Monday, March 03, 2025

With spring blossoming right around the corner, the Bayview Cash Store is about to experience an exciting culinary addition with the grand opening of Japonica. Goosefoot Community’s newest tenant Japonica promises to deliver an innovative dining experience, blending traditional Asian flavors with modern Japanese-influenced techniques in an inviting and contemporary setting.

Slated to open its doors at the beginning of April, Japonica will feature a carefully curated menu that highlights the richness of Asian cuisines while embracing fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Diners can expect a unique selection of dishes that marry authenticity with creativity. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available, ensuring an inclusive experience for all guests.

The restaurant’s interior design reflects its culinary philosophy—a harmonious balance of tradition and originality. Visitors will find a warm, welcoming atmosphere with sleek furnishings, natural wood accents, and an open kitchen that invites guests to witness the artistry of meal preparation. There’s even a retro arcade game in a hidden corner!

It took a tireless odyssey to uncover the perfect home for a casual eatery infused with Far Eastern charm. The co-founders Joan Samson and Ed Hodson have finally discovered their ideal location. The pair, with decades of culinary and hospitality experience, are channeling their passion into Japonica, located in the former home of Whidbey Doughnuts.

“We’ve actually been dreaming about this restaurant for almost twenty years, but we’ve never breathed life into it because the right space hadn’t materialized until now,” said Joan. “I have journals filled with sketches, recipes, furniture, lighting, music, ideas…we’ve owned the website domain name for over ten years! And finally, ‘someday’ has become ‘someday very soon.’”

Joan describes Japonica as a cozy diner/Japanese restaurant mashup that exudes “Asian hygge.” Hygge is a Danish word that provokes a feeling of comfort, contentment, and kinship. Diners can expect comforting, wholesome, and delicious food—always with rice as a centerpiece. Joan shared, “Growing up, our meals centered around a full rice cooker; even breakfast included a rice component. As a professional chef, I attended Japanese culinary school, but until recently, rice really wasn’t included on the menu.”

Ed Hodson, a credentialed sommelier, is crafting a beverage program that complements Japonica’s menu, featuring food-friendly beer, wine, sake, and mocktails rarely found on Whidbey Island. “We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to partner with Goosefoot Foundation as our landlord,” said Ed. “They’ve been unbelievably helpful, sharing resources to support our vision for a community-focused space.”

Japonica will collaborate with local farmers such as Understory Mushrooms, Starry Bay Farms, Sweetwater Farms, Foxtail Farms, and The Organic Farm School. The restaurant hopes to create plenty of part-time opportunities for local parents and students interested in learning about Japanese cuisine.

“The food should be comforting, filling, accessible, wholesome, and delicious –and there will be rice, cooked food and vegetables, along with some of the signature sushi, poke and sashimi that we’ve become known for at Mommafish, our to-go spot in Langley,” said Samson.

Japonica will be open for a counter-style lunch service and table-side dinner service. They will be closed on Mondays to the public, but will offer a ticketed wine and sake pairing night. The Japonica experience is a much-anticipated dining destination. Upon opening week, reservations will be the only means of dining until a regular schedule is established.

Discover Japonica at the Bayview Cash Store and embark on an immersive Japanese-infused culinary adventure that promises to tantalize your taste buds and leave you eager for more. For more information or to make a reservation, visit https://www.japonicadiner.com/ and sign up for their newsletter.