Hanami Japanese Cuisine Opens in Merrick with Unconventional Flavors
Hanami Japanese Cuisine recently debuted on Merrick Road, introducing a menu that goes beyond the usual sushi options found in Long Island. Highlights include oyster udon, a hamburger curry, and fluke fin sushi, all of which set this newcomer apart from nearby Japanese spots.
The restaurant has quietly captured attention since its August opening, partly due to its distinctive backstory. Co-owner Tina Shi was born in China's Fujian province, studied in Japan, and spent around 15 years absorbing Japan’s culinary culture, including a stint as a chef at an izakaya in Tokyo. Together with her husband, Chun Wang, she brings that refined aesthetic to Merrick.
The couple transformed a narrow former Sushi Ko space into a Vibrant venue, commissioning a local artist to adorn the walls with cherry blossom murals. The restaurant’s name, Hanami, references the beloved Japanese cherry blossom season.
Wang runs the sushi bar and offers rarer selections such as mirugai (giant clam) and shiro maguro (white tuna). Shi notes that about 90% of the ingredients come from Japan, courtesy of her cousin who operates two Japanese markets in Manhattan.
Among the appetizers, asari (buttered, soy-sauce-steamed Manila clams with king mushrooms) has become a crowd favorite. The menu also features a robust array of Japanese brown curries, with the fried pork katsu curry at $17.50 earning strong reviews for its heartiness. A thoughtful pairing option is an imported Ginga Kogen Hefeweizen, available in a blue can embellished with a deer, offering subtle banana and spice notes that complement the meal.
Location and hours: Hanami Japanese Cuisine, 2063 Merrick Rd., Merrick. Phone: 516-318-9978. Website: hanamimerrick.com
Open 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Sunday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
Andi Berlin, originally from Arizona, wanders with purpose toward discoveries that combine beauty and flavor, reminding us that the world has something delicious to offer—and sometimes it starts with a single, memorable bite.
