FUMI JOE — Restaurant in Hong Kong Island

Visited in November 2024. Hong Kong.

This restaurant was a delightful discovery. We booked well in advance to take advantage of their exceptional brunch offer. Located in a central area, the restaurant boasts stunning views from its high-floor location. The interior is bright and airy, and the open kitchen adds a welcome sense of transparency to the culinary process.

Food:

The brunch menu is a curated set menu, with several items available all-you-can-eat. The experience begins with a selection of delightful appetizers; the tuna otoro tartare, with its crisp tempura, stood out for its delicate flavors and the pleasing textural contrast of the beautifully rendered otoro. The sashimi and maki course followed. The quality of the sashimi was superb; impeccably fresh, each piece practically melted in the mouth. The maki, however, felt a little rice-heavy, with comparatively little filling—though, paired with the sashimi, this wasn't a major concern, as the rice quantity balanced the overall offering. The abalone appetizer was equally impressive, tender and subtly sweet.

Next came the tempura course; my personal favorites, the shrimp and crab claws, were rich with flavour and perfectly complemented by the crisp tempura batter. For the main course, we chose the A4 Japanese Wagyu steak, juicy, tender and exceptionally well marbled, and the lobster, expertly cooked, though a few sections were slightly chewy, which was somewhat mitigated by the accompanying sauce. The grilled skewers, the final savory course, had a fantastic crisp exterior, whilst remaining succulent and tender within. While the desserts weren’t quite to my liking (I'm not a huge fan of mochi), the cream roll and fresh fruit were enjoyable.

Service:

The service was impeccable. Our server expertly guided us through the brunch menu, answered our questions, and provided helpful recommendations for drinks. His friendly and attentive service enhanced our experience considerably. The pacing of the meal was excellent; neither rushed nor slow, offering a relaxed and enjoyable experience. The team clearly prioritized making our brunch a truly memorable occasion.

Conclusion:

This brunch is an exceptional value for money, especially with their 1+1 (50% off) offer. If you appreciate high-quality Japanese cuisine and a sophisticated dining experience, this restaurant is an absolute must. The ingredients were exquisite, and the overall execution was superb. Highly...

I will never come to it or visit the same group of this restaurant. The portion is small and overpriced.

When I checked in, I repeated two times of my name to let the staff for registration, and I even spelled my name for the last time. Though the staff was polite, it is not the service standard should have in such standard of restaurant. And the reception was not that busy at that time.

The staff is not well aware of hygiene issue because one of them pointed the food closely with his finger when he introduced the sashimi. I corrected him straight and he understood my concern but he already pointed for a few types. And the tuna row with six small pieces I ordered, it cost me more than $100.

I understood you would like to sever us the sake we ordered but I preferred to do it on my own to avoid contacting the same utensil during covid 19 pandemic.

I asked for a cup of tea, which the tea is charged and I was not being informed. I was weird (or not sensitive enough) why I only served with one cup of tea and my friend do not have any. I asked one for him separately. And I did not find the price of the tea on the drink menu with alcohol, soft drinks but I cannot find TEA. In a normal or traditional Japanese restaurant, tea is always free, unlike Chinese restaurants. I was surprised when I saw the tea was counted in the bill.

I know the restaurant is located at central and It should be expansive but the quality of food and service of staff are not at the standard of such price. I would never come again and also the same group of this restaurant.

And I just realized only those good comments would be responded by the owner but not those negative comments. This is not a very smart way to manage the comments of your patrons. Pricey food is acceptable provided the overall experience is good but...

There is one thing I know for certain about Kyoto Joe: the food is delicious, and the experience is made even better by the ambiance created by the outstanding team.

I have been a fan of Kyoto Joe for many years. The food is fresh, tasty and never fails to make me smile as I munch away. As a creature of habit, I have a few favourite dishes - get in my belly spicy salmon tatar, trio roll and melt-in-your-mouth toro sashimi. I must also mention my drink of choice "the Carol special", a fresh lime soda with shiso leaf for that extra zang.

With the move to the new location, I am even more impressed as Kyoto Joe is even better! The new space is chic and trendy, with a "bop-in-your-seat" playlist for background noise. The views from the 23rd floor are spectacular and the open terrace brings an added element of fun.

Now the food - oh Chef Dow - who would have thought it possible for you to up your already impeccable game? Chef Dow has created delectable new dishes that suit Kyoto Joe's new look - may I please introduce you to the chicken shiso tempura salad, the okra and tofu roll, sea eel tempura and short-ribs complete with mash potato. Each dish strikes the balance of traditional Japanese cuisine with that ever so delicate modern twist. I am also working my way through the lunch sets - each combination of the revamped menu calls my name! Don't fret if you have a vegetarian friend - Kyoto Joe has an extensive array of delicious veggie-friendly dishes (and yes, I have sampled these too).

Kyoto Joe is certainly my happy place, and it should...