Good sushi is sometimes hard to come by. Most often, it’s the perspective of the diner. We tend to find our favorite roll, at our favorite place, prepared by our favorite sushi chef and that’s the end of that. Nothing else compares.
But sometimes you’ll come across a sushi restaurant that is universally loved by all sushi patrons. Such a place exists in downtown Pass Christian: Fatsumo Sushi. I’ve had friends tell me for years that Fatsumo was the place to go for great sushi and after my two-hour dining review, I can easily say my friends were definitely on to something.
John “Solo” Nguyen is the new owner and head chef at Fatsumo. Having worked under the tutelage of the previous owner for over 15 years, it was an easy transition for Nguyen to take over the reigns of this sushi empire in January 2023. Since then, he has been doing what he does best – slicing and dicing a variety of ingredients and turning them into tiny bite-sized masterpieces.
Nguyen cooked his first omelette at the age of five when he began taking care of his siblings and helping out around the kitchen. His love of sushi developed over the years as he began to hone his knife skills, paving the way for what would become an incredible sushi career.
Fatsumo has everything from simple raw options, to decadent rolls, to even a sushi burrito! Yes, you read that correctly. House made sauces flow in abundance and are the perfect finishing touch to a number of dishes. Everything is carefully crafted and constructed, then perfectly presented for an all-around wonderful dining experience.
Nguyen serves his mother’s recipe, house made eggrolls that are stuffed full of pork, mushrooms, carrots, green onions, and vermicelli noodles. These meaty egg rolls are a symbol of pride at Fatsumo. Gyoza dumplings are available steamed or fried (fried, duh!) and come with a side of house sweet ponzu sauce. Don’t sleep on the Ginger Salad. This understated, yet beloved dish is served with Nguyen’s signature ginger dressing that has just the right balance of tangy and sweet and pairs perfectly with a cup of Miso Soup.
A surprising delight were the Wow Wings, which were “naked fried” chicken wings tossed in a variety of house sauces. The Sweet Cajun Hot Sauce or the Black Pepper Chili are both yummy choices, but the Ginger Orange Marmalade is the wing sauce to end all wing sauces. I would put this sauce on just about anything. The Veggie Ramen is a popular choice for those non-sushi lovers and is served in Nguyen’s signature beef broth. But we were here for the sushi, so let’s get to the main event.
The Fatsumorito is a Chef Nguyen signature dish, combining the delicious flavors of your favorite sushi roll, with the size and impact of a handheld burrito. The Gulf Shrimp Fatsumorito is a fan favorite featuring tempura shrimp, fried crabstick, and house Asian Comeback Sauce. The Mile High and Sunset rolls are popular choices with the Mile High highlighting fresh tuna, mango, and jalapeños and the Sunset topped with fresh salmon and sliced lemon giving it a beautiful citrus taste. The Fatsumo Roll is, of course, the house favorite and is one you must experience for yourself.
Fatsumo is a well-rounded addition to the coastal food scene and well worth the drive if, like me, you’re from the east end of the Coast. Nguyen and his team are proud of the fresh and delicious food they prepare daily and love to make their customers smile.
