Fujiyama
Japanese restaurants in Lahore are pretty thin on the ground. When I was having a hankering for sushi and sashimi two years ago, I was disappointed to discover that a Japanese restaurant that once operated in Gulberg had shut down. To satisfy my craving for some sort of Asian food, I opted for Udon House, a delicious Korean restaurant that delivers, but unfortunately for me on that day, wasn’t Japanese!
Much later the craving returned, and I was recommended to visit what was then Lahore’s only Japanese restaurant; buried deep in the 5-star Avari Hotel is Fujiyama.
Sushi Moriawase plate, including tuna roll and nigiri, at Fujiyama
And boy, was my craving satisfied. Despite Pakistanis’ preference for cooked food, Fujiyama doesn’t compromise where it counts. My sushi plate was world-class; I may have only tasted better in Japan. A plate of sashimi was brought out on my request, and again; tender, succulent, perfectly balanced and very satisfying.
Sashimi plate at Fujiyama
The miso soup with which I began the meal was predictably delightful, although with a few too many mushrooms for my liking – I guess that’s just personal preference.
Miso soup at setting at Fujiyama
The setting is simply perfect; poolside but behind shaded windows, with muted lighting that enhances the soft colour scheme; a soothing pause from the chaos of Mall Road outside.
Dining setting at Fujiyama
The service was faultless and, if you like, there’s a teppanyaki bar that I have promised myself to go back and try again. The rather animated teppanyaki chef was more than happy to pose for a picture!
Teppanyaki chef at Fujiyama
What Teppanyaki is not, is cheap. Expect one plate to set you back anywhere between Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,600, astronomical for Pakistani standards, especially considering the serving sizes (quintessentially delicate. It’s about the flavour, not the quantity.) But it’s so worth it, especially when only sushi will do.
Sushi Moriawase plate, including tuna roll and nigiri, at Fujiyama
As a side note, there are now two Japanese restaurants in Lahore; the latest one is called Tokyo, and is in Gulberg III. I’m looking forward to going there soon, and there will be a review once I have!
Details
Food: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Cost: Mains Rs. 800 – Rs. 1,600; you might choose to order more than one main
Avari Hotel, 87 The Mall, Lahore, Pakistan
(042) 111 282 747
www.avari.com/property/avari-lahore/dining/fujiyama
Daily: 12pm – 3:30pm, 7pm – 11:30pm
i know exactly what you mean about needing to satisfy your sushi craving every now and again! india also has pretty limited choices, but it’s not something i might splurging on every few months. yours looks delicious!
xx
Thanks for reading, Veena! 🙂
well for anything that ISNT cooked in Pakistan, I can only imagine that the greatest of care needs to be taken in its preparation. Good to know that you can find such a place in Lahore, and understandable that it is not cheap!
It was a life saver – we all know what food cravings can be like! 😀
Food sounds fantastic here, the ambiance looks cool! The pictures have come out really well.
Thanks Renuka 🙂 Yep – it was a great experience 🙂
Oh my goodness. I freakin heart the bajinkas out of sushi, and right now…. I am sooooo hungry. So reading this post is like taking a bullet. How good are teppanyaki chefs? So calm, yet they all seem to have ninja skills. Going to get sushi for dinner now. Yarm.
Hope you are well, happy and kicking goals. 🙂 Hugs from freezing cold Canberra. x
Awwww don’t worry, not too long until the end of winter!! Teppanyaki chefs rock 🙂 Glad I could inspire you to have sushi for dinner 🙂
Hope you’re doing well my friend – have an awesome weekend 😀
I can totally relate to getting the sushi cravings! Mine often happen if I’ve been eating too much heavy or unhealthy food or if I’m feeling a little fat, then a nice sushi meal makes me feel a bit more healthy! We’re lucky that London is full of choices but I don’t always find it as easy if a craving hits while I’m abroad so this place sounds great. Teppanyaki is always a fun experience too ☺
Oh yes, no shortage of sushi places in London! And I know what you mean, I always feel healthy after sushi too!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I don’t know if you know that, but I recently switched from vegetarianism to veganism, but I am glad sushi is not all about raw fish and I can find cucumber and avocado sushi as well :). Love it!
Ohhhh good for you!! How are you finding it? Would love to hear your experience 🙂