Aji Ichiban (Chinese: 優の良品) was one of the largest snack food franchises in Hong Kong, established in 1993 by Lai Chan Yuk Hing and Lai Hin Tai, who were the president and managing director, respectively. Despite having a hiragana syllabary no (の) in its name, Aji Ichiban was not a Japanese franchise. There were 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
editItems 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 had small bowls of samples for most of the snack items - mainly dried fruit and seafood preparations - so that customers could taste the snacks before they bought them.[4] The snacks were purchased by taking a bag and filling it up with food from the various stations, according to the cost. It was then weighed and you paid accordingly.[5]
International locations
editCanada
editIn Canada, Aji Ichiban had a store in Parker Place, an Asian shopping mall in Richmond, a suburb of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia.[6] (now closed)
Philippines
editIn the Philippines, Aji Ichiban had several outlet-sized stores, most of which were in shopping malls.
- Power Plant Mall - Open
- Glorietta 4 - Closed
- SM Megamall Building A - Closed
- Robinsons Place Manila - Closed
- SM City Sta. Mesa - Closed
- SM Mall of Asia - Closed
- Robinsons Galleria - Closed
- Greenhills Shopping Center - Closed
United States
editIn 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 had been closed, with Chicago's Chinatown and Los Angeles' Monterey Park being the final surviving locations as of 2023.[7]
- San Jose/Cupertino - Closed
- Los Angeles
- Monterey Park - Open
- San Gabriel - Closed
- San Francisco
- Chinatown - Closed
- Chicago - Open
- Honolulu - Closed
- Rockville - Closed
- Boston - Closed
- New York City
- Broadway - Closed
- Centre Street - Closed
- Lafayette Street - Closed
- Mott Street - Closed
- Hester Street - Closed
- Main Street - Closed
- Philadelphia - Closed
- Richardson - Closed
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Shopping, Dining & Entertainment - Shopping - T1 - Packaged Food - Hong Kong International Airport". Hongkongairport.com. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
- ^ Lee, Jennifer 8. (2006-01-27), "In Chinatowns, All Sojourners Can Feel Hua". The New York Times, [1].
- ^ 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.
- ^ Aji Ichiban. "Aji Ichiban Japanese Steak House - Cincinnati, OH". M.timesonline.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Opening hours. "Aji Ichiban". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
- ^ Food Manufacturers of Hong Kong: Beverage Companies of Hong Kong, Lee Kum ... - General Books LLC. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2014-08-19.
External links
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