Dubai-based Japanese restaurant chain Sumo Sushi & Bento to venture into India

CoCo ICHIBANYA, the Japanese curry restaurant chain globally, is delighted to declare the inauguration of its third branch in India, situated at M3M IFC in Gurugram.

This latest expansion means that CoCo ICHIBANYA has established itself on the global stage, with a remarkable network of more than 1400 establishments spanning 13 diverse countries and regions.

CoCo ICHIBANYA is committed to transforming India's food and beverage sector by bringing a complete Japanese dining encounter focused on delectable, genuine curries and an extensive range of Japanese treats.

The new CoCo ICHIBANYA establishment presents an authentic Japanese dining experience, featuring an array of Soups, Salads, Starters, Curries, Udon, Ramen, beverages, and desserts.

“The name "Ichibanya," meaning "number one" in Japanese, reflects our commitment to excellence in menu, services, and overall experience. This expansion aims to bring a taste of Japanese culture to the Indian palate, offering a delightful alternative for curry and spice enthusiasts seeking something beyond the ordinary.” said, Mr. Devesh Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer of CoCo ICHIBANYA.  

In Japan, curry embodies comfort food, ideally savored ladled over rice with garnishes.

At CoCo ICHIBANYA, diners have the freedom to customize their curry dishes by choosing from a captivating selection of toppings, spice levels, and portion sizes for Japanese sticky rice.

The menu caters to a wide range of preferences, including both non-vegetarian and vegetarian options, while maintaining high-quality global standards.

Notable offerings consist of Chicken Katsu Curry, Shrimp Katsu Curry, Chicken Momo Curry, Cheese Croquette Curry, Soupy Udon, Ramen, Chicken Basket, and Seafood Basket.

Additionally, there is a selection of Japanese-style toppings like cheese croquettes, Shrimp Katsu, Chicken Katsu, fried fish, and fried shrimp.

The CoCo ICHIBANYA team embraces the richness of Indian cuisine by introducing dishes like the Chicken Keema and Paratha Curry Set, infusing authentic Indian tastes with a Japanese influence.

In a show of respect for Indian culture they have substituted beef dishes with vegetarian, chicken, and seafood alternatives to accommodate diverse dietary choices.

Benihana, which entered India in 2013 by opening its first restaurant at Epicuria Mall, Nehru Place, Delhi, is all set to expand its wings in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.

The Japanese restaurant chain is also looking at expanding at other cities of India by setting outlet there.

“We do have gradual plans for prime cities. Mumbai and Bengaluru are our first choice for expansion. We will add further units in other cities too. The fiscal year 2014 had many new challenges and created many competitive forces which showed many new strategies. Running units in the paradigm of such situations was a constructive R&D (Research and Development) for many brands and indeed, India is a very competitive market. Presently we have our first unit running in New Delhi on JV (Joint Venture),” confirmed Spokes Person for Benihana India.

Benihana, the US based Japanese steakhouse and Sushi restaurant chain, was founded by Rocky “Hiroaki” Aoki. He opened the first Benihana restaurant in 1964 in New York City.

Rocky is considered to be a pioneer of “Teppan-yaki” dining, wherein diners relish the concept of live cooking by chefs in front of them. Presently, Benihana has its company owned and franchise restaurants running across the globe.