Vietnamese broken rice joins menu of Japan's fast-food giant Matsuya

By VNA August 27, 2025 | 01:12 am PT

A portion of Matsuya's Vietnamese-style broken rice with pork. Photo by VNA

Japanese fast-food chain Matsuya has added "Vietnamese-style broken rice with pork" to the menu of more than 1,100 outlets nationwide, marking a major step for Vietnamese cuisine to conquer the Japanese market.

The launching of the new dish was held on Aug. 26 at Matsuya's Roppongi branch in Tokyo. Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu attended the event and introduced the dish to local media.

Matsuya's representative Aya Aoki said the company discovered broken rice during surveys in Vietnam and decided to recreate its flavor in Japan. A pilot programme in April 2025 drew positive feedback, leading to the nationwide rollout.

According to Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Japan Ta Duc Minh, the dish will be served with traditional Vietnamese fish sauce, marking the first time the condiment has been used by a major restaurant chain in Japan.

To support the launch, 10 tonnes of fish sauce were imported directly from Vietnam.

Minh said the cooperation demonstrates the quality of Vietnamese products and will pave the way for more exports of rice, coffee, fruits and processed foods to Japan, while further strengthening bilateral trade ties.