Hotto Motto's 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice' Win Triple Crown at Three Food Awards
Key facts
- Hotto Motto's 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice' Win Triple Crown at Three Food Awards
- Plenus Co., Ltd., operator of the takeout bento chain 'Hotto Motto,' announced that its flagship products 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice' have won top honors at three major food awards: the 2025 FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD, the 2025 Japan Food Selection, and the 2026 Monde Selection. Notably, this marks the first time a bento product has received the highest '3-Star' rating at the FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD in Japan.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 3, 2026
Direct answer
Plenus Co., Ltd., operator of the takeout bento chain 'Hotto Motto,' announced that its flagship products 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice' have won top honors at three major food awards: the 2025 FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD, the 2025 Japan Food Selection, and the 2026 Monde Selection. Notably, this marks the first time a bento product has received the highest '3-Star' rating at the FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD in Japan.
- Citation
- Hotto Motto's 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice' Win Triple Crown at Three Food Awards (June 3, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 3, 2026
Plenus Co., Ltd., operator of the takeout bento chain 'Hotto Motto,' announced that its flagship products 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice' have won top honors at three major food awards: the 2025 FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD, the 2025 Japan Food Selection, and the 2026 Monde Selection. Notably, this marks the first time a bento product has received the highest '3-Star' rating at the FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD in Japan.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 3, 2026 at 13:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 7, 2026 at 00:56 (83h 35m after Collected)
Plenus Co., Ltd. operates 2,421 'Hotto Motto' takeout bento stores as of the end of May 2026. Hotto Motto also distributes new product information on its official social media accounts (X and Instagram) using the hashtag #ほっともっと.
Hotto Motto's signature products, the 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice,' have received high praise at three food awards: the 2025 FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD, the 2025 Japan Food Selection, and the 2026 Monde Selection, achieving a 'triple crown.' Furthermore, at the FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD, the bento product achieved the highest '3-Star' rating for the first time in Japan.
This recognition highlights Hotto Motto's commitment to quality and rigorous quality control, which has supported the daily meals of many customers as a bento chain.
Hotto Motto's website details the dedication behind the award-winning 'Nori Bento' and 'Rice.'
▼Hotto Motto HP
https://www.hottomotto.com/lp/norikodawari/
■Awarded Products
【Nori Bento】
Hotto Motto's recommended Nori Bento: from 470 yen (tax included)
FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD: 3 Stars (Highest Award)
Japan Food Selection: Grand Prix (Highest Award)
Monde Selection: Gold Award
Beloved by many customers, the 'Nori Bento' series features rice topped with seasoned kelp and nori, a crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside white fish fry, and a hearty fish cake tempura. Each side dish is crafted with sincere dedication for an ideal flavor.
- Balances an affordable price with a satisfying meal
- Harmonious flavor of nori and white rice
- Consistent quality available nationwide
【Hotto Motto Rice】
Plain Rice (Medium): 200 yen (tax included)
FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD: 3 Stars (Highest Award)
Japan Food Selection: Grand Prix (Highest Award)
Monde Selection: Gold Award
Hotto Motto takes absolute pride in its fluffy, warm white rice. The rice used is 'Kinginmai' (a registered trademark of Toyo Rice Corporation). Kinginmai is a no-wash rice that has properties similar to brown rice while offering the taste of white rice. The company's unique milling, blending, and cooking methods ensure it pairs perfectly with any side dish, making it an indispensable part of the bento.
- Fluffy texture and sweetness
- Simple flavor that remains delicious even when cold
- High overall quality, truly worthy of being the star of the bento
■About the FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD
This is a competition where food professionals (holders of national qualifications related to food who have passed a taste test with a 5% pass rate) evaluate the quality of foods, beverages, and restaurant menus. The evaluation covers taste, appearance, cost performance, ingredients, concept, and originality. Products meeting the criteria receive a 1- to 3-star logo mark as a seal of approval from food professionals.
■About the Japan Food Selection
This is Japan's first full-fledged food and ingredient evaluation and certification system. Approximately 23,000 food analysts are involved in the evaluation, considering the delicate tastes, preferences, sensibilities, and food culture of the Japanese people. Food analysts are knowledgeable consumers with professional expertise in food information. They study a wide range of topics, from the structure of deliciousness to the history of chopsticks, seasonal ingredients, and table manners, and are certified after passing a rigorous exam. The evaluation committee, centered on these food information experts, goes through five stages: document review, questionnaire survey, first tasting, second tasting, and final tasting, to determine Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Encouragement Awards. This is an innovative product evaluation system that highly integrates consumer and expert perspectives.
■About Monde Selection
Monde Selection is an independent international quality institute founded in Belgium in 1961. Its mission is to evaluate products from around the world and award internationally recognized quality labels. Monde Selection is used by over 1,000 companies from more than 120 countries each year.
■Convenient and Affordable Online Ordering at Hotto Motto!
Hotto Motto's online ordering allows customers to place orders up to 6 days in advance and reserve platters and party menus. App coupons exclusively for online orders are also available.
・Online Order Site
URL: https://www.hottomotto.com/netorder/
*1 Some products, such as seasonal rice, are excluded.
*All prices include tax.
*Prices may vary by region.
*Product contents may differ at some stores.
*'Kinginmai' is a registered trademark of Toyo Rice Corporation.
FAQ
Which products won the triple crown?
The 'Nori Bento' and 'Hotto Motto Rice'.
Which awards did they win?
FOOD PROFESSIONAL AWARD, Japan Food Selection, and Monde Selection.
What is the price of the Nori Bento?
From 470 yen (tax included). Prices may vary by region.