A temaki hand roll bar in San Jose.

Temaki means “hand roll”. A sheet of toasted nori is wrapped by hand around warm seasoned rice and a filling of fresh fish, then handed straight across the counter. Unlike a cut sushi roll, a hand roll is made for one person and eaten immediately, while the nori still crackles and the rice is still warm.

At Hiraki’s hand roll bar in San Jose every roll is made one at a time, in front of you. Sit at the counter, order a few à la carte or take a set, and the chef hands them over one by one in the order they taste best. A few hand rolls make a quick lunch, or the start of a long izakaya dinner.

New to hand rolls? Start with the Favorite Set: salmon, sweet shrimp, yellowtail, white tuna and marinated bluefin. For something richer, add a premium roll: A5 Wagyu, Hokkaido Scallop or Uni & Ikura.

1. Eat it right away. The nori starts to soften within a minute or two. That’s why we hand rolls over one at a time.
2. Use your hands. Hold the roll like a cone, open end up, and eat from the top.
3. Go easy on the soy. Each roll is already seasoned with nikiri, ponzu or tare. A drop on top is plenty; dipping the nori makes it soggy.

Hiraki is on Curtner Ave in San Jose, an easy drive from Willow Glen, Downtown, Campbell, Santa Clara and Los Gatos. Walk in for the counter, or book a table.