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Tag: Sushi

  • Haidilao Dives into Burger Biz Again, Boosts Sushi Venture Amid Cooling Hotpot Demand

    Haidilao Dives into Burger Biz Again, Boosts Sushi Venture Amid Cooling Hotpot Demand

    Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao is making another attempt to break into the burger industry with its new venture, Fresh Burger, while simultaneously growing its budding sushi brand, Nyoisushi. This diversification comes as the company’s main business experiences a slowdown.

    Fresh Burger, Haidilao’s latest venture, was launched in Wuhan last month. The restaurant prides itself on its fresh grilled burgers, a departure from the frozen pre-made patties that many other fast-food chains utilize. Prices at Fresh Burger range from 18.9 yuan (approximately $2.80) to 41.9 yuan, and the menu also includes a variety of other options such as pizza, pasta, coffee, and ice cream.

    Alongside its expansion into the burger market, Haidilao has also been concentrating on growing its sushi brand, Nyoisushi. Following the success of its inaugural store in Hangzhou, the company has opened two additional outlets in Wuhan.

    Financial Situation and Future Plans

    Despite these ambitious expansions, Haidilao recently reported a 14% decrease in net profit for the fiscal year 2025, resulting in a sum of 4.05 billion yuan (about $600 million). Despite the drop, revenues still saw a slight increase of 1.1%, totaling 43.23 billion yuan.

    In light of these financial results, Haidilao announced plans to grow its multi-brand portfolio while focusing on enhancing the customer experience. The company aims to leverage digitalization and strategic acquisitions to achieve this goal. Beyond burgers and sushi, Haidilao also operates several other ventures, including seafood restaurants and Chinese fast-food chains.

    Haidilao’s previous attempt to break into the burger market was with Hiburger, launched in 2024. Despite initial hopes, Hiburger ended operations just a year later in 2025.

    This renewed effort to establish a foothold in the burger market comes as American fast-food chains bolster their presence in China. Notably, Burger chain Five Guys is slated to open its first store in Beijing in August, following its debut in Shanghai in 2021. Other U.S. chains such as Wendy’s and Texas Chicken have also announced their plans to enter the Chinese market, while Popeyes made a comeback in April after a two-decade-long absence since 2003.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the new venture of the Haidilao?
    Haidilao has launched a new burger chain called Fresh Burger and is expanding its sushi brand, Nyoisushi.

    What is the price range of food items at Fresh Burger?
    The prices at Fresh Burger range from 18.9 yuan (approximately $2.80) to 41.9 yuan.

    What are Haidilao’s future plans following its recent financial results?
    Haidilao plans to expand its multi-brand portfolio, improve the customer experience, increase digitalization, and pursue strategic acquisitions.

  • Sudden Closure: Itacho Sushi Bids Farewell to Singapore, Winding Up Operations Following Founder’s Death

    Sudden Closure: Itacho Sushi Bids Farewell to Singapore, Winding Up Operations Following Founder’s Death

    Itacho Sushi, a restaurant chain originally established in Hong Kong, has abruptly shut down all its branches in Singapore. The unexpected closure was brought to light when the brand’s outlets at Ion Orchard, Bugis Junction, The Star Vista, and Novena Square 2 were listed as permanently closed on Google Maps.

    The sushi chain first launched in Singapore in July 2009. Since then, it has been a popular choice for sushi enthusiasts in the city. However, it was recently discovered that the company’s website and its respective social media channels for the Singapore branches have been deactivated, fueling speculation about its closure.

    Interestingly, the closure of outlets in Singapore follows the company’s departure from its home turf, Hong Kong. Itacho Sushi, which is under the ownership of Taste of Japan Group, has been gradually ceasing its operations since the passing of its founder, Ricky Cheng, in April 2024, who was 57 at his time of death.

    Taste of Japan Group is remembered for running other notable food chains including Itamae Sushi, Ajisen Ramen, Pancake House, and Sushi Raku. The current status of these franchises remains uncertain following the closure of Itacho Sushi.

    Questions & Answers

    When did Itacho Sushi make its debut in Singapore?
    Itacho Sushi was launched in Singapore in July 2009.

    Why are there speculations about Itacho Sushi’s closure in Singapore?
    The speculations arose when Itacho Sushi’s outlets in Singapore were listed as permanently closed on Google Maps. Additionally, the company’s website and Singapore-specific social media channels have been deactivated.

    Who was the founder of Itacho Sushi and when did he pass away?
    The founder of Itacho Sushi was Ricky Cheng, who passed away in April 2024 at the age of 57.

  • Sushi Tycoon ‘Tuna King’ Shells Out Record $3.2M for Massive Bluefin at Tokyo’s Prestigious Auction

    Sushi Tycoon ‘Tuna King’ Shells Out Record $3.2M for Massive Bluefin at Tokyo’s Prestigious Auction

    A sushi entrepreneur from Japan, who goes by the moniker “The Tuna King”, set a new record when he purchased a colossal bluefin tuna for an unprecedented 510.3 million yen (approximately US$3.25 million) at an auction held on Monday.

    Record-Breaking Purchase

    Kiyoshi Kimura, the owner of a chain of sushi restaurants, emerged as the highest bidder at the esteemed annual New Year auction in Tokyo’s primary fish market. The 243-kilogram tuna that fetched this record price was caught off the northern coast of Japan.

    Kimura candidly expressed his surprise at the rocketing price of the fish. “I had hoped we could secure the fish at a somewhat lower cost, but the price escalated rapidly,” Kimura revealed in the wake of the predawn auction at Tokyo’s main fish market.

    Auspicious Tuna to Usher in the New Year

    Despite the staggering cost, Kimura remained optimistic about his purchase. “The price certainly caught me off guard…but I am hopeful that the consumption of this lucky tuna will invigorate as many people as possible,” he asserted to journalists.

    As the president of Kiyomura Corp., the Tokyo-based company operating the Sushizanmai sushi restaurant chain, Kimura showcased the 243-kilogram bluefin tuna at his flagship restaurant in Tokyo on January 5, 2026, following the New Year’s auction at Toyosu fish market.

    Historical Highs of Tuna Prices

    This auction price is the highest on record since data regarding such figures started being compiled in 1999. The previous record was 333.6 million yen, paid for a 278-kilogram bluefin tuna in 2019, after the fish market relocated from its traditional Tsukiji location in central Tokyo to a more modern facility.

    Last year’s highest bid was 207 million yen for a 276-kilogram bluefin. After this year’s auction, the hefty tuna was promptly prepared into sushi and sold for around 500 yen (about US$3) per roll.

    Customer Reactions

    Diners at one of Kimura’s restaurants in Tsukiji were delighted to partake in such an auspicious meal at the start of the year. “Having had the privilege of eating something so fortunate as the year begins, I feel like I’ve started the year on the right note,” shared 19-year-old Minami Sugiyama. Another patron, a 40-year-old Shinto priest named Kiyoshi Nishimura, shared a similar sentiment, praising the taste and texture of the tuna.

    Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Year tuna prices plummeted to only a fraction of their regular peak prices as restaurants reduced their operations. However, the purchase of the bluefin tuna this year signals a potential recovery and brighter future for the Pacific bluefin industry.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the highest price ever paid for a bluefin tuna?
    The highest price ever paid for a bluefin tuna was 510.3 million yen (approximately US$3.25 million), by entrepreneur Kiyoshi Kimura in 2026.

    Who is Kiyoshi Kimura?
    Kiyoshi Kimura, also known as “The Tuna King”, is the president of Kiyomura Corp. and the owner of the Sushizanmai sushi restaurant chain in Tokyo.

    How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the tuna industry?
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, prices for New Year tuna decreased significantly because restaurants had to scale back their operations.

  • Japan’s biggest sushi chain Sushiro launches first Beijing store

    Japan’s biggest sushi chain Sushiro launches first Beijing store

    Japan’s biggest sushi restaurant chain Sushiro opened its first store in China’s Beijing Wednesday as part of its expansion in the world’s most populated country.

    Its new store, located in the Xidan Joy City shopping mall, has four private rooms, each allowing up to 10 customers, who can order from a touch screen and pick up their food from a conveyor belt, according to Nikkei Asia.

    This is Sushiro’s 45th location in China. It launched the first store in Guangzhou in 2021 and has expanded to several cities since.

    Sushiro, headquartered in Osaka, has over 500 restaurants in Japan. It was founded 30 years ago and is now present in many Asian countries including South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.

    Its competitor Hama Shushi has also been expanding in China and opened the first Beijing store earlier this year.

    China has prohibited the import of seafood from Japan due to the discharge of treated radioactive wastewater. In China, conveyor belt sushi restaurants primarily offer locally sourced seafood.

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  • Japan’s sushi-train restaurant chains eye overseas expansion

    Japan’s sushi-train restaurant chains eye overseas expansion

    The companies said Friday that sushi restaurant chains Akindo Sushiro Co. and Genki Sushi Co. are in merger talks to speed up the expansion of their overseas business.

    Akindo Sushiro operates Japan’s largest conveyor belt sushi chain with around 470 restaurants, most of them domestic. Genki Sushi, the No. 5 chain, runs more than half of its 300 or so restaurants abroad, including in the United States and China.

    By teaming up, they hope to cut down on costs and pool their resources to open more restaurants across the growing Asian market, especially as Japan’s graying population puts a damper on domestic sales.

    In preparation for the merger, Shinmei Co., the parent company of Genki Sushi and Japan’s largest rice wholesaler, plans to acquire a 32.72 percent stake in Sushiro Global Holdings Ltd., parent of Akindo Sushiro.

    While the merger details are still being worked out, combining the two businesses would give the new company a significant lead in revenue over its closest rival, Kura Corp.

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  • Vietnamese restaurant chain Roll’d launches FMCG range through Coles

    Vietnamese restaurant chain Roll’d launches FMCG range through Coles

    Vietnamese restaurant chain Roll’d, has rolled out a range of pantry staples at Coles, allowing customers to recreate restaurant favoritesnoo at home.

    Starting this month, shoppers can now purchase the same ingredients and condiments used at the restaurant, including a range of four sauces – Sticky Hoisin, Spicy Hoisin, Nước Mắm, and Chili Mayo (at RRP $6) – rice papers ($4), vermicelli noodles ($3.50) and rolling trays ($10).

    According to Roll’d, the products are simple to use, free of preservatives, additives or gluten and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

    In addition, customers can scan the QR code at the back of any Roll’d product to access tutorials and recipe ideas designed to suit different skill levels.

    “Teaching Australians to roll their very own Roll’d Vietnamese Soldiers through this new Coles grocery partnership is a natural extension for us beyond the traditional QSR arena,” said Bao Hoang, Founder and CEO, Roll’d.

    “We’re excited to be sharing our authentic Vietnamese eats and recipes to the wider community, going into homes, lunchboxes and onto dinner tables with fresh, family eats options that are healthy and guilt-free.”

  • Japanese sushi chain Sushiro eyes cross-border expansion next year

    Japanese sushi chain Sushiro eyes cross-border expansion next year

    Sushiro Global Holdings, the Japan-based operator of sushi chain Sushiro, plans to boost its Asian presence with the opening of new restaurant units in Thailand and China.

    The company will be renamed to Food & Life in April 2020. It will launch its first Thailand location in Bangkok next spring, Nikkie Asia reported.

    Sushiro will establish its business unit in China by December this year and intends to open one restaurant by September 2021.

    Commenting on the entry into these Asian markets, Sushiro Global Holdings CEO Koichi Mizutome was quoted by the publication as saying: “Asia has rice culture, and Asian people have a higher tolerance for raw fish.”

    Sushiro expects to ramp up its overseas sales to approximately 10% of total sales in fiscal 2021 by next September with the establishment of new restaurants in China and Thailand.

    The Japanese firm plans to set up 24 to 28 restaurants abroad during fiscal 2021.

    Meanwhile, the chain will slow down its expansion in the home market.

    Several Japanese sushi chains have been under pressure to focus on their growth in foreign markets due to the country’s rapidly ageing population.

  • Japanese franchise Kura Sushi to launch in China

    Japanese franchise Kura Sushi to launch in China

    Japanese restaurant franchise Kura Sushi is launching in its third overseas market, China.

    The brand has already enjoyed some success in the US and Taiwan, and is now set to open its first Chinese mainland location in Shanghai. Ten further locations are planned for the territory later this year.

    According to a Nikkei report, the firm’s current strategy is to “double its revenues outside Japan to ¥300 billion (about US$2.7 billion) in 2030 by increasing its total number of outlets worldwide to 1000”.

    The move coincides with Kura Sushi’s launch of its global flagship in Tokyo, where it expects to serve 2000 people per day, including around 600 tourists.

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  • Kyoto Ichinoden has opened a high-end Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong

    Kyoto Ichinoden has opened a high-end Japanese restaurant in Hong Kong

    The new venue, Tominokoji Yamagishi, is part of the 90-year-old firm’s expansion plan in the local dining industry. Located in the prime Ocean Centre in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, it provides 15 seats for booking and serves fine Kyoto cuisine.

    “Kyoto Ichinoden was founded in 1927,” noted Kyoto Ichinoden HK president Jumpei Tanaka. “Our first Kyoto Ichinoden restaurant in Hong Kong was opened in May this year and we have been successful. To sustain the growth momentum, we wanted to open an even more high-end Japanese restaurant in the city to promote high-quality Kyoto cuisine in Hong Kong. As we have a very close relationship with the founder and chef of Tominokoji Yamagishi, who actually was our head chef for more than 10 years, we decided to bring his brand to the city.

    “Hong Kong people have a strong passion for Japanese food and always look for high-quality food and dining experiences,” he added. “It gives us a good reason to bring a Michelin-starred restaurant brand here. The city is also very strong in terms of logistics and transportation, ensuring efficient supplies of high-quality ingredients for our restaurants.”

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  • Sushi Sushi acquired by Odyssey

    Sushi Sushi acquired by Odyssey

    Sushi Sushi has announced an expansion into New South Wales, and New Zealand, alongside an agreement to sell a majority share to Odyssey Private Equity. Founder Anna Kasman said she is confident the business will continue to prosper under Odyssey, and that she is grateful to its dedicated and passionate team and franchise partners.

    The acquisition is expected to be finalised by the end of the month, while the New Zealand store will open in May, followed by New South Wales store openings later in the year.

    Sushi Sushi chief executive Scott Meneilly said the team was very proud of what they had achieved with the Japanese food market business, and are looking forward to working with Odyssey moving forward to grow the business, signalling that “2019 is set to be very exciting.”

    Meneilly had previously indicated that the brand had intended to grow into New South Wales during 2018, and had formed relationships with potential partners across Malaysia, the UK, the US and Dubai in the lead-up to an international expansion.

    “When you take a brand overseas, you’re relaunching it and you need to get the nuances right within those regions,” Meneilly said.

    “What worked in Australia won’t necessarily work overseas, you have to tailor it. It takes an incredible amount of focus and resources to get it right.”

    Odyssey partner Paul Readdy said that the acquisition was a great change to work with the experienced management team, with executives who have previously held positions in Boost Juice and Retail Zoo.

    “The growth in demand for sushi and Japanese inspired food more generally is being driven by consumers’ demand for healthy and convenient meals,” Readdy said.

    “We believe that Sushi Sushi’s commitment to innovation, consumer experience and quality food will continue to fuel the company’s growth.”

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  • Genki Sushi owner buying into rival

    Genki Sushi owner buying into rival

    hinmei, which owns Japanese restaurant chain Genki Sushi, will buy a one-third stake in bigger rival Sushiro Global Holdings from European private equity firm Permira.

    Permira has agreed to sell its stake in Sushiro Global, which it bought from Japanese private equity firm Unison Capital in 2012, to Shinmei.

    Permira, which paid about ¥80 billion (US$708.5 million) for Sushiro, boosted the value of the company by cutting costs on fish ingredients by using its global network.

    The market for Japan’s conveyor-belt sushi market is expected to grow by about 25 per cent to ¥625 billion this year from ¥500 billion in 2012, according to research firm Fuji Keizai.

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  • Give yourself a break with Japan’s limited-edition Kit Kat sushi

    Give yourself a break with Japan’s limited-edition Kit Kat sushi

    Kit Kat, trusty purveyor of cocoa-coated wafer bars, has swooped in with the break you never knew you craved: chocolate sushi.

    The unimaginable “sushi cut kits” debut Thursday at Tokyo’s first-ever street-facing Kit Kat specialty store, according to former Gawker property Kotaku and Japanese media. The treats reportedly come in three flavors: “Maguro” (tuna), “Uni” (sea urchin) and “Tamago” (egg).

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/nestlejapan/sets/72157677570905932

    Maguro consists of raspberry flavor Kit Kat on puffed rice.

    If those sound unpalatable, take heart: There’s no real fish involved. The “tuna” variety is actually raspberry-flavored Kit Kat on top of a white chocolate rice puff; “sea urchin” is Hokkaido melon and mascarpone cheese-flavored Kit Kat encased in seaweed; and “egg” is a pumpkin pudding-flavored delicacy, also wrapped in a thin band of seaweed.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/nestlejapan/sets/72157677570905932

    Tamago is pumpkin pudding-flavored.

    The sushi kit sets will retail for 3,000 yen (just over $26) at the so-called Japanese “Ginza shop” from Thursday to Saturday.

    Japan, evidently, has a thing for the shareable Nestle-produced confections: The country has sold more than 300 flavor varieties since the brand first went on sale there in 1973, per a 2015 report. And the candy’s name sounds fortuitously similar to the Japanese phrase “kitto katsu” — meaning “you will surely win.”

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/nestlejapan/sets/72157677570905932

    Uni features Hokkaido melon and mascarpone cheese-flavored Kit Kats.

    Chef Yasumasa Takagi, who whips up gourmet delectables for the Kit Kat Chocolatory in Tokyo, says, “The challenge is how to make something handmade out of an industrial brand.”

    “The KitKat has three perimeters: the chocolate, the wafer and the cream. The chocolate and cream are where we can be most creative,” he told the Telegraph. “For me, my goals are the same as in my work as a patissier. I want to surprise people, I want to make them happy and I want to somehow create an emotional reaction.”

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  • Sushi for W390 in Korea

    Sushi for W390 in Korea

    Korea’s retail giant Homeplus launched an expanded line of sushi, which will sell for 390 won (30 cents) each until April 6.

    Homeplus announced Wednesday that it built on their existing sushi line “Chef Sushi,” which was originally limited to 16 types, to 34 variations. These bite-sized delicacies include localized specialties such as tuna-mayonnaise and beef bulgogi sushi, which will cater to the tastes of children and customers who seek something other than seafood on their sushi rice.

    Homeplus’ Convenient Cooking Team manager Heo Na-young said, “We have seen a rise in demand for sushi at our branches due to the overall improvements in retail sushi qualities and the effects of recession.”

    Heo said Homeplus will continue to expand the selection of sushi provided by the retail shop to meet customers’ needs and wants. Chef Sushi will maintain an affordable price range after the promotional period ends.

    Homeplus also sells 8,900 won ($7.7) fried chickens.