ROL Hand Roll Bar in Irvine, CA: What to Expect
Hearty Inari
Lobster roll with truffle
Colorful refreshments
ROL’s latest location in the city of Irvine is relatively hidden within a strip mall, but you can easily identify it by the crowd of people eagerly waiting outside. This hand roll restaurant is brought to you by Kei Concepts, the Orange County group reknown for their innovative culinary concepts.
If you’re not in the know, hand rolls, or temaki, are a type of sushi where ingredients are wrapped in a sheet of seaweed (nori) and served as a single portion that you can easily eat with your hands
The staff carefully prepare each roll fresh behind a beautiful stone bar, serving them one by one to ensure the seaweed wrap stays crisp. Guests are encouraged to enjoy each roll right away, to ensure peak freshness.
In addition to soy sauce, ROL offers unique dipping sauces like tangy yuzu and savory truffle soy; trust us when we say it’s worth the extra couple dollars.
Rolls are crafted right behind the bar
Hand roll duo
Green tea matcha dessert
Popular rolls feature salmon, toro, and yellowtail, with premium selections like lobster and wagyu available for those looking to try something special.
This Irvine location is ROL’s third, following the success of its Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley restaurants. Read on to learn more about ROL’s development from Viet Nguyen, founder and executive chef of Kei Concepts.
Key Info
Address: 14370 Culver Dr Suite 2G, Irvine, CA 92604
Parking: Free parking lot
Reservations currently not available at this location.
Viet Nguyen, Founder & Executive Chef of Kei Concepts
Can you tell us more about how the idea for ROL was conceived?
Viet Nguyen, Founder of Kei Concepts
The idea for ROL came about during the pandemic when we were presented with an available restaurant space. We wanted to create something quick, delicious, and community-driven—especially at a time when convenience was key. At the time, there weren’t many hand-roll-centric restaurants in Orange County, so we jumped at the chance to offer something unique yet familiar for Southern California. Hand rolls are fresh, simple, and offer a great chef-to-table experience. It was about bringing quality food with a fast turnaround while keeping the dining experience engaging and fun.
How did you decide on Irvine for your newest location?
Irvine felt like the perfect choice for our expansion. Both SUP Noodle Bar and NEP Cafe in Irvine have been incredibly well-received, so we already knew we had a strong fan base there. Plus, we’ve seen firsthand how much Irvine loves sushi and hand rolls, so it just made sense to bring ROL to that community. The city’s appreciation for high-quality food with a great dining experience made it the ideal place for our next move.
Why do you think there has been a huge increase in the popularity of hand rolls over the past few years?
Hand rolls offer a fun, interactive dining experience that people are drawn to. They’re quick, fresh, and allow diners to enjoy sushi in a more approachable way. There’s something satisfying about getting a hand roll straight from the chef and eating it immediately—no waiting, just great flavor and texture. The simplicity and freshness appeal to a wide audience, and it’s a perfect balance between a casual meal and something a bit more special.
Do you have any tips for those trying hand rolls for the first time to enhance their experience?
Absolutely—my number one tip is to eat the hand roll as soon as it’s served. Take your photo (we know you want to) but then dive in right away to experience that perfect contrast of crispy seaweed and warm rice. Also, don’t be surprised by how filling a full set of hand rolls can be—they may seem small, but they add up!
What else can readers expect from ROL?
We’re more than just hand rolls here at ROL. We’ve introduced the viral Kaisendon from Japan, and we’re serving some amazing Tartare, plus other unique dishes like Furikake fries and jumbo-sized Inari have become fan favorites. And, of course, with 'bar' in our name, our handcrafted cocktails are definitely something to try. We aim to provide a full experience, not just a meal.
