Enjoy a casual Japanese dining experience with a more beefed-up menu as Yoshinoya relaunches its stores in the Philippines under Jollibee Foods Corporation.

On 19 August, Yoshinoya reopened its franchise store in Glorietta 1, Makati City, as the first partnership venture of Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc. and Jollibee.

"This forms part of our commitment to offer Filipinos great-tasting food and make Yoshinoya the No. 1 Japanese quick service restaurant in the country," said Ned Bandojo, business development head of Jollibee Group Foreign Franchised Brands.

The relaunching aims to bring a casual, contemporary Japanese vibe to the resto, with a light, welcoming feel that aims to give customers "the authentic Yoshinoya experience as if they were dining in Yoshinoya Japan," Bandajo said.

With this partnership, all Yoshinoya stores in the Philippines will be redesigned according to the new look.

"This is the first time Jollibee will be serving Japanese cuisine to our customers," noted Nanette Leuterio, JFC Operations Head of Yoshinoya Philippines.

The new Yoshinoya offers an enhanced menu bannered by its world-famous bestseller, the gyudon or beef bowl.

Gyudon is best enjoyed with togarashi, red ginger, green onions, and cheese toppings. Yoshinoya also offers an additional topping for the beef bowl: Osen egg or the traditional Japanese slow-cooked egg.

Side dishes include gyoza, kani salad, and miso soup. For dessert, the resto introduces its new Matcha Mochi Ice Cream and Coffee Jelly.

"Yoshinoya has now teamed up with the greatest partner, Jollibee Foods. I have high hopes that together, we can bring joy to new customers in an even bigger market," said Asia Yoshinoya International chief executive officer Tetsuya Naruse.

Customers can enjoy the first redesigned Yoshinoya stores at SM North EDSA, Eastwood and SM Grand Central in Caloocan.

Yoshinoya International Philippines and Jollibee Foods Corporation formed a 50-50 joint venture in 2021 to expand Yoshinoya in the country by opening 50 branches. The Japanese brand joins the 16 fast-food chains JFC operates, among them Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Burger King, Pho24, and Panda Express.

Started as a family business at Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo, Yoshinoya now has 2,000 branches globally, including in the USA, Hong Kong, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore.