Aji Brings Ramen, Sushi and Much More to Lynchburg’s Downtown
Located in the heart of Lynchburg at 908 Main Street, Lynchburg’s newest Asian restaurant, Aji Ramen and Sushi, is certainly filling a void in the downtown area.
The eatery opened in August and, since then, has been impressing customers with its authentic and exotic cuisine.
Owner Eric Wu was born in China but always had roots in the Lynchburg area. Before returning to Lynchburg to open Aji he was struggling with a grueling schedule at a Chinese restaurant in Winchester. Tired of working for someone else and having to spend so much time away from his sons, Wu decided it was time to come back home to the Hill City.
Eric and his wife, who shares a background in the restaurant industry, say they chose Downtown Lynchburg because it was lacking the Asian cuisine he was eager to share with locals. The restaurant’s name, Aji, stems from a special person in their life named Carolyn Roberts. “She used to come to our buffet restaurant and we became like family members. l really appreciate her like a mother so we named the restaurant Aji, which means mother in our language,” he says.
Their menu offers a large variety of ramen—which Wu describes as a very popular Japanese noodle soup. The pork- and vegetable-based broth cooks for 10 hours and serves as the base.
Varieties include beef, miso, and chicken.
The sushi at Aji is made from fresh fish that’s flown in three times a week. While sushi lovers can find traditional rolls and sashimi on the large menu, Wu offers exciting combinations such as the Mango Spring Roll with shrimp, crabmeat, and mango wrapped in rice paper instead of the usual seaweed wrapper.
If you’re looking beyond sushi and ramen, there is something for everyone from the pineapple fried rice, General Tso’s Chicken, and kimchi to the Tom Yum soup, various curries, and hibachi dishes.
Wu is accustomed to working with customers who have dietary restrictions and allergies—he welcomes everyone to come and give them a taste or a sip. In their “cozy corner” spot, they serve beer, wine and saké. Finish your meal with tasty (and often hard to find in our area) mochi, a Japanese dessert that consists of a ball of sticky, sweet rice dough filled with creamy, delicious ice cream.
Aji Ramen and Sushi
908 Main St, Lynchburg, VA
(434) 845-2816
ajiramenandsushi.com
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sunday
Photography by Jenna McKenney
