Fuji offers Japanese hibachi and sushi with flair and a show
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AMMON — Fuji Japanese Hibachi Grill and Sushi Bar offers an impressive, fine-dining experience that’s a rare treat in Idaho Falls.
“The chefs are very, very good,” said J.B. Weimer, manager at Fuji’s restaurant. “They create a show. … They’re doing the knife tricks — everything… I’ve got one that will do green fire. I’ve got one that will light the whole grill on fire.”
The restaurant has become a local favorite and has served the community for 10 years, opening in 2014 in the Edwards Theaters complex in Ammon.
From people who love sushi to those who prefer hibachi grill combinations, Fuji offers a premium product to all tastes and ages at the dinner table.
“Everyone has their methods, their methodology to sushi,” Weimer explained. “But I’ve got three to four chefs there every day rolling, and they create fantastic-looking, aesthetically-looking products, but the flavor (is astounding)!”
Fuji’s staff sprinkles humor and fun into each customer’s experience.
“They treat everyone like kings,” he said.
Weimer and his staff served EastIdahoNews.com a delicious sampling of the best on Fuji’s menu.
Bento box
Weimer said the Bento box is “a traditional Japanese-style dish that includes California rolls, tempura vegetables, crab rangoons, teriyaki chicken and traditional gyoza or pot stickers. ”
The ragoons are crunchy with a creamy crab sauce in the middle.
Other Bento box protein options include steak, honey chicken shrimp and salmon.
It comes complimented by an “array of sauces.”
“This is one of our all-you-can sample dishes of the dining room,” he explained. “… All of our dishes are very light, fresh but very filling.”
Sushi and Sashimi sampler
The sushi and sashimi sampler consists of mouthwatering pieces of raw fish cut into succulent strips that form a delicious combination of flavor and texture.
“That gives you a little bit of each of the fish – the salmon, the redfin tuna, and the underbelly super white tuna are our favorites,” Weimer said with pride. “It’s kind of our go-to to show off.”
Each piece is intricately cut from fresh fish in the restaurant. The chefs also offer albacore and yellowfin.
“They know how to cut, and they when they make their cuts, they make sure the fish is put together in a way that it’s going to melt your mouth,” Weimer said.
Fried calamari
Weimer then served an appetizer of fried calamari – a delicious delight fusing squid with American tastes.
“Calamari should be fried lightly with a good crisp and crunch to it,” Weimer explained. “It’s served with lemon and then honey wasabi sauce.”
The restaurant’s sauces are hand-crafted “in-house.”
‘Temptation of Fire’ sushi roll
Each month, Fuji’s serves up a specialty sushi roll, and this one literally lights the room on fire!
“This sushi roll comes out on fire,” Weimer showcased. “… We’ve got a shrimp tempura inside along with crab, and then on the outside, you have the tiger shrimp and avocado.”
A drizzle of eel sauce and specialty mayo sauce complements the flavor explosion.
Hibachi grill entrees
For restaurant-goers looking for a pure hibachi experience, Fuji comes full circle for that as well.
Our chef Endre, from Indonesia, juggled flaming stick, tossed knives and created explosions of multi-colored flames that danced a meter into the air — all while joking and serving up an incredible feast made fresh before our eyes.
“Everyone loves our rice, our Yum Yum sauce. … They come in here for the rice, the veggies and the meat itself,” Weimer said.
Fuji served us two combination platters with chicken, shrimp and steak. They also offer entrees and combinations of hibachi vegetables, noodle lovers, calamari, salmon scallop, filet mignon and lobster.
Each meal is complimented with a carrot ginger salad.
Fuji offers 16 grills with 24 seats each, 24 tables, a sushi bar and full bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Weimer explained that every chef and server “all do a fantastic show,” delivering a restaurant experience centered on accountability, responsibility, and customer service.
It is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The hibachi grill is available until 15 minutes before closing.
The restaurant is located at 2625 South 25th East (Hitt Road).
“It’s kind of a hidden gem,” Weimer said. “… That’s the way we approach everybody, is that type of idea that no matter what it is that you order, you are a king or queen in our restaurant.”
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