Chef Hiroyuki “Zama” Tanaka, is one of the Philadelphia’s most venerated sushi chefs, and is deeply knowledgeable and passionate about his craft. Chef Zama specializes in updated Japanese cuisine. He is completely self-taught. His eponymous restaurant Zama is consistently named to Philadelphia magazine’s “50 Best Restaurants” list and distinguished as one of the Best Sushi restaurants by Zagat.

Zama is located at 128 South 19th Street in Rittenhouse Row. Zama brings the rich culinary traditions of Japan to Center City. The restaurant offers more than 30 a la carte sashimi, as well as a wide variety of maki rolls and vegetable offerings.  The restaurant also serves a wide variety of Japanese beers, as well as a lengthy list of sakes, wines hand-picked to complement the cuisine, and a full bar.

In April 2014, Zama opened a second restaurant called coZara at 3200 Chestnut Street in Chestnut Square on Drexel University’s campus. It is an izakaya that serves ramen, donburi, yakitori and dumplings.