A tender, well-seasoned, half-sized Jamaican jerk chicken thigh with french fries at Fussa Latin, Indian and Jamaican restaurant near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Fussa Latin, Indian and Jamaican restaurant near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo specializes in an array of international dishes that are sure to bring you back for more.
The Nepalese-owned restaurant with its generic name is a short ride or walk across the tracks near the Fussa Station near the city center.
The restaurant has been in business for nearly two years, according to manager Arjun Dhakal. Diners have the option to eat in or take their meals to go.
Fussa Latin, Indian and Jamaican relocated from a site near Yokosuka Naval Base, south of Tokyo, to the shadow of an Air Force base due to local demand, Dhakal said during a recent visit.
“It is better here right now than Yokosuka,” he said. The restaurant was in the Navy town for 12 years before the move, he said.
The restaurant’s cuisine left one online reviewer astounded.
“I want to go again! Actually, I will,” the reviewer wrote in January on Tabelog, the restaurant listing website. “I haven’t encountered such a wonderful place in a long time.”
I visited to find out for myself. The menu made for a challenging decision, but I did not delay and settled on a popular Peruvian stir-fried dish of onions, tomatoes, cut potatoes and spices.
I chose the beef option, but chicken, pork or shrimp are also available, and the serving comes with an ample mound of white rice.
Lomo saltado, a Peruvian stir-fried dish, at Fussa Latin, Indian and Jamaican restaurant near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
The combination of seasoning, tender meat and other items met my expectations.
With a call to the cooking staff, the order was up, prepared and out to our table in about 15 minutes. I was impressed by the speed of the service, as both food and drinks are consistently delivered to the table.
A tender, well-seasoned, half-sized Jamaican jerk chicken thigh with french fries for 1,290 yen, or $8.08, was more than satisfactory for a friend.
Other Latin choices include empanadas, a fried turnover consisting of pastry with beef, onions, potatoes and corn with spices. The restaurant makes its pastry with corn flour, instead of wheat. The empanadas are two for 600 yen or four for 1,190 yen.
A favorite of mine, Colombian patacones or tostones, are fried green, unripened plantains. Made at the restaurant with ripened plantains, they are a little softer than usual, but you can request a crispier version.
Indian and Nepalese dishes include mutton, or lamb, masala, and butter chicken, which come with a large scoop of rice. Side items like naan, or oven baked flatbread, are available in a choice of garlic, honey, cheese and honey and others.
Fussa Latin, Indian, and Jamaican restaurant near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo specializes in array of international cuisine. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
International beverage choices are not missing. One favorite of mine, the Mexican horchata, is a chilled, rice milk-based beverage with cinnamon for 690 yen.
The aqua de Jamaica, a cold hibiscus tea, with orange and cinnamon, will have you ordering another. They have a host of other choices including sodas, milkshakes, smoothies and alcoholic beverages.
With seating for about 30, the restaurant can accommodate small gatherings, but it requires advance notice.
Prices are reasonable and with six in my group, our meals with extras totaled about 15,000 yen, or $98.
To better serve the military community, Dhakal said he is hoping to get a space across from the base so servicemembers can enjoy a quick meal at lunch. “I am looking forward to serving this community,” he said.
Fussa Latin, Indian, and Jamaican restaurant near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo specializes in array of international dishes. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Fussa Latin, Indian and Jamaican
Location: 1F, 123 Honcho, Fussa, Tokyo 197-0022
Hours: Open daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Prices: About 1,000 to 3,000 yen per person for entrees including tax
Dress: Casual
Directions: About a 5-minute ride from Yokota Air Base
Information: Phone: 042-808-0884; paid parking is available nearby; credit cards are accepted.
AloJapan.com