2 “Matsuya” Companies Team Up in Ginza on Premium Beef Dishes

(In the story “2 ‘Matsuya’ Companies Team Up in Ginza on Premium Beef Dishes,” moved Wednesday, the first paragraph should have read, “…seek synergies…,” instead of as sent. A substitute story follows.) 2 “Matsuya” Companies Team Up in Ginza on Premium Beef Dishes Tokyo, June 10 (Jiji Press)–Japanese restaurant chain Matsuya Foods Co. launched its first permanent department-store outlet at Matsuya Co.’s store in the posh Ginza district in Tokyo on Wednesday, as the two “Matsuya” brands seek synergies from their stepped-up collaboration. The Matsuya Premium Ginza store, opened in the basement food hall of the Matsuya Ginza department store, offers upscale takeout dishes including premium “Gyumeshi” beef-on-rice bowls. Specifically, the outlet sells seven premium menu items, including a standard-size Gyumeshi bowl using high-end Kobe beef priced at 1,390 yen and a 1,681-yen set of a tomato-sauce hamburger steak made with Japanese black “wagyu” beef topped with a soft-boiled egg and steamed rice. Matsuya Foods said the premium store offers a more refined customer experience than at its standard outlets, such as having a luxurious exterior appearance and using “wappa” traditional wooden food containers. Customers began lining up in front of the store before it opened. “I came here after seeing a social media post (on the store),” a woman in her 40s said, “I’m looking forward to trying the food.” The two Matsuya companies collaborated on limited-time products last year, which proved popular with customers. The high-end items at Matsuya Premium Ginza “have been designed as an upgraded version of our established flavors,” a Matsuya Foods official said. “We want to test whether we can create products that appeal to elderly customers and women,” the official said. “This is a chance to test ourselves.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]