Cheers to Global Expansion: Ganbei Group Brings KANPAI CLASSIC to London’s Vibrant Retail Scene
KANPAI CLASSIC: Elevating Wagyu Culture Globally
Ganbei Group is making a significant impact in the international market with the launch of its high-end brand, KANPAI CLASSIC, in London. The brand’s first UK store, located in the prestigious SOHO district, was officially opened with a grand ceremony.
To commemorate the occasion, KANPAI CLASSIC Taiwan branch is offering a special promotion. Until October 19, guests who dine at the restaurant will receive a complimentary “Special Wagyu Hand Roll Sushi” worth NT$240.
The London SOHO store is strategically positioned as a “showcase for the globalization of Ganbei Group.” The brand aims to promote Wagyu culture worldwide, and this new location marks a significant milestone in its international expansion.
The opening reception was attended by distinguished guests, including Shoji Hiraide, Chairman of Ganbei Group, Masaki Ogata, Group Deputy General Manager and Executive Chef, and UK General Manager. The event also saw the presence of British Trade Envoy to Taiwan and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Falk Lord Faulkner, Ambassador Yao Jinxiang of the Taipei Representative Office in the United Kingdom, and Minister Yasuhiro Matsuda of the Japanese Embassy in the United Kingdom.
Shoji Hiraide, Chairman of Ganbei Group, emphasized the brand’s mission to promote Wagyu culture globally. As a leading Wagyu enterprise, the group imported approximately 300 tons of Japanese Wagyu last year, ranking first in the world’s imports of Japanese Wagyu outside of Japan. The group’s annual usage in the UK is about 105 tons, and in the US, it is about 1,000 tons.
KANPAI CLASSIC’s London SOHO store is designed to provide British consumers with a unique experience of “enjoying the fun of the whole Wagyu beef.” The store’s interior, designed by Japanese designer Hiroki Michoshita, features a bold use of black as the main color, symbolizing the wall tile design of Japanese castle stone walls, cherry blossoms, and white cranes.
The store offers a range of Wagyu dishes, including Japanese Wagyu Edomae sushi, Wagyu hand roll sushi, Italian thinly sliced raw Wagyu, and French Wagyu tartare. The menu is designed to cater to European and American tastes while maintaining the brand’s commitment to Wagyu culture.
Overseas expansion is a key direction for Ganbei Group’s long-term growth and development. The brand aims to create a new blue ocean by introducing the deliciousness of Wagyu beef to countries unfamiliar with roasted pork and overseas guests who have never tasted Wagyu.
The London SOHO store is a significant milestone in KANPAI CLASSIC’s global expansion. The brand plans to continue its international growth, with evaluations underway in the US, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions to identify the next targeted country.
About KANPAI CLASSIC
KANPAI CLASSIC is a brand developed by Ganbei Group to promote Wagyu culture globally. The brand offers a range of Wagyu dishes, including Japanese Wagyu Edomae sushi, Wagyu hand roll sushi, Italian thinly sliced raw Wagyu, and French Wagyu tartare. With stores in Taiwan and the UK, KANPAI CLASSIC is committed to providing a unique experience of “enjoying the fun of the whole Wagyu beef” to customers worldwide.