I have been meaning to check out this modern Japanese restaurant for a while now. So when looking for a spot for a quick snack in between meals, we made this our destination, in Kitsilano.
When you walk in, their bar backsplash is the focal point. 5×11 back lit teal boxes showcasing a collection of premium spirit bottles and Japanese pop culture memorabilia. A striking colour against the surrounding red and yellow paint.
We started with a pitcher of Ginger Mojito, seeing as they make their own ginger ale and cola syrup. This is the one to get with fresh mint leaves and vodka. It was like an aperitif and digestif in one, plus I found it complimentary to all the food to come.
For our additional rounds after we move to individual cocktails. Their selection isn’t all that extensive, and they appear to specialize in gin and tonic with a couple of options.
I enjoyed the Watermelon Gin & Tonic with 1oz of gin, homemade cola syrup, fresh watermelon purée, and tonic water. I actually got more of the fruit’s flavour than I expected. It was sweet like juice, but lighter with the soda water, and not at all botanical, which is what I expected with the gin.
My guest got the Grapefruit Gin & Tonic with 1oz of gin, homemade cola syrup, fresh squeezed grapefruit, and tonic water.
For food we nibbled on Flambéed Truffle Edamame, which were addictively delicious. Edamame beans still in pods, pan-fried with garlic, truffle butter, and mentsuyu; which is a Japanese dashi-based sauce. There was so much savoury flavour in this, due to spices you would use on meat. The best nibbles were ones where you get a larger chunk of salt. I don’t typically order edamame, so was so grateful that my dining companion did.
On a similar vein, but altogether different is the Truffle Corn Karaage, which also included the richly umami flavour of mentsuyu. These were chopped rows of corn cobs lightly deep-fried and tossed in a truffle butter sauce and a Japanese dashi-based sauce. This was equal parts sweet and buttery, and as tasty as they were fun to gnaw on. Another great bar snack to have with drinks.
For something completely different we looked to the Wagyu Carpaccio to share. By comparison this felt fresher. Chilled wagyu beef sous-vide to rare and served with a uni cream sauce, parmesan, and black pepper. The meat was sliced thicker than other renditions of carpaccio I have had recently. This I welcomed as it offered a better base and more balance for the rich umami cream sauce. The raw onion also helped to add some levity and zest to the plate.
And if you are going to visit New Fuji, their udons are a must. We got the Spicy Wagyu Miso Egg Udon. A single serving is presented in an oversized and unnecessarily large soup bowl. It was all for novelty and show, but I enjoyed it just the same.
Udon, minced wagyu beef, beaten egg, and spicy Chinese chives in a dashi broth made spicy with Kara-miso. It was only slightly spicy, but the heat did grow. Given the amount of sauce, I wished we had more noodles to enjoy it all with. I took what sauce remained home, and was able to make two more bowls at a later date. This was texturally satisfying and tasty, I would order this again.
Overall, I thought them a great spot with a fun menu. I would definitely like to come back to try more of their delicious takes. Everything exceeded my expectations. The only downside for me is that you leave smelling like the food, especially as we were sitting right next to the grill.
New Fuji
1815 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 4M6
(604) 423-3776
new-fuji.ca
