Shiroi Hana, the longest-operating Japanese restaurant in Center City, has served its final meal as it has now closed, writes Michael Klein for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Its owners — husband and wife duo Robert and Patti Moon — have placed the building up for sale.
“It’s sad. Very sad,” said Patti, who had been the building’s and restaurant’s owners since 1998.
Shiroi Hana dates back to 1984, however, as part of a nationwide group of restaurants owned by Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church.
When the restaurant went up for sale in the late 1990s, the Moons — who were running Grill Master Deli in Washington Square West — showed their interest and were ultimately given the restaurant.
The eatery maintained tremendous popularity under the Moons’ ownership.
However, according to Patti, the decision to close was influenced by shifting trends. Specifically, Japanese dining has shifted more toward chef-owner omakase concepts.
Shiroi Hana’s former head chef Hiroshi Abe held it down for nearly 35 years. Upon leaving about three years ago, Patti said, business hasn’t been the same.
While the Moons leave Shiroi Hana behind, they will continue to operate their Japanese-Korean restaurant Doma in Logan Square.
Read more about the closure of Center City’s longest-operating Japanese eatery at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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