The Wine List Is an Afterthought
Westside / Capitol Mall · Olympia · Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse & Bar’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Fujiyama reads like someone grabbed whatever was on sale at the nearest Costco and called it a day. It's short, it's predictable, and it makes zero attempt to match the energy of the sizzling hibachi tables around you. The bar program is clearly the priority here — and honestly, that tracks.
Fifteen to twenty-five bottles, almost entirely California mass-market brands with a token Washington state showing via Chateau Ste. Michelle. There's no depth to speak of — no interesting Pacific Northwest producers, no nods to Japanese cuisine beyond the sake menu, which is where this place actually puts its attention. The wine list exists because it has to, not because anyone here cares about it. If you're hoping for something from Oregon's Willamette Valley or even a decent Washington red to match the smoky hibachi flavors, keep looking.
Eight to twelve pours on the glass list sounds promising until you see what's on it — Meiomi Pinot Noir, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, Sutter Home White Zinfandel. These are grocery store staples, not thoughtful picks. At $8–$14 a glass, you're paying restaurant prices for wines you could grab for $12 a bottle down the street.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $28
At the low end of the bottle range, this is the one wine on the list that actually makes sense with the food. A little off-dry, good acidity — it handles hibachi seasoning and sushi better than anything else here.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Most people at a steakhouse default to red and order the Meiomi out of habit. The Ste. Michelle Riesling is the smarter call — it's local, it's food-friendly, and it won't get bulldozed by soy sauce and garlic butter the way a soft Pinot will.
Sutter Home White Zinfandel
There is no universe in which a $14 glass of Sutter Home White Zinfandel is a good decision. This is a $6 bottle at a gas station. Order the sake instead.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Hibachi Steak and Chicken Combo
The Riesling's slight sweetness and bright acidity cut through the rich teppanyaki butter and soy glaze without disappearing. It's the only bottle on this list with the backbone to actually stand up to hibachi cooking.
❌ The Bottom Line
Fujiyama is a fun night out — but the wine list is an obligation, not an attraction. Stick to sake or cocktails and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that returns the favor.
Downtown · Olympia · Pacific Northwest brasserie / American
Cascadia Grill isn't a wine destination, but it's a fair and functional list that won't leave you feeling ripped off or bored — and in downtown Olympia, that's more than enough to earn a return visit. Take a Washington bottle, order the salmon, and enjoy the Bigfoot decor.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Percival Landing / Waterfront · Olympia · Seafood-focused American
Budd Bay Café is not a wine destination, but it's a perfectly functional place to drink a decent glass of Washington white while watching boats drift across Budd Inlet. Send your friends here for the view and the chowder — just steer them toward the Barnard Griffin and away from the Sutter Home.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eastside · Olympia · Grocery café with mixed American and Asian options, plus full wine and beer retail
Ralph's Thriftway shouldn't be this good at wine, and that's exactly why it earns the Wild Card. If you're in Olympia and need a bottle — or ten — skip the chain stores and come here first.
Surprising Depth
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Capitol Lake / Westside · Olympia · Wine Bar / Cocktail Lounge
Swing's upstairs lounge is the kind of place that surprises you — a Cayuse Cailloux and a Clos de Lambrays Grand Cru don't belong on a list this size in a city this small, and yet there they are. Markups push steep on the top shelf, but there's enough here to make it worth the trip if you know where to look.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Westside / Harrison · Olympia · American
Iron Rabbit isn't a wine destination, but it's a neighborhood bar that actually tried — and in Olympia's Westside, that matters. If you're already here for dinner, you'll drink well without a second thought.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Olympia · Upscale Northwest and European-influenced fine dining
Gardner's is the kind of restaurant where the wine list won't disappoint you, but it probably won't surprise you either. If you're in Olympia for a special occasion and want a dependable tour through Washington's greatest hits, this is your room — just know you're paying restaurant prices for regional classics that are easy to find at retail.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Westgate · Chapel Hill · Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
Kanki is a great place for a birthday dinner, a family outing, or watching a chef flip a shrimp into your mouth — the wine list is not the reason you're here, and it doesn't pretend to be. Order the sake, enjoy the show, and save the serious wine drinking for another night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hollins / North Roanoke · Roanoke · Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
Tokyo is a hibachi restaurant that happens to have wine, not the other way around — and that's fine, but don't make the wine the reason you come. Stick to the sake options, keep your glass price low, and enjoy the show.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Naperville · Naperville · Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
Kiku is a great night out for the hibachi experience — the wine list just isn't part of that story. Order a cocktail or sake, enjoy the show, and save your wine budget for somewhere that spent more than an afternoon building their list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.