(Company Registration No.: 200722314M) 420 North Bridge Road #02-01 North Bridge Centre Singapore 188727 Tel: (65) 6333 9781 Fax: (65) 6333 9782
PRESS RELEASE
Japan Foods Holding Ltd. opens its first Japanese-themed food court “Manpuku” at Tampines 1 shopping mall
o 10 different Japanese cuisines under one roof, including established brands like “Aoba” from Hokkaido and “Toku Toku” from Osaka
SINGAPORE, 10 April 2009 – Japan Foods Holding Ltd. (“Japan Foods” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), one of the leading Japanese restaurant chains in Singapore that serves quality and authentic Japanese fare under brands such as “Ajisen Ramen”, “Aji Tei”, “Botejyu”, “Hokkyokusei” and “Japanese Gourmet Town”, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its 13,000 square-feet Japanese-themed food court, named “Manpuku”or “满腹”, located at level 3 of the new Tampines 1 shopping mall.
“Manpuku” is Japan Foods’ first food court in Singapore that houses 10 different brands of Japanese cuisines under one roof, including well-known Japanese brands which are making their international foray into Singapore for the very first time. With more than 200 authentic and quality Japanese food items to choose from, consumers in Singapore can look forward to a kaleidoscope of epicurean experiences.
“We are very excited to open our first Japanese-themed food court in Singapore. “Manpuku” offers a fresh dining experience for the local mass market. For the first time, famous Japanese F&B brands that have been established for more than 50 years will be bringing their trade secrets to Singapore’s heartlands – and diners can find them all in one place in “Manpuku”,” explained Mr Takahashi Kenichi, the Executive Chairman and CEO of Japan Foods.
Japan Foods opens “Manpuku” Page 2 of 7
“What sets Manpuku apart is the fact that we carry well-known Japanese F&B brands which originated from and can only be found in Japan. Consumers can taste a slice of Japan right in Singapore, not only at affordable prices but also in a unique ‘restaurant mall’ concept. Food lovers can indulge in 10 different Japanese restaurant concepts in a single location. There is something for everyone here,” added Mr Kenichi.
Further details on “Manpuku” can be found in the Annex hereto.
About Japan Foods
Japan Foods is one of the leading Japanese restaurant chains in Singapore. The Group operates more than 20 restaurants under various brands, such as “Ajisen Ramen”, “Aji Tei”, “Botejyu”, “Hokkyokusei” and “Japanese Gourmet Town”. The Group also franchises the “Ajisen Ramen” and “Aji Tei” brands to sub-franchisees and franchisee in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Since its establishment in Singapore in 1997, the Group has successfully expanded its restaurant network of the “Ajisen Ramen” brand and has also created its own “Aji Tei” brand. The Group is focused on innovation and aims to continuously refresh the dining experience of its customers.
In April 2009, Japan Foods opened its first Japanese-themed food court at Tampines 1 with a wide range of food items under various Japanese brands under one roof – providing a fresh dining experience to the mass market in Singapore. New brands featured at this food court include “Aoba” from Hokkaido and “Toku Toku” from Osaka.
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Issued on behalf of Japan Foods Holding Ltd. by: August Consulting Pte Ltd Tel: (65) 6733 8873 Fax: (65) 6733 9913 CHIN May Nah – [email protected] Adeline SIM – [email protected]
This news release has been reviewed by CIMB-GK Securities Pte. Ltd. (the “Sponsor”). It has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this news release, including the Japan Foods opens “Manpuku” Page 3 of 7 correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this news release. The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms Tan Cher Ting, Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance, CIMB-GK Securities Pte. Ltd., at 50 Raffles Place, #19-00 Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623, Telephone: +65 6225 1228. Japan Foods opens “Manpuku” Page 4 of 7
ANNEX: ABOUT “MANPUKU” AND ITS OFFERINGS
About “Manpuku”
“Manpuku” means “full stomach” or “having eaten to one’s heart content” in Japanese. It epitomises Japan Food’s desire for everyone to feast on good food at reasonable prices, amidst a comfortable dining experience.
“Manpuku” offers a vibrant and lively dining environment that reflects the bustling food culture of Japan. Different thematic dining areas have been set up, according to the range of cuisines available – from hand-made udon and charcoal-grilled kushiyaki, to Japanese parfaits and traditional Japanese soup curry.
“Manpuku” is open from 11.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. daily and showcases 10 food stalls, namely:
1. “Aoba”
Established since 1947, “Aoba” first started out as a noodle stand in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, and gradually expanded to 15 shops in Japan. For more than 60 years, the owners of “Aoba” guarded their recipes carefully. This is the first time “Aoba”, which serves ramen generally with fish and seaweed from Japan, is available outside of Japan.
The Asahikawa Soy-sauce Ramen from “Aoba” uses no seasoning, but a blend of 12 natural ingredients derived from two soup bases. One of which is “Yama-no-Soup” or “Soup of Blessing from Mountains” that comprises pork and chicken bones; and the other “Umi-no-Soup” or “Soup of Blessing from Ocean” is cooked from Hokkaido kelp, dried bonito, dried small sardines, and various vegetables. Japan Foods opens “Manpuku” Page 5 of 7
2. “Asakusa Tei”
“Asakusa Tei” offers a fresh rendition of the popular Tonkatsu, a deep fried breaded pork cutlet. First created in the late 19th century, the Tonkatsu is a popular dish in Japan and usually served with shredded cabbage.
3. “Botejyu”
“Botejyu” had its origins since 1946 in the gourmet city of Tamade, Osaka. With over 40 outlets in Japan, “Botejyu” specialises in okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style pizza consisting of pan fried batter cake and various ingredients. “Bote” in Japanese means the action of flipping over an okonomiyaki with a spatula, while “jyu” is the sizzling sound of the okonomiyaki on the teppan grill.
4. “Fruit Paradise”
“Manpuku” also features a Japanese-themed fruit tart shop named “Fruit Paradise”. Experienced Japanese chefs will create different types of fruit tarts, including the Chocolate Banana, Orange and Grapefruit, Mango, Chestnut and Strawberry, Apple, Melon, Mixed Fruit, Chocolate Mint, Caramel Banana, Kiwi, Pear, Grape and Blueberry Japan Foods opens “Manpuku” Page 6 of 7 fruit tarts. The fruit tarts come with 3 kinds of base – custard cream, cheese cream and fresh cream.
5. “Hokkyokusei ”
The pioneer of Omurice since 1922 in Osaka, “Hokkyokusei” is the oldest food establishment to find its way to “Manpuku”. With more than 10 shops in Japan, “Hokkyokusei” created the original recipe of butter-flavoured fried rice wrapped in a fluffy egg wrap and topped with savory sauce, which has become a widespread favourite today.
6. “Kyoto Sabo”
“Kyoto Sabo” is famous for desserts such as the various parfait (macha, Black Sesame, Mango, Chocolate, Fruit), thick dessert toast (Red Bean, Chocolate, Honey) and warabi mochi (Kinako, Macha). This dessert bar also serves a variety of drinks including alcoholic beverages.
7. “Sesson Japanese Grill”
“Sesson Japanese Grill” serves unagi which is charbroiled before the customers, and features skewered items such as chicken, fresh scallops, pork with asparagus and pork belly served from the charcoal grill. This stall also serves traditional Japanese fare such as unagi don, grilled saba fish and teriyaki don. There is also a salad bar which serves more than 10 kinds of fresh and healthy dishes including the tuna and cucumber salad, potato salad, Japanese horse radish with seaweed salad, amongst others. Japan Foods opens “Manpuku” Page 7 of 7
8. “Toku Toku”
Established since 1947, “Toku Toku” signifies “gains” in Japanese. One of the most established brands of udon with over 100 shops all across Japan, the udon from “Toku Toku” can be enjoyed both hot and cold. One of the chain’s specialties is its Curry Udon which combines its udon with curry roux. “Toku Toku” is also recognised for its soup made from a mix of special soy concentrate with fish broth. “Oden” or “Japanese-style hotchpotch” boiled in kelp-based broth seasoned with soy sauce is also available.
9. “Sapporo Curry Yoshimi”
Founded by Katsuyama Yoshimi, a renowned celebrity chef in Japan, “Sapporo Curry Yoshimi” serves Japanese soup curry containing vegetables and meat. This recipe combines Asian curry with Hokkaido-grown potatoes, pumpkin, corn and asparagus.
10. “Kai”
“Kai” is a sushi stall serving authentic sashimi and sushi, using premium fish, meats and vegetables.