Midtown Lunch

Today, we are getting a report on Zento from profiled luncher Stephanie. Their doburi looks way better than the one at Fat Salmon. But be aware that soon they will be moving 2 blocks down the street from their current location.

While Philadelphia is a treasure trove of culinary offerings, the city has a serious shortage of affordable, authentic Japanese options. Imagine my sheer delight Monday morning when I walked passed Zento on my way to work, and saw a menu featuring “Express Lunch” options priced around $10.

Bento boxes, sushi combos, different donburis, and an assortment of udon… my inner glutton instantly planned my next four lunches of the week. Unable to recall the last time I had katsudon, I decided to order the “Chicken Katsu Donburi.”

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Yes, that is an empty bag you are looking at.  As the weather gets colder, we sometimes have to rely on the power of delivery and that can be a total crapshoot. I heard that Sushi Planet had ramen on the menu. I placed my order and waited. An hour later my delivery arrived, except the ramen was missing. I was pretty hungry at this point, luckily at least half my order was inside.

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Aki is another one of the many Washington Square West sushi spots. For lunch, they offer 2 rolls and a miso soup for $8.50. There is no list of the rolls included in the special so you just have to ask.

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Since I didn’t solve my seafood cravings at Snocky’s, I sought out some seafood over rice at Tampopo, a small Japanese restaurant on 21st Street. Bibimbap and donburi bowls take up most of the menu, which is great for gluten free  dining, or you can try a bento box or their udon and soba noodles.  There was one dish in particular that I knew I had to have.

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Misora Express boasts a lot of “best sushi” claims in their window that I had been ignoring each time I passed by. It was one of those days where I didn’t feel like thinking about lunch so I popped into the first place I saw. Misora does salads, smoothies, sushi, and other Japanese dishes like terikyaki.

I wanted to get something not completely terrible for me. Beef naiamaki seemed like the right move, I mean, it’s grilled, so that counts as healthy. I ordered the bento. I love the concept of  a bento box, the more different things to taste the better, but I often find myself saddened by the depressing shumai or whatever that occupy space next to the entree. So with my low expectations of the place and of bento boxes in Center City, I waited for my food expecting to be dissapointed. In these situations (and only these situations as my friends could attest to), I am so very happy to be wrong.

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Above Sansom Kebab House lies Jay’s Favorite Sushi Bar, which has been open for a year and half now. The signs on the Sansom Street advertise roll specials, 2 rolls for $7.95 or 3 for $10.25 and I was in a sushi kind of mood. But it ended up the “Japanese Pizza” that will have me rushing back.

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Back in September, Nick raved about the bulgogi platter at the Koja truck. On a return trip I wanted something less plattery, more portable, and as cheap as possible. My eyes immediately went to the cheapest meal on the menu- a $3 bulgogi cheesesteak. Same great meat, lower price, portable, perfect. Was this going to be kid sized though?

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