Japanese food exports to India rose 40% in 2018

Mirai, a high-end new restaurant which offers the flavors of Korean and Japanese cuisines by fusing century-old flavors with contemporary food in Bandra, Mumbai.

The Yin and Yang affair, as its founders Saamir Chandnani and Rinchen Angchuk refer to it, is the delicate and straightforward Japanese cooking style that balances the strong and fiery Korean food.

The 1700-square-meter area was created at the subtle venue that will teleport the guests from Mumbai's backstreets to a Japanese prefecture or a Korean dong.

The menu features traditional cuisines from Japanese and Korean both. A live Korean BBQ hot pot experience is another option available to the visitors. Guests can prepare and personalize their meals using traditional tabletop grilling setups for premium meats and banchan (side dishes).

Mirai Masterchefs take charge at the stone and wood Omakase Counter and craft a personalized multi-course journey. “Japanese and Korean cuisines are the perfect companions to offer in a meal. Both rely on fermentation techniques, attention to seafood, seaweed, seasonal and fresh produce to kindle an umami of flavours, thanks to its close geographical proximity,” said Rinchen Angchuk, Founder, Mirai.

With its authentic Nikkei cuisine, Amaru, the city's newest dining attraction, is poised to transform the culinary scene. Amaru, which serves a distinctive fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, opens its doors on October 23 and is situated in the center of Bandra. This new culinary haven, which was envisioned by DJRS Hospitality's founders Srikar Shetty and Jeenanath Shetty in collaboration with Imran Majid, is set to enthrall Mumbai with an extraordinary dining experience that combines unique flavors and exquisite interiors that set the mood over the weekend.

Under the leadership of Peruvian chef Nicolas Mandeuno, the restaurant is solely focused on Nikkei cuisine, and its menu is a sophisticated curation that showcases the greatest aspects of both cuisines. The restaurant can accommodate 110 people and offers a variety of seating arrangements, including cozy couches, high tops, and low tables. While the 22-seat communal bar gives a vibrant location to sip cocktails and build relationships, two separate cabanas offer secluded getaways.

Commenting on the launch, DJRS Hospitality’s CEO Srikar Shetty and MD Jeenanath Shetty said, “More than just a restaurant, Amaru is an immersive experience that brings together the finest elements of food, design, and atmosphere. We wanted to introduce Mumbai to true Nikkei cuisine–a dynamic blend of Japanese and Peruvian traditions, offering a menu that surprises and delights with every dish. Our interiors reflect the same philosophy, blending natural materials like bamboo and wood to create a space that feels both refined and inviting. From vibrant performances that set the weekend vibe to intimate cabana spaces and a lively communal bar, every detail is designed to transport guests into a world where culinary art meets cultural expression. I believe Mumbai deserves experiences that push boundaries, and with Amaru, we aim to offer just that—a journey of flavours and moments that leave a lasting impression and leave you craving more.”

Chef Nicolas Mandeuno, Culinary Director said, “This menu brings Mumbai the opportunity to experience the world of Nikkei Cuisine in its most authentic fashion. Introducing flavours of both worlds, Peruvian and Japanese combined in perfect harmony; let us guide you through this culinary experience as you enter the world of Amaru.”

Chinese and Thai Cuisine restaurant chain, Berco’s is now bringing Japanese food delivery by the name of “Bento by EN” in Delhi and Gurgaon.

The newly launched Bento by EN has started operating their outlets in Munirka and Udyog Vihar with nutritious flavors and rapidly planning to expand throughout the world to deliver the essence of their Japanese cuisines.

“With over two decades of experience in the food and beverage sector and a strong presence in Japan we planned to team up with Kabir Advani, Operator of the most established food brand, Berco’s Chain of Restaurants to grow outlets in different cities across India. For your exquisite experience, we at Bento by EN bring the widest selection of savory to your doorstep, together with the greatest Japanese authenticity of Sushi,” shared SJB Singh Sandhar (Raji), President & Founder of the Seinan Group & Chain of Restaurants in Japan & Canada.

It offers a diverse selection of traditional Japanese cuisines, which encompasses all of the country's traditional food items while adhering to all of the major Covid-19 criteria, which are governed by the food ministry and have sterile equipment and kitchens.

“It's fantastic cooperation for us to join hands with such a genuine restaurant range as Bento by EN, which provides all of the necessities in terms of taste or customer pleasure in the food market. This restaurant offers a unique and exclusive Japanese menu designed specifically for sushi enthusiasts; it is the finest place to go for the best sushi experience,” added Kabir Advani, Managing Director of Berco's Chain who owns and operates 40 restaurants with 40 years of service.

Bento is a well-known crafted restaurant that serves sushi, fragrant ramen, and much more to tantalize the taste buds and is much forward in maintaining the important norms like fully sanitized kitchens and doing regular temperature checks in small intervals.

The Japanese meals are available on delivery apps like Zomato, Swiggy and Dineout.

Coco Ichibanya, the world's largest chain of Japanese-style curry restaurants, has formed a new joint venture with Mitsui & Co to foray into the Indian market.

Mitsui has a stake of 60% in the joint venture and will handle everything from managing the business to finding franchisees to expand, while Ichibanya will take care of store operations and product development.

Mitsui and Ichibanya are aiming to launch 30 restaurants in New Delhi, India, in the first 10 years.

Mamoru Kuzuhara, the President of Ichibanya, said, “There was something lacking in not having restaurants in the birthplace of curry. We want to introduce our comfort food, the one that developed in our culture, for Indian customers to try.”

Both partners are looking at sourcing Japanese rice within India and use a vegetarian-friendly curry sauce that contains no animal fat.

“I tried the India-grown japonica rice. It was all right, but it did taste a bit different,” Kuzuhara further stated.

Ichibanya has 1,264 outlets of its famous chain in Japan. It has another 180 restaurants scattered through the US, UK, China, and South East Asia.

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Since its inception in 2011, ‘Sushi and More’ has made a mark in the hearts of Mumbaikars by offering fresh and delicious Japanese food. Sushi and More launched a new kiosk at The Café by Foodhall at Mumbai’s Linking Road.

Established with a vision to introduce the real flavors of this popular cuisine with quality, authentic ingredients and affordability, the food-brand has been the pioneer of introducing Japanese cuisine in India.

Director of Sushi and More, Anuj Jodhani says, “Sushi and More as a concept was born with the idea of making Japanese food more accessible and the Japanese menu at The Café by Foodhall is designed to get consumers to enjoy Japanese cuisine more often.”

“We are very excited about this new association with Foodhall and look forward to bringing Japan closer to India, one Sushi at a time!” he adds.

From being the first casual Japanese takeout and home delivery food service to catering to large scale catering events, Sushi and More serves more than 500,000 Sushi pieces each year.

Speaking about the association with Sushi and More, COO at Foodhall, Jay Jhaveri says, “Foodhall and Sushi and More have a long association since the first Foodhall store in Palladium. We are really excited to collaborate again for the biggest Foodhall in the country. The Japanese menu by Sushi and More at The Café by Foodhall has already received a great response from the customers.”

Japanese food processing major ISE Foods has planned to set up a processing unit near Siddipet in Telangana soon, the state government said today.

The Telangana government has "handed over all the required allotments and incentives details" to the Chairman of ISE Foods Nobuhiko ISE at a meeting held in Hyderabad today, it said in a release.

A MoU with ISE foods was inked during state Industries Minister KT Rama Rao's visit to Japan in January this year. Rao outlined the focus sectors of the state government.

It said the state government would extend all possible assistance to Japanese investors willing to invest in Telangana.

Foodhall, which has created a niche for organising various fests and gourmet food fests, is bringing together the diverse and authentic flavours from the Far East in its ongoing Oriental Food Festival.

The festival will be serving delicacies from around the oriental world, including Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and South Korean dishes.

Foodhall, an initiative of Future Group promises food connoisseurs a culinary expedition, rustling up favourites like sesame soba noodles, Thai spring rolls served with sweet chilli sauce and sauteed greens in basil and chilli sauce.

The fest will also present an extensive range of dips and sauces like red Thai curry paste, green Thai curry paste, khao suey paste and Japanese mayonnaise.

Offering more to the taste buds of customers is the Foodhall's cafe menu - red Thai curry with jasmine rice, tofu satay with peanut sauce and chicken satay with peanut sauce.

Apart from an extravagant culinary presentation, Foodhall also offers all the essential herbs, spices and necessary ingredients required to prepare the Oriental dishes.

The bakery section has new items like kaffir lime, jasmine tea panna cotta and toasted sesame and mango pudding.

The Oriental Food Festival is going in all three Foodhall outlets till July 5th.