Aji Ichiban

Aji Ichiban (Chinese: 優の良品) is one of the largest snack food franchises in Hong Kong, established in 1993 by Lai Chan Yuk Hing and Lai Hin Tai, which was the president and managing director, respectively. Despite having a hiragana syllabary no (の) in its name, Aji Ichiban is not a Japanese franchise. There are over 90 international locations in varying international destinations.[1]

Aji Ichiban
An outlet in a Hong Kong MTR station
Chinese優の良品 (優之良品)

Product

Items sold vary by location and encompass a wide range of flavors from both East Asian, Japanese and American cuisines, including beef jerky, dried apricots, Skittles, chocolates, nonpareils, spicy dried fish, plum tablets, chili olives, fried and shredded squid, shrimp crackers, hot dog and hamburger shaped gummy candies, wasabi peas, etc.[2] In addition to providing products based on gustatory appeal, many Aji Ichiban shops carry items that have ties to traditional Eastern remedies.[3] The stores have small bowls of samples for most of the snack items - mainly dried fruit and seafood preparations - so that customers can taste the snacks before they buy them.[4] The snacks are purchased by taking a bag and filling it up with food from the various stations, according to the cost. It is then weighed and you pay accordingly.[5]

International locations

Canada

In Canada, Aji Ichiban has a store in Parker Place, an Asian shopping mall in Richmond, a suburb of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.[6] (now closed)

Philippines

In the Philippines, Aji Ichiban has several outlet-sized stores, most of which are in shopping malls.

Makati City

Mandaluyong City

Manila City

Pasay City

Quezon City

San Juan City

United States

In the United States, Aji Ichiban USA was founded in 2000 as an exclusive franchise, with several stores located throughout the United States. Many Chinese political leaders paid visits to these locations. However, as of 2013, most of the locations have been closed.[7]

California

Illinois

Hawaii

Maryland

Massachusetts

New York

Pennsylvania

Texas

See also

References
  1. "Shopping, Dining & Entertainment - Shopping - T1 - Packaged Food - Hong Kong International Airport". Hongkongairport.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  2. Lee, Jennifer 8. (2006-01-27), "In Chinatowns, All Sojourners Can Feel Hua". The New York Times, .
  3. Christy Liu (2004-01-30). "HONG KONG ADWATCH: Aji Ichiban lives up to its name among Hong Kong viewers - Brand Republic News". Brandrepublic.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  4. Aji Ichiban. "Aji Ichiban Japanese Steak House - Cincinnati, OH". M.timesonline.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  5. "Ichiban shop: Internet speed out of traditional enterprise - News". Wantinews.com. 2014-02-25. Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  6. Opening hours. "Aji Ichiban". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
  7. Food Manufacturers of Hong Kong: Beverage Companies of Hong Kong, Lee Kum ... - General Books LLC. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
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