Our Saba Ramen Shoyu and Saba Ramen Miso are made with traditional mackerel stock from a true specialist called Iwasei. The Japanese family business was founded in 1832 and has grown into a leading supplier of mackerel products. Today, sisters Tomoko and Yoko Iwasaki are at the helm of this highly respected Hokkai Friend.

Ancestors

“One hundred and ninety years ago, there were no refrigerators,” says Tomoko Iwasaki, the elder of the two sisters. “Our ancestors had to deliver the fish fresh to customers and restaurants the same day it was caught. The world has changed over the years, but we still strive to deliver our products in the best possible way. Our Saba Ramen is specially designed to spread the authentic Japanese noodles and the natural umami of mackerel around the world.”

The mackerel, which gives the Saba Ramen and its broth its flavor, is bought fresh from the local port of Honmanchi, three hours south of Tokyo. At the Iwasei factory, the mackerel is sorted by hand and carefully processed into the broth over several days. The noodles of Saba Ramen are made by a trusted partner with whom they have worked for many years. They are packed together with the soup and exported to Europe as Saba Ramen: a unique and nutritious product with a deep flavour.

Connecting continents

Yoko Iwasaki is proud that her family’s noodles are being eaten in Europe. “We hope our ramen makes people happy and that they enjoy it. We want to build a bridge between two continents through food, and Hokkai Suisan plays a big role in this. Mr. Noordenbos has deep knowledge of Japanese culture and leadership in the international fish trade. As a deserved Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador, he has made it possible for us to share our products with people across Europe. We are extremely grateful to him for that.”

Tradition and innovation

Iwasei has won several awards over the years for their mackerel products. They provide the best quality ingredients by adhering to strict standards, such as monitoring the temperature in the warehouse and minimizing the use of additives. “We are delighted that our products are appreciated and continue to work hard to make every customer happy.”