Food & Beverage

Nestle's plant-based burger was praised by French authorities for its nutrients. (Photo by Rintaro Hosokawa)
Food & Beverage

China feeds Nestle's global ambitions in plant-based meat

World's top food company puts heat on smaller rivals in key Asian market

31 July 2020
Partnership with Citic is the most high-profile symbol of Itochu's commitment to the Chinese market.(Source photo by Reuters) 
Companies

Itochu finds hope in alliance with China's Citic in apparel

Japan trader still faces challenges in FamilyMart-branded retail operations

30 July 2020
U.S. burger chain McDonald's will reduce its interest in the Japanese unit while maintaining veto power over special resolutions.
Food & Beverage

McDonald's to draw down stake in Japanese unit to 35%

US fast-food giant grants strong-performing Japan business greater independence

29 July 2020
A takeout ramen dish offered by Kura Sushi, which has developed a gelatinous broth that turns liquid when warmed up in a microwave.
Food & Beverage

Ramen rethink: COVID-19 pushes Japan eateries to innovate

Sushi chain creates ingenious broth to draw takeout customers for noodle dishes

26 July 2020
A worker processes coconuts at a Chaokoh plant in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand. U.S. accelerator Plug and Play Asia Pacific looks to improve the Thai food supply chain.
DealStreetAsia

US incubator forges Thailand's food and agtech value chain

Plug and Play to link startups and investors for 'farm to table' ecosystem

26 July 2020
A street vendor sells lychee in Hanoi. June is the peak season for the tropical fruit. (Photo by Atsushi Tomiyama)
Agriculture

Lychee land Vietnam savors first taste of Japan market

World's No. 2 exporter commands big premium at supermarkets

26 July 2020
One of the large dining rooms at Ukiyo, a ryotei, or high-end Japanese restaurant that also provides entertainment, in Niigata Prefecture. (Courtesy of Ukiyo)
Life

'Kaiseki' cuisine slips down Japan's post-pandemic menu

As restaurants close, acclaimed culinary tradition faces radical changes

25 July 2020
A Minor International resort in Malaysia: The Bangkok-based company said 370 of its 535 hotels globally are open at present. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Travel & Leisure

Minor International to reopen 90% of its hotels by September

Thai chain in $793m capital drive to bolster balance sheet amid pandemic

24 July 2020
One of Fruitfull's virtual dining events in full swing. The dishes were developed by Michelin-starred chefs, including Garima Arora of Bangkok's Gaa. (Courtesy of Fruitfull) 
Life

COVID-19 inspires chefs to create virtual dinners and remote cocktails

From tasting menus in Bangkok to wine pairing in Tokyo, coronavirus spurs innovation

24 July 2020
Tokyo Olympic unease is spreading as hoteliers go unpaid and official sponsors wonder if there is any benefit to paying to extend their deals for another year.
The Big Story

Olympics postponement leaves Tokyo 2020 sponsors in the dark

Uncertainty over how or if the games will be held leaves partners in limbo

22 July 2020
The Malaysian stock exchange has not had any new listings since March 23 and will have to wait until next year to see Loob.
DealStreetAsia

Malaysian bubble tea chain postpones IPO due to COVID

Loob CEO says company to remain private until 'mid-next year or later'

20 July 2020
If restaurant customers tap their smartphone on “me&u,” a disk-shaped device about 8cm in diameter and visible at the top right of the pictured table, a digital menu appears on the smartphone screen. The device is likely to expand its footprint in Australia on coronavirus fears. (Photo courtesy of me&u)
Business trends

More Australia restaurant-goers get a taste of digital menus

Using smartphones to order and pay gain popularity on coronavirus fears

18 July 2020
Siam Commercial Bank aims to bring 50,000 restaurants on board to its app by the end of the year. (Photo courtesy of Siam Commercial Bank)
Companies

Thailand's oldest bank hits back at Grab entering food delivery

Siam Commercial flips the script on ride-hailers with no-fee app

18 July 2020
A number of Burger King outlets in China's eastern Jiangxi Province have been shut after consumer affairs program "315 Night Show" accused the fast-food chain of serving expired products.
Food & Beverage

Burger King shops in China close following state-run TV expose

US fast-food chain apologizes after accusations it served expired food

17 July 2020
Suntory is targeting health-conscious millennials with its All-Free nonalcoholic beer. 
Food & Beverage

Suntory enters US beer market with alcohol-free brew

Japanese distiller plays catch-up with Anheuser-Busch InBev and Heineken

17 July 2020
Xuexi Xiaozu criticized Kweichow Moutai in relation to scandals involving its former chairman and heated speculation on its sorghum-based liquor.
Food & Beverage

Kweichow Moutai shares spill after Chinese state media attack

Liquor distiller's fall of 7.9% weighs down Shanghai market

16 July 2020
Each generation gets its own distinct taste and color in a new lineup of beer from NEC. (Photo courtesy of NEC)
Food & Beverage

AI-brewed beer? NEC concocts a style for your generation

Millennial brew is sour and bitter while 50-somethings offered strong drink

16 July 2020
A durian party in Singapore in 2018. The spiky fruit is a celebrated summer delicacy in parts of Southeast Asia, with flavors that can range from creamy custard to bitter, boozy liquor. (Courtesy of 99 Old Trees)
Life

Southeast Asia celebrates durian at parties, festivals and buffets

Despite poor reputation in Western media, fruit pleases palates across region

15 July 2020
Thailand's Central Restaurants, which runs more than 1,000 fast-food outlets, is expanding its delivery services by setting up "cloud kitchens" across the country.
Food & Beverage

Thai fast-food chain operator to open 100 'cloud kitchens' by 2024

Central Restaurants aims to take large slice of $1.1bn food delivery market

14 July 2020
Denmark-based salmon farmer Danish Salmon, owned by Japanese trading house Marubeni and fisheries company Nippon Suisan, annually produces 1,000 tons of Atlantic salmon. (Photo courtesy of Marubeni)
Fisheries

Asian taste for salmon spurs land-based farms, exciting investors

Companies in Japan and Singapore seek profit in environmentally friendly method

13 July 2020
The market capitalization of Tesla has become larger than that of Toyota Motor in July. (Source photos by Reuters and Kyodo)
Datawatch

Pandemic rocks market cap rankings in largest shake-up since 2008

Digitalization and decarbonization lead investors as new normal emerges

12 July 2020
An alternative meat product sold by Japanese food company Marukome. Sales in May of its soybean-based meat substitutes rose 96% above the company's target. (Photo courtesy of Marukome)
Food & Beverage

Coronavirus accelerates demand in Asia for plant-based meat

Marukome and other companies seize opportunities on health and safety concerns

12 July 2020
Businesses are shedding empty office space as employees continue to work from home. (Photo by Mamoru Yago)
Business trends

Japan Inc says goodbye downtown, hello suburbs in post-pandemic era

Central Tokyo sees largest vacancy rate increase in a decade

11 July 2020
Kara Sushi buyers can assess the quality of tuna remotely using the Tuna Scope smartphone app.(Source photo by Reuters, Kura Sushi)
Food & Beverage

Japan sushi chain uses AI app to select tastier tuna

Amid COVID-19, buyers can screen for quality without visiting processors

11 July 2020
An Itadori Tokyo noodle shop (left) and  Hotel WBF: Operators of both establishments were among the 780 companies that filed for bankruptcy in June.
Business trends

Business failures in Japan hit monthly high of 780 in June

Coronavirus proves especially detrimental to travel and restaurant industries

10 July 2020