Raw bay scallops. Crab. Japanese mayonnaise. Spicy sriracha. If getting spicy scallop rolls four times a week is wrong, we don’t wanna be right (but your bank account might say otherwise).
Below are the top 5 spicy scallop rolls in NYC from the East to West Side. You’ll thank us later.
See also: The 10 Best Sushi Omakase Menus in NYC, According to Foodie Magician
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1143 1st Ave, Manhattan / Website
The crunchy spicy scallop hand Roll at Sushi Seki deserves to be in the Guinness World Records book of raw fish. Chef Seki Shi elevates a traditional spicy scallop recipe by mixing pieces of tempura crunch into the mayo sriracha mixture. The scallops are so buttery they melt on your tongue. The crispy seaweed wrapper adds an additional layer of crunch that we didn’t know we needed.
Pro Tip: Eat the hand roll right away for maximum freshness, or you may get some stares from Seki natives. We would marry this dish if we could.
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347 W 46th St, Manhattan / Website
The spicy scallop roll from Sushi by Gari 46 is a close competitor to Seki’s famous dish. World renowned chef Masatoshi "Gari" Sugio is also in on the little secret of adding tempura crunch to the creamy fish. It changes the whole game. There is a unique tang of sweetness that masks the sometimes overpowering taste of raw fish. This roll is typically served as a cut roll, as opposed to a hand roll, so it’s really all about personal preference.
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15 W 28th St, Manhattan / Website
The Kazunori Hand Roll Bar is unlike any other sushi place I have been to. As evidenced in the name, they specialize in handrolls, which is why the bay scallop hand roll is so top notch. Although technically not spicy (they use japanese mayo which adds a little flare but no sriracha), the seared bay scallops are so good that even spice-fanatics won’t care. There is an unspoken rule at the Hand Roll Bar that you can’t dip your sushi into soy sauce or any other japanese condiment. Some may roll their eyes, but trust the process. These scallops are so good it would be a disservice to mask the flavor.
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33 E 20th St, Manhattan / Website
A sister brand to Kazunori Hand Roll Bar, Sugarfish does not disappoint. And neither does the bay scallop cut roll, which is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Once again, this is a spicy scallop roll, hold the spice, but it does not matter. In addition to the insanely high quality of the fish, Sugarfish is known for their sugar-coated sticky rice. It’s phenomenal. Sugar is literally in their name, how could it not be?
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216 E 39th St, Manhattan / Website
A hidden gem on E. 39 St., Sushi Ryusei’s spicy scallop cut roll will blow you away. Run by the former head chef of Sushi of Gari, this minimalistic sushi bar matches the caliber of more well-known sushi spots. It’s hard to put into words, but the scallops are so buttery that they are almost oily. In the absolute best way possible. The spice level is at a mild to medium, which is perfect for those who want a little kick, but nothing crazy.
So there you have it, the top five best spicy scallop rolls in the city that never sleeps. And believe us, you won’t either after you’ve tried these stand out dishes.
Photography by: Amy Rosner
