CEBU-BASED Dotonbori Group, managed by Yohei Maruyama and Manilyn Mar, is set to hire an additional 40 employees for its forthcoming branches of Dotonbori Ramen, soon to debut in Ayala Center Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu.
This expansion reflects the owners’ confidence and optimism in Cebu’s burgeoning local economy, bolstered by the resurgent and revenge spending of Cebuano patrons in the food and beverage sector.
Maruyama, who has called Cebu home for the past 13 years, views the city as an opportune ground for investors like him to introduce the Japanese culture to Cebuanos through food.
Prior to venturing into the food business, the owners used to operate three English as Second Language campuses primarily catering to the Japanese market.
The business was halted when Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, abruptly halting global travel and bringing all business activities to a standstill.
Amid the gloomy and uncertain business environment, food remained the booming sector.
“Food was one of those that remained profitable at the height of the pandemic. It was one of the sectors that continued to operate with lesser restrictions and we saw that as an opportunity to venture into food,” said Mar, adding that Maruyama’s craving to eat authentic Japanese food in Cebu was also another reason.
Maruyama’s family in Japan has been in the food business for 30 years.
He said he intends to replicate the success of his family’s venture in Cebu banking on the city’s brisk dining business landscape.
Dotonbori Ramen opened its first branch in Streetscape Mall in 2022. Due to positive market feedback, Maruyama announced that two more Dotonbori Ramen branches are set to open this year in Ayala Center Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu.
“It really is an exciting time to do business after the pandemic. The positive vibe is there—business owners want to get back in business and there’s revenge spending just everywhere,” said Mar.
Following the success of Dotonbori Ramen in Streetscapes, Maruyama and Mar further elevated Cebu’s dining scene by introducing a specialty restaurant called Wagyu Chibori that offers A5 Miyazaki Beef dining experience.
Beyond merely satisfying Maruyama and his Japanese friends’ cravings for home, Maruyama said this new dining establishment intends to enhance Cebu’s already vibrant culinary scene, which is being well received by both local and foreign tourists.
Wagyu Chibori serves the world-renowned A5 Miyazaki Beef, known for its “exceptional marbling, tender texture, and melt-in-your-mouth flavor.”
A5 Miyazaki Beef is the champion in Japan’s so-called Wagyu Olympics and won the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence for four consecutive times, making them the highest-rated, best beef in Japan for 20 years straight.
“We believe that there’s a big steak market in Cebu,” said Mar.
She added that Cebuanos, coming from the pandemic, have emerged to become more sophisticated, especially when it comes to dining, and are spending with a vengeance on high-end dining, particularly on dishes that are meticulously prepared.
“And when they miss traveling, they look for dishes that remind them of that destination. And we all know how popular Japan is among Filipino travelers,” she said.
The wagyu served at the restaurant is prepared in various ways including the popular sukiyaki.
After Cebu, the owners plan to bring this concept to Manila. (KOC)