Interview of Supporter Stores Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori

Based in Los Angeles, California, USA, Shin-Sen-Gumi is a restaurant group offering a diverse range of Japanese cuisine, including ramen, yakitori, and shabu-shabu (Japanese style hot pot). They currently operate 15 locations primarily across California. Since its founding, Shin-Sen-Gumi has prioritized bringing authentic Japanese tastes and food culture from Japan to America.

Their most popular and signature menu items are tonkotsu ramen and yakitori. Rather than catering to local preferences, Shin-Sen-Gumi is committed to serving the authentic flavors that Japanese people themselves find delicious. When Shin-Sen-gumi first started offering authentic tonkotsu ramen, some competitors believed that it would not be accepted in the U.S. due to religious reasons (pork-based broth) and cultural differences. However, by continuing to confidently serve tonkotsu ramen, it has now become well-established in the American market. This unwavering commitment to conveying the genuine tastes and culture of Japan is the core focus of Shin-Sen-Gumi.

A key part of making their most popular dishes is using a variety of Japanese ingredients. To make the ramen broth, Japanese seasonings and dashi are used. Wagyu beef is sourced from Kagoshima and Miyazaki, showing a strong commitment to quality. Their Wagyu beef is very popular with customers, who often come back to order it again.

To guarantee authentic Japanese tastes, Shin-Sen-Gumi sources Japanese ingredients from local distributors that can't be replaced with ingredients from the US. President Kamiya says, "We want to make really delicious food," and they always put taste and trust first. This dedication transforms their restaurants from just places to eat to important centers for promoting the appeal of Japanese food in the US. Japanese ingredients are often more expensive than US-made ingredients, but they mitigate these expenses by reducing costs for other supplies, like paper napkins. This allows them to consistently prioritize using higher-quality Japanese ingredients in the places that matter most. These daily, exacting adjustments are key to overcoming the challenge of balancing both taste and price.

Shin-Sen-Gumi always makes sure their food is delicious. One time, when they weren't satisfied with the taste of their ramen soup, they closed the restaurant for two weeks to work on making it better. During that time, some regular customers said they were disappointed, but the restaurant's attitude of "not serving what can't be served" won them over. A regular customer's words were the most encouraging. This customer had always given harsh advice. He agreed, "You made a good decision to close the restaurant." Even though the decision had a negative impact on business revenue, the decision of being honest with Shin-Sen-Gumi’s customers was more important. This is the reason why long-term positive relationships with customers who love the product are developed. Restaurant management that focuses on quality and trust is a valuable asset that helps spread the value of Japanese food culture.

Shin-Sen-Gumi’s locations are where customers can experience unique Japanese food culture through Japanese-style hospitality. The lively Japanese greetings, like "Irasshaimase" (welcome) and "Oaiso" (check, please), that staff members use in the restaurant have become a normal part of the experience for both American customers and employees. This helps them better understand Japanese culture. They are also planning to start a new business. They want to deliver healthy Japanese food to people who are elderly and to households. Shin-Sen-Gumi wants to grow its franchise by sharing Japanese ingredients and culture around the world. Shin-Sen-Gumi will work with local communities to support consumption of Japanese ingredients.