It’s official: Kosuke and Tomomi Chujo of Nihonbashi Philly have landed in Philadelphia and are able to serve up some cheesesteaks.
The Tokyo couple first got here to the Metropolis of Brotherly Like to good their recipe in 2021 by taste-testing native favorites, then bringing an genuine sandwich again to their Philly-themed sports activities bar in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi neighborhood. Now, they’re holding two distinct pop-ups on Wednesday, April 30, and Monday, Could 5, to let locals attempt to fee their creation.
For the primary pop-up, the couple will probably be serving the identical Nihonbashi Philly sandwich that they’ve at their bar in Japan. The occasion will happen at Liberty Kitchen in Fishtown starting at 5 p.m., and the couple will probably be making sandwiches on a first-come, first-served foundation. Tomomi is baking 250 of her personal particular rolls — a giant leap from the 100 that she sometimes prepares, and Kosuke will probably be making his personal selfmade cheese whiz.
The second pop-up is a “collaboration dinner,” in honor of the late Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, of the restaurant Zama. The couple is placing on a neighborhood night time outdoors of the Japanese bar, Yanaga Kappo Izakaya, with meals from Mawn, Neighborhood Ramen and Zama. This occasion will embrace whiskey, beers and brand-new, Japanese-inspired cheesesteaks from Tomomi and Kosuke, served on Del Rossi’s rolls. The 2 choices will embrace a sukiyaki cheesesteak and a teriyaki hen egg cheesesteak. The occasion begins at 5 p.m. and runs till 10 p.m.
We met with the couple and their good pal, Michelle Freeman, the founder and CEO of Witty Gritty — who helps set up their particular go to — to talk in regards to the pop-ups and extra.
Tomomi did a lot of the speaking, whereas Kosuke sat and listened, interjecting sometimes in each English and Japanese. He solely not too long ago started talking English, however stated he can perceive conversations. They each sported Philly gear: Tomomi in a Gritty T-shirt and Kosuke in a Crown & Feather Tattoo Co. T-shirt and cheesesteak hat.
Right here’s our chat with the couple and Freeman. It has been edited and condensed for readability.
You two hosted a Tremendous Bowl occasion at Nihonbashi Philly this yr. How was it?
Kosuke: It was loopy. So many Philadelphians got here to my restaurant — perhaps 120 or 130.
Tomomi: We refused to let in Chiefs followers — solely Eagles.
Michelle: Any individual climbed a pole outdoors of their restaurant.
Tomomi: After we sang the combat track, it was loopy. We have been loopy. After which some folks known as the police, after which the police got here to listen to our track.
Was it largely Individuals? Or did Japanese of us come out too?
Tomomi: Each. The Tremendous Bowl is common. They love the Eagles. When prospects entered our restaurant, we examined them. Some folks simply wore the Eagles jerseys as faux followers. We checked to see in the event that they have been faux or not — asking every individual a query.
Michelle: They stated “no birds” in the event that they obtained the reply incorrect, as a substitute of “go birds.”
What ought to Philadelphians count on out of your upcoming pop-ups?
Tomomi: The primary on April 30 is totally the identical as Nihonbashi Philly — actually doing the identical issues. On Could 5, we’re going to make Japanese-style cheesesteaks. One has a sukiyaki style. The opposite one has a teriyaki style.
Are you nervous in any respect?
Tomomi: Nervous and so excited to make it. So many individuals have helped me.
Michelle: They didn’t know what a pop-up was at first. Matt Budenstein – from Liberty Kitchen, really – he went to Tokyo to go to them and did roast pork sandwiches as a pop-up at their restaurant in March 2024.
Tomomi: Earlier than Matt got here to me, I had by no means heard a few pop-up. In Japan, there aren’t any pop-ups.
Michelle: So, this can be a actually new experiment, the best way that actually, the product will translate to Philly due to the substances. They must do every part right here.
Are you utilizing largely native substances?
Tomomi: [nods] And it’s totally different. Like, the water right here is totally different. The onion style is totally different. The meat is totally different as nicely, as a result of we’re utilizing U.S. beef. We’re going to make use of American cheese — New Faculty American cheese. The proprietor is a pal of mine.
Michelle: Kosuke goes to arrange the cheese whiz selfmade.
Tomomi: Really, my flour is American. I purchased it in Japan, after which introduced it again to America.
Wait? So you might have a U.S. flour that you just purchased in Japan and took to Philly for this go to?
Tomomi: Uh huh. That is the primary time I’m making 250 rolls a day. 250 is an journey for me. I have already got a hand harm, so it’s already a bit bit exhausting to make it into the precise form. However the Misplaced Bread crew goes to assist.
How has it been to collaborate with them?
Tomomi: They taught me the right way to make a roll, in order that they know greater than me. I’ve to thank them. They’ve helped me.
The second pop-up is a tribute to the late chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka. What was your relationship to him?
Tomomi: We by no means met him — simply chatted. Two years in the past, he discovered us, after which he despatched a message daily. He … pushed?
Michelle: Inspired? Helped you together with your confidence?
Tomomi: Sure! So, we actually wished to fulfill him, after which final time after we got here to Philadelphia I attempted to contact him, and I stated, “I need to come to your restaurant.” And he stated, “I’m so sorry. I’m sick now, so I can not meet you.”
He handed away one month later. So, particular due to Zama San. Japanese persons are coming to Philadelphia they usually’re making Japanese meals, they usually’re operating their very own eating places. It’s so particular. And I went to his restaurant, the service was so Japanese. Every little thing was good.
Earlier than he left us, he purchased a T-shirt for Kosuke, and on the pop-up he’s going to put on it.
What number of Philly-related T-shirts do you personal?
Tomomi: So many shoppers give us T-shirts. Prospects convey them to me, as a result of I’m actually loopy about Gritty. Greater than 200, I believe. Now we have an enormous area for all of the T-shirts.
Kosuke: And hats!
Tomomi: And hats.
What are you hoping for from the pop-ups? What would you like Philadelphians to remove from them?
Tomomi: If the folks say that the cheesesteak is nice.
Michelle: This would be the first time you actually can see if it’s as much as the check and genuine, as a result of it’s right here in Philly that you just’re making it, as a substitute of getting it in Japan. You need folks to let you know the actual deal.
Any massive plans whilst you’re within the metropolis?
Michelle: We’re going to go to the airport. The airport is definitely setting them up with a giant tour subsequent week. They’ve a extremely good artwork program on the airport, and likewise they’ve a ton extra Philly-based meals distributors and a bunch of cheesesteak distributors. So we’re gonna go round. And it’s humorous, the airport has a cheesesteak week in March and April. So that they actually attempt to promote all of the Philly stuff.
Tomomi: We love the PHL airport. It’s so good.
Michelle: Tomomi was telling me that the airport in Tokyo is sweet, nevertheless it’s very generic. From an outsider perspective, the Philly airport actually seems like Philly, and I really feel like Philadelphians all the time discuss crap in regards to the airport, however the artwork program is de facto sturdy, they usually have all these totally different meals distributors that basically provide you with that taste of Philly.
Along with the airport, what’s on the agenda?
Michelle: The Metropolis Council proper now could be planning to provide them a decision on the council listening to on Thursday. It’s principally like a certificates and a recognition for all their ambassador work of loving Philadelphia a lot and selling it abroad.
Tomomi: Yesterday, we went to Allentown to observe a baseball recreation, the Iron Pigs. The minor league. One Japanese participant performs for them. And we need to go to the Phillies recreation on Friday.
Michelle: Kosuke really simply obtained tattoos this morning from Crown & Feather.
Tomomi: You realize, Japanese folks don’t have tattoos. That is the Philadelphia Worldwide File Emblem, as a result of Kosuke loves the Philadelphia Worldwide emblem a lot.
Kosuke: Within the ‘70s and ‘80s, Philadelphia Worldwide Data have been behind so many musicians — my favorites like Patti LaBelle and The Stylistics.
Apart from the music, why do you guys love Philadelphia?
Tomomi: Due to the folks! We are able to really feel the fervour.
Kosuke: Mhmm.
Tomomi: It’s so good.
Michelle: They actually perceive the tradition right here. Even after I first went to their restaurant — all of the totally different stickers and every part, it’s not identical to right here’s the Liberty Bell. It’s a vibe. They launched me to folks in Philly that I don’t even know. They actually get it. It’s the down-to-earth connection. In Japan, it may be very correct. Every little thing’s very correct and clear. Right here it’s gritty. It’s actually humorous too, as a result of the Japanese parts are sometimes smaller, they usually serve a full-size cheesesteak and plenty of the Japanese prospects lower it.
Tomomi: They lower it into 4! And it’s identical to …
Kosuke: No method!
Tomomi: Japan is unquestionably clear. If I toss something away, everybody says, “Oh my gosh, Tomomi threw one thing away.” There can be gossip. There, I don’t really feel the fervour. However right here?
Kosuke: Freedom.
Is there anything you’d prefer to say to Philly earlier than we half?
Tomomi: So, now we have to say thanks to everybody for loving us and we additionally love you and your metropolis.
Kosuke: [In Japanese] Thanks to everybody in Philadelphia. Take pleasure in your cheesesteaks.