H A P P Y R I C E
SUSHI COOK
Boston Seaport Flagship · Quick Service Sushi & Grab-and-Go
Boston Seaport, MA · Full-Time & Part-Time
Reports to: Store General Manager
ABOUT HAPPY RICE
Happy Rice is building a new kind of modern sushi brand. We're creating a place where exceptional ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and great design come together to make everyday sushi something people genuinely look forward to — and can't wait to tell people about. We serve chef-crafted sushi and sides, prepared fresh each day by our culinary team, thoughtfully packaged, and ready when our guests are — bringing together the quality of a great sushi restaurant with the convenience people need for everyday life.
Our first location in Boston's Seaport is more than a single store — it's the foundation of a brand built to grow. We're building the culinary systems, sourcing standards, and operational excellence to scale without ever compromising on quality.
As a Sushi Cook, you're the person who actually makes the product our guests fall in love with. Every roll, bowl, and side that goes into our case is made by hand, by you, to the same standard — every single day.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Sushi Cooks produce everything Happy Rice sells. Working from set recipes and specs, you'll cook and season rice, break down and portion fish, roll and slice, build bowls and sides, then package, label, and stock our refrigerated grab-and-go cases throughout the day.
This is production work, not line service. There are no tickets, no expo, and no rush-hour ticket rail — instead, you'll work in timed batches so the case is full, fresh, and beautiful at 11:00 a.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. Speed matters. Consistency matters more. If you take pride in a clean cut, a tight roll, and a case that looks perfect, you'll do well here.
Prior sushi experience is great, but it isn't required. If you have solid knife skills, real kitchen discipline, and a genuine interest in learning sushi, we will train you.
Sushi Cooks report directly to the Store General Manager and train hands-on with our culinary lead on rice, fish fabrication, cuts, and every recipe on the menu.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
Daily Production
- Cook, season, and hold sushi rice to spec, including temperature and acidification checks
- Break down, portion, and store fish and proteins following our fish handling standards
- Roll, slice, and plate maki, hand rolls, nigiri, bowls, and sides to recipe and portion spec
- Prep vegetables, sauces, garnishes, and sides accurately and consistently
- Work from daily production sheets and par levels to hit batch targets on time
Packaging, Labeling & the Case
- Package finished product cleanly — presentation in the case is the guest's first impression
- Apply accurate labels including item name, ingredients, allergens, and date/time
- Stock, face, and rotate the refrigerated case throughout the day using strict FIFO
- Pull and record product at the end of its sell-by window — no exceptions
- Support delivery, catering, and large-order production alongside in-store cases
Food Safety & Sanitation
- Follow all HACCP, receiving, storage, and cold-chain procedures every shift
- Log temperatures, rice pH, and production records completely and honestly
- Prevent cross-contact between raw fish, ready-to-eat items, and allergens
- Keep your station, tools, and refrigeration spotless and organized — clean as you go
- Maintain your knives and equipment in safe, working condition
Team & Culture
- Show up on time, ready, and in clean uniform
- Take daily direction from the Store General Manager on production priorities, par levels, and scheduling
- Communicate clearly with the kitchen, front of house, and leadership about production status and 86s
- Help train and support newer team members as you grow
- Bring good energy — music on, smiles up, standards high
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Solid knife skills and comfort working with raw proteins
- Kitchen, commissary, deli, or high-volume food production experience — or a real hunger to learn
- Genuine attention to detail; you notice when a roll is uneven or a label is wrong
- Ability to work quickly and accurately under time pressure without cutting corners
- Reliable, punctual, and accountable — the case doesn't fill itself
- Massachusetts Food Handler Certification, or ability to obtain within 30 days (we'll help)
- Willingness to work early mornings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Sushi experience — rice cooking, fish fabrication, rolling, or nigiri
- Experience in a commissary, central kitchen, grocery prepared foods, or batch production environment
- ServSafe Food Handler or Manager Certification
- Familiarity with HACCP records, allergen controls, or date-labeling systems
- Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, or other additional language skills
SCHEDULE & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Shifts typically run 6AM, 10AM, 2PM (all approx 8 hrs)
- Ability to stand for extended periods and work in cold prep and walk-in environments
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs, including fish cases and rice bags
- Repetitive knife and hand work throughout the shift
BENEFITS & PERKS
- Paid sushi training — learn rice, fish fabrication, and rolling from our culinary lead
- Tips shared across the team
- Shift meal from the case
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (full-time team members)
- Paid Time Off and Paid Sick Time
- Employee Dining Discounts
- Flexible Scheduling
- Paid Training and Certification Support
- Professional Development and Clear Growth Pathways
- Advancement Opportunities Within a Growing Brand — we promote from within
Work Location: In person — Boston Seaport, MA
Happy Rice is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team where everyone belongs. If you don't check every box but think you'd be great here, we still want to hear from you.
Pay: From $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
