Osaka Ohsho's North American Debut! Flagship Store Opens in Los Angeles
EAT & MS USA INC., a joint venture between Mitsubishi Foods and Eat & Holdings, will open its first U.S. flagship store, 'OSAKA OHSHO GYOZA & TAPAS', in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, on May 8, 2026, featuring an experiential gyoza-centric dining model.
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Mitsubishi Foods Co., Ltd. (located in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kazuo Ito) and Eat & Holdings Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroyasu Nakada) have announced through their joint venture EAT & MS USA INC. (located in California, USA) the grand opening of 'OSAKA OHSHO GYOZA & TAPAS' on Friday, May 8, 2026. This marks Osaka Ohsho's first entry into the United States, located in the Sawtelle area of Los Angeles (commonly known as Little Osaka/Japantown).
The store is an experiential concept centered on 'GYOZA,' defined as a 'Nomiya' (Japanese gastro-pub) where you can eat gyoza that has evolved in America. It aims to serve as a hub for transmitting Japanese food culture and to expand the Osaka Ohsho brand globally.
### Strategic US Expansion through Joint Venture Synergy
EAT & MS USA INC. was established in October 2024 as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Foods and Eat & HD. Mitsubishi Foods brings its food infrastructure business foundation and expertise, actively promoting new functions and business domains. Meanwhile, the Eat & Group possesses product development and store operation capabilities cultivated over years through brands like Osaka Ohsho, with a high track record in Chinese-style restaurant formats, particularly gyoza, both in Japan and overseas. By fusing Mitsubishi Foods' comprehensive food distribution network with Eat & Group's restaurant expertise, the companies aim to establish competitive superiority in the US market.
Sawtelle is a prominent Los Angeles area where many Japanese restaurants congregate, known as one of the centers of Japanese food culture. It attracts many tourists seeking Japanese cuisine and is surrounded by residential areas with high local foot traffic, ensuring both tourist and local demand. This flagship store is not just a simple overseas branch but the first step in an experiential overseas expansion model. From this first store, the company plans to expand to other parts of California and eventually across the entire United States.
### Making GYOZA the Star
In the US, gyoza is often perceived as a side dish for ramen. Therefore, 'OSAKA OHSHO GYOZA & TAPAS' redefines GYOZA as the 'core of Japanese food culture' to establish the brand with GYOZA as the main character. The design integrates food, space, and service to provide unprecedented value.
Firstly, gyoza is made fresh in-house. After repeated trial and error to find the best gyoza for the US market, the menu features 30 varieties with vibrant toppings and innovative ways of eating. To enhance the overall experience, the brand is built on Japan's 'Eating & Drinking' (Tabenomi) culture. This led to the concept: 'A gastro-pub where you can eat gyoza that has evolved in America.'
Additionally, some menu items like 'Mapo Omelette Rice' include table-side cooking performances, turning the cooking process into entertainment. This ensures the visit is a 'memorable event' rather than just a meal. The beverage selection includes 40-50 types of beer, sake, wine, and shochu highballs, increasing the average customer spend through pairing suggestions. Visual impact is also reinforced with colorful plating and diverse glassware, aiming for spontaneous social media sharing on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
### Future Outlook for EAT & MS USA INC.
The restaurant industry faces challenges such as rising raw material costs and labor shortages. Overseas expansion also involves exchange rate risks and operational difficulties. However, capturing overseas markets is essential for sustainable growth. This opening is positioned as a medium-to-long-term global growth strategy focused on future multi-store expansion and brand penetration rather than short-term profits. By stabilizing local supply chains, expanding awareness through SNS, and creating buzz through collaborations, the brand aims for sustainable penetration in the US market.
### Store Overview
- Name: OSAKA OHSHO GYOZA & TAPAS
- Location: 2129 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The store is an experiential concept centered on 'GYOZA,' defined as a 'Nomiya' (Japanese gastro-pub) where you can eat gyoza that has evolved in America. It aims to serve as a hub for transmitting Japanese food culture and to expand the Osaka Ohsho brand globally.
### Strategic US Expansion through Joint Venture Synergy
EAT & MS USA INC. was established in October 2024 as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Foods and Eat & HD. Mitsubishi Foods brings its food infrastructure business foundation and expertise, actively promoting new functions and business domains. Meanwhile, the Eat & Group possesses product development and store operation capabilities cultivated over years through brands like Osaka Ohsho, with a high track record in Chinese-style restaurant formats, particularly gyoza, both in Japan and overseas. By fusing Mitsubishi Foods' comprehensive food distribution network with Eat & Group's restaurant expertise, the companies aim to establish competitive superiority in the US market.
Sawtelle is a prominent Los Angeles area where many Japanese restaurants congregate, known as one of the centers of Japanese food culture. It attracts many tourists seeking Japanese cuisine and is surrounded by residential areas with high local foot traffic, ensuring both tourist and local demand. This flagship store is not just a simple overseas branch but the first step in an experiential overseas expansion model. From this first store, the company plans to expand to other parts of California and eventually across the entire United States.
### Making GYOZA the Star
In the US, gyoza is often perceived as a side dish for ramen. Therefore, 'OSAKA OHSHO GYOZA & TAPAS' redefines GYOZA as the 'core of Japanese food culture' to establish the brand with GYOZA as the main character. The design integrates food, space, and service to provide unprecedented value.
Firstly, gyoza is made fresh in-house. After repeated trial and error to find the best gyoza for the US market, the menu features 30 varieties with vibrant toppings and innovative ways of eating. To enhance the overall experience, the brand is built on Japan's 'Eating & Drinking' (Tabenomi) culture. This led to the concept: 'A gastro-pub where you can eat gyoza that has evolved in America.'
Additionally, some menu items like 'Mapo Omelette Rice' include table-side cooking performances, turning the cooking process into entertainment. This ensures the visit is a 'memorable event' rather than just a meal. The beverage selection includes 40-50 types of beer, sake, wine, and shochu highballs, increasing the average customer spend through pairing suggestions. Visual impact is also reinforced with colorful plating and diverse glassware, aiming for spontaneous social media sharing on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
### Future Outlook for EAT & MS USA INC.
The restaurant industry faces challenges such as rising raw material costs and labor shortages. Overseas expansion also involves exchange rate risks and operational difficulties. However, capturing overseas markets is essential for sustainable growth. This opening is positioned as a medium-to-long-term global growth strategy focused on future multi-store expansion and brand penetration rather than short-term profits. By stabilizing local supply chains, expanding awareness through SNS, and creating buzz through collaborations, the brand aims for sustainable penetration in the US market.
### Store Overview
- Name: OSAKA OHSHO GYOZA & TAPAS
- Location: 2129 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA