Review: J. Hinari Sushi {Morristown, New Jersey}

Every Tuesday night, Madeline and I have a standing dinner date while Nick is at a workshop. The first time, we ended up ducking into a nearby sushi place. Mostly because it was easy and I recognized the name of the restaurant as one that my friend Patrizia said was a “must try.”

Tucked into a little spot on Pine Street, off the more busy South Street, J. Hinari has a sliding glass door to enter, and one that we always manage to use a little too much force with when opening and closing it.

Bam!

Our dinner routine now is that we go to J. Hinari one week, and then someplace new the following week, and then back to J. Hinari. The hostess/waitress now knows us as soon as we walk in, and we get waves from the sushi chef. The first time we went, I immediately searched for their version of a shrimp tempura roll, because it’s my go-to at a more local place we like. Since we’ve been there roughly 5-6 times now, I’m slowly working my way through the sushi roll menu.

Or “fake sushi” as my friend Beth likes to say, because I don’t eat the ones with raw fish. (The only raw fish I like are raw oysters)

Avocado roll.

Crab stick roll.

Green roll (with asparagus, avocado, and cucumber).

The shrimp tempura roll.

So far.

They’ve all been very good, but I think my favorite has been the avocado roll. Because seriously, pretty much anything with avocado and I’m there.

As for Madeline, she inhales an order of edamame on each and every visit, sometimes orders rice or dumplings, and likes the chicken tempura appetizer. I have also ordered the Avocado Salad. With the creaminess of the avocado and the strong, distinct ginger dressing, I can forgive the iceberg lettuce.

The service is good, as the waitress keeps an eye on our pace, brings child-friendly chopsticks, and even ketchup when we smuggle in a few french fries from a place next door. The restaurant is small, but welcoming and inviting. They have a reward card if you buy their specialty rolls, and on-street parking … well, it’s sometimes available and it sometimes means a few trips around the block. But that’s Morristown for you.

If you happen to be in the area, it’s a great little place to satisfy your sushi craving and enjoy a nice leisurely meal. Just don’t get the fried ice cream. I ordered it one night, curious about it since it’s usually found in Mexican restaurants and not Asian, and I should have left well enough alone. Instead, talk a stroll up to South Street and grab some frozen yogurt at Taro or Strawberry Fields.

PS If you’re lucky enough to live in the area, they offer free delivery!

J. Hinari Sushi
5 Pine Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 290-0017