With countless sushi spots and piping-hot bowls of ramen being served throughout town, Philadelphia’s love for Japanese-inspired meals runs deep. And now, two Tokyo cooks with Philly connections are returning the favor with their very own tackle a basic — the cheesesteak.
Married couple Kosuke and Tomomi Chujo, homeowners of Nihonbashi Philly — a beloved cheesesteak spot and Philly-themed sports activities bar in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district — will likely be coming right here for a pop-up tour this April.
What’s Nihonbashi Philly?
Nihonbashi Philly started as a ardour challenge from the Japanese duo. Kosuke has been obsessive about Philadelphia ever since he was a child attributable to his love for town’s music scene. In 2011, he made the selection to show his mother and father’ former printing home right into a Philly-themed bar.
At first when the Chujos tried to concoct their very own cheesesteak, it didn’t go fairly proper. That they had by no means really stepped foot in Philadelphia, so understandably the recipe was off and the reception was blended.
To be taught the place they have been going fallacious, Kosuke and Tomomi got here to america in 2021. They visited Philadelphia and meticulously studied varied cheesesteak spots to check, rank and measure flavors and ratios (generally with a literal measuring tape). They examined totally different rolls, cheeses and ribeye slices to create a retooled tackle the basic.
In 2022, they unveiled their new signature sandwich — with a significantly better reception.
How does it style?
The Chujos’ cheesesteak incorporates a wide range of totally different cheeses. Kosuke mixes them to recreate the salty tang of whiz. Tomomi bakes dozens of rolls herself on-site daily, as an homage to the beloved Amoroso basic.
Final summer season, Billy Penn’s personal Ali Mohsen went to Tokyo to strive it himself, with optimistic opinions calling the meat “tender and acceptably greasy,” the cheese “richer-than-expected” in taste, and the roll “picture-perfect.” This February for the Tremendous Bowl, Reddit customers reported that the road to get into Nihonbashi Philly was over 100 folks lengthy at 6 within the morning.
For his half, Kosuke can usually be seen repping Philly sports activities groups, sporting Eagles jerseys, Phillies hats and Sixers gear. The Chujos have been again to Philly thrice since their preliminary go to, and proceed to pattern Philly dishes from pizzas to pretzels.
“We really feel joyful once we join with the folks of Philadelphia,” Kosuke informed Mohsen. “And, I need to convey a [sense] of Philadelphia to the Japanese.”
When can I strive it?
You don’t must go to Tokyo to do that Japanese tackle Philly’s signature sandwich. Nihonbashi Philly posted on Instagram as we speak that the Chijos are coming again to Philly and they are going to be holding a pop-up restaurant within the metropolis from April 30 to Might 5. They didn’t share a location. These can observe Nihonbashi Philly’s social media accounts for extra data.
“I’ll let the main points later,” the restaurant stated. “Please come and see us.”