Japanese-style crepes come to Sammamish
Imagine walking in for a crepe and being handed a bright, colorful bouquet, feeling lighter than a regular French crepe. That is exactly the kind of experience Eight Turn Crepe wants to create in Sammamish as the Japanese street food franchise opened its first Washington state location on May 2.
If you are picturing a thin French crepe rolled up with Nutella, think again. Eight Turn’s Harajuku-inspired crepes use a gluten-free rice flour batter, packed with house-made custards and sauces, layered with proteins, vegetables, fruit, or chocolate spreads. It is then rolled into a cone and served upright.
The gluten-free aspect is one of the brand’s defining features. Founder Ren Ishida originally developed the rice flour recipe because a family member had gluten allergies, and what began as a personal solution eventually became central to the concept itself. The result is a light crepe that still feels indulgent while remaining accessible to more people.
The menu spans the entire day, which is part of what separates Eight Turn from a traditional creperie. Breakfast includes filling options such as bacon, egg, cheese. Another option—the egg, goat cheese, and avocado combination —is a personal recommendation from Steve Kogan, Eight Turn Crepe’s vice president of franchising.
Lunch leans toward savory staples like the Philly cheesesteak and Tokyo pork belly, while dessert is anchored by the strawberry Nutella crepe, the brand’s longtime bestseller. Recently, the Dubai chocolate crepe has started drawing attention at newer locations.
The Sammamish location is owned by Sabah Ali Haq, a Bellevue resident who spent 14 years working as a business intelligence developer and database engineer before stepping away from consulting in 2024 to pursue something that felt more personal and community-oriented to her.
“I wanted something that would allow me to interact with the community and create a unique experience for people to enjoy,” Ali Haq said. “Something that felt more like a community business than just a shell for another corporate franchise.”
After discovering Eight Turn, she said both the menu and the people behind the company stood out. Kogan described the franchise as collaborative rather than rigid, pointing to an Idaho location that replaced blueberry jam with locally loved huckleberry after customer requests.
“We work together,” Kogan said. “It’s not our way or the highway.”
Ali Haq considered several Eastside locations before settling on Sammamish. She was drawn to its community atmosphere, steady foot traffic, and nearby high schools. Even before opening, students had reportedly been stopping to peek through the windows during construction. She saw the Japanese street food concept as a natural fit for younger crowds looking for quick, visually interesting food, while also offering a contrast to the more formal, sit-down creperies already in the area.
The name Eight Turn carries symbolic meaning as well, with the number eight representing luck and infinity across several Asian cultures.
The café-style space was designed for lingering, complete with tea, boba, and around eight Asian-inspired drinks and shakes. If you trust Ali Haq’s recommendation, order the taro boba.
Eight Turn Crepe is located at 470 228th Ave NE in Sammamish. Students with valid ID will receive 10% off.
