This long running noodle bar in Brixton is stylish and good value for money – a nice place to retreat with a beer and watch the hustle and bustle of Brixton outside.

The Venue
The best thing about Fujiyama is that it’s a one-off – somewhat of an oddity in London these days with the high streets dominated by chain restaurants in every conceivable cuisine. Fujiyama instead goes it alone – tucked just off the action-packed Atlantic Road in Brixton, you distinctly have the feeling you’ve not been here before. It’s of course canteen style, with communal tables, but here the decor has an interesting, fiery red colour scheme with low ceilings, and intimate but never crowded seating. You can also see the chefs at work over by the neon-lit sushi bar, which wouldn’t look out of place in Blade Runner – a nice touch.

The Atmosphere
Things are usually busy here, though you’ll never have to wait more than five minutes for a table. Despite the canteen style, things don’t feel over crowded, and there’s usually a nice mix of young and hip Brixtonites chatting and drinking.

The Food
Overall, Fujiyama’s food performs well. To start, the miso soup is fresh and aromatic, and the Yasai Tempura – sweet potatoes, courgettes and red peppers deep-fried in batter – are light and crispy, served with deliciously tangy sauce and chilli oil. Prawn Katsu – deep-fried king prawns coated in Japanese breadcrumbs – are also light and fresh and come with a mild chilli sauce.

For mains there is a large selection of ramen soup dishes. Fuji Ramen looks the most ambitious with an array of ingredients including prawns, crab sticks, half-boiled egg and seaweed. But while tasty, it’s overloaded with noodles and lacks some of its initial promise. From the selection of tempting pan fried noodle dishes, Yaki Soba is a winner. Featuring chicken, prawns, egg, onions, carrots, green peppers and bean sprouts, and garnished with spring onions, it’s filling, aromatic and has just the right amount of chilli kick.

There is also a wide range of sushi to choose from, with chef specials including the formidable Sushi Sashimi Platter with six tuna rolls, eight rainbow rolls, fourteen assorted sushi and twelve assorted sashimi – all for a reasonable £44.50. Most main dishes are priced between £5 to £7, with bento boxes slightly higher.

The Drink
Wine here is not much to write home about – the house rose is tart and not particularly good value. Beers, on the other hand, are quality and in abundance with Asai, Tiger, Singha and more to choose from – a perfectly refreshing way to wash down your meal.

The Last Word
Fujiyama isn’t hugely different from typical Japanese chains, but at least it has more character. The food is good on the whole and not too expensive, and the atmosphere is great, with the hedonistic backdrop of Brixton’s Atlantic Road at a safe viewing distance.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (15)