Politics ASIA, BUSINESS TRAVEL, CHINA, CONSUMER BEHAVIOR, CONSUMER PROTECTION, COVID-19 IMPACT, EUROPE, FOOD INDUSTRY, FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI, HAM, HAMA SUSHI, JAPAN, KA, KAZUNARI MATSUDA, KURA SUSHI, MEXICO, NORTH AMERICA, SU, SUSHIRO, SWITZERLAND, ZURICH Nia Simpson March 13, 2025 0 Comments

Sushiro’s Rising Popularity in China Amid Seafood Import Challenges

Sushiro, a Japanese conveyor-belt sushi chain, has gained popularity in China despite a seafood import ban, drawing customers with its low prices. The chain saw long wait times at its outlets, opening new locations and adapting menus to use non-Japanese ingredients. Sushiro’s growth continues amid economic challenges, illustrating strong consumer demand for affordable sushi.

The Japanese conveyor-belt sushi chain, Sushiro, has garnered a substantial customer base in China despite Beijing’s total ban on Japanese seafood imports. The chain has attracted consumers with its affordable prices during an economic downturn, prompting some to queue for several hours to dine at its outlets.

Since the opening of its first store in Beijing in August 2022, which saw wait times exceeding ten hours, customers continue to experience long wait times, with reports indicating waits of up to eight hours on weekends. Recently, on January 29, patrons queued over three hours to access the newly opened fourth outlet in the capital, which commenced operations on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

A Beijing customer noted, “Many high-end Japanese restaurants have closed down amid an economic slump, but Sushiro has filled the void of market needs, offering sushi dishes at reasonable prices.” Due to the ongoing seafood import ban established in August 2023 over the release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Sushiro currently utilizes alternative non-Japanese ingredients in its offerings.

Sushiro’s presence in China has grown rapidly since launching its first outlet in Guangdong in 2021, expanding to a total of 49 restaurants by January this year. Kazunari Matsuda, a senior official at the local Sushiro unit, acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the seafood issue but expressed optimism about the positive reception the chain has received. The company is contemplating the addition of more locations across China.

Other Japanese conveyor-belt sushi chains, such as Hama Sushi and Kura Sushi, are also operational within China, contributing to a diversified market for sushi enthusiasts despite the constraints on seafood imports.

In conclusion, Sushiro’s successful expansion in China amidst the seafood import ban illustrates a strong consumer demand for affordable sushi options during economic challenges. Long wait times reflect the chain’s popularity and ability to fill the niche left by closing high-end restaurants. With ongoing plans for more outlets, Sushiro is firmly establishing itself in the competitive Chinese market, while also adapting to current supply chain constraints.

Original Source: english.kyodonews.net