Japonica Diner/Merriweather Creperie in Washington

"We were so excited for Japonica to open and so glad we spent my wife’s birthday there with a group of friends. We were treated to our own area of the restaurant which is wonderful because they transformed the space beautifully…and we were allowed to even put up some decorations….the hamachi and yellow tail were so fresh and delicious, the saki flight recommendations were excellent and I’m not a sake fan! We will definitely be returning!"

"We had such a great experience at this sushi spot! The hamachi and ahi were incredibly fresh and flavorful—melt-in-your-mouth quality. We also tried the matcha cookies, and the Snow White sake paired beautifully with everything. Excited to have a place like this in town—can’t wait to go back!"

"Finally, a restaurant that FEELS like home. When I first stepped into the diner, I was immediately struck with a deep feeling of comfort and nostalgia. The warm lighting was huge for me! I’m very sensitive to bright fluorescent lights so I was relieved that was not the case at all. The choice of art is comforting and I love the big windows and natural light- I’m just obsessed with the atmosphere!! The food was beautiful- and very yummy! It felt very traditional here with how the food was prepared. After reading some other reviews on the food- I was surprised that some people felt it was bland. The food was very well flavored and balanced, not too salty and not overly saucy… I appreciate the health consciousness in the dishes, because too many restaurants over use salt and sauces that are loaded with fillers and sugars, this restaurant was not that- the flavor was bold and delicious, but without drowning in unnecessary sodium. You can tell the owner/chef truly pours love and consideration into their food, and nowadays that passion is hard to come by. I will absolutely be returning, and I’m so excited to see this restaurant take off!"

"You may think you're having an intimate dining experience in downtown Tokyo with expert staff and a world-class chef — but you'd be wrong. You're at the new Japonica Diner at Bayview Corner in Freeland on Whidbey Island. Their unique menu and wine pairings are truly world-class, all served in a setting that transports you to another world. I started with the California Crab Roll. It was executed perfectly, and the crab tasted like it had just come out of the sea minutes ago. For my main course, I had the Yellowfin Ahi Poke Bowl — but this was no ordinary poke bowl. The perfectly cut Ahi was outstanding, served on a bed of rice. It literally melted in my mouth. My wife ordered a Mushroom Roll as an appetizer. The Roll was out of this world. The earthy flavor of the mushrooms combined with the fresh vegetables in the wrap created an unmatched burst of flavor. My wife had the Ginger Chicken for main the course — a tender chicken breast with a ginger sauce that tingled the tastebuds and was so tender it could be cut with chopsticks. For dessert, I had Coffee Jelly with Sweet Cream — small, ice-cube-shaped coffee jellies in a sweet cream that was a culinary delight I'd never experienced. All in all, Executive Chef Joan Sampson and her team, (clearly they are a team here) knocks it out of the park and gives Whidbey Island another destination-worthy restaurant."

"The salmon bowl was SO delicious, our waitress Adriana was very attentive and friendly, and the general vibe was really nice. Definitely recommend!"

"Japonica Diner is a hidden gem on Whidbey! From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed by a warm, friendly staff who make you feel right at home. The food is absolutely incredible—every dish is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. It’s clear they put real care into every plate. And the boba? Next-level. Perfectly chewy pearls, balanced sweetness, and creative flavors that keep you coming back for more. This place is an absolute must-stop on the island. A cozy, delicious, feel-good experience all around."

"A creperie in a Japanese restaurant??? It works! The crepes offering is amazing! We’ve tried both breakfast and lunch, sweet and savory and everything we’ve had was delicious and beautifully presented."

"I ordered Hanachi & Shiro Maguro special bowl. And it is so fresh & tasty. Good portion. It is Hawaiian taste as well. I will try Hamachi Ponzu Sushi next time!! Sushi is the most important fresh!! BTW I came from Japan."