Sushi Meets Play: How Happy Tuna Is Redefining Fast-Casual Sushi
Happy Tuna is delivering more than just happy.
With touchscreen games, seasonal combos, and a modern take on tradition, Happy Tuna is making sushi fun, fast, and unforgettable across NYC.
Bridging Tradition with Convenience
Happy Tuna was born from the legacy of Momoya, bringing nearly twenty years of sushi know-how into a fast-casual world made for today’s pace. After launching grab-and-go locations in SoHo and Hudson Yards, the team opened a full dine-in experience in Grand Central in August 2024.
The idea was simple but smart: take the quality and care behind traditional Japanese sushi and make it as easy to order as your usual Sweetgreen bowl. “We wanted sushi to feel like an everyday option, not just a once-in-a-while treat,” says Kwangho. Now, whether you’re grabbing lunch between meetings or sitting down with friends after work, Happy Tuna fits right in.
Innovation You Can Interact With
At Happy Tuna’s Grand Central spot, sushi comes with a side of surprise. Inside the store, a touchscreen wall transforms into an interactive digital aquarium where guests can create their own virtual fish, play games, and unlock coupons or exclusive menu rewards.
“It’s called ‘Hey Fish,’ and there’s nothing else like it in any other sushi shop,” says Kwangho. The installation turns a quick meal into an experience, blurring the line between dining and play. It’s fun, fresh, and exactly the kind of unexpected touch that shows how far Happy Tuna is willing to go to connect with Gen Z.
Signatures That Stick
Everything on the menu could be called a signature, but there’s one standout that keeps people coming back: the crispy rice handroll combo. It's a crave-worthy mix of textures—crunchy rice on the bottom, fresh fish on top, finished with house sauces that tie it all together. The fish changes with the season, sourced from Canada, Spain, or top-quality salmon depending on what’s freshest. “If you have to pick one, crispy rice is highly recommended,” says Kwangho. It’s quick, satisfying, and designed for diners who want something delicious without the wait.
Growing with Purpose
With three locations to run and teams across the city, Kwangho stays closely involved in the day-to-day. “Talk hello to people, talk to key members, show that I care about the business, stay connected,” he says. It’s a leadership style built on presence. And it shows.
From structured staff training to consistent guest experiences, everything at Happy Tuna runs on a system that’s designed to scale without losing the personal touch. For anyone thinking of starting their own restaurant, Kwangho keeps it real: “Ask yourselves genuinely why you enter this restaurant industry.” There’s always something unexpected, he says, but if you lead with passion and stay connected to your people, that’s what makes it work.