A new sushi restaurant is opening in East Austin, but guests don't need to wait until doors open in early fall to try it. Starting July 23, Konbini (コンビニ), combining traditional Japanese cuisine and Coastal Mexican "flair," will operate as a popup at cocktail bar and art gallery Papercut. When it's ready to stand alone as a restaurant, it'll move into the space behind Papercut at 908 E. 5th St.
Konbini comes from the same team as North Austin sushi restaurant Tare, which opened in January 2024 and has become very well respected for its fancy ambiance and great sushi quality. (It even made our favorite meals list last year and received a recommendation from Michelin.) Chefs Michael Carranza and Danielle Martinez are the connecting pieces between both restaurants.
Although Konbini is clearly going through a pre-opening evolution, but its late-night hours coinciding with Papercut's — to midnight or 1 am, depending on the day — are a central part of its identity. So, too, are local and seasonal ingredients, and the menu of nigiri, sashimi, and crudos will rotate based on both considerations.
When the separate Konbini space is completed, diners can expect a space that is "bright, playful, and infused with lowbrow art influences," according to the release. Remaining casual despite the "flawless" and "intricate bites" is a priority. This seems to match Kobini's namesake, Japanese convenience stores. The restaurant's website promises Japanese music, too: citypop, vaporwave, punk, and hardcore.
In a press release, Carranza says to expect "seasonal fish flown in from Japan, layered with bold flavors from Mexico's coast. It's choose-your-own adventure sushi. No script, all vibes. Award-winning sushi meets award-winning cocktails, all under one roof."
Dishes will change without notice, but the release does list some menu items to expect while Konbini is still a pop-up: madai (red sea bream), maguro zuke (marinated tuna over rice), kanpachi (amberjack), and A5 wagyu (the highest possible quality for wagyu beef).
The Good Soup cocktail looks like a bowl of soup.Photo courtesy Konbini
The Papercut team will also mark this new era with general cocktail pairings such as infused highballs; Japanese liquors like shochu, awamori, and whisky; and a sake list curated by both chefs, who are WSET Level 2 sake sommeliers.
Until then, preview dinners will be served nightly. The pop-up is walk-in only during Papercut's regular hours, which are 5 pm to midnight Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 6 pm to 1 am Fridays and Saturdays. Papercut is currently closed Sundays through Tuesdays, but the release says Tuesday hours are coming soon. (However, the website does list Tuesday hours as 5-10 pm. When Konbini opens in its permanent space, it will have the same hours as Papercut.
A very saturated look at spicy chicken and sides.Photo courtesy of Angry Chickz
Cape Bottle Room is pairing ice creams and wines December 9.Photo by Jack Fanelli