Yanaga Kappo Izakaya is coordinating its one-year anniversary with not only Cinco de Mayo, but also, with a celebration of a local name who made an impact in the Philly food world.
On Monday, May 5, Chef Kevin Yanaga is hosting a block party and dinner outside his restaurant (637 North 3rd St.) along with some familiar faces: Mawn, Neighborhood Ramen, Zama, and Nihonbashi Philly – also known as “Tokyo Philly” — a popular cheesesteak shop located in Japan. The event will shut down the 300 block of Fairmount Avenue from 5 to 10 p.m. on that date.
Food will be served from all participating restaurants, including Mawn’s “famous hot dog” (made with wild boar Cambodian chili, rolled onions, vinegar peppers, and cornichons), a Cinco de Mayo-inspired mazeman from Neighborhood Ramen, a “Philly Style” maki (cheesesteak roll) from Chef Jose Luna at Zama, plus some tasty collabs in the form of a sukiyaki cheesesteak, and a teriyaki chicken egg cheesesteak from Yanaga and Nihonbashi Philly.
“We are so excited to celebrate one truly amazing year operating in Northern Liberties,” said Yanaga in a statement. “Welcoming in some great Philadelphia chefs for this day should be very special, and welcoming in our friends from Tokyo takes this to the next level. This is going to be one of the best culinary pop-ups and parties of the year.”
Most vendors will be serving up their treats inside, but outside, locals can score snacks from Yanaga’s hand roll cart (with roughly 100 portions per item available on a first-come, first-served basis), plus sips from Yards, Beam/Suntory whiskey and Human Robot.
The event is also meant to honor the late Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka who passed away last fall at age 53. The group of chefs represents several of Zama’s former employees, as Yanaga, Mawn’s Phila and Rachel Lorn, and Neighborhood Ramen’s Lindsey Mariko Steigerwald and Jesse Pryor all worked for the sushi great.
Chef Zama’s career spanned years in the City of Brotherly Love including at Genji restaurant, Dan Neducsin’s Fish on Main in Manayunk, and Stephen Starr’s Pod, where he later became a manager. In 2009, Zama was opened in Rittenhouse and remains in operations to this day.
“Zama loved cheesesteaks – they were his favorite – and I’m sure he’s smiling about this one,” added Lorn, who said he used to make cheesesteaks for staff meal at Zama. “He recently passed, so it’s going to be awesome to be together for a quickie jawn honoring our mentor.”
The block party is for walk-ups only, and all food and drink will be offered a-la-carte with free entry to the block party.
If you can’t make the event, locals can also check out the venue’s hidden eight-seat omakase behind a bookcase dubbed 637 Philly Sushi Club (operational Thursday through Saturday for dinner) or head into the Japanese-inspired locale for happy hour (4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, as well as the before-mentioned all-night option on Mondays), or for regular dinner service.
More information and a full list of offerings from Yanaga Kappo Izakaya can be found online at ykisushi.com
