Sushidelic in New York is not your traditional Japanese restaurant. It combines the eclectic, immersive Kawaii experience of cuteness with the Japanese Harajuku street culture of Tokyo. How?
A joint venture between commercial sushi robot supplier AUTEC and Asobi Systems (an entertainment company that manages Japanese Pop artists), Sushidelic, which opened last year, was designed by artist Sebastian Masuda to evoke maximalist impact. For instance, three sizeable hanging cat sculptures named Tasty, Sassy, and Cute are surrounded by suspended lipstick chandeliers, mirrored ceilings, rainbow flooring and LED lighting.
The Japanese menu offers both omakase and a la carte items that pair with the cocktails, which are presented in bespoke glassware. Shochu and sake-based drinks include Lovely in Pink, a blend of shochu and lemon soda garnished with raspberries and lychee; Sugar Plum Spritz, a mix of plum wine and prosecco finished with cranberry, lime, rock candy and glitter; Strawberry Dreams, strawberry-infused shochu, sweet vermouth, basil and lemon; and Matcha Tea Tini, shochu, matcha, honey, lemon, and orange bitters, topped with an Instagramable smoke bubble.
Mocktails at Sushidelic include Indigo Stardust, lavender syrup, and club soda with lemon; Zombie Love, pineapple juice, cranberry float, ginger, agave and lime; and Yuzu Soda, yuzu juice, club soda and agave.
The best part: Each cocktail is delivered via Sushidelic’s custom pink conveyor belt; bringing the real-life aesthetics found in Tokyo to New York. The conveyor belt, which circulates throughout the bar and kitchen, also carries original sculptures by Masuda, such as neon teddy bears, bejeweled red stilettos, pink bow-shaped purses, and a six-course omakase named Pure Imagination.