A popular Sichuan spot in Chinatown is expanding its footprint, preparing to open a new location next year.
EMei Restaurant, owned by Dan Tsao, will take over the former Marra’s space at 1734 Passyunk Ave., The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Marra’s announced it will close its doors after 98 years. Salvatore and Chiarina Marra emigrated from Naples, Italy, in 1920 and launched the family-run business, which three generations have carried forward, according to the website.
“To our loyal customers, neighbors, friends, and families who became family—thank you. You shared Sunday dinners with us, celebrated milestones, brought your kids (and grandkids), and filled our little South Philly corner with laughter, stories, and love. Every plate we served carried almost a century of tradition, but you gave it meaning. Though the restaurant has closed, the memories you’ve given us will stay forever,” the restaurant shared via Instagram.
As one chapter closes, EMei Restaurant opens a new one with its upcoming expansion.
The Sichuan restaurant will open in phases, launching takeout and delivery in February during renovations, with full dine-in service set for Summer 2026.
The menu, praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Magazine, will largely mirror the original 915 Arch St. outpost but will also experiment with new dishes, including roast duck and Shanghai soup.
Popular dishes include “Dan Dan Noodles”, a street-food favorite with flour noodles and wok-crisped ground pork in a spicy garlic sesame-peanut sauce; “Chongqing Spicy Chicken”, crispy boneless chicken tossed with dried chiles, peppercorns, crushed red peppers, sesame seeds and wok-fried scallions; and the celebrated mapo tofu, also called “Mother Chen’s Bean Curd.”
EMei Restaurant, founded in 2011, is named after Mount Emei, the highest of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China’s Sichuan province. The mountain’s natural resources inspire many of the restaurant’s dishes, according to the website.
After more than a decade and building a loyal following, Tsao told the outlet, “Growth requires new space.”
Tsao and his team aren’t stopping with South Philadelphia. He recently purchased the former John Henry’s pub in Ardmore to bring EMei to suburban diners.
While construction continues on the other two locations, the original flagship continues serving customers. For updates, check the EMei Restaurant website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook.
