Exploring the World of Chinese Ingredients Unknown to Most Japanese
HighChem Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Ushio Taka; hereinafter referred to as “HighChem”) is launching the “Hidden Chinese Ingredients Fair” on Monday, April 21, 2025, in collaboration with a group of authentic Chinese restaurants including flagship restaurant “Lan Yuan” located in Toranomon Hills, with a total of nine locations across Tokyo and Yokohama. The fair will feature authentic Chinese cuisine using lesser-known Chinese ingredients not yet widely known in Japan.
China’s vast land is home to many “hidden Chinese ingredients” that remain relatively unknown in Japan. As a new business initiative, HighChem has begun introducing traditional Chinese ingredients from various regions of China to the Japanese market. Leveraging its strong business foundation in both Japan and China, HighChem is uniquely positioned to present the true appeal of these ingredients. As the first initiative of this new business, the “Hidden Chinese Ingredients Fair” will feature authentic Chinese dishes made using carefully selected Chinese ingredients sourced by HighChem, such as oat noodles, sweet potato noodles, and Chinese oatmeal.
Overview of the “Hidden Chinese Ingredients” Fair
Fair Menu
Please note that prices and set contents may vary during lunch hours.
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Dry Dandan-style Oat Noodles |
Champon-style Sweet Potato Noodles |
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Oat Dumplings |
Oat Prawns |
Fair Overview
■ Concept: A fair offering authentic Chinese cuisine made with lesser-known Chinese ingredients such as oat noodles, oat flour, and sweet potato noodles, which are not yet widely recognized in Japan.
■ Duration: From Monday, April 21, 2025, to the end of June (tentative)
Participating Restaurants:
Lan Yuan
Address: 4F, Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, 1-23-3 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6304
Tel: 03-6206-6605
Opening Hours: 11:00–15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: Open everyday
Chinese Cuisine Lan
Address: B1F, Toranomon Hills Business Tower, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Tel: 03-6811-3220
Opening Hours: 11:00–15:00 (L.O. 14:30), 17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: Open daily
Lan no Jippaku – Colette Mare Branch
Address: 6F, Colette Mare, 1-1-7 Sakuragicho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0062
Tel: 045-319-6856
Opening Hours: 11:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: Open daily
The Appeal of Lesser-Known Chinese Ingredients
Chinese ingredients are essential in creating the distinctive flavors, aromas, and textures of Chinese cuisine. They reflect the diverse food cultures and traditions of various regions across China. In recent years, these ingredients have also garnered attention as health foods.
Featured Chinese Ingredient ①: Sweet Potato Noodles
Sweet potato noodles, made from sweet potatoes, have long been a staple in regions such as Hunan and Sichuan. In China, they are a must-have in spicy dishes like suan la tang (hot and sour soup) and huo guo (hot pot), and are frequently used in the increasingly popular mala tang in Japan. They are also widely known as “Korean glass noodles” due to their use in Korean dishes like japchae.
Featured Chinese Ingredient ②: Oat Noodles
Oat noodles are rarely found in Japan, but they have long been cultivated in northern China, where they serve as a valuable source of nutrition in colder regions. In China, a major restaurant chain specializing in oat noodles operates around 400 locations, helping popularize the ingredient nationwide. Rich in dietary fiber and with a low glycemic index, oat noodles are also gaining recognition as a healthy option.
Interview with Chef Li Hong of Authentic Chinese Restaurant "Lanyuan"
Born in 1976 in Fujian Province, China, Chef Li served as head chef at hotels and restaurants in both Fujian and Hong Kong. He moved to Japan in 2006 and honed his culinary skills at a Chinese restaurant in Chiba for three years. In 2009, he became a restaurant owner, and by 2013 he had established a company. Today, he operates nine Chinese restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama. His pursuit of culinary excellence continues, and in 2017 he trained under Executive Chef Tan Guohui of the five-star Conrad Hotel in Guangzhou.
─ What makes Chinese ingredients so special?
China’s vast land features diverse climates and terrains. As a result, Chinese cuisine has developed with completely different characteristics, even between regions that are geographically close. This is why many Chinese ingredients have been carefully passed down within each region. Over generations, local wisdom and ingenuity have refined these ingredients to ensure they are not only delicious but also healthy for those who live there. As a result, many Chinese ingredients are natural, healthful, and highly nutritious. They are also affordable due to being locally sourced and consumed. In China, there is a deeply rooted culture of cherishing regional ingredients that reflect the land they come from—and that, I believe, is the true charm of Chinese ingredients.
Company Profile – HighChem Co., Ltd. (highchem.co.jp)
A specialized trading company and manufacturer that contributes to the industrial development of both Japan and China as a "bridge between the two countries." Since its founding in 1998, HighChem has established strong business foundations in both nations and engages in a wide range of chemical-related businesses.
Company Name: HighChem Co., Ltd.
Address: 11F, Tokyo Toranomon Global Square, 1-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative Director: Ushio Taka
Business Description: Import/export and sales of chemicals, contract manufacturing, technology licensing, catalyst production and sales, and biodegradable material distribution.
Authentic Chinese Restaurant “Lanyuan”
Address: 4F, Toranomon Hills Mori Tower, 1-23-3 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
Phone: +81-3-6206-6605
Business Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Last Order 14:30), 17:00–23:00 (Last Order 22:00)
Closed: Open daily (no regular holidays)
“The Essence of Authentic Hong Kong Cuisine — Taste and Atmosphere Combined”
With fresh seafood flavors, carefully selected meat dishes, and colorful vegetables, “Lanyuan” offers authentic Hong Kong cuisine that brings out the best in every ingredient. Based on Cantonese cuisine and infused with elements from European and Indian food cultures, Hong Kong cuisine represents the pinnacle of Asia’s gourmet tradition. At Lanyuan, guests can indulge in the authentic taste to their heart’s content.
For more information, please contact:
＜HighChem Co., Ltd. Public Relations office＞
Ms. Kuroiwa (+81-90-6539-4213) TEL: +81-3-5251-8580 E-mail: koho@highchem.co.jp
[Related information] Interview #007 The appeal of Chinese ingredients that Japanese people don't know about https://highchem.co.jp/article/interview007/
