple sushi sounded great! With that in mind, mah lady and I stopped in on a Tuesday night for dinner. First, the positive. The decor in the place is really great. The atmosphere, though it could use a bit of dimming (not a whole lot, just a tad to make it more intimate), is wonderful. I could barely believe that Origami is what used to be Tucks. The art on the walls was great, the sushi bar looked awesome, and everything seemed well put together. Unfortunately, the decor was the best thing about our experience. The waiters (there were two working the night I was there) did not seem to have assigned tables, and there wasn't anybody to seat us. Once the guy working the sushi bar directed us to a table, we had to ask one of the waiters for a menu. Service for the rest of the meal was similarly confused; both waiters tried to take our order, but no one asked how our food tasted. When our sushi did come, it came in three different increments, which doesn't make much sense to me, since I like to try and sample all of the food at once. The service was simply poor--not the worst that I've experienced, but poor indeed. I was hoping that bad service might indicate great food, but here I was also incorrect. We had four rolls, two basics and two specials. While our two basics were good (it's hard to mess up a crunchy and a philadelphia roll), our special rolls were not only expensive, they just weren't impressive. Both of the special rolls seemed to be lacking something, and one of them had been toasted with a butane torch (I presume this, because it tasted a little like gas). While the rolls looked good on paper, they simply didn't fit the bill. All told, if you want great sushi uptown, there are several other places you could go: Hana, Kyoto, etc. I intend to give Origami another chance after they've settled in, but for now, "Meh. I've experienced better" pretty accurately described my experience.
(2)Alyssa P.
After searching and searching for a good sushi place in New Orleans, I'm happy to say the search is over! Origami is reasonably priced and generous in proportions. The sushi is always fresh and they have such a wide variety of flavors that I've never experienced at other Japanese restaurants. Among a long list of other things, my boyfriend and I always get the Poke Salad and the Mussels (Sake or Curry? It is always a debate because they're both great!) We recently tried their special, Oyster Shooters, and they were a huge hit at the table. They don't come with cocktail sauce but don't worry, there is plenty of kick! We sent a compliment to the kitchen and the chef came out personally and told us the ingredients, which included a wasabi oil. MMM definitely been dreaming about those :) Looking forward to our next visit soon!
(4)Melissa R.
If I could rate this place solely on the food it would be five stars, hands down without a doubt. It was the BEST sushi I have had in New Orleans-It was amazing. The rolls were truly original and they were so delicious. However, I have to give Origami just three stars because the whole experience was prettty terrible. I know it was opening night, but, like I said the experience was so bad I really can't cut them any slack. After sitting at our table and waiting for 20 minutes without anyone approaching us, I finally had to stand up and go get menus myself. We were NEVER waited on. After waiting for 30 minutes we had to flag down the waitress multiple times to get her to come over to the table. We only ordered two special rolls (again-they really were incredible). After WAITING AN HOUR, the waitress brought over one roll- the wrong roll!! Ugh. Finally, one of the rolls came out and thirty minutes later the second roll came out. We were there for about TWO HOURS. We never even got water! :-( Origami, the food was so so yummy. Please work on the wait staff situation so I can come back and enjoy my experience.
(3)Kristin B.
I am moreso writing this review to counter the bad service reviews from the opening weekend of Origami. I went last night with a friend and the service was fantastic - we were promptly sat, our drinks arrived quickly and were refilled constantly, the servers checked in on us frequently. I also liked that they updated us on how long things would take ("your other two rolls will be 5 more minutes, but I wanted to bring what was ready now!"). And most importantly, I saw a true sign of service professionalism when our server didn't bat an eye at our gigantic sushi order (we were having a "LAY OFF ME, I"M STARVING" moment, and will not apologize). I think that perhaps Origami had a rough take-off regarding service but seem to have ironed out the kinks nicely. As for other aspects: I can't believe this place used to be Friar Tucks. Very spartan-chic interior, with especially amazing light fixtures. The sushi was extremely good (but not the best in NOLA) - very fresh, very interesting, well assembled, and the rolls are HUGE for the price. I am serious about the size - even the order of edamame was giant. Remember how I said that we were eating our stress/feelings? Well, we spent the same amount of money that we always do for sushi but ended up staggering out to go fully realize food comas that lasted all night. With finals coming up.... we'll be back, Origami. Oh, we WILL be back. With LOTS of feelings to eat. Prepare accordingly.
(5)Trey M.
Pros: modern decor, new building in an area experiencing a renaissance - props for investing in the local economy. Cons: similar to other reviewers, service was non-existent. My wife and I decided to give it a shot last weekend (or at least look at the menu). We walked in and stood at the hostess stand for literally four minutes before we left. Many servers walked by - some even made eye contact - buy no one acknowledged we were there. We started laughing because the other reviews were so true. We figured that if they treat us this way before they have our order, the rest of the experience would likely be bad. Hopefully this place will get its act together and we might give it another go.
(1)Amelia R.
Best Sushi I have had in New Orleans. I had none of the problems other yelp reviews claim. We were seated as soon as we walked in, the service was great and the food was awesome! Just a few years ago when I was a Loyola freshman I used to frequent the disgusting bar called Tucks. The new owners of the place have done a FANTASTIC job remodeling this place. The decorations are very nice and it feels VERY clean in the restaurant! The food was also great! We started with the salmon and cream cheese tempura which was even better than I expected! Then we got a crunchy roll and the funky margarita roll. The crunchy roll was really good but not what I was expecting. It isn't your typical crunchy but it is really fantastic, just beware it is almost twice the size of a typical sushi roll. I loved the funky margarita roll but our waitress later told us some people don't like it. It is almost an Asian Mexican fusion sushi roll. It has spicy crawfish inside and topped with tuna and salmon. Then they put a guacamole with a bit of wasabi mixed into it on top of the entire roll. Sounds really weird but I thought it was great! I will defiantly be going back for another of one of those. Defiantly try this if you are in to fun creative sushi. If you just wan't classic sushi this is not the roll for you! We also got the cheese cake tempura which was great too! All in all, go try this place! Really nice people working there and they provide great service and have fantastic fun creative sushi rolls. A very nice change from the typical sushi you find in New Orleans. GO.
(5)Nikit K.
Pricey but soooooo fresh and delicious. Must have tropical roll. Love how they make the mustard for the shumai.
(5)George F.
Great sushi!! My new favorite place to eat sushi In
(4)Bryan S.
If you like Little Tokyo, you will like Origami which was started by a few people who used to work there, so some of the rolls are the same as Little Tokyo. The miso soup is good, and all the rolls are great. The Poboy roll is as good as the Little Tokyo original.. Would like to see them create a few more original rolls and other menu items.
(4)Ben C.
The Roll selection is great i've been there numerous times and never had the same thing. The service staff and chefs are great, the chefs often engage me and ask about my order, and how i liked it and generally are nice people and happy to be there conversing with you and working. I love the place i go there at least two times a month. The meals are delicious and the presentation is always top notch too. 5 stars from me. I would highly recommend you make a trip to origami.
(5)Laura D.
Best sushi in New Orleans! Steve is first class. The sushi is fresh and inventive. Origami is a must every time is come back home to New Orleans!
(5)Christine N.
If authentic sushi and fresh fish is what you're looking for, this is the place. The uni (sea urchin), oyster shooters, sweet shrimp, etc is always fresh and delicious. I love the modern yet retro atmosphere. If the menu doesn't have what you're craving for, feel free to request something from the sushi chefs. Friendly staff and great service. Origami is my new sushi spot in New Orleans.
(5)