Tastescope: In Search of the Best Philadelphia Roll

One of the most recognizable pan-Asian restaurant chains in the city. The concept is built around Japanese cuisine adapted to the local market. The interiors of most locations are minimalist: neon signs, aquariums with fish, plants, and red accents. Orders are delivered by a robot waiter. Yaponamama was among the pioneers of the fried roll trend in Tashkent. Their calorie-heavy combination of mayonnaise, apple, and breading has been copied by more upscale restaurants, but no one has quite managed to replicate it as successfully.

Philadelphia — 109,000 UZS

Because of the large amount of tightly packed rice, the roll looks substantial and filling, but the filling gets lost. Inside, there’s only Philadelphia cream cheese and cucumber, and even the cucumber lacks crunch. The salmon flavor is not very pronounced, with a slight off-note typical of frozen fish. The cut appears to be from the back — an even orange color with thin white fat lines.

Height: 3.5 cm, length: 4 cm. Salmon: 10.5 cm long, 3–4 mm thick. Portion: 8 pieces

This project focuses on approachable, adapted Japanese cuisine and a format suited for romantic dates and gatherings with friends. The interior features массивные wooden elements, vertical slats imitating bamboo, decorative panels, and a small Japanese gong. The space is large, with plenty of seating and a summer terrace. The menu includes a wide range of rolls, sushi, ramen, hot Asian dishes, and desserts.

Philadelphia — 145,000 UZS

The rolls here are square-shaped. Generous slices of salmon cover the entire roll with an overlap. The salmon flavor is delicate, but there’s noticeably more rice than one would prefer — it dominates the overall taste. The cream cheese is rich, with a pleasant hint of saltiness. The filling includes avocado and cucumber, but the avocado is barely noticeable, likely due to being cut too finely. This is a hearty version of the roll — one portion is enough to fill you up.

Height: 4 cm, length: 4 cm. Salmon: 14 cm long, 4–5 mm thick (the longest in the selection). Portion: 6 pieces

No seafood story would be complete without mentioning La Mer. The restaurant features an oyster aquarium, caviar in all varieties, and a chilled display filled with salmon, dorado, scallops, and shrimp. All of this is used in the dishes: tartares, pasta, sautéed dishes, and grilled fish — everything centered around the sea. There is also a fish shop on-site where you can buy not only fresh seafood but also pasta, jams, and sauces.

Each of the three locations has its own unique interior, united by a signature intimate pan-Asian dining space with an evening ambiance.

Philadelphia — 90,000 UZS

Finally, we arrive at rolls that are neat and comfortable to eat. The filling includes both cucumber and vibrant avocado: the textures don’t blend together but complement each other. The salmon is fresh, tender, with no hint of having been frozen. The even salmon color and fat lines indicate a back cut. Roe adds a subtle flavor accent. 

This is the most well-balanced Philadelphia in the selection.

Height: 3.5 cm, length: 4 cm. Salmon: 10 cm long, 4 mm thick. Portion: 6 pieces

A modern urban space that has become a magnet for bloggers and young people interested in Asian pop culture. The bright, dopamine-driven interior is filled with details: blue sofas, red lanterns, walls painted in an Asian style, and a corner with posters and books. Japanese cuisine is combined with Korean — alongside sushi and classic rolls, the menu includes kimbap, tteokbokki, wok dishes, soups, and more.

Philadelphia — 106,000 UZS

The presentation is neat: large, evenly cut rolls served on a banana leaf, with a decorative carrot butterfly on the side. There’s plenty of Philadelphia cream cheese, but not enough cucumber for crunch. The salmon flavor is present but not particularly vivid. The cut appears to be from the back, closer to the belly, as indicated by the light color and neat fat lines. There’s too much rice, which makes the roll dense and filling.

Height: 4 cm, length: 4.5 cm. Salmon: 10 cm long, 4–5 mm thick. Portion: 8 pieces

A reliable spot for family dinners and business lunches. The concept is based on pan-Asian cuisine with a focus on Thai dishes. The menu includes tom yum, wok dishes, salads, poke, a wide selection of noodles, rolls, and signature desserts. The interior combines calm neutral tones with red accents, a large aquarium in the center of the hall, hanging plants, and a covered terrace.

Philadelphia — 115,000 UZS

The fish generously wraps around the roll, visually resembling a belly cut — indicated by its peach color and wide fat layers. A smaller amount of rice allows the filling to stand out: creamy Philadelphia cheese and crunchy cucumber. The freshness of the salmon, the fairly large size of the roll, and the overall balance of ingredients confidently place this option among the top three.

Height: 4 cm, length: 4 cm. Salmon: 10 cm long, 5–6 mm thick (the thickest in the selection). Portion: 6 pieces

City 21 Pan Asian Restaurant & Lounge is located on the 21st floor of the Hilton Tashkent City hotel. Panoramic windows offer a view of the city center, which turns into a shimmering sea of lights in the evening. The concept is built around pan-Asian cuisine, combining Southeast Asian traditions with a modern approach to presentation. The space includes everything from lounge areas to a terrace and VIP rooms, allowing guests to choose a format that suits them.

Philadelphia — 270,000 UZS

The most visually striking presentation: the rolls are decorated with red caviar, microgreens, and fresh flowers. The salmon fillet is light in color with pronounced fat layers — indicating a belly cut. The fish melts in your mouth. Avocado is used instead of cucumber, resulting in an extremely soft, creamy texture. However, the flavors of the cream cheese and avocado blend together, making it difficult to distinguish the ingredients individually.

This is a case where the taste doesn’t quite live up to the visuals or the price.

Height: 3.5 cm, length: 4 cm. Salmon: 9.5 cm long, 5 mm thick. Portion: 8 pieces

Final ranking:

1st place — La Mer. Balance, size, and flavor — everything is spot on.

2nd place — Tom Yum Bar. Bright salmon flavor and well-balanced proportions.

3rd place — Tanuki. Generous salmon portion and rich, expressive cream cheese.

4th place — City 21. Flawless presentation, but the texture is overly soft.

5th place — Twice Spice. Dense, straightforward roll without refinement.

6th place — Yaponamama. Too much rice — filling, but lacking character.