A Japanese-Korean barbecue restaurant is off to a sizzling start after hordes of hungry foodies turned out to support the new Fernie business in its first week.
Located on 7th Avenue, Sushi Wood features authentic dishes from South Korea and Japan, and opened on February 22 with a “full house”.
The fusion restaurant is owned by Jun Hee Nam and Jenny Baek, who first met in Vancouver while Ms Baek was studying English before immigrating to Canada seven years ago.
It’s not the South Korean couple’s first foray into the food industry - they have previously owned restaurants in Kimberley, Invermere and Cranbrook, where their successful Sushi Rang restaurant is still located.
Baek said her family had wanted to open a restaurant in Fernie for some time.
“We like Fernie and we really wanted to move here,” she said.
“Fernie is a very nice place so we are very happy.”
An eye-catching feature of the new restaurant is huge, dusty pink cherry blossom trees, which is the national flower of Japan and also found in South Korea.
Baek said it was her aim to provide a unique fine-dining experience with a focus on quality food and excellent customer service.
Manager Teryne Taylor has joined Baek in her latest venture after working with her at Sushi Rang.
The Cranbrook flight attendant said she encouraged the couple to open the business because she believed there was a need for more sushi restaurants in Fernie.
“It’s super exciting,” she said.
“We have had a lot of good feedback on the food… and the customer service as well.
“It’s been non-stop busy, we had a full house on the first two days.
“Fernie is really excited about it, that’s for sure.”
Taylor recommends trying the Gal Bee, beef short ribs marinated in homemade Korean barbecue sauce, and the Green Dragon roll, which features prawn tempura, crabmeat and avocado.
Sushi Wood currently has 12 staff and is still accepting resumes.
Located at 1221 7th Avenue, the restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and also offers takeaway and delivery.