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The bustling corridor beside the Port Authority Bus Terminal is about to get a major dining addition. Sushiro, Japan’s top-selling conveyor belt sushi giant, has officially announced that its first permanent U.S. location will open this fall at Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street. Taking over a massive three-story space that was formerly home to a McDonald’s, this 9,000-square-foot flagship aims to redefine fast food on the West Side with what it calls the "ultimate sushi experience."
Founded in Osaka in 1984, Sushiro has expanded to over 800 locations worldwide, yet this Times Square opening marks its monumental debut in the American market. While competitors like Kura Sushi have recently established roots in Jersey City and Flushing, Sushiro’s arrival in the heart of Manhattan signals a bold play for the city’s culinary spotlight.
The first and second floors will house the main dining rooms, featuring 150 seats and Sushiro's signature conveyor belts. The process is a seamless blend of tradition and tech: You'll order from their booths via big digital touchscreens, then dishes and drinks travel directly from the kitchen and through the dining room to your table. For those seeking a quieter vibe, the cellar level offers a private dining room and an intimate sushi bar experience.
While the brand is famous for high-quality, affordably priced sushi, the menu boasts over 100 items. In addition to the rolls and sashimi, you can order ramen, somen noodle soups, delicate steamed egg custard and sweets like warabimochi (mochi dipped in powder or syrup), sherbets and catalana (a crème brûlée-style custard).
By combining the speed of a digital kiosk with the craftsmanship of an Osaka-born institution, the chain is set to prove that "affordable" and "high-quality" are not mutually exclusive. For New Yorkers and tourists alike, the intersection of 8th Avenue is about to become the city’s premier destination for a true taste of Japan.