FARGO — Jacky Jiang’s introduction to America was a memorable one.
Jiang was about 15 years old when he and his mother arrived in New York City from China in July of 2001.
The pair were following in the footsteps of Jiang’s father, who arrived in the U.S. about 10 years earlier seeking greater financial opportunities for himself and his family.
Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl is pictured on Wednesday, June 3, at 2600 52nd Ave. S., in Fargo.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
Two months after Jiang and his mother arrived in New York, two airliners crashed into the Twin Towers, giving 9/11 a dark and indelible place in the pages of history.
Jiang, who was living in Queens on 9/11, was not far from the disaster and he said he can remember the chaos of that time.
Fast forward 16 years: Jiang left New York City for the Fargo area, where he helped a friend start a new restaurant in 2017.
Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl in south Fargo is open seven days a week.
David Olson / The Forum
Two years later, in 2019, Jiang moved back to New York, where he worked for a number of restaurants and learned how to prepare a variety of Asian dishes, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean fare.
His training included becoming a sushi chef.
In 2020, Jiang got married.
Children are free to pick out complimentary trinkets when visiting Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl in Fargo.
David Olson / The Forum
Two years later in 2022, Jiang, along with his wife, Peng, returned to the Fargo area and worked for a number of years as the manager of a new restaurant his friend was opening, Ninja Ramen Poke Bowl, in West Fargo.
In early January of this year, Jiang opened a restaurant of his own — Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl at 2600 52nd Ave. S. in Fargo.
A hibachi chicken and shrimp combo meal is served at Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl in Fargo.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
The new eatery is located in
a building that for many years was home to Red River Coffee Co.
Fuji Hibachi Express is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl serves hibachi-style Japanese food from the grill as well as Hawaiian poke bowl dishes.
David Olson / The Forum
Fuji’s operating hours largely mirror Jiang’s personal work week.
After all, explains the father of three young children, eventually there will be college to pay for on top of his family’s other needs.
And there are the ever-rising costs of keeping a small restaurant afloat, which Jiang stressed makes it increasingly difficult to keep his menu prices within the reach of his customers.
At that particular moment, Jiang was wrestling with whether or not to raise the price of a popular menu item — the Hibachi Steak —from $18.95 to $19.95.
Jiang said he knows the difference a single dollar can make to both a business and its customers, so it wasn’t going to be an easy decision either way.
A rainbow bowl is fresh and ready to eat at Fuji Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
“Everything is higher,” Jiang said, ticking off the list of his business costs — fuel, utilities, commodities.
But, what doesn’t change, he said, is his goal every time a customer places an order:
“Good food for everybody.”
Dave Olson is a reporter, photographer and occasional videographer. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a degree in mass communications, and during his time at The Forum he has covered many beats, from cops and courts to business and education. Currently is writing business stories, but jumps on daily news as needed. He’s also written about UFOs, ghosts, dinosaur bones and the dwarf planet Pluto. You may reach Dave at 701-241-5555, or by email at dolson@forumcomm.com.