Handroll Hawker Opens Australian-Style Hand Roll Restaurant
Handroll Hawker, a new restaurant specializing in portable Australian-style hand rolls, opens September 29 at 2360 Polk Street in Russian Hill, offering a
Handroll Hawker opens at 2360 Polk Street in San Francisco's Russian Hill on Tuesday, September 29. The restaurant offers a focused menu of Australian-style hand rolls designed for grab-and-go dining, featuring an industrial vibe with pink exterior walls and murals by artist Serge Gay Jr.
Menu and preparation
The opening menu features nine hand roll varieties. The fish is served as a whole slice rather than chopped. Two options include fried items, and two are vegan. A cooked tuna roll is described as the Australian classic.
| Hand Roll Type | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Spicy Salmon or Tuna | Cucumber, spicy yuzu mayo |
| Salmon-Avocado | Salmon, avocado |
| Cucumber-Avocado | Cucumber, avocado |
| Vegan Option 1 | Inari tofu, pickled daikon, avocado, cucumber |
| Vegan Option 2 | Cucumber, avocado |
| Tempura Shrimp | Shrimp tempura |
| Crispy Chicken | Crispy chicken |
| Spicy Tuna (Australian-style) | Solid piece of fish, spicy mayonnaise |
| Cooked Tuna | Cooked tuna |
The hand rolls are pre-prepared and stored in a patisserie-style fridge with cold rice and soft nori for portability. Each roll contains 3.5 inches of rice and is 1.5 inches in diameter. Romi Trower recommends three handrolls for a full meal or one for a light snack. Beverages include canned sodas, sparkling water, and Trinh's yuzu lemonade. A vegan miso soup with wakame and tofu is also available.
Chef and concept development
Chef Tai Trinh, formerly of the Robin omakase counter, leads the kitchen. Trinh was trained in traditional sushi techniques in Tokyo and helped develop the menu based on founder Romi Trower's notes. Trower herself traveled to Japan for culinary school to learn about sushi rice and hand roll preparation.
Trower and her husband, a finance professional, worked as consultants with David Steele, cofounder of Flour + Water Hospitality Group, during the restaurant's development. Steele assisted with equipment sourcing and permitting. The interior, designed by Trower and inspired by Tokyo and Melbourne laneways, features pink and teal decor with Gay Jr.'s artwork.
Romi Trower said the portable hand roll is as common as getting a sandwich or a salad for lunch. The restaurant is designed primarily for takeout with only a few tables for dine-in service. It opens at the corner of Polk and Union streets.
