New York’s Wabi Nori will bring hand rolls and modern vibes to Philadelphia
Wabi Nori, a Japanese hand-roll and sushi concept based in New York City, plans to take over the Morea space across from Jefferson Hospital. It will add another Japanese restaurant to Center City.
Wabi Nori, a Japanese hand roll and sushi concept based in New York City, has signed a deal to take the former Morea space at 110 S. 11th St. in Center City, adding another Japanese restaurant to Center City’s dining mix.
The deal, along with Dig Inn’s March 13 opening next door at 112 S. 11th St., fills the ground-floor restaurant roster in the Baum’s building across from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Revolution Capital owns both spaces.
For Center City, the lease adds a brand that began on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in September 2024 and expanded last month to Flushing, Queens. No timeline has been released for the Philadelphia location.
Wabi Nori’s menu centers on hand rolls, sushi, sashimi, and Japanese small plates and drinks, rather than omakase or ramen.
Given its sleek, modern surroundings, Wabi Nori probably will be positioned in the upper tier of Center City’s Japanese restaurants, on par with Double Knot, two blocks away, though not upscale, like the forthcoming Sushi by Scratch, which last week announced its opening at 12th and Walnut Streets, or Dancerobot or Uchi across Broad Street in Rittenhouse.
Peter Wong, one of Wabi Nori’s founders, is also involved with Set NoLibs, a sports bar in Northern Liberties. Wong did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Annellyse Chan of MSC, representing Revolution Capital, and Matthew Rahill of CBRE, representing Wabi Nori, confirmed the lease signing.
