Memphis restaurant Fam brings its fresh and modern Asian fare to Highland Strip

Downtown Asian eatery Fam has expanded to East Memphis.

On Friday, the restaurant opened its second location at 521 S. Highland St. on the Highland Strip in the space that was formerly a Lenny's Grill & Subs.

“We had such a good year Downtown, then this space opened up and it was such a good opportunity,” said co-owner Ian Vo of the decision to open a second location near the University of Memphis.

He added, “The landlord liked our idea and what we represent.”

Fam opened its first location in November 2018. Located at 149 Madison Ave., the fast-casual restaurant quickly became a favorite for Downtown diners.

The new restaurant, which has a light-filled dining room with a comfortable and casual vibe, is slightly larger than the original location, with seating for 58 guests.

At both locations, Fam serves Asian fare such as sushi, rice bowls and noodle bowls with a healthy spin and an emphasis on freshness.

Classic sushi rolls are sold as half rolls, with four pieces per order. With an average price of $3 or $4 per roll, it’s easy to order more than one type. That's a nice option because there are eight rolls to choose from on the menu, plus several selections of nigiri you will want to consider.

On Thursdays through Saturdays, wagyu beef from Japan is used on several of the meat-based dishes. Look for this specialty beef on items like Japanese wagyu nigiri, rice bowls and Fam’s signature “mi rolls.”

The signature mi roll is an interesting twist on the sushi roll. White bread is thinly rolled, stuffed with your choice of avocado or wagyu beef, then toasted and served warm. It’s a one-of-a-kind menu item that makes a great starter.

New to the menu are several vegan and vegetarian options, including a salad bowl. The Fam Salad Bowl is a veggie-filled dish filled with baby kale, asparagus, cucumber, edamame, pickled radish and eggplant. Chicken, shrimp or their salmon and tuna poke can be added to this dish. Beyond Meat burgers are a new menu option as well; in most dishes they are cooked hibachi-style and served like ground beef rather than as a burger.

Bao, Japanese steamed bun sandwiches, are also on the menu. The selection ranges from a classic spicy pork bao to a vegetarian fried tofu bao. Each order comes with two bao sandwiches.

The restaurant will serve beer and hard seltzer once its license is approved.

Vo said he hopes to expand the convenience of his Fam restaurants across the Memphis area. “We are now looking at a space in Germantown," he said.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

At a glance

Fam

Where: 521 S. Highland St., Suite 101

Hours: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Friday; 1-3:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Saturday; and 1-3:30 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Sunday.

Phone: 901-249-2636

Online: orderfam.com