January 2019 not only signified the beginning of a new year, but it also marked the 10th anniversary of Sushi Fugu’s opening in The Shops at Highland Village shopping center. “Back then this area was close to empty—nothing [was here],” owner David Nguyen said. “We’re the first Japanese restaurant in Highland Village.” In addition to Japanese cuisine, Sushi Fugu’s menu crosses national borders, offering a blend of Asian fusion dishes with origins in Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Customers can also take advantage of the full bar. Nguyen said it is best to pair sushi with sake, or rice wine. Sushi, however, remains the most sought-after item, Nguyen said. The most popular types are the Ahi Tower with chopped tuna and the Mount Fuji Roll made of cream cheese, avocados, crabmeat, four kinds of sauce and shrimp tempura, which is a traditional style of Japanese cooking involving lightly battered and fried foods. For picky eaters, the restaurant also serves other items more appealing to the Western palate, Nguyen said. The kitchen makes soups, dumplings, Thai fried rice, different chicken and beef dishes and bento boxes, which contain small portions of a variety of meats or vegetables served with rice. “A lot of people, they don’t like sushi—raw stuff—[but] they like Asian-fusion [foods] that are cooked,” he said. “It’s very healthy.” Nguyen said the restaurant faces increasing competition as the area develops further. Nguyen hopes to stay in the community for the foreseeable future, claiming no plans for relocations or expansions to other places. Nguyen said he wants to focus on what he has now, taking care to consider all the feedback provided by diners, whether it is about menu items or decorations. “People are very nice,” he said. “We have a lot of good, loyal customers. … We just try to keep customers coming back and keep the quality of food consistent—and the service. It’s very important to us.” Sushi Fugu 1601 Village Parkway, Ste.130, Highland Village 972-966-3848 | www.thesushifugu.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m.