FUMI is an authentic, but beautifully contemporary Japanese restaurant in the heart of Brighton. The first thing to know about FUMI is that its concept is based around the Japanese saying: ichi-go ichi-e. The expression means to treasure every moment, remembering that it's one of a kind. This restaurant serves up its menu with the same idea in mind, with dishes using produce only from the season and creating an atmosphere that encourages special get togethers.
The space itself is stunning with a huge, monochrome wall mural accented with glimmering bronze detailing. Typical of Japanese design, furnishings are kept low and lighting is atmospheric, creating an aesthetics-led, calming feel which reflects the culture's sensibilities of simplicity.
FUMI operates as a coffee house in the mornings serving locally-roasted beans with a slow-living ethos, alongside healthy breakfast plates and smoothie bowls. At lunch time, bento boxes and sushi feature in the menu, offering something light and flavourful. Each bento comes with rice, sushi, tempura, pickles, and miso soup, alongside a 'gourmet', pescatarian or vegetarian base. While the yakisoba noodles can be topped with Berkshire pork, watermelon steak or teriyaki mushrooms, alongside other options, too.
In the evenings, the full force of FUMI's mastery of fresh, in-season ingredients comes into play with a main menu of four or six course of omakase inspired dishes. The selection starts with smaller, sharing plates such as salmon tartare with red onion, beef fillet tataki with ponzu and a range of tempura. Diners can also indulge in their pick of sushi favourites from salmon and avocado maki to braised eel nigiri and sea bass sashimi.
For main dishes, expect indulgent crowd pleasers like roasted black cod with miso and black rice, alongside marinated pork butadon with pak choi, hakumai and rice, and chicken, teriyaki and sautéed greens. Delve into extras like mixed Japanese pickles and wakame seaweed salad, as well as desserts such as melting chocolate fondant with pistachio gelato.