Hana Japanese Eatery Ends 19-Year Run on Seventh Avenue

Hana Japanese Eatery, a family-run establishment on Seventh Avenue, will cease operations after 19 years of service. Co-owners Lynn Becker and chef Lori Hashimoto confirmed the decision in an Instagram post published Friday. The announcement is also displayed as a pop-up message on the restaurant’s website. A precise closing date remains undetermined.

The restaurant opened in 2007 and quickly established itself as a neighborhood staple. It is known for serving sushi, sashimi, tempura, bento boxes, and noodle dishes. The location sits just north of Missouri Avenue. Over the nearly two decades of operation, the owners noted that regulars became like family to the staff. The team witnessed local families grow and participate in milestone celebrations.

Hashimoto comes from a culinary background and is a third-generation Asian-American. Her father, Ed, was placed in a Japanese-American internment camp at age 10. He later worked as a commercial vegetable farmer and often brought Hashimoto along on deliveries throughout the Valley. He encouraged her to work in the soil alongside him. Her cooking later received recognition, including a James Beard semi-finalist nomination in 2022.

The restaurant gained national attention in 2015. Award-winning chefs Chris Bianco and Silvana Salcido Esparza directed Martha Stewart to Hana for tempura while she was in town for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The owners also reacted to the Michelin Southwest Guide, which began evaluating Arizona restaurants. Hashimoto expressed that the community’s support meant more to her than external accolades. She cited the generations of customers who supported the business through the pandemic and the Japanese community who found the dishes reminiscent of their parents' cooking.

In a previous interview with Phoenix New Times, Hashimoto discussed the value of community over formal recognition. She stated, “That star on the wall, it is what it is.” She added that the people around her allow her to live her dream. She noted that her food is not always plated perfectly but feels like home and remains warm. The owners invited patrons to visit before the final day to enjoy a meal or simply say hello. The post thanked guests for helping the team understand what it means to be part of a community.