Fujiya Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Tacoma

We are a bit disappointed with our overall experience. We likely won't be back.

I have seen this place recommended by friends and people in online groups. The reviews online generally are very favorable. We were finally in the area and decided to give it a try.

We called ahead to try to place a to-go order. It was especially loud in the background, so we understood that it was likely busy. The person who answered the phone couldn't hear us and hung up. We shrugged it off and called back. Again they had a hard time hearing us because of the loud atmosphere in their restaurant. We had to repeat things several times and were put on hold several times. Eventually we were told that it would be ready in 10-15 minutes. Perfect! We were 10 minutes away at the time.

When we arrived, it was an extra 10-15 minutes before our food was ready. At that, most of it had been sitting up on the counter for a while before the cashier realized that the last dish had already been ready and waiting in the window and not properly communicated.

My spouse checked the order for accuracy and noted that the teriyaki chicken appeared sauceless. He inquired about sauce options and was offered either soy sauce or tempura sauce. No teriyaki glaze or anything similar.

Later we discovered that we received an extra miso soup, and were charged for it. We had specified over the phone that we only wanted one. That was a slight oversight that we were disappointed about, though, the miso soup is good. The chicken was over-charred and dry, especially without a sauce or glaze on it. It was essentially just grilled chicken. The tempura was undercooked. The vegetables were al dente at best and the tempura was very greasy, gummy and lacked that crunch you'd expect with tempura. I could see the oil ooze out as my spouse bit into a piece of tempura. He stated that the tempura broccoli and onion were the most disappointing. He didn't finish either of those. He later lamented that he would not return to Fujiya for any future outings.

The sushi however was good. I enjoyed my salmon roll and my toddler enjoyed an avocado roll. The portion sizes were decent, the food tasted fresh and we received our items as ordered.

I would have returned again in the future for the sushi, but then I read the responses from the owners to other online reviews on here (Google). I was merely looking over photos of the teriyaki chicken and browsing the reviews to see if maybe the kitchen forgot to put a sauce on the chicken. After viewing some photos, it looks like sauceless is the standard.

I noticed that the owner mostly responds to the 5 star reviews and does not appear to respond to many of the lower rated reviews. This is a missed opportunity for the owner. Of the few times the owner has responded to the lower star reviews, they have dismissed the points made, toted the longevity of being in business and their great ratings by the department of health. They were so dismissive of a suspected food poisoning review that their response appeared to be victim blaming. As a customer myself and someone reading these very public reviews, I would have much preferred for the owner to acknowledge the possibility of something gone wrong and apologize for the potential wrongdoing. I would have preferred to see the owner offer to make things right (such as refunding the patron for their meal). The owner may lose the value of a comped meal, but they would put out a much better public image, likely retaining more customers going forward. Mistakes happen. Sometimes employees can fail to wash hands, cross-contamination sometimes can occur, temperature holding can mistakenly be done incorrectly or equipment may malfunction. The food itself may have been problematic before it was even in the restaurant. Since these are all unknown variables, I would love to see the owner not be so quick to dismiss their patron.

Due to how the owner has chosen to respond to these reviews, I am choosing not to return to Fujiya. This can be a learning experience for the better &...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Fujiya Sushi in Tacoma, and I must say, it was an experience that exceeded all expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality by the server, Mel. Their friendly demeanor and attentiveness set the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable dining experience.

Chef Juan's culinary creations at Fujiya Sushi are nothing short of exceptional. With each bite, I could taste the meticulous attention to detail and the passion that goes into every dish. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the presentation was a work of art. Chef Juan's expertise truly shines through in every dish he creates.

The Tomsan Roll, named after a lucky customer, was a standout. It showcased the chef's creativity and skill, combining unique flavors and textures that danced on my palate. Each bite was a delightful explosion of flavors, leaving me craving for more. It's no wonder the Tomsan Roll has become a customer favorite.

Not only was the food outstanding, but the service provided by Mel was equally remarkable. They were knowledgeable about the menu, offering suggestions and answering all my questions with a smile. Their attentiveness throughout the meal ensured that my dining experience was nothing short of perfect.

Fujiya Sushi is a hidden gem in Tacoma that deserves recognition. The combination of Chef Juan's culinary prowess and Mel's exceptional service creates a dining experience that leaves a lasting impression. I highly recommend Fujiya Sushi to anyone looking for an extraordinary culinary adventure.

To Chef Juan and Server Mel, thank you for the unforgettable dining experience. Your passion, talent, and dedication are truly contagious, and I have no doubt that others will be inspired to leave five-star reviews for the exceptional dining experience you provide.

Let's spread the word and support these outstanding...

The Tonkotsu ramen was abysmally overcooked & the chashu (sliced pork roast) pieces were only half slices, yummy but not enough. The chicken katsu was over- burdened with breading for the thinness of the chicken and was pretty tasteless. The salad that came with the entrees was delicious and good-sized but was so sloppy the dressing was literally flowing down the sides of the bowls; an integral part of authentic Japanese cuisine is the presentation, and Fujiya failed this element across the board. The steak, however, ordered without the teriyaki sauce, was perfectly cooked and very delicious, although with a bit too much gristle. The steamed gyoza were fantastic--perfectly steamed with an amazing filling and sauce. The tempura also was delicious, with the thinnest coating of batter I've found in the US, which was absolutely perfect--the only downside was the lack of the traditional Daikon Oroshi that goes in the dipping sauce. And the Umeshu (plum wine) was quite delicious and a generous portion. Lovely traditional decor. So, some very strong points and some equally negative--a very mixed bag. Having lived in Japan for 20 years, I've been looking for a restaurant that comes close to the "real" taste of Japanese cuisine (since Kampai in Puyallup closed several years ago); have to keep...