Fujisan literally means Mount Fuji in Japanese, so it’s only fitting that owner Karen Yan named her Japanese restaurant in Fairfax City after it. Called Fujisan Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar, it’s at 10698 Fairfax Blvd. in the Shops at Fairfax shopping center. She even designed its interior.

“The food is as beautiful and delicious as this restaurant is,” said Tara Borwey with Fairfax City Economic Development. “Her vision was to create a place where people could enjoy good food in a welcoming atmosphere without a hefty price tag. And it features a team of top chefs with years of experience working in New York and Washington, D.C.”

Borwey was speaking at the restaurant’s recent ribbon cutting. She was also pleased that, “right out of the gate,” Fujisan participated in Restaurant Week. And Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read was also happy to greet a new business here.

“I’m excited that this restaurant is in my neighborhood,” she said. “It’s within walking distance from both Fairchester Woods and Cobbdale.” Then, speaking directly to Yan, Read said, “You’re a welcome addition to our City and neighborhood, and I look forward to having many meals here.”

“Everyone’s given us a warm welcome,” replied Yan. “Thank you.”

Councilmember Tom Ross noted that the Fairfax City community is always supportive of its new businesses and restaurants. And Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Rose described Fujisan as “an amazing Japanese restaurant.”

Also speaking was Fairfax City’s Commissioner of the Revenue, Page Johnson. “Seventy percent of the City businesses are small businesses like this one,” he said. “They’re the backbone of our economy, and we’re so glad to have Fujisan here.”

Yan previously owned a restaurant in Maryland; but after moving to Fair Lakes in 2021, she knew she wanted to open one in Virginia. She decided to do so in Fairfax City, she explained, “because of its booming development. It’s also clean and safe, with friendly people, and it’s not far from where I live.”

Saying business at Fujisan has been good, Yan has been pleased with the community support her business has received. “We have many repeat customers, with some coming here five times a month,” she said. “They come here the first time by themselves and then return with their families and friends.”

Discussing some of the most popular items on Fujisan’s menu, Yan said the Donburi (rice bowls) are big hits with the customers, with the favorite being the Salmon Volcano Rice featuring seared salmon over rice, topped with a poached egg. The signature sushi rolls are also top sellers, especially the Komodo Dragon Roll containing 12 pieces filled with soft-shell crab and cucumber and topped with eel, avocado and caviar.

Another customer favorite is the Dobin Mushi soup. It’s made with a traditional Japanese broth, steamed and served in a teapot with seafood, a quail egg, mushrooms, a fishcake and lime. “People also like our Chef’s Selections from our sushi bar,” said Yan. “For example, our Fujisan Box Deluxe has nine small dishes in a box with different types of sashimi [raw fish] and chirashi [rice at the bottom of the bowl.” And all the boxes are served with miso soup and a house salad.

“We have lots of vegetarian options, too,” she added. “They include sweet potato rolls, veggie rolls, hibachi vegetables, avocado salad and Yaki Udon/Soba noodles – which are stir-fried noodles with mixed vegetables.” 

Furthermore, if some diners aren’t fans of eating raw fish, Fujisan also offers cooked entrees, such as hibachi shrimp, scallops, lobster and filet mignon. Chicken and steak teriyaki dishes are on the menu, as well, as are a variety of salads.

“We can seat 40 people, and we also have a full bar with happy hour from 4-6 p.m., daily,” said Yan. “Fujisan is a modern, casual restaurant with a relaxing environment. We have very good service with a friendly staff and a wide selection of food options, including ramen. And as a sushi restaurant, we have fresh fish come every day from places such as Norway and Canada.”

So how do the customers like the food? Just ask Matt Easley and Joey Peppersack, who were there recently enjoying lunch. “The dumplings are so delicious – they’re savory with a sweet dipping sauce,” said Easley. “And the crab sushi has a crab-forward flavor, and some sweetness, which I love. And with wasabi on it, it has spice, too. I’ll definitely be coming back again; I can hardly wait.”

Agreeing, Peppersack said the dumplings were “really good and their texture was perfect. The meat and chicken inside them were very tender, and the seasoning was really tasty. I’d recommend this restaurant to others, especially because of the dumplings.”

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Fujisan’s hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (Closed Tuesdays). Lunch specials are offered weekdays, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Customers may also order meals online at www.fujisanva.com or by calling 571-407-7105.