If you have a chance, visit the brand new location of Happy Tuna at 380 Lexington on the NW corner of 41st and Lexington. They have some of the most unique walk up counter service in the city (where you can score Lychee cocktails as well as exotic soda like Sanzo Yuzu), world class sushi and high end patisserie items made on the premises.
Pictured above are the Matcha Basque Cheesecake, a matcha mousse with dark chocolate curls and Pistachio Cream Puffs which are filled after making your order! The Happy Tuna folks have great bakery breakfast items like croissants, scones and muffins to grab and go on the way to the office or nearby Grand Central. I also suggest the strawberry shortcake made with Japanese Castillo sponge cake and layered with both strawberry cream and classic Chantilly cream. I like that many of the creamier desserts come in cool “go cups” with smiley face stickers on them!
Happy Tuna has the freshest miso soup in town–the ingredients taste very farm to table and that is something hard to come by. The broth is richer than most and the scallions are nice and soft while the seaweed has a deep flavor (you cannot even taste the seaweed in most miso soups).
The Crispy Rice is the most famous dish here and it’s made with spicy tuna. It is truly crunch and made with tuna. Nearly everyone going up to the counter or sitting at a table is eating this! This is actually a self-service restaurant that is spacious with tables put far apart. It’s an especially welcoming thing at lunch time so close to Grand Central. I am happy that in the couple of weeks they have been open, they have gotten a huge lunch business from all the office workers in the neighborhood. It’s fun to look at all the pastries in the counter and I love the fact that they are made on site. I am willing to bet that there is no other casual sushi restaurant that does that anywhere in town!
This photo shows some of the popular types of sushi available a la carte or in generous lunch and dinner bento boxes–albacore, yellowtail, salmon and shrimp. You can just see how fresh the fish is. Any fresher would mean that guests would have to be fishing for it themselves out of a large tank, LOL! I also want to add that Happy Tuna has a best kept secret–their appetizer Chicken Karaage. This is a huge portion and the crispy golden batter will win your heart. Did I fail to mention how juicy the hot chunks of breast meat are? I am coming back to Happy Tuna just for this.
The atmosphere at Happy Tuna is casual and cozy–not rushed! I noticed that guests seem to have an ongoing fascination with the fish tank cartoon projected onto a back wall; it’s almost hypnotizing! There are huge windows that are perfect for midtown people watching as you eat as well. Guests can get exotic mixed drinks like Lychee Cocktails prepared behind the front counter which are already beyond popular at this point. The Happy Tuna staff is sweet and helpful and will work with food allergies and dietary preferences. I will be back soon!
