DISH OF THE WEEK: X.O. Scallop Temaki at NAMI NORI

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

When a hot new restaurant announceS they will start serving weekday lunch, I rejoice a little bit. My schedule is a bit different from most and the best time for me to go eat somewhere is during the day.

It’s also a win-win situation because lunch is generally cheaper and less crowded. The only obstacle I discover is when a fancy place decides not to serve their signature dishes before the dinner crowd arrives. And I’m stuck eating some inferior lunch specials.

With a few exceptions, that was mostly not the case at Nami Nori. In fact lunch service takes their dinner omakase and makes it even more affordable.

At dinner, if you choose the Chef’s Set, you get five of their inventive temaki (hand rolls) for $28. At lunch, you get four for just $19! Sounds good to me.

I was lucky enough to get a solo seat at the counter (another perk for dining at lunch). The Chef’s Set included a very nice umami-laden miso soup and addicting edamame. Then out came the temaki.

These have become pretty popular around the city in the last few years at places like Kazu Nori and DomoDomo, who both serve a similar tasting. But I actually thought Nami Nori’s was the most affordable and creative.

I started with a pretty straight forward yellowtail and scallion combination, followed by a very bright and sweet salmon tomato which featured onion cream and chives. I also really liked the eggplant which was cooked in red miso and topped with crunchy oniony gobo chips.

But my favorite was by far the most luxurious and interesting. Chunks of plump buttery scallops were kissed with XO sauce, which is a spicy fermented sauce popular in Hong Kong. It brought sweet funky spicy notes to the party. Also involved in this temaki was a hint of lemon and a smattering of tobiko which provided a very pleasant salty pop. The combinations here were not the first flavors I expected at a Japanese meal but it was irresistible.

And I’m pleased to see you can try this at both dinner and at lunch, I can’t imagine breakfast is coming any time soon so sorry to all you early risers. Price: $6 (a la carte)/part of tasting for $19 (lunch), $28 (dinner)