SOMO Offering Special Japanese Menu With Free Sake Bombs

MANAYUNK, PHILADELPHIA – Head Chef Waldemar "Val" Stryjewski at SOMO's Manayunk has invited a guest chef to create limited time only Japanese gastropub menu, and diners who order from the menu can get a free sake bomb.

From Monday, June 18 through Saturday, June 24, Stryjewski is teaming up with Chef Harrison Kim to offer an izakaya, which is essentially a Japanese tavern with a menu of small plates meant for sharing while drinking.

Those who order any izakaya dish will get a complimentary sake bomb. One sake bomb per guest Monday through Thursday.

"I’m excited to partner with Chef Kim to create some really incredible dishes that are different from what is typically on our menu," said Stryjewski. "This collaboration is a warmup for Kim, who will be opening Hatsu in Ambler next fall, and I’m excited to share my kitchen and help him perfect some of the dishes that he will be serving in his new restaurant in a few months. I’m certain that Manayunk diners will enjoy the benefits of this initiative!"

Kim, whose resume includes stints at Morimoto (Philadelphia) and Nobu (San Diego), grew up working every job in his family’s sushi restaurants, Osaka, with outlets in Chestnut Hill (8605 Germantown Avenue) and Lansdale (1598 Sumneytown Pike).

"Izakaya dishes, which have been an integral part of Japanese culture for more than a century, are quickly becoming a fixture in the United States," said Kim. "I’m thrilled to work with Chef Val and I appreciate the opportunity to bring some of my new dishes to diners at SOMO in Manayunk."

Check out the izakaya menu:

Small Plates

• Tuna Tataki - seared big-eyed tuna, cucumber seaweed salad, miso apricot vinaigrette
• Local Fluke Crudo - cured duck egg, ramp oil, wild plum blossom vinegar
• Kanpachi Carpaccio - Hawaiian amberjack, yuzu soy, truffle olive oil, maldon salt, black truffle shaving
• Miso Salmon - candied edamame, mustard miso, pickled Romanesco
• Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage) - black garlic aioli
• Grilled Duck Hearts - ginger rhubarb glaze, seven spice soy citron
• Duck Confit Foie Gras Shumai - black truffle lemongrass vinaigrette
• Kobe Beef Tataki - lightly seared, truffle foie glaze, pickled enoki mushroom
• Pork Belly Skewers - triple smoked pork, ginger, sriracha bbq, apple fennel slaw
• Fried Tofu - ginger scallion chutney, blood orange soy citron, nori threads, chili threads
• Maitake Mushroom Tempura - truffle ponzu
• Beet Skewers - chile garlic glaze, fennel pollen, sea salt
• Spicy Edamame - garlic, orange sriracha, sesame
• Oyster Uni Shooters - West Coast oyster, sea urchin, ponzu, sake, flying fish roe
• Furikake Popcorn - Japanese seasoning, sesame oil (4)

Dessert

• Congee Brûlée - rice porridge, coconut milk, lemongrass, five spice
• Tempura Ice Cream - green tea ice cream, pound cake, tempura batter, strawberry compote
• Lychee Chocolate Tart - passion fruit puree, wonton crisps

SOMO is located at 4311 Main St.

Contributed photo