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What is the story about?
Suzuki Motor Corporation, the Japanese parent company of Maruti Suzuki, has shifted gears beyond automobiles — and into kitchens. What began as a simple cafeteria meal for homesick Indian engineers has turned into a nationwide packaged food sensation in Japan.
From Office Comfort to Retail Phenomenon
In early 2024, Suzuki began serving Indian vegetarian meals at its Hamamatsu headquarters cafeteria for over 200 Indian engineers. Partnering with Torizen, a 150-year-old local restaurant, the company experimented with recipes that balanced authentic Indian spices with Japanese taste preferences.
According to media reports, the dishes became so popular that even Japanese staff queued for them — paving the way for an unexpected business opportunity.
A Product Born in a Cafeteria, Not a Boardroom
Encouraged by internal demand, Suzuki launched its first ready-to-eat Indian vegetarian curry packs in June 2025. Within three months, sales surpassed 100,000 packs, making it one of Suzuki’s surprise success stories of the year.
Curry Meets Car Culture
Each 180g pack, priced at ¥918 (approximately ₹545), features charming illustrations of Suzuki vehicles — a creative nod to the company’s automotive heritage.
Top Gear India notes that some packs are even designed to resemble Suzuki models such as the Jimny, and that collecting all four creates a hidden combined design, making them quirky collectables as well as convenient meals.
The Four Launch Flavours
Suzuki Cafeteria Indian Vegetarian Curry debuted with four varieties:
These are available through Suzuki’s official Japanese online store, allowing local consumers to enjoy global flavours from the comfort of home.
A Cultural Bridge, Not Just a Meal
Suzuki says the initiative also celebrates India, a key manufacturing hub for the company. Many Suzuki models sold in Japan today, including the Jimny 5-door, Fronx, and WR-V, are exported from India.
Top Gear India also highlighted a message from Torizen CEO Yoshitaka Date, who said the dish is “filled with gratitude and love for overseas talent, including India.”
What’s Next?
Suzuki plans to introduce 14 more flavours, with enthusiasts joking about ideas such as Fronx-themed biryani and Swift Sport Sambar.
With growing demand for plant-based and global cuisine in Japan, Suzuki’s innovative leap shows that big ideas can come from the humblest of places — even a corporate cafeteria.
From Office Comfort to Retail Phenomenon
In early 2024, Suzuki began serving Indian vegetarian meals at its Hamamatsu headquarters cafeteria for over 200 Indian engineers. Partnering with Torizen, a 150-year-old local restaurant, the company experimented with recipes that balanced authentic Indian spices with Japanese taste preferences.
According to media reports, the dishes became so popular that even Japanese staff queued for them — paving the way for an unexpected business opportunity.
A Product Born in a Cafeteria, Not a Boardroom
Encouraged by internal demand, Suzuki launched its first ready-to-eat Indian vegetarian curry packs in June 2025. Within three months, sales surpassed 100,000 packs, making it one of Suzuki’s surprise success stories of the year.
Fascinating,
Suzuki enters the pre-packaged food business in Japan. They’ve launched 4 new packaged Indian curries and in four months they’ve sold 100,000 packets and they plan to expand to 14 different types of curry in the coming months. This ‘business diversification’ was… pic.twitter.com/LjYolY1waL
— Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) October 29, 2025
Curry Meets Car Culture
Each 180g pack, priced at ¥918 (approximately ₹545), features charming illustrations of Suzuki vehicles — a creative nod to the company’s automotive heritage.
Top Gear India notes that some packs are even designed to resemble Suzuki models such as the Jimny, and that collecting all four creates a hidden combined design, making them quirky collectables as well as convenient meals.
The Four Launch Flavours
Suzuki Cafeteria Indian Vegetarian Curry debuted with four varieties:
- Brown Chickpea Masala — Jimny
- Tomato Lentil Dahl — Swift
- Daikon Radish Sambar — Hayabusa
- Green Moong Vegetable Curry — V-Strom 1050 DE
These are available through Suzuki’s official Japanese online store, allowing local consumers to enjoy global flavours from the comfort of home.
A Cultural Bridge, Not Just a Meal
Suzuki says the initiative also celebrates India, a key manufacturing hub for the company. Many Suzuki models sold in Japan today, including the Jimny 5-door, Fronx, and WR-V, are exported from India.
Top Gear India also highlighted a message from Torizen CEO Yoshitaka Date, who said the dish is “filled with gratitude and love for overseas talent, including India.”
What’s Next?
Suzuki plans to introduce 14 more flavours, with enthusiasts joking about ideas such as Fronx-themed biryani and Swift Sport Sambar.
With growing demand for plant-based and global cuisine in Japan, Suzuki’s innovative leap shows that big ideas can come from the humblest of places — even a corporate cafeteria.
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