Zama — Restaurant in Philadelphia

ZAMA Review Dinner and lunch favorites: California Salad Hamachi Ponzu Red dragon Orange Dragon Rittenhouse Three

We have dined at Zama over 50 times since April of 2023. The only reason I’m not there more is that we travel to other parts of the US months at a time. We have enjoyed sushi in San Diego, NYC, Jersey shore, and Philadelphia just to name a few. Enjoy Omikase dining in most cities. This is must dine for friends visiting from the big sushi Mecca of San Diego. ZAMA has consistently delivered fresh sushi in a warm, welcoming, laid back vibe.

Craig and the front staff; Peter, Travis, Merci, Gianna, and Jonas have been together for many years and it shows.

For this review I will only touch on our favorites. Everything on the menu is good. The Hamachi Ponzu is one of our favorites. Prepared fresh with a fine texture and visually appealing. The California Salad with snow crab is a great split dish. There is plenty of tasty crab and we enjoy having a nice light salad with our sushi. ZAMA does several great Dragon rolls, whether it be spicy shrimp tempura with Tuna, or Salmon, they seem to have a special one almost every night. The tuna and salmon always fresh and tasty. There is one distinct combination called the Rittenhouse Three. It is three different hand rolls. There is a SST, Spicy Spider, and Crunchy Scallop.

A personal shout out to Jonas. One night it was packed in the bar and he noticed someone in a covid like mask saunter in to the area and prevented this person from stealing from a women’s hand bag hanging from her chair. It’s always nice to know that people are looking out for...

Its Restaurant Week, so why not take advantage of new restaurants, new deals, right!? Lol

Stopped by on a whim for lunch! Wow! This intimate restaurant is packed with high energy, contagious laughter, echoing chatter, silverware clinking and smell good tantalizing dishes being served.

See pics for our dishes ordered.

The teriyaki salmon is a must try!! Soo flaky, soo yummy!! Served with fresh steamed veggies, rice and salad. I might say, I wasn't a fan of the salad dressing as the hint of onion was still a bit overpowering. Salad overall was fresh and delish!

My hubs ordered the steak with rice. Delish!!

Dessert was different, green Tea ice cream, rice krispies treats rolled in sesame seeds with chocolate in the middle and Apple Krisp! Now, just my opinion but, like Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies treat should stay the same! Childhood favorite, what can I say haaa...

The ambiance and overall design was culturally exquisite and inviting. I wish I could say the same about our server. She wasn't welcoming, we felt rushed and overall she lacked Customer service skills.

No matter how busy a restaurant gets, the customer can see that, but the customer still wants to feel they are just as important as if they were the only ones there. Customer service can make or break an experience!

Nonetheless. We're Looking forward to returning to order fresh sushi at the sushie bar.

Reservations are highly recommended as this quaint restaurant...

Dining at Zama sushi in Philadelphia was an experience to remember. Nestled amongst the city's culinary gems, Zama has rightfully earned its place in our top 10 favorite sushi spots. The ambiance of the restaurant sets the tone for an intimate and upscale dining affair. Starting with drinks, the cucumber saketini was refreshingly crisp, offering a perfect balance of sweet and tart, while the penicillin with Japanese whiskey showcased a harmonious blend of smokiness and tang.

Moving on to the food, the pork dumplings were succulent, with a savory filling that tantalized the taste buds. The edamame, though simple, was seasoned perfectly, setting the stage for what was to come. The rock shrimp tempura was a delightful surprise, crispy on the outside yet tender inside. The sushi rolls were the real showstopper. The tuna avocado roll and sesame salmon roll were fresh and packed with flavor. The Philly style roll was a unique take, merging the iconic cheesesteak flavors with traditional sushi - an adventurous and tasty blend. Lastly, the rainbow black belt roll was a beautiful medley of fish on top of a sumptuous roll, a feast for both the eyes and palate. Every bite at Zama was a journey of flavors, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit in...