A couple of weeks ago myself and Sarah Sparks had the chance to try out lunch at Fóumami. When we walked in we found the restaurant to be inviting, open and modern. A green and white motif runs throughout the restaurant that gives it a sense of calm and relaxation even though it is always busy around lunch time. On the wall the name of the restaurant is engraved in Chinese characters. The name Fóumami loosely translates to “what Buddha finds to be most delicious”. The branding of the restaurant gives it the feel of an upscale chain, which is not surprising seeing that Michael is planning to open other locations in the future.
We ordered an array of items off the menu including some drinks, a soup and salad, and a number of their signature sandwiches. Starting off with the Avocado Bobba Tea, we were treated to a light milk tea with a hint of avocado, a great drink for a hot day.
The soup of the day was Tempura Udon. The small cup was stuffed with tempura and noodles, all stewing in a spicy, rich broth. This soup would make a hearty starter that could be a meal in itself.
The Bibimbap Salad contains the ingredients of the typical Korean dish in salad form. A bed of greens mixed with rice, numerous other vegetables and your choice of meat covered in a spicy, yet sweet chili dressing makes this a must if you are a fan of bibimbap.
The majority of the menu is comprised of sandwiches that resemble their American counterparts with an Asian bent to them. They are served on freshly baked ‘shao bing,’ which is an unleavened, artisanal style bread that is crisp and flaky on the outside, yet soft and chewy on the inside. The bread resembles a cross between naan and a fancy western flatbread. This flaky bread really pulls the sandwiches together.
The Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwich ($7.95) featured incredibly tender marinated ribeye steak topped with sautéed onions and a soy garlic sauce. It resembles a shaved steak sandwich with cuts of meat above the standard. The soy garlic sauce adds an intriguing flavor to the sandwich.
The Chicken Katsu Sandwich ($7.35) resembled an Asian take on a BBQ Fried Chicken sandwich. Crispy, well spiced fried chicken, with tomatoes and cabbage and garnished in a katsu sauce reminiscent of a sweet bbq taste. A very good choice for anyone who's a fan of fried chicken.
I would have to say my favorite was the Spicy Braised Pork Loin Sandwich ($7.95), Foumami’s take on the Vietnamese bahn mi. A generous helping of perfectly grilled pork loin, covered in chili flakes was surrounded by lightly picked vegetables and scallions and slathered in a chili pepper based dressing that added a bit of sweetness to the spice.
The Scallion Pancakes came as a side and are similar to the bread that all the sandwiches came on with the addition of scallions and being a little thicker. The only complaint I have is that the scallion pancakes did not reheat well either in a microwave or oven. Delicious when fresh, but make sure to finish them all!
During our visit, we also we’re able to try a few special’s that ran for one week to commemorate Buddha’s Birthday, a national holiday throughout Asia which is marked by joyous parades, communal meals and other cultural rituals. Unfortunately you’ll have to wait until Buddha’s Birthday next year to try these specials.
For me eggplant is always a hit or miss sort of dish. Fortunately the Miso Eggplant Tempura Sandwich ($7.95.) did not disappoint. The sandwich had tasty thin slices of eggplant tempura covered with a sweet miso sauce and peppers and lettuce.
The specialty drink was called Amacha, which was sweetened, hydrangea tea that is brewed yearly in honor of Buddha’s birthday. The tea had a delicate floral flavor while being sweet and refreshing and was a great compliment to all the sandwiches.
Fóumami is a great new concept for the typical lunch counter that all of us have come to enjoy, and really offers something delicious and unique.
(submitted by Kosta; photos by Sarah Sparks)
About Fóumami
Fóumami (pronounced "Foo-mah-mee") is an inventive Asian sandwich bar that draws its inspiration from the food of China's Shandong province and the dazzling variety of cooking traditions that continue to flourish throughout the continent. Hours of careful preparation go into deeply satisfying food that we're able to serve you in minutes.Whether it's a recipe that's been in our family for generations or a delicious spin on an American favorite, Fóumami's goal is to introduce people to an exciting new variety of Asian tastes and flavors. We offer breakfast and lunch, to stay or to go; soups and salads that can easily be a main course; and a great selection of specially made hot and cold beverages, snacks, and desserts. There's also a relaxed, comfortable environment where you just might be tempted to linger – or escape from the office.
Look into our open kitchen and you'll probably see us making Shao Bing, the delicious earthy flatbread that sets every Fóumami sandwich apart. Crisp and flaky on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside, our Shao Bing heightens the flavor of the sandwich's ingredients and adds an important layer of taste and texture all its own.Fóumami believes in giving people the unexpected — and in restoring the classics. So, while you might feel that we've miraculously reinvented familiar dishes like Scallion Pancakes and Wonton Soup, the truth is that we're simply following the straightforward, meticulous recipes that have been in our family for years.
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