Fuji Asian Kitchen — Restaurant in Abilene

My wife and I recently stopped in Abilene on our way back from attending social events in KC and had never been to the Eisenhower Museum, which turned out to be an exceptional experience and wished that we had allotted more than the 2 hours we were there (could easily have spent 4 hours, reading of all the wonderful things that Eisenhower did for our nation, during his storied life).

At any rate, we googled restaurants in Abilene and were underwhelmed by the choices as reviewed on Yelp and Google reviews (oddly Fuji is not even listed on TripAdvisor and should be) so I am posting this review to only Yelp and Google. We had intended on eating the classic chicken dinner at the Brookville Hotel clone (now called Legacy). Before we went to the museum we stopped there at 1pm to inquire how late we could arrive in order to be seated (knowing we would be at the Eisenhower Museum, prior). The receptionist said to arrive no later than 5:30 for their last seating. We arrived at 5:10 and were turned away since they shut down entry to the dining room at 5:00. We even shared this with the owner and he just shrugged his shoulders and said "I'm sorry but we don't serve any later than our 5:00 seating." GRRRR. Never go back since they were more interested in going home than serving end of day patrons. I ate at the original Brookville 20 years ago and had really pumped it up to my wife who had never been there since she grew up in Tulsa. After reading recent reviews, it's apparent that it is an empty shell of its past with new owners.

So, we chose Fuji in Abilene, since there seemed to be nothing special about Abilene's other restaurants. And driven by the fact that my wife loves Sushi. We were absolutely delighted about every aspect of our visit (clean, efficient, friendly, attentive service and great FOOD QUALITY).

I am a former restaurant owner operator with 30 years in the business (very successfully before retiring) so I know what it takes to overachieve and Fuji hit on all cylinders. With a Sushi loving wife, we have been to every one of the numerous Sushi restaurants in Wichita (which seem to excel in that category for some reason). I will put Fuji up against the best in Wichita. My wife ordered 3 different varieties of Sushi on their menu and loved every one of them. As for myself, I am not much of a Sushi fan so I always order other entrees on Japanese or Oriental restaurant menus.

At Fuji I ordered the Hibachi KC Strip and Shrimp. Here is where the proof in the pudding is. Having served thousands of KC Strips and Ribeye's in my establishments, the one thing I know is that KC Strips are a challenge because they are not nearly as tender as Ribeyes, so I specifically requested that my KC Strip pieces/chunks be done tender and medium rare (obviously cooked on a flat top). And that the shrimp is not over cooked and tough. On my first bite, I found that they nailed it. The strip pieces were soft and tender and the shrimp as well. They had nicely seasoned rice to go with it, along with a very tasty Teriyaki sauce on the steak and shrimp. It was also accompanied by perfectly sauteed vegetables which were cooked Al dente'. We also ordered their seaweed salad which was excellent. And had to order their house salad with ginger dressing. It came out in a chilled bowl and the lettuce was ice cold and super crunchy. The ginger dressing was Bright and Refreshing. Bravo to the extreme from one restaurant operator to another. Fuji is the real deal and should be the most popular and most visited restaurant in Abilene.

After having spent the night in Abilene before heading to Salina on our way back to Wichita, we scouted multiple restaurants in Salina for lunch and after eating in Salina, we wished that we had simply headed back to Fuji for a second visit. So, if you are in Salina or Abilene you will be cutting yourself short by not...

Fuji Asian Kitchen arrives in Abilene as a welcome alternative to the town’s standard fare. Located on South Broadway, the restaurant fills a gap in a dining scene dominated by diners and burger joints. The dining room is brightly lit by daylight bulbs that cast cool white light across simple wood accents and neutral walls. This clear and energetic setting lets the dishes take center stage without distraction.

The staff were friendly and attentive throughout our meal. Water glasses were refilled promptly and every request was handled without needing a second reminder. The staff were friendly and attentive. When I asked for two glasses of water they brought them promptly without having to repeat the request. The service struck a comfortable balance between polite attentiveness and letting guests settle in at their own pace.

We began with the gyoza. They arrived piping hot with golden brown bottoms that offered a satisfying crunch and tender rice wrappers above. The filling combined finely ground pork and shredded vegetables with a subtle note of garlic and just enough sesame oil to round out the flavor. Dipping the dumplings in the house sauce added a bright vinegar note that lifted each bite. As a simple starter, these gyoza set a solid tone for what followed.

Next came the KC Chiefs roll, a nod to local pride. The roll pairs spicy crab with creamy avocado and fresh cucumber all wrapped in firm rice and nori. It held together neatly on the plate and delivered an approachable level of heat. We noticed the spicy crab sauce leaned heavily on imitation crab flavor rather than fresh seafood sweetness. It remained a satisfying choice for newcomers to sushi but lacked the depth that experienced fans might expect.

Moving on to stir fry, we sampled the shrimp lo mein. The noodles were cooked just right so they held a firm chew and glistened under a light soy garlic glaze. Plump shrimp offered a gentle briny note while crisp broccoli florets, rings of onion and carrot medallions provided texture and color. A whisper of white pepper warmed the dish without calling attention to itself. This plate demonstrated how simple ingredients can shine when treated with precision.

The sweet and sour shrimp arrived next in a glossy sauce that struck a clear balance between tangy vinegar and soft sugar. Pieces of bell pepper and slices of onion added vegetal brightness alongside the sauced shrimp. A sprinkle of sliced scallion on top cut through the sauce and added a final burst of freshness. This dish felt familiar yet polished enough to stand out among similar offerings in the region.

For dessert we tried both the mango mochi and the fried ice cream. The mochi were soft orbs of chewy rice dough lightly dusted with sweet rice flour. Each one revealed a vivid yellow core of mango ice cream that was bright without being cloying. The fried ice cream arrived with a thin crisp shell that yielded quickly to cool vanilla ice cream. The coating carried hints of cinnamon and sugar but never felt heavy. Both sweets provided a playful finish that felt perfectly suited to the meal.

Fuji Asian Kitchen delivers consistency across its menu and atmosphere. The KC Chiefs roll could benefit from a fresher crab component but remains enjoyable. The gyoza, the noodles and the sweet and sour shrimp all reflect thoughtful execution. Service is friendly and attentive and the setting feels welcoming and crisp. For anyone in Abilene seeking reliable pan Asian flavors without fuss, Fuji offers a fitting option. We look forward to returning soon to try the curry and the hibachi grill and to see how more of the menu...

We stopped in for dinner and ordered appetizers, salads, and main dishes. The food came out extremely hot and almost immediately, which made us wonder if things were being microwaved rather than cooked fresh. The flavor was fine, but it definitely felt more like delivery-quality food than a dine-in experience.

Service started off rushed with a quick “Are you ready?” the moment we sat down, and then once we asked for more time it took quite a while before someone came back. The atmosphere was also a bit off — the lighting is very bright (as shown in the photos we uploaded), almost like being in a hospital or showroom rather than a restaurant, which made it hard to relax.

Pricing was on the higher side for what we received. It’s priced like fine Asian dining, but the food and ambiance didn’t quite match that expectation.

We wouldn’t go back by choice, but to be fair, Abilene doesn’t have many dining options — so it may work in a pinch if you're craving Asian food and not too particular about ambience...