Direct from Donggang harbor!\ Newly opened Japanese restaurant in Kaohsiung serves luxurious, hearty miso soup

Text & Photos /Shadow

The foodie street along FuGuo Road is always bustling, thanks to its dense residential population that naturally attracts eateries. Japanese restaurants have been sprouting up all over Kaohsiung, and Fubugusa Japanese Cuisine just recently opened right next to New House. Its signboard is very visible at night and easy to spot. With it being newly opened and not widely known yet, there isn’t much information online — so I’ll do the scouting for you and share this food review as reference.

The shop is run by a pair of brothers from Taichung — mainly the elder brother and his chef friend handle the kitchen, while the younger brother assists out front. The chef has many years of experience in the Japanese cuisine scene and has taken on the new challenge of opening a shop down south in Kaohsiung.

The decor looks fairly standard from the outside, similar to most Japanese restaurants. The interior also matches the exterior theme — clean, simple, and tidy. There are quite a few seats but it doesn’t feel cramped.

Japanese cuisine is all about freshness and deliciousness. The restaurant sources some seafood fresh directly from Donggang, and some they buy directly from Qianzhen Fishing Port to ensure the catch is as fresh as possible.

Watching the chef’s focused expression — there’s something attractive about a dedicated man. Japanese cuisine isn’t just about ingredient freshness, but also tests the chef’s creativity and plating skills.

Sashimi, nigiri sushi, and grilled nigiri sushi are all familiar options, with clear labeling of quantity and pricing.

For something more special, there are also delicacies and grilled dishes.

Upon being seated, the staff served hot tea and pickled radish with yuzu aroma — the radish slices were sweet and appetizing.

Supreme Sea Urchin & Salmon Roe Fisher N< 380元

In addition to basic sashimi, there’s scallop, sea urchin, and sweet shrimp — with toppings heavier than the rice. The vinegared rice had a good texture and taste, which even my husband loved.

Grilled Baby Abalone 120 TWD

Baby abalone is like the juvenile version of abalone. The cooking method is reminiscent of Taiwanese-style clams. The sauce has a garlic flavor and is fairly rich in taste. Despite their small size, the baby abalones have springy, bouncy flesh. Surprisingly tasty prepared this way — perfect as a drinking snack.

Mixed Sashimi (7 pcs) 280 TWD

The mix includes salmon, tuna, and amberjack. The restaurant offers thick-cut sashimi, each piece is quite large and really satisfying.

The fish slices were slightly too cold — if they were allowed to temper a bit more, they’d be softer and the flavors even better.

Grilled Mackerel (price available upon request)

Mackerel is a common grilled item in Japanese cuisine, usually prepared salt-grilled so you can enjoy the delicate, fresh taste of the fish — great for pairing with drinks.

Steamed Prawns with Egg Custard 210 TWD

Whole prawns paired with steamed egg is a rare and luxurious creative dish. The custard absorbs the umami of the prawns, needing little seasoning to bring out the fresh flavor.

The custard is silky smooth, bursting with the aroma of shrimp — absolutely delicious.

Chicken with Cream Sauce 180 TWD

This signature dish was originally beef with cream sauce, but we opted for chicken instead. The chicken is first fried, then simmered with minced garlic, black pepper, sliced onions, and cream sauce. The black pepper aroma is captivating, and the garlic lifts the flavor without making the chicken greasy after frying — this one turned out pretty good.

Grilled Series – Salmon Nigiri (2 pcs) 100 TWD

Salmon is the most universally loved option. Whether as sashimi or grilled, its rich fat content remains a favorite.

Grilled Series – Scallop Nigiri (2 pcs) 180 TWD

A whole scallop makes up this nigiri — it’s huge in size, and the sauce doesn’t overpower the fresh, natural flavor of the scallop. Really enjoyable.

Grilled Series – Two Pieces of Halibut Nigiri Sushi for NT$160

Only two pieces of halibut from one fish are suitable for making nigiri sushi, making it quite precious. After grilling, the halibut is rich in umami and oily aroma, rivaling even grilled salmon.

Miso Soup with Fresh Fish for NT$80

This is probably the most luxurious miso soup we’ve had so far, served in a bowl slightly larger than a regular rice bowl, with a generous portion.

It contains tofu, large chunks of fish, wakame seaweed, and more—bursting with umami and hearty ingredients. Calling it the most luxurious miso soup is no exaggeration, and it’s extremely satisfying to finish.

The dessert is black sugar pudding, with a smooth and delicate texture paired with black sugar syrup, offering a sweet finish that perfectly rounds off the meal.

At first glance, the menu prices may seem a bit high, but after seeing how much effort the restaurant puts into using quality ingredients, it becomes clear they don’t cut corners. Whether it’s sashimi or nigiri sushi, the fish slices are substantial and whole, not skimpy. The chef’s skills are solid, and some of the uniquely creative dishes leave a deep impression. As a new establishment, it deserves support. For Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, it’s worth a visit—highly recommended for its handcrafted deliciousness.

Related Information
Fúcǎo Handmade Japanese Cuisine
Address: No. 111, Fuguo Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: 07-5569915
Business Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–21:30
Closed: None

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