May 10, 2024

Kikkoman participated in an episode of “Wisconsin Foodie”, the Emmy award-winning PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) television program dedicated to discovering the stories behind the food we eat. The episode premiered on May 2^nd and is now available on the TV program’s YouTube channel (@wisconsinfoodie).

 

Kikkoman began shipping from our first overseas production plant in Wisconsin in 1973, and since then, we have grown to become one of the world's leading producers of soy sauce, operating eight soy sauce production plants overseas and selling our products in more than 100 countries worldwide. June 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the grand opening of our Wisconsin plant, and we commemorated a deep and long-standing relationship between Wisconsin and Japan.

 

In this episode of “Wisconsin Foodie” filmed on location in both Wisconsin and Japan, the host Luke Zahm, a chef and owner of the Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, Wisconsin, discovers the world of soy sauce and the long history and tradition of the Kikkoman Brand. He learns the intricate process behind the production of our soy sauce by visiting both the Wisconsin plant and our plant in Noda-shi, Chiba prefecture, Japan. In addition, he comes to recognize the versatility of soy sauce in cooking through various experiences in Tokyo, such as dining at Teppanyaki, Unaju (grilled eel on rice), Ramen, and Mitarashi dango (Japanese sweet soy sauce-glazed rice dumplings) restaurants and meeting with a Japanese chef to learn the traditional cooking methods of Japanese cuisine.

 

“We are happy to have an opportunity to participate in this TV program rooted in Wisconsin”, said Ryohei Tsuji,  President, COO of Kikkoman Foods, Inc. “We hope that this special episode in collaboration with chef Luke will make many people, not only in the U.S.  but also in other countries, aware of the appeal of Kikkoman Soy Sauce and deepen their understanding of its integral roles both in Japanese food culture and the international exchange of food culture.”

Kikkoman will continue its pursuit to make Kikkoman Soy Sauce a truly global seasoning while harmoniously coexisting with nature and the people of Wisconsin.