FUJIYA Japanese Restaurant
Place: Millenium Airport Hotel
Price:
AED 269 (soft beverages)
AED 400 (house beverages)
Timings: 12pm-9pm (Choose any 3 hour slot)
“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.”
― Bruce Lee
Upon entering Fujiya Japanese Restaurant one is immediately magically transported to the land of the rising sun; Japan. The restaurant combines three distinct Japanese dining categories:
- Izakaya
- Yakitori
- Shabu
More significantly this is the first licensed Japanese restaurant that is geared towards “casual” dining giving Dubai residents a much needed breather from the embarrassment of luxury Japanese fusion options (AKA Zuma & all the Zuma wannabes).
An Izakaya can be loosely defined as a Japanese “Pub” or “Tapas Bar”. In Japan they serve as after-work drinking establishments. Izakaya differ from western bars in that diners are always seated which minimizes the interaction with other customers. Typical izakaya dishes include chicken karaage, yakitori, edamame, grilled fish, fried foods, and sushi.
Interesting many Izakaya’s offer Nomihōdai (All you can drink) and Tabehōdai (All you can eat) within a stipulated time limit. Therefore the Dubai “brunch’ concept is not new, nor is it alien to the Japanese people.
Yakitori refers to small chicken pieces that are skewered and grilled over charcoal. It is so popular in Japan that there are hundreds of specialty shops that only serve Yakitori. Besides the typical cuts (breast, thigh, and wing) the entire chicken is typically used including the liver, heart, gizzard, and skin.
Shabu Shabu is the Japanese version of “hotpot” and consists of thinly sliced meat and a variety of vegetables boiled in your both of choice. It is an interactive dining style as the boiling pot is placed on the table, and diners “cook’ their own food. The Fujiya version is “all-you-can eat” of high quality beef.
Fujiya’s version of brunch is offered on Friday & Saturday between 12 and 9pm. Diners can pick whatever they like from the brunch menu for a full three hours. The menu is quite extensive but is designed to be enjoyed sharing-style.
Selection of 11 Cold Appetizers:
- Pickled cucumber
- Pickled Cabbage
- Kimchi
- Salted Cabbage
- Onions
- Edamame
- Spicy Edamame
- Japanese Style Cucumbers
- Fried Eggplant in a cold soup
Selection of 5 Fried Dishes:
- Fried chicken
- Fried Wagyu Beef cutlet
- Octopus Ball
- Vegetable Tempura
- French fries
Selection of 3 Yakitori:
- Chicken Skin
- Chicken Thigh
- Chicken Liver
Selection of Main dishes:
- Chicken gizzard
- Chicken Liver with leeks
- Japanese Omelet
- Wagyu BBQ Brisket
- Grilled Mackerel
- Deep Fried Chicken with tartar sauce
Selection of Sushi:
- Fujiya Roll
- Vegetable Roll
- Wagyu Nigiri
- Crab stick roll
- Tokyo California Roll
Rice, Soup & Noodle:
- Japanese style noodle & soup served either cold or hot
- Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl
- Wagyu Curry Rice
- Chicken with egg Don
- Steamed Rice
- Miso Soup
- Egg seaweed soup
Drinks:
- Bottled Asahi & Kirin
- Sake
- Spirits
- Wine
The food is authentic, consistent, and always made fresh to order. Some of our favorites are:
The Fried chicken, Fried Wagyu Beef cutlet, chicken liver with leeks, the yakoitori, Fujiya Roll, and the Wagyu Nigiri.
The restaurant is managed by Akio- San, a Japanese native and with a long history of managing Japanese restaurants. Moreover the entire service team is warm, friendly, and efficient. If you want to experience real Japanese hospitality in Dubai, then I recommend you visit Fujiya.
Rating:
Ambiance: 18/20.
Beverages: 18/20.
Food: 20/20.
Service: 20/20
Value for Money: 18/20.
Total: 94%