coZara opens for lunch
Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka's new Japanese izakaya in University City does the noontime meal weekdays.
Today is the launch of lunch at coZara, chef Hiroyuki "Zama" Tanaka's new Japanese izakaya at 33d and Chestnut Streets on the Drexel U campus.
It's a long lunch "hour" - 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Unlike every other Japanese restaurant in town, there is no sushi on the menu.
Lunch menu highlights include maki wraps in versions such as tonkatsu, Spicy shrimp and Eel, salmon teriyaki and a mushroom with soy butter. Cooked fillings are wrapped with soy paper and rice and served burrito-sized. Two preparations of ramen will be featured that include Shoyu Ramen and Paitan. Gozen, which is a complete meal with choice entrée, Miso Glazed Salmon, Chicken Yakitori, Grilled Flank Steak, Agedashi, salad, edamame, miso soup and rice from$10 to $14. They will also do Rice Bowls, which include Una Don, Hawaiian Poke Don, Oyako Don and Katsu Don.
The bar features unique sakes, local beer and Japanese beer such as Hitachino and Asahi super dry on tap. It will also offer Japanese specialty cocktails called chu-hi, and sake cocktails.
This summer, Zama will debut his own private label sake called Drunken Zama at coZara.