Ricee Sushi Express quietly slipped onto the Upper East Side this month, bringing a buffet-style mindset to classic sushi. Instead of ordering set rolls, diners scoop up individual pieces, load a tray and pay by total weight. Think quick lap around the counter, not a marathon with a ten-page menu, so you can try premium nigiri without locking into a full roll.
Set at 182 East 86th Street between Third and Lexington avenues, Ricee charges a flat $23.99 per pound, as reported by Time Out. According to the Ricee website, pieces are pulled from the counter after 30 minutes to keep things fresh, and the restaurant emphasizes responsibly sourced ingredients. The whole setup is pitched as a streamlined alternative to sprawling sushi menus and slower sit-down service.
How the pay-by-pound model works
Customers grab a tray, pick from a long countertop display and then have the selection weighed at the register, owner Leo Chen told Patch. “Sushi restaurants are not fast enough, and the menu is always too big,” Chen said, explaining why he limits Ricee’s offerings to roughly 35 rotating varieties. That tighter list, he added, helps the spot keep prices in check while still serving higher-end options.
Menu highlights and what it costs
The spread includes bluefin tuna topped with truffle-oil sautéed mushrooms, otoro finished with roe and yellowtail accented with fresh chives, as reported by Time Out. Since everything is priced by weight, diners can test out those premium bites without paying full-roll markups. A small nook in the back offers a handful of seats for quick in-house meals alongside the grab-and-go option.
Where and when to try it
Local coverage notes that Ricee hosted tasting events in early May before officially opening its doors, and signage has been up on East 86th Street for weeks, according to East Side Feed. With a fast-moving counter up front and a cozy seating pocket in back, the shop is clearly courting neighborhood shoppers, nearby office workers and anyone craving quick, customizable sushi on the run.
