New York City is known for its cultural diversity, and the stomachs of Stuyvesant students are not ones to discriminate. Right in the heart of lush Tribeca, we have good old burger trucks like Frites ‘N’ Meats, Chinese buffets like New China Red Gourmet, little pie companies like the Little Pie Company and  undeniably savory halal carts—luckily, all in our vicinity. However, new Japanese contenders have recently been emerging in the scene—first, Takahachi Bakery, with its delightful twists on traditional pastries, and now, a full time sushi restaurant, JR Sushi². This new restaurant even serves bubble tea, which is always a plus!

Located right off the corner of Chambers Street and West Broadway, next to Jamba Juice, JR Sushi² is nothing too peculiar or gimmicky. Recently opened, this quaint Manhattan sushi nook features the standards. There are appetizers ranging from Shumai ($4.00), which are shrimp and vegetable dumplings, to Tataki ($6.95), a dish containing seared raw fish, hot grated radish and a citrusy soy sauce called Ponzu. One can buy a regular house salad, which costs $2.95, or opt for a Seaweed or Crabmeat Salad ($4.95).

There is an A La Carte section for sushi and sashimi, with a variety of fish like tuna, fluke and mackerel, costing from $1.75 to $2.00. The menu contains the quintessential rolls and hand rolls. An Eel Avocado roll ($3.95) has its proper place, as well as other standards like Spicy Tuna ($3.95) and California Roll ($3.50). However, the lack of tempura rolls—which are rolls containing fillings fried in a light airy batter—in the regular menu is disappointing.

Another disappointment is the lack of student-friendly bargains. “It’s a typically priced sushi joint, but I’m upset that it doesn’t have lunch specials,” senior Joanna Gustek said. However, for those with a little more change than usual in their pockets, JR Sushi² offers creations like Itali Roll ($8.95), with fried eel, crab, avocado and caviar topped with a spicy sauce. Those looking to get a tempura fix can find it in more expensive specials like the Angel Roll ($10.95), which contains shrimp tempura topped with eel and avocado, or the New York Dream Roll ($6.95), which has shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber topped with caviar.

For the Stuyvesant students who try to keep lunches cheap and affordable, this may not be the perfect outing. However, the restaurant has one trick up its sleeve, and that secret weapon is Bubble Tea. For those who are not familiarized with it, bubble tea is a sweetly flavored tea-based beverage containing tiny tapioca balls called “boba,” and it has taken Chinatowns all over the country by storm. JR Sushi² serves countless varieties of bubble tea, and their reviews are not at all shabby. “The bubble tea is actually pretty good,” junior Sami Sakizlioglu said. “The prices are acceptable and it rivals more established bubble tea joints like Quickly’s.”          

Bubble with boba/mini boba tea ($2.95) includes the regular milk tea flavor as well as fruity flavors such as taro, red bean, almond, mango, green tea and Thai iced tea. There are similar flavors for Green Tea Iced Tea ($2.95) with rainbow boba, as well as Creamy Milkshakes with rainbow jelly ($3.50), Yogurt Drinks with pop boba ($3.25) and Yogurt Slush with pop boba ($3.50). And for those who want a quick caffeine fix, the restaurant serves coffee and coffee cappuccino slushes, as well as Coffee Latte and Coffee Mocha, all for $3.25.

With a convenient location, this restaurant is a win for Stuyvesant students who have long awaited the arrival of good sushi and bubble tea in the neighborhood. A charming walk-in eatery with a comfortable ambience, JR Sushi² is the perfect place for Stuyvesant’s bubble tea and sushi lovers.