Fast, healthy, delicious Japanese—that’s the way Motomaki owner Mark Van Grack (of Hapa Sushi and the Hapa Franchise Group) describes his fast-casual concept. The eatery, which opened recently near Boulder’s 29th Street Mall, mostly lives up to its motto: service is quick, dishes are packed with hearty proteins and fresh veggies, and the flavor profiles are largely Japanese. However, with a menu that fuses traditional sushi roll components with globally inspired ingredients for dishes like the Vietnamese-style banh mi roll or the kalbi roll with Korean-style beef, it’s hard to claim a truly Japanese pedigree.

But fusion or not, Motomaki serves a bounty of enormous, burrito-size sushi rolls, either in unique combinations (salmon poke with bacon, asparagus, avocado, cucumber, crispy onions, moto slaw, and sriracha aïoli) or in a build-your-own format. Though prices seem a bit higher than many other fast-casual spots—rolls range from $7 to $12—portions are generous. The drawback: Eating the overstuffed rolls is hardly a graceful affair.

Bonus: Bacon-lovers will love the seared tuna club (served as a roll, pictured, or a bowl) with seared tuna, smoky bacon, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, cucumber, and a dash of wasabi aïoli.

1600 28th St., Suite 1216, Boulder, 720-943-2030