There are quite a few great sushi places around Philadelphia, and the latest one to catch the taste of foodies in this city is Kidari Sushi Yatai, located on South Street in the Graduate Hospital area. Fans of Japanese cuisine will be familiar with head chef Sam Yoon, former sushi master at Raw before starting his own BYOB restaurant.
Our party of six arrived early on a Saturday night to a cozy establishment that was about halfway full. Our host was friendly, immediately offering us glasses and mixers for our drinks. We opted to order several dishes to share family-style, with our waitress eager to make recommendations when asked. Dinner started off with a simple, rich spinach salad, topped with sesame dressing and spicy soymun noodles. The dish was cold, but a flavorful start to the courses brought out promptly as we finished each plate.
The sushi struck a nice balance between classic rolls and Chef Yoon’s specials combinations. I was particularly fond of the Fire Dragon Roll with spicy tuna and their fantastic eel sauce. Out of their specials, our table enjoyed the signature Kidari Roll with avocado, jalapeno and crunchy texture. The least favorite plate was the special Texas Roll, which some of us found to taste like a nacho despite containing some fresh yellowtail.
Overall, I was impressed by Kidari Sushi Yatai. The cozy atmosphere and attentive staff makes for a comfortable dining experience, a wonderful change of pace from the larger Japanese establishments in the city.
Kidari Sushi Yatai
1824 South Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19146
tel 267-273-0426
Reviews
appetite
avocado
beverage
bring your own booze
byob
chef
classic rolls
combinationf
cook
cozy
crunch
crunchy
cuisine
culinary
culture
dine
dining
dish
dishes
drink
eat
eel sauce
enotourism
executive
executive chef
experience
family-style
fire dragon roll
food
food & drink
food and drink
foodie
gastro
gastro-tourism
gastrotourism
general manager
gm
graduate hospital
jalapeno
japanese
kidari
kidari roll
kidari sushi
kidari sushi yatai
manager
meal
menu
noodles
palate
pennsylvania
philadelphia
philly
raw
recommendation
restaurant
review
reviews
salad
sam yoon
sesame
share
snack
south philadelphia
south philly
south st
south street
soymun
special
spicy tuna
spinach
sushi
sushi master
taste
texas roll
texture
tour
tourism
tourist
travel
tuna
yatai
yellowtail
yoon
Read This Next
Sushi Etiquette in Japan
Destination
Jan 14, 2015All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDining/Entertainment
Apr 17, 2025Don’t Miss World’s First 360-Degree Nomadic Concert Experience
Cercle Odyssey, the world’s first large-scale, 360-degree nomadic concert experience, announced its exciting lineup for its 2025 debut. This concert series will redefine the boundaries of music and visual storytelling, bringing together artists known for their ability to combine sounds and visuals into immersive experiences.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Hotel
Apr 17, 2025Anantara Golden Triangle Unveils The Mekong Explorer Tent
One of Thailand’s most unique and luxurious stays is now available at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort: The Mekong Explorer Tent. The hillside retreat delivers panoramic views of Northern Thailand’s landscapes — perfect for stargazers, nature enthusiasts and explorers. The tent sits nearby the point where the borders for Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, in a 160-acre bamboo forest.
Destinations / North America
Apr 16, 2025Hit the Open Road This Summer on a Nostalgic Road Trip
In a survey conducted by Club Wyndham, nearly twice as many respondents prefer driving versus flying to their vacation destination, with 60 percent stating they have not seen enough of the United States. Pack up the car and set out on a classic American road trip to these popular destinations inspired by Club Wyndham.
Sponsored Content
Unveiling Europe’s Treasures with AmaWaterways River Cruises
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with AmaWaterways, recognized as Best River Cruise Line by Cruise Critic. What sets AmaWaterways apart is its commitment to offering you the luxury of more. With up to eight daily included excursion options, you have the freedom to tailor your journey to your interests. Whether you're a history buff, a culinary enthusiast or an architecture aficionado, there's something for everyone on the meticulously crafted itineraries. You will also be treated to a range of exquisitely prepared meals in the Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant, unlimited wine and beer during lunch and dinner, an array of complimentary host-led fitness classes, and so much more.
Destinations / North America
Apr 16, 2025Best State Parks to Visit in Arkansas
Find outdoor adventure and fewer crowds in Arkansas when you visit some of the states’ more than 50 state parks. All are free to visit and offer a wide variety of experiences, activities and landscapes.
ShareThis