Mari Mari

Mari Mari brings an American-style approach to sushi to 105 S 13th St in Center City, Philadelphia. The menu moves beyond the conventions of traditional sushi, focusing largely on cooked ingredients, made-to-order preparation and sauces served for dipping. The result is a casual option for diners looking for sushi-inspired food with familiar cooked fillings and a range of savory flavors.

Its signature format is the Mari roll, with selections designed to be combined into a three-roll order. The menu also includes hand-crafted inari, the sweet-and-savory rice parcels filled with choices such as spicy seafood, chicken, bulgogi, shrimp, octopus and eel. These options give the menu a different texture and format from standard rolled sushi, while keeping the food suitable for a quick meal, takeaway spread or shared order.

Mari Mari prepares orders as they come in rather than serving pre-made cold sushi. Ingredients are made from scratch, giving the food a freshly assembled character. Sauces are an important part of the menu, with the venue’s approach pairing rolls and other items with dipping flavors. Vegetarian choices include vegetable, sweet potato and avocado rolls, while the menu also identifies gluten-free offerings for diners seeking alternatives.

The menu extends beyond rolls and inari with ramen and udon dishes, including tonkotsu ramen, tantan miso ramen and spicy pork udon. This broader selection makes Mari Mari suitable for groups with different preferences, including diners who want noodles or cooked food rather than sushi. Handcrafted boxes and takeaway options add flexibility for meals eaten away from the restaurant.

The setting is a small Center City restaurant built around made-to-order food rather than a formal dining experience. It works well for a quick casual meal, an affordable sushi-style order, or delivery at home or work. Vegetarian diners have several choices, and the cooked menu gives families and mixed groups more options to consider. Mari Mari also provides delivery and takeaway service, making its compact menu easy to use for an informal lunch, dinner or shared meal.