YamaFuji Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Front Royal

Always delicious. Nice presentation of rolls and a wide variety of roll options with periodic new editions by the chef. I have eaten here dozens of times over about 7 years and on only one occasion was just one type of fish less than very fresh (and this was just "less fresh" in flavor; I have never been ill here and I always eat raw). The sake selection is very good: proven favorites are offered alongside rotating new offerings. Try the Ice Dorm for what an amazingly floral treat traditional, unflavored sake can be. The chef is exceptionally courteous and friendly. Occasionally he will float an experimental new roll with my party as a gift to see what we think of it. This is a small family-owned business and they value their local repeat customers, which is a vanishing excellence. The building itself was acquired from a previous attempt to offer sushi and hibachi, so it has a lackluster appearance inside and out, and that explains the made-over booths that have vent hoods but no grill. But I have always preferred Yamafuji over the other place in town which has a fancier interior and functioning hibachi, but the sushi is less creative, a tad more expensive, the service is impersonal and the sake banal. If you're going for fine food and drink, skip the expensive facade and go to Yamafugi!

Their servers rotate a fair amount, but I have never had bad service, even though they seem to have had a rough patch a few years ago. For the past few years, every waiter or waitress has been good, although some newer ones might need a little time to get up to speed on all the offerings.

If you time it right, you can get more exotic offerings like uni, and they always have side dishes like quail egg and roe or vegetarian dishes. The udon and soba noodle soups are very generously sized and great for cold weather. Sansai (mountain vegetable) udon I find particularly good. A number of box selections are good starting points for newcomers, and there are about 25-30 rolls on the a la carte menu if you...

New server was having a hard time with orders and descriptions, made it hard to know if you'll get what you ordered.

We went in today around noon for lunch.

There were only two other tables sat. When the waitress came over and asked us what we wanted to drink, I asked her about the gingseng. She couldn't give me details about whether it was carbonated or tea like. I decided to order it anyways. Turns out after I've already drink a quarter of the drink it had expired 2 months ago.

I had ordered miso soup. I had mentioned I love eating the tofu and wanted extra, when I finally got the soup (after my appetizer and main dish was already finished), the soup had little flavor, no seaweed, no fresh chives to top it off. So I thought maybe she misunderstood what I said for only tofu. When addressed, she told me they only put tofu and seweed into their soup. I asked her if she can put the seaweed in it and ask the chef for chives. Apparently the chef didn't like the idea of being told what to do and diced onion (yellow onion) was put into the soup instead. The seaweed turns out to be super tiny flakes that could barely be seen. Thats when I realized thats how their miso soup was. Terrible.

We had ordered over 20$ and with that comes a free chefs roll. We were confused because the menu states chefs roll for all the rolls. We asked which roll would be free and the waitress never got back to us. We weren't sure if we got to choose from the list or what specific roll it was because we also ordered the spicy tuna roll. The chef finally made his way out to see us. Apparently the chef didn't feel like making the roll because he didnt think our charges were over 20$ and that we were going to pay separate..? Anyhow, he came out apologized for the overdue drink and made the roll.

We paid the bill and left. Won't ever come back because poor service and not knowledgeable staff. They need better training before they get on the floor...

The staff are friendly & the food is fresh and delicious!

The first time I tried Yama Fuji, I ordered the Yama Box. It did not disappoint :) The Chicken Teriyaki was cooked just right for my taste buds. The Tempura was lightly battered & held its crunchiness :) The California Roll was also delicious. I asked the chef to make it spicy & they did :) I love Edamame, they provide a decent amount for you. & last but not least, their Rice. I love the Sesame Seeds on top. That extra flavor helps bring some of the ingredients together.

The second time I visited the restaurant, I ordered the Veggie Box and Chicken Teriyaki. I couldn't finish the Chicken Teriyaki so I asked for a To-Go box & the dish was still delicious as the time I got it from the restaurant :)

The Chicken Teriyaki had Grilled Onions on it which elevated the dish with more umami.

The Veggie Box had Tofu Teriyaki which was amazing! I wasn't expecting the chef to lightly tempura the tofu & it gave the perfect crunch & texture. The Veggie California Roll was not bad. The Rice, Edamame, & Veggie Tempura are all good as well.

The next dish I want to try is their Udon Pan-Fried Noodles with Chicken, Veggies, & their Special Sauce :)

I wish I took pictures, but I didn't. I should next time :)

I highly recommend whoever reads my feedback / review to go to Yama Fuji in Front Royal, VA to try their food.

I'm SO happy there's a good Asian restaurant in Front Royal. Keep it...