A New Sushi Experience in East Austin
A new culinary venture is set to make waves in East Austin with the opening of Konbini, a unique fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine and Coastal Mexican flair. While the restaurant will officially open its doors in early fall, guests can already experience its offerings through a pop-up event starting July 23. This temporary location will be at Papercut, a well-known cocktail bar and art gallery.
Konbini is the brainchild of the same team behind Tare, a respected sushi restaurant in North Austin that opened in January 2024. Tare has quickly gained a reputation for its elegant ambiance and high-quality sushi, even making it onto a favorite meals list and receiving a Michelin recommendation. Chefs Michael Carranza and Danielle Martinez are central figures in both ventures, bringing their expertise and creativity to Konbini.
The pop-up concept allows Konbini to test its menu and operations before transitioning to a permanent space. Currently, the restaurant will operate late-night hours that align with Papercut’s schedule, running until midnight or 1 am depending on the day. This timing not only enhances the dining experience but also complements the vibrant atmosphere of the venue.
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Konbini’s menu features a variety of nigiri, sashimi, and crudos, with dishes rotating based on seasonal and local ingredients. The chefs emphasize the importance of using fresh, high-quality components, ensuring that each dish reflects the best of both Japanese and Mexican culinary traditions.
When Konbini moves into its permanent location at 908 E. 5th St., diners can expect a space that is “bright, playful, and infused with lowbrow art influences.” Despite the casual setting, the focus remains on delivering “flawless” and “intricate bites.” This approach mirrors the name Konbini, which is inspired by Japanese convenience stores—offering a mix of accessibility and quality.
The restaurant’s website promises an immersive experience with Japanese music genres such as citypop, vaporwave, punk, and hardcore. This blend of food and culture aims to create a unique environment that appeals to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
In a press release, Carranza described the concept as “seasonal fish flown in from Japan, layered with bold flavors from Mexico’s coast. It’s choose-your-own adventure sushi. No script, all vibes. Award-winning sushi meets award-winning cocktails, all under one roof.”
While the menu will change without notice, some items are expected during the pop-up phase. These include madai (red sea bream), maguro zuke (marinated tuna over rice), kanpachi (amberjack), and A5 wagyu (the highest quality of wagyu beef). These selections highlight the restaurant’s commitment to quality and variety.
The Papercut team will also enhance the dining experience with carefully curated cocktail pairings. These include infused highballs, Japanese liquors like shochu, awamori, and whisky, and a sake list developed by the chefs, who are WSET Level 2 sake sommeliers.
For those eager to try Konbini, preview dinners will be available nightly. The pop-up is walk-in only during Papercut’s regular hours, which are from 5 pm to midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 6 pm to 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Although Papercut is currently closed on Sundays and Tuesdays, the release mentions that Tuesday hours are coming soon. The website lists Tuesday hours as 5-10 pm, and when Konbini opens in its permanent space, it will maintain the same hours as Papercut.
