Maru Mini Meals and More

Last March I visited Maru Global for their takoyaki and lunch bentos. The $10 lunch bento came with a lot of food, and were a good value, but now a brand new option is available. Maru just started a mini lunch combo option with prices ranging from $5 to $6 dollars. The combo comes with miso soup or salad, a drink (homemade  unsweetened green tea or standard soda), and a choice of  yakisoba, curry rice bowl, curry burrito, and chicken katsu.  I had to go for the chicken katsu, which are fried chicken cutlets, but somehow this didn’t sound like  enough friedness for me, it is Channukah after all, so I also ordered two new fried appetizers.

The miso soup and salad that come with the mini lunch combos are both great accompaniments. The miso serving was large and the carrot dressing on the salad was delicious, though I probably wouldn’t pay $3.15 for it on its own.

I was quite content with my chicken katsu. The main problem that arises with this dish is lack of crispiness. By rule, soggy skin is a deal breaker (a rule some might also follow when choosing a mate). Unlike the doburi at Fat Salmon, the katsu at Maru was totally crispy, benefitting, I imagine from the deep fryer they have at their disposal. The whole package of the chicken strips over rice with a bit of broccoli and tankatsu sauce along with a drink and the miso really makes a stellar $6 lunch.

The curry burrito, which I had enjoyed on my previous visit, was a slightly smaller version, though filling enough for a satisfying lunch. The burrito guts were mostly rice, so if you are looking for a lot of meat, you might be disappointed. Though vegetarians might be better off with the veggie burrito.

The chicken was not the only thing to grace the deep fryer. I had not seen the korroke on the menu last time, I probably would have gotten it. Here, the korroke are panko crusted potato and beef croquettes with tonkatsu dipping sauce. I can never say no to fried  potato balls, especially not during Channuakah. I didn’t taste the beef really and they could use a touch more salt, but the frying job was perfect.

Last, but not least, I ordered the japanese purple sweet potato fries that come with a miso dip. These were as tasty as they are beautiful, a bit salty, a touch sweet.  I highly recommend them. Get them now while they are in season. Check the website to find out what specials are offered, as they do change from week to week.

Maru, 255 S 10th St (btw Locust and Spruce St), 267-273-0567

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