Zama, the beloved Japanese restaurant in Philadelphia, continues to thrive despite the recent passing of its founder, Chef Hiroyuki 'Zama' Tanaka. The restaurant's staff, led by general manager Craig Weiler and Tanaka's wife Shinobu, are committed to honoring Tanaka's legacy by maintaining the restaurant's unique atmosphere and culinary excellence.
Chef Hiroyuki “ Zama ” Tanaka is remembered by the staff of Zama , as well as Kevin Yanaga of Yanaga Kappo Izakaya and Phila and Rachel Lorn of Mawn. Hiroyuki “ Zama ” Tanaka at work behind the sushi bar at Zama on March 19, 2010. The restaurant, in the space formerly occupied by Loie, produces signature maki rolls marked by a distinctive creativity.After 15 years, it’s business as usual at Zama , the Japanese restaurant just north of Rittenhouse Square.
The sushi bar thrums with the happy give and take between chefs and customers beneath the luminous papier-mâché fish that hangs from the black ceiling. The kitchen slings Zama favorites, such as the soft-shell shrimp and the short rib braised in Kirin Ichiban beer. What’s impressive is that the restaurant feels just as it always has, nearly three months since the death of its founder, chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, at 53. Though Tanaka had fought lymphoma for three years — and was in the restaurant only periodically over the last year — his death was unexpected.“It’s weird,” said Travis Ramsey, who tends bar and waits tables, and, like many Zama employees, has worked there for more than a decade. “He always made sure he was watching — whether in person or on the cameras — and it’s just really strange to know I’m not going to get a text message from him, saying something like, ‘Tell those guys to clean something’ if the sushi guys were standing around.” General manager Craig Weiler runs the restaurant day to day, and Zama’s wife, Shinobu, handles the books, as she always has. Weiler said Shinobu Tanaka, who declined to comment for this article, has no plans to close the restaurant, which has about 25 employees. “He trained us well,” Weiler said. “We thought the best way to honor him was to just keep moving along and doing what he loved.” Zama alumni are all ove
Zama Chef Hiroyuki Tanaka Japanese Restaurant Philadelphia Legacy
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Convivial still Closing BUT “Chef Cedric Maupillier Joins Barbouzard as Executive Chef/Partner”Welcome to the beautiful life
Read more »
2021's 'Mortal Kombat' Leaves Netflix on December 16thHiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion wrapped in fiery aura in 2021&39;s Mortal Kombat
Read more »
Mortal Kombat’s Biggest Crime That The 2025 Sequel Must Fix Has Nothing To Do With Johnny Cage’s AbsenceAn edited image of Karl Urban and Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion in Mortal Kombat.
Read more »
South Africa's illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with policeSurviving on a diet of toothpaste and toilet paper, South Africa's notorious 'zama-zama' illegal miners continue a weeks-long standoff with police in the darkness of a disused gold mine.
Read more »
Ohtani’s wife Mamiko Tanaka dissed in Dodgers, MLB MVP celebrationWhile winning a third unanimous MVP award is an unbelievable moment for Ohtani, LA and baseball missed the mark with his wife.
Read more »
South Africa's illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with policeSurviving on a diet of toothpaste and toilet paper, South Africa's notorious 'zama-zama' illegal miners continue a weeks-long standoff with police in the darkness of a disused gold mine.
Read more »