Sagami, a Japanese restaurant, is expected to open a location in University City next summer.
The restaurant — owned by chef Alan Su — will open in the Shop Penn complex at 3636 Sansom Street, neighboring the Inn at Penn. Sagami will join the University’s retail district, which hosts a variety of national and independent retail and dining establishments.
The University City storefront will be Sagami’s second location — with its first restaurant located in Collingswood, N.J. The original location has served traditional Japanese cuisine for over 50 years
“Sagami is an award-winning concept, and we are thrilled to welcome it to University City,” Rachel Siegert, Penn’s associate vice president of Real Estate Services, wrote in an Oct. 14 release. “Sagami is a wonderful addition to the continued evolution of the Shop Penn Retail District.”
Su — who also operates the Philadelphia-based Nom Nom Ramen, Shiso Noodle and Sushi Bar, and Umami Steak & Sushi Bar — plans to bring a “contemporary approach” to classic Japanese cuisine.
“I am honored and incredibly excited to open this new restaurant, creating a unique, casual dining experience for students, campus visitors, and neighborhood residents alike,” he wrote in the release.
The restaurant’s menu will carry over customer favorites from Sagami’s New Jersey location — including the agedashi tofu and chirashi bowl. A selection of new dishes will also be added to the University City menu.
The 8,350-square-foot space will draw design inspiration from the original restaurant by incorporating wood, bamboo, and shoji screens. The restaurant will also feature a dining room and a full bar.
Sagami joins the over 65 shopping, dining, and entertainment outlets that make up the Shop Penn retail district. The area spans from 30th to 40th streets and covers Spruce, Walnut, and Chestnut streets.
This opening comes after a slate of recent storefront changes.
Over the summer, Hummus Grill closed following several other dining locations in the area — including Pod and Ochatto Hand Drawn Noodles, Japanese Cuisine, and Bubble Tea.
On Wednesday, 7th Street Burger is set to open in the storefront previously vacated by Hummus Grill.
