In early 1900's during the era of the
Takuwan Boeki, or the "Japanese Pickle Trade",
rice, Miso, and Shoyu were the mainstay of imported
Japanese foods. In the 1950's as commerce grew, thousands
of other Japanese imports were added, made up mostly
of shelf staple, canned foods - everything from Tofu,
Shirataki, Kamaboko, Matsutake mushrooms, Sukiyaki
no Tomo, Unagi Kabayaki, and yes, even Takuwan pickles. With the advent of the container ocean
freight system in the 70's, import of fresh chilled
and fresh frozen foods became a possibility: frozen
Unagi, Natto, Udon, and fresh Tofu, Takuwan, and
Miso. Most significantly, this technological advancement
gave Sushi its most important first step in America
by achieving safe distribution of fresh seafood ingredients
for Sushi toppings. Established in 1926, Mutual Trading Co.,
Inc. was originally a small co-op organization for
centralized purchasing of basic import foods to service
the needs of the early Japanese immigrant society in
Southern California . We've grown nearly 80 years old
now, and command a premiere position among Japanese
foodservice suppliers, as well as fill a key role as "Culinary
Ambassador" promoting Japanese foods worldwide.
Currently, we import, manufacture, and distribute over 5,000 Japanese foods, beverages, restaurant equipment
and supplies. Mutual Trading's business expands beyond
importing foods. In fact, the rapidly growing export
division, the Pan Pacific Merchandising (PPM) group,
handles automotive, home improvement, and house ware
products. Mutual Trading Company's experienced
and expert staff is ready to serve a variety of foodservice
and retail business needs. We are:
a specialist in Japanese
foods, and fine alcoholic beverages. an established authority in
Japanese restaurant equipment and supplies. involved in domestic production
of rice, Sake, Miso, Shoyu, Udon, Soba, Konnyaku and
others. spread wide, covering the nation
through offices in Boston, New Jersey, Phoenix,
Las Vegas, San Diego, Honolulu, Tokyo and Kobe. a strong distribution channel
throughout the US , as well as internationally: Central
and South America, Europe, Russia and the Pacific Rim. an export channel of American
products to Japan.
From the backward days of the "Japanese
Pickle Trade" to the present, we've witnessed
Wilshire Boulevard near the Pacific shore in Santa
Monica transform from a quiet Boulevard to "Sushi
Row". With a humble sense of accomplishment, we
take in the scenes of Americans crowding the Sushi
counters, calling out their orders in prefect Japanese
pronunciations: "Uni", "Toro", "Ika",
and "Unagi" - wow, and it only took us eighty
years to take Sushi mainstream in America . Employing the universal medium of food,
the Mutual Trading Company Group continues the quest
to preserve the integrity and the tradition of fine
Japanese cuisine worldwide, and to promote its healthy
and fun aspects as well. And in the process, we aim
to contribute to fostering cross-cultural understandings
around the world. Our forever corporate mission: |
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