Nihonbashi Philly, Tokyo’s Cheesesteak Establishment, Visits Philadelphia

Two chefs in Tokyo, Japan, are tapping into some Philadelphia love with their own twist on Philly's classic cheesesteak.

Kosuke and Tomomi Chujo, owners of Nihonbashi Philly — a popular cheesesteak spot and Philly-themed sports bar in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district — are coming to the City of Brotherly Love for a two-day-only pop-up tour.

Nihonbashi Philly posted on Instagram that the Chujos are coming to Philly and will be holding a pop-up restaurant in the city on April 30 and May 5. A post on Tuesday, April 15, confirmed that the couple will be at Liberty Kitchen PHL in Fishtown on Wednesday, April 30, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or until sold out. No location has been announced for the May 5 pop-up.

According to a WHYY Billy Penn report, Nihonbashi Philly started as a special-interest project by the Chijos. Kosuke has had a great love for Philadelphia from childhood due to his passion for the city's music scene. In 2011, he turned his parents' former printing house into a Philly-themed bar.

When the Chijos attempted to make their own version of the Philly cheesesteak, they realized they needed to visit Philadelphia to learn how the real deal is made. In 2021, the pair arrived in Philadelphia and painstakingly visited various cheesesteak restaurants to test and compare flavors and ingredient ratios. They studied different rolls, cheeses, and slices of ribeye to formulate their own variation on the classic. In 2022, the couple proudly revealed the labors of their research.

According to the Billy Penn report, the Chujos' cheesesteak features several cheeses. Kosuke mixes them to achieve a salty taste. Tomomi bakes dozens of rolls by herself on-site every day.

“We feel happy when we connect with the people of Philadelphia,” Kosuke said. “And, I want to convey a [sense] of Philadelphia to the Japanese.”