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▼ Japan Restaurants Turn To Cheaper, Imported Rice
- Category:Other
Japanese restaurants are reacting to spiraling prices for domestic rice by embracing cheaper imports instead.
The Japanese government imports about 770,000 tons of tariff-free rice a year from countries such as the US and Thailand. It sells some of that to the private sector.
Restaurant operator Colowide recently started using Californian rice at some outlets at three of its chains, which include Korean barbecue and shabu-shabu hotpot places.
Officials say that by adjusting the amount of water used in the steaming process, they can achieve a similar taste and texture to domestic rice.
They say incorporating cheaper imports will make it easier to keep the business running as it is, given the uncertain outlook for domestic rice prices.
The firm says it will continue to use locally-grown rice at its Japanese set-meal and sushi chains.
Two major beef-bowl chains are taking similar steps.
Matsuya says it's using imported rice and Yoshinoya says it's been mixing domestic and imported rice since last year.
The Japanese government imports about 770,000 tons of tariff-free rice a year from countries such as the US and Thailand. It sells some of that to the private sector.
Restaurant operator Colowide recently started using Californian rice at some outlets at three of its chains, which include Korean barbecue and shabu-shabu hotpot places.
Officials say that by adjusting the amount of water used in the steaming process, they can achieve a similar taste and texture to domestic rice.
They say incorporating cheaper imports will make it easier to keep the business running as it is, given the uncertain outlook for domestic rice prices.
The firm says it will continue to use locally-grown rice at its Japanese set-meal and sushi chains.
Two major beef-bowl chains are taking similar steps.
Matsuya says it's using imported rice and Yoshinoya says it's been mixing domestic and imported rice since last year.
- 18/2 18:43
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