“Manma” (Headquarters: Shinjuku), operated by Kobongo Co., Ltd., will open on August 20 on Rue Sainte-Anne, the heart of Japanese cuisine in Paris.
“Mamma” (Headquarters: Kobongo Co., Ltd.; CEO: Shingo Hashimoto), whose flagship store is located at the Shinjuku 3-chome intersection next to Shinjuku Isetan, will open its first overseas location on Rue Sainte-Anne—the mecca of Japanese cuisine in Paris—with the support of Assentia Holdings Co., Ltd. (CEO: Akira Tsuchiya).
Rather than a retail store that sells pre-made onigiri, this will be a restaurant-style outlet where staff prepare each rice ball on the spot using one of 20 different fillings upon order and serve them directly from the counter. The store will offer dine-in, takeout, and delivery options.
The first store will serve as the flagship location, and the company plans to expand its network by recruiting franchisees in Paris and throughout France.
[Image] Manma Paris Branch: Rendering of the Planned Store
The onigiri boom in Paris was sparked by “Omusubi Gonbei,” and in the blink of an eye, specialty onigiri shops sprang up all over the city. Most of these shops, like Gonbei, operate on a model of preparing food in advance for retail sale.
In contrast, the Japanese onigiri boom was driven by “Bongo” in Otsuka, Tokyo, which featured a style centered on handmade, freshly made onigiri served at the counter, with a selection of up to 50 different fillings.
This new “Manma” is precisely this kind of onigiri restaurant, and it is set to shake up Paris’s onigiri culture.
Address: 58 Rue Sainte-Anne, 75002 Paris, France
Opening: Scheduled for August 20
Store Size: Approx. 50 m², 21 seats (including 15 counter seats)
Business Model: A combination of dine-in, takeout (made-to-order), takeout (pre-made), and delivery
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Carrying with me the skills and passion I’ve cultivated in Japan, I’m embarking on a new challenge in Paris. Through each and every rice ball, I hope to share the warmth and Japanese culinary culture with as many people as possible. We will grow step by step, aiming to become a shop beloved by the local community.
More information＞＞ https://fc.assentia-hd.com/mamma