By Margaret Locher, Contributing Writer
Southborough – Yama Fuji is going to be your new favorite restaurant. It has a sophisticated atmosphere, attentive servers and an extensive menu of incredible Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine.
I went there on a recent weeknight with my boyfriend to celebrate his new job. We were seated in comfortable leather chairs and our server quickly brought our drink orders. Groups of friends occupied the dark leather booths and the gorgeous dark wood bar.
I planned to start the meal with a few sushi rolls. Yama Fuji has dozens of sushi and sashimi options, both cooked and uncooked. But I decided to try something new. A kani crab and cucumber salad kicked off our meal: shredded crab meat and a spicy mayo was a delicious starter ($7).
We also ordered buffalo chicken dumplings ($6) and beef nagimaki: sliced beef rolled around green onions and topped with teriyaki sauce ($8). They were incredible. The six rolls were garnished with lovely flowers and intricately sliced orange wedges. The sweet teriyaki sauce was a great complimented to the scallion onions inside the beef rolls.
The menu has all of your favorite entrees, like teriyaki ($12-$18); yaki udon or yaki soba noodles ($11-$16), and pad thai ($11-$16), each served with several options, such as vegetables, tofu, chicken, beef, shrimp, salmon or other seafood combo.
Plate presentation is taken seriously at Yama Fuji. Our entrees, both of which come with soup or salad and rice, were works of art, punctuated with brightly colored flowers.
My boyfriend ordered Thai mango chicken ($13). The rim of the bowl was ringed with half slices of cucumber placed perfectly, meeting in a delicate tangle of shredded carrot on top of which sat a purple flower. It was gorgeous.
I ordered the “Triple Crown”: shrimp, chicken and beef in spicy garlic sauce ($16). It was served in a crunchy fried bowl, a brilliant way to add texture to the sweet spicy veggies, meat and shrimp.
We completed the meal by splitting an order of mochi ice cream ($4), three different flavors including a refreshing green tea.
Yama Fuji also offers hibachi lunch or dinner, or hibachi as a side order. There is also a hibachi kid's menu. There are lunch specials in addition to many gluten free and vegetarian options.
Yama Fuji Asian Fusion Steak House and Sushi Bar is located at 162 Cordaville Road in Southborough, just south of the intersection of Route 9 and Route 85. Hours are Monday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. www.yamafujima.com. 508-460-9400.
