A Las Vegas Restaurateur Has Opened a Sushi Spot Specializing in Hand Rolls [Updated]

A casual Las Vegas sushi restaurant is now slinging lobster hand rolls at its new downtown Portland restaurant. Tekka Bar, a Japanese spot specializing in hand rolls, opened May 14 with high-end matcha, sake, and meticulous rolls of fresh fish and crispy nori.

Last fall, Tekka Bar opened within Block16, the Cosmopolitan’s food hall that houses Portland big-names like Lardo and Pok Pok Wing. Owner Takashi Segawa is the mind behind several Japanese restaurants and cafes in Las Vegas, including high-end sushi spot Kabuto, classic noodle shop Monta Ramen, and matcha salon Chamon. Segawa connected with Chefstable, the restaurant group behind Lardo, to help open his first Oregon restaurant in the former Blue Star Donuts location, 1237 SW Washington Street. The space has changed significantly, now sporting a brand-new sushi counter and an assortment of hand rolls.

For those who don’t know, hand rolls are cones of nori filled with rice and various fillings. Tekka Bar offers hand rolls packed with cold fish like spicy tuna and bay scallop, available a la carte as well as in various sets — for instance, in the $30 “high roller” set, diners get salmon, yellowtail, bay scallop, lobster, fatty and spicy tuna rolls. Those seeking something less hand-held can also get a $9 a yellowtail serrano sashimi. Beyond seafood, the restaurant serves single-serving sake cups and a mix of local and Japanese beer, as well as nitro matcha on tap.

• Tekka Bar [Official]
• The Cosmopolitan [Official]
• Chefstable [Official]
• Boom! Cosmopolitan Reveals Six New Restaurants Opening This Fall [Eater Las Vegas]
• All previous Kabuto coverage [ELV]