Fuji Steak and Sushi
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2207 Overnite Dr.
Chattanooga, TN
Phone: (423) 892-2899.
Hibachi-style dining has become a favorite of Americans. We just LOVE to be entertained, and let’s face it, hibachi-style dining can be very entertaining. Hibachi-style cooking, traditionally called teppanyaki, was made famous by the Benihana restaurant chain, which opened its first restaurant in the US in 1964. Since then, “hibachi” has become a household word, and various other restaurants have popped up that are built around an iron cooking griddle and some extremely masterful chefs. The latest of these to grace the Chattanooga area is Fuji Steak & Sushi.
Fuji Steak & Sushi, located near Hamilton Place Mall, is an aesthetically pleasing mixture of East meets very trendy West. The experience begins before you even cross the threshold of the restaurant. Flanking the front entry are two pillar fountains, decidedly Zen in style. Set in the door is another fountain, also Zen in design.
Once you enter the restaurant, you will find the space very light and open. The lighting above the bar/sushi bar consists of bulbs covered by cleverly reconditioned glass bottles in varying shades. There is a private dining room on one side of the restaurant affording diners a more intimate atmosphere. The other side is pure, unadulterated fun—interactive dining at its best.
Fuji Steak and Sushi has 16 hibachi grills ready and waiting. There are nine hibachi chefs, so you don’t experience the long wait times you might at other establishments. According to Allan Kim, manager of Fuji Steak & Sushi, the restaurant is not as concerned with filling its hibachi tables before serving its customers as it as making sure customers have an enjoyable experience. “We’re only going to have a 10-minute wait time at the front. Then when you are seated, within 10 minutes a server is going to come and take your order. So, we’re not going to fill all the tables.”
Not only will you be served quicker, you will also enjoy a show brimming with tricks. “More tricks,” says Kim. Your hibachi chef might juggle utensils, flip a shrimp into their shirt pocket, catch an egg in his hat, toss an egg up in the air and split it with a knife, or arrange onion rings into fire-shooting volcanoes—all this while talking and interacting with customers. In fact, you could get a turn spinning an egg on a spatula yourself. The preparation of food in Japan is considered an art form. Fuji Steak & Sushi has heightened that to the art of entertainment. Hibachi chefs are trained by the head chef, E.T., who has more than 20 years of experience.
At the sushi bar, you would likely meet John, Mike or Sky. They are Fuji Steak & Sushi’s trio of sushi chefs. Combined, they have many years experience creating such delicacies as “Ladybug Roll”—fresh tuna, yellowtail, salmon, and scallions topped with red and black tobiko or “Scorpion King”—made up of two rolls, a shrimp tempura roll and a soft-shell crab roll topped with shrimp and the chef’s special spicy sauce. Of course, these sushi chefs are masters at serving up the traditional fare, too. As a matter of fact, they’d better be very skilled at it. Mondays and Wednesdays are $1 sushi days at Fuji Steak & Sushi. Order Nigiri sushi or Maki sushi (that’s rolls like California roll or tuna roll) for only $1 on those days.
Fuji Steak & Sushi has only recently opened its doors to the public, celebrating its grand opening this past Monday, and in true “East meets very trendy West style,” the restaurant launched its Facebook page a week earlier. Become a fan of the restaurant, listed on Facebook as Fuji Steakhouse TN, and get ready for some impressive savings.
Fuji Steak & Sushi is located at 2207 Overnite Dr., Chattanooga. (423) 892-2899.
