By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—Mt. Fuji Japanese Sushi and Hibachi Steakhouse gives new meaning to the phrase “dinner and a show.” Equipped with six hibachi grills, the family owned and operated restaurant serves authentic Japanese cuisine with a fun flair.

Hibachi, a traditional Japanese style of cooking, is a mainstay and favorite attraction at Mt. Fuji. Diners sit around a grill and watch as the chef prepares each dish.

“One chef is cooking in front of you, doing a show. The kids love it,” said Qiao Lin, whose family opened Mt. Fuji in 2008. “The food comes out hot, fresh and fast.”

Each hibachi dish comes with fried rice, grilled vegetables and a choice of meats, seafood and sauces, all cooked right at the table.

Mt. Fuji also features a sushi bar. Each order is crafted and hand rolled from the freshest ingredients.

The sushi menu contains classics, such as the California roll and the Philadelphia roll. There is also a selection of local creations, including the Roll Tide roll, wrapped shrimp tempura topped with spicy tuna and white tuna and served with Mt. Fuji’s house-recipe sauce; the Mark Ingram roll, spicy yellowtail and avocado wrapped and topped with seared scallops and scallions; and the Oak Mountain roll, spicy tuna, shrimp and asparagus deep fried with eel, spicy mayo and chili sauce.

The menu stays fresh as new rolls and specials are added regularly.

“Our chef is always putting out new rolls, every week or every two weeks,” Lin said, adding customers can always request a favorite roll, even if it’s not on the menu.

Family is important at Mt. Fuji. The restaurant is family owned and operated, giving it a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.

“The reason we love this business is it keeps our family together,” Lin said. “It’s kind of our Asian culture, family really bonds together, it’s no wonder we love keeping our family together.”

Since opening, Mt. Fuji has grown a strong following of regular family customers, many of who have celebrated birthdays, homecomings and graduations at the restaurant. Family photos from these special occasions adorn the restaurant’s front wall.

“You see the difference in the teenagers when they come in and say, “See! That’s me on the wall!” Lin said with a laugh. “They graduate, they go on to college and they come back.”

Mt. Fuji is located at 120 Doug Baker Boulevard in the Lee Branch shopping center. The restaurant is open Mondays – Thursdays for lunch from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and for dinner from 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Fridays for lunch from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and for dinner from 4: 30 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturdays from noon – 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon – 10 p.m. More information and the menu can be found online at Mtfujisteakhousehoover.com.