Mosonori Winter Park: Elevating the Humble Hand Roll in Orlando
The idea of elevating temaki to become a legitimate restaurant concept was birthed in America. Originally, hand rolls were meant to be easy DIY sushi made in the Japanese household for gatherings. But in America, the concept of the humble handroll has evolved to be an upscale restaurant concept. With crisp high quality seaweed, great sushi rice, and fresh fish with various toppings, it bridges the gap between the overly Americanized sushi rolls and the purist version of nigiri which contains just rice and fish.
I am glad that the Orlando sushi market has evolved so that a place like Mosonori can fit into the local sushi scene. I am a big fan of temaki since you can stuff way more filling and garnishes into them, so it makes for a much more satisfying meal than having to eat a bunch of nigiri which gets pricey.
About Mosonori Winter Park
I came to Mosonori Winter Park for a casual solo lunch on a weekday afternoon and it was relatively quiet. The Winter Park location makes it convenient for those looking for quality sushi options, especially during lunch hours when options can be limited.
What I Ordered at Mosonori
Hamachi Tasting
I got the hamachi appetizer and toro tartare, and they are both fantastic. The seasonings they use for each dish pair beautifully. The yellowtail is obviously very high quality, but the ponzu sauce it is swimming in is so packed with flavor. Just the right amount of balance between umami and acidity for freshness.
Toro Tartare
I believe they used the same ponzu for the toro tartare, but I don’t care because it was still delicious. The contrast between the fatty minced tuna, the light crunch of the tiny rice crackers for some texture, and the punch of ponzu to tie everything together. Fantastic.
Bay Scallop Hand Roll
The first handroll I got was the bay scallop, and I honestly am not sure why I keep ordering this one. I would say if you’re just getting started venturing out into raw sushi territory, this is a good entry level handroll. Bay scallops do not have much flavor or texture, so it could have been just rice, seaweed, and some mayo and I wouldn’t be able to tell much of a difference. If you want more subtle flavors, then this is a better fit for you.
Lobster Hand Roll
The next handroll was lobster and this was also just okay. Like eating the inside of a lobster roll, but instead of the bread you’d get rice and seaweed. Lobster did not have much texture or flavor either. I would skip this.
Unagi Hand Roll
Unagi was my entry into the sushi world when I was a kid because it was mild in fishiness but so tender and sweet. I have progressed beyond the sushi rolls drowning in spicy mayo and unagi sauce, but I love unagi as always.
The unagi was quite hot, which I liked since cold unagi is slimy and not as tender. But the heat from it made the seaweed a bit soggy and chewy, so that was unfortunate.
Shrimp Tempura Hand Roll
My last handroll was my favorite. It was a daily special of shrimp tempura. It sounded like a weird combination, but it turned out to be really good.
The shrimp tempura was coated in a rice cracker pops batter which made it extra crispy but still so light and not greasy. The fry was done very well. I believe the shrimp used was sweet shrimp, which is one of my favorite pieces of sushi and was not cooked thoroughly. Just enough for the coating to become crisp, but the shrimp inside was still plump, juicy and raw.
The Verdict: Is Mosonori Winter Park Worth It?
I wrote a previous article discussing my disdain for the mandatory tip, particularly at Mosonori. But I will not deny that their food is really solid. In a town where there are not many quality sushi options, especially during lunch hours, this is a place I will frequently run to on my free weekdays when I have a craving for quality fish and rice.
Tips for Visiting Mosonori Winter Park
- Get the yellowtail tasting and toro tartare, both fantastic
- Try the daily specials like the shrimp tempura hand roll
- Skip the bay scallop and lobster hand rolls, bland
- Great for lunch in Winter Park when good sushi options are limited
- Be aware of mandatory tip policy
- Good entry point if transitioning from California rolls to raw fish
- Weekday afternoons are quiet and relaxed
Have you been to Mosonori in Winter Park? What’s your favorite hand roll?
