Popular in Japan for decades, the conveyor belt sushi concept will finally debut in New Orleans this fall with the opening of KOI Japanese Revolving Sushi & Hibachi. It will be located in the Central Business District at 1200 Poydras St., next to the recently opened Juicy Seafood, which has the same operating partner, Leo Wu.
KOI will feature a modern conveyor belt sushi system, where small plates of fresh rolls and nigiri circulate past diners for easy selection. Prices for the revolving sushi plates start at $3.50 for basic items, such as a tuna roll, while larger specialty roll plates are priced at $7.95. In addition to sushi, there are also hibachi offerings. The restaurant will feature a full bar.
The decision to expand at the Poydras Street location comes after the success of Wu’s seafood concept, which has benefited from its prime location.
“We’ve been busy at Juicy Seafood, especially when there are games or events at the Superdome,” Wu told What Now New Orleans.
By opening KOI next door, Wu aims to capitalize on that foot traffic while offering a cuisine style that is still relatively rare in the Crescent City. While revolving sushi — often called “kaiten-zushi” — recently debuted in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, it has remained absent in the Crescent City.
“Hopefully there will be a lot of interest because this is a new kind of restaurant in New Orleans,” Wu said.
