QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR Introduce
For residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the search for a Japanese restaurant that balances authentic flavors with a vibrant atmosphere often leads to a few standout locations. Among these, QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR has emerged as a compelling choice, offering a diverse menu that appeals to both sushi enthusiasts and those seeking delicious cooked Japanese fare. More than just a place to eat, QU JAPAN provides an engaging dining experience, particularly noted for its lively happy hour, high-quality ingredients, and quick service in the heart of Center City. This article delves into what makes QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR a must-visit for locals seeking a memorable Japanese culinary adventure in Pennsylvania.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR has quickly built a reputation for its fresh, well-cooked food and inviting ambiance. Patrons consistently highlight the quality of the fish and the speed at which dishes are prepared, making it an excellent option for both a relaxed evening and a quick, satisfying meal. The restaurant's happy hour is a particular favorite, drawing in crowds looking for a fun start to their night with refreshing drinks and tasty appetizers. From the perfectly seasoned yaki udon to innovative sushi rolls like the "Salmon Dream," QU JAPAN aims to deliver an authentic taste of Japan, complemented by friendly service and a welcoming environment that caters to a wide range of preferences, including a strong appeal to vegetarian diners.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR is strategically located at 1635 Market St #103, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. This address places it squarely in the bustling heart of Center City, one of Philadelphia's most dynamic and accessible districts. Market Street is a major east-west artery, making the restaurant highly visible and convenient for a diverse clientele.
The central location offers exceptional accessibility for both locals and visitors. For the multitude of professionals working in the surrounding office buildings, QU JAPAN serves as an ideal spot for a quick and delicious lunch or a relaxing happy hour after work. Residents living in the numerous high-rise apartments nearby also enjoy easy walking access. Public transportation is a significant advantage; the restaurant is just steps away from major SEPTA subway lines (Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Line) and numerous bus routes. Suburban Station, a key regional rail hub, is also within comfortable walking distance, connecting the restaurant to communities throughout Pennsylvania. While street parking in Center City can be limited, the excellent public transit options and nearby parking garages provide ample solutions, ensuring that QU JAPAN is a readily accessible dining destination for anyone in the Philadelphia area.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR provides a comprehensive range of services designed to offer a complete and satisfying Japanese dining experience:
Dine-in Service: The bistro offers a comfortable and vibrant atmosphere for guests to enjoy their meals. Whether it's a casual lunch, a lively happy hour, or a full dinner, the space is designed to be welcoming.
Takeout: For those on the go or preferring to dine at home, QU JAPAN provides efficient takeout services. Customers can place orders for pickup, ensuring their fresh Japanese dishes are ready when they are.
Delivery: QU JAPAN partners with popular third-party delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. This service extends their reach across Philadelphia, allowing patrons to enjoy their favorite dishes delivered directly to their homes or offices.
Extensive Japanese Menu: The menu at QU JAPAN is vast and caters to a wide array of tastes, featuring:
- Sushi & Sashimi: A wide selection of fresh, high-quality sushi rolls (including specialty rolls like Salmon Dream, Fiery Roll, and Rock N Roll), nigiri, and sashimi.
- Hot Appetizers: A diverse range of starters such as Edamame (including Spicy Edamame), Pork Gyoza, Vegi Gyoza, Salt Pepper Squid, Takoyaki, Pork Belly Buns, and Rock Shrimp.
- Ramen & Noodles: A variety of rich ramen options (e.g., Qu Ramen, Tonkotsu, Miso, Shoyu, Tantanmen, as well as Teriyaki Ramen with chicken, beef, or shrimp) and stir-fried Yaki Udon.
- Kitchen Entrees: Cooked dishes including various Teriyaki options, Chicken Katsu Don, and Donburi bowls like Gyudon (Beef bowl) and Unadon (Eel Bowl).
- Soups & Salads: Traditional Miso Soup, Spicy Seafood Soup, Tom Yum Soup, and fresh salads like Seaweed Salad.
- Japanese Donburi (NEW): Bowls served with white rice, protein, and various toppings such as Gyudon, Curry Chicken Katsu Don, Char Siu Don, Unadon, and Salmon Don.
Full Bar Service: The bistro features a full bar offering a selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Hot sake is specifically highlighted by customers as a great happy hour choice.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options: As noted by a customer, QU JAPAN is a good choice for vegetarians, offering several plant-based dishes like Vegi Gyoza, Spicy Edamame, Seaweed Salad, Vegetable Ramen, and a Veggie Fried Rice Bento.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR stands out in Philadelphia's competitive dining scene due to several key features and highlights:
Vibrant Happy Hour: This is a frequently praised aspect of QU JAPAN. It's described as a "fun happy hour" with a great atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to begin a night out. The availability of hot sake during happy hour is a particular highlight for many patrons.
High-Quality and Fresh Food: Customers consistently commend the freshness of the fish and the overall quality of the food, noting that dishes are "delicious" and "well cooked." This commitment to fresh ingredients is crucial for a sushi and Japanese bistro.
Authentic Flavors: The food is often described as feeling "authentic," indicating that QU JAPAN stays true to traditional Japanese culinary practices while also offering contemporary options.
Fast Service: Despite its popularity and sometimes busy periods, the kitchen is noted for preparing food "super fast," which is a significant advantage for diners on a tight schedule, particularly during lunch rushes.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options: A definite highlight for a broader audience, the restaurant is explicitly recommended for vegetarians, signifying a thoughtful inclusion of plant-based dishes that go beyond simple side orders.
Diverse Menu Selection: From a wide variety of sushi and sashimi to robust ramen, savory teriyaki, and unique appetizers like Purple Fries and Pork Belly Buns, the menu caters to diverse tastes and ensures there's something for everyone in a dining party.
Great Atmosphere: Reviewers mention the "great atmosphere," suggesting a pleasant and comfortable dining environment that enhances the overall experience.
Central Market Street Location: Its prime spot on Market Street in Center City offers excellent accessibility, making it a convenient choice for locals working, living, or visiting the downtown area.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR, like many popular establishments in Center City Philadelphia, offers appealing promotions to enhance the dining experience and attract new and returning customers. Based on available information, here are some likely promotions or special offers:
Happy Hour Specials: As prominently mentioned in customer reviews, QU JAPAN is well-regarded for its happy hour. While specific happy hour menus can change, these typically include discounted prices on select appetizers, sushi rolls, and beverages, including hot sake, making it an excellent value for early evening dining and socializing.
Buy 1, Get 1 Free Deals: Information suggests that QU JAPAN offers "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" promotions on certain popular items, such as Pork Gyoza, Seaweed Salad, and even some sushi rolls like the Rock N Roll and Tom Yum Soup. These BOGO deals significantly increase the value for diners.
Lunch Specials: Given its Center City location, QU JAPAN offers a variety of lunch specials. These include "Sushi Bar Lunch" options with assorted sushi and rolls (e.g., Sushi Lunch, Sashimi Lunch, Chirashi Lunch, Tri Color Sushi Lunch), and "Kitchen Bento Lunch" boxes featuring items like Chicken Teriyaki, Salmon Teriyaki, or Veggie Fried Rice, all served with miso soup and other sides. These are designed to be complete and affordable midday meals.
Delivery Platform Promotions: When ordering through third-party delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub, customers might find exclusive app-specific promotions such as waived delivery fees for first-time orders, percentage discounts, or other limited-time offers.
To ensure you have the most up-to-date information on all active promotions, especially happy hour timings and specific BOGO items, it is always recommended for locals to check QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR's official website (if available), their menu listings on major delivery apps, or to call them directly at (267) 362-9999.
For residents in Philadelphia, PA, and those visiting Center City who wish to enjoy the fresh sushi, delicious cooked dishes, and vibrant atmosphere at QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR, here is the essential contact information:
Address: 1635 Market St #103, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
Phone: (267) 362-9999
The mobile phone number provided, +1 267-362-9999, is the same direct line for the restaurant. You can use this number to make reservations (though it's often more of a walk-in friendly spot, especially for happy hour), inquire about their menu, or place takeout orders.
Based on typical operating hours for a bistro and bar in a downtown area, and information available on delivery platforms, QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR generally operates with hours designed to serve both lunch and dinner crowds:
Monday - Thursday: Typically open for lunch and dinner, often from 11:00 AM or 11:30 AM until around 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. Happy hour usually runs in the late afternoon/early evening.
Friday - Saturday: Often extended hours, from lunch into late evening, potentially until 10:30 PM or 11:00 PM, to accommodate weekend diners and a more active bar scene.
Sunday: May have slightly shorter hours, often similar to weekday closing times or slightly earlier.
It is always advisable to call ahead or check their current hours on popular delivery apps or their official website to confirm, especially during holidays or for specific dining plans.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR is an exceptionally suitable dining destination for locals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering a compelling blend of quality, value, and a vibrant atmosphere. Its central location at 1635 Market Street makes it incredibly convenient for anyone in Center City, whether they are office workers seeking a quick and delicious lunch, residents looking for a lively happy hour, or friends gathering for dinner. The easy access via public transportation further enhances its appeal, ensuring that it's a hassle-free choice for a spontaneous meal or a planned outing.
The restaurant's commitment to serving fresh, high-quality Japanese food, from meticulously prepared sushi to flavorful ramen and hearty cooked dishes like yaki udon, ensures that there's something to satisfy every palate. The explicit positive feedback regarding the "high quality fish & fantastic food" underscores its culinary credibility. Moreover, the clear appeal to vegetarians, offering a variety of suitable options, broadens its reach and makes it an inclusive choice for diverse groups of diners.
Beyond the food, the "great atmosphere" and the "fun happy hours" provide an added dimension, turning a meal into a social event. The combination of delicious food, good vibes, and quick service caters perfectly to the dynamic pace of urban life in Philadelphia. With attractive promotions like Buy 1 Get 1 Free deals on certain items and comprehensive lunch specials, QU JAPAN also offers excellent value, making high-quality Japanese cuisine accessible. For Philadelphians seeking a reliable, enjoyable, and conveniently located spot for authentic Japanese flavors and a lively experience, QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR is a standout choice that consistently delivers on its promises.
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR Photos










QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR Location
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR
1635 Market St # 103, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
QU JAPAN BISTRO & BAR Reviews
For happy hour- Food was fresh, well cooked, and felt authentic. atmosphere was great! Service could be faster if the staffing is more and each person was friendly :) I recommend this place for fun happy hours and to vegetarians! You can’t go wrong w HOT sake w happy hour to begin your night
Feb 08, 2025 · SurbhiDelicious high quality fish & fantastic food. We loved the yaki udon, salmon dream, seaweed salad, fried rice, & sushi rolls. Everything came out super fast. I highly recommend this place
Dec 28, 2024 · Rachel CipkinsWe went for happy hour on Saturday 1pm-3pm $6.50 for all the food on the happy hour menu and $8 cocktails. The lotus blossom drink was so good it’s a lychee martini. But will sell out fast . The sushi was big and fresh! The wings was so good and crispy. Cute vibe . Solo date friendly. Small place . Good customer service. Good for date or girls day out
Oct 28, 2024 · Mackley macWe went to this spot for lunch. We ordered their chicken teriyaki bento box and the chicken fried upon both of which were lacking flavour overall. We also ordered their lunch specials 3 rolls for $18: spicy crunch salmon, California roll, salmon avocado roll, eel avocado roll, yellowtail scallion roll and Alaska roll. I liked that their rolls were packed with rice around. My favourite was the spicy salmon! Overall we might come back for their happy hour which is $6.50 per food item.
Apr 27, 2025 · KellyI went there for a happy hour on Saturday but the food was not fresh enough. I have tried the eel avocado and California rolls, which were average at best. However, the seaweed salad was a highlight—it was delicious and served in a generous portion. I even took half of it home, and when I ate it the next day, it tasted just as good.The service was a strong point; the waitstaff were friendly and efficient. I also liked the overall vibe of the place, which was beautiful, relaxed and enjoyable.
Aug 18, 2024 · Sadaf Sharfaei
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