Yamasa USA

What Yamasa USA does

Yamasa USA (legal entity: YAMASA CORPORATION U.S.A.) is the US subsidiary of Yamasa Corporation Japan, a Japanese family-owned soy sauce producer whose heritage dates to 1645. The company operates a brewery in Salem, Oregon — in the Willamette Valley, deliberately located to mirror Japanese climate and water conditions — where it produces artisanal Japanese shoyu, tamari, ramen broths, marinades, and finishing sauces using the proprietary Yamasa-koji culture and traditional fermentation processes that have been passed down through 13 generations. Its product portfolio spans core shoyus (Regular, Reduced Sodium, Organic Tamari, Nikiri, Zuke), ramen broth concentrates (Tonkotsu, Shoyu, Miso, Vegetarian Tonkotsu), White Miso Soup concentrate, Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce, and Katsu Sauce. Products carry multiple certifications including Non-GMO, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Organic, No MSG, and the manufacturing facility holds SQF Level 2 and HACCP certifications.

The company operates a hybrid B2B and B2C go-to-market model. For food service, Yamasa markets directly to professional chefs and restaurants — emphasizing use by Michelin-starred establishments and approximately two-thirds of Japanese-food restaurants in Tokyo — through dedicated industry pages and three regional sales offices in Torrance (CA), Fort Lee (NY), and Plano (TX). For food manufacturers, the company offers a Custom Sauces program providing bespoke sauce formulation and co-manufacturing capabilities across fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and shelf-stable packaging formats from industrial (55-gallon drums) to retail SKUs. For consumers, products are sold through Amazon marketplace, a store locator-enabled retail footprint, and the company website, supported by a content library of 50+ recipes and active Facebook/Instagram channels. Revenue is generated primarily through packaged-goods unit sales and professional services for custom sauce development; pricing for retail is unit-based while B2B pricing is quote-based.

Yamasa USA was incorporated in 1992 with brewing commencing in 1994, expanded its brewery in 2001 and again in 2008, acquired San-J International in 2005, and launched the Ramen Broth Series in 2020. The company is privately held with 51-100 employees and no disclosed external funding or public listing. It is part of a broader Yamasa corporate family that includes Yamasa Corporation Japan, Yamasa Europe B.V., and Yamasa Asia Oceania, with the US entity serving the North American market under the unified Yamasa brand.

Name

Yamasa USA

Legal name

YAMASA CORPORATION U.S.A.

Website

https://yamasausa.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Yamasa USA is the US subsidiary of Japan's 380-year-old Yamasa Corporation, brewing artisanal Japanese shoyu, tamari, ramen broths, and Asian sauces in Salem, Oregon for food service, food manufacturers, and retail consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Japanese Sauces and Condiments

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Soy Sauce, Tamari & Asian Condiments Manufacturing (AFAKADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

BBQ Sauce & Marinades Manufacturing (AFAKADAH)

Keywords

• Artisan soy sauce
• Ramen broth
• Japanese marinades
• Asian condiments
• Shoyu brewing

Headquarters

HQ city

Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of artisanal Japanese soy sauces, ramen broths, marinades, and sauces through e-commerce channels including Amazon marketplace and their company website. Products are sold in various sizes from consumer-friendly portions to larger commercial quantities.
2. Food Service & Restaurant Supply: B2B sales of Yamasa products to restaurants, food service establishments, and professional kitchens. The company positions their shoyu as a chef's favorite and preferred by Japanese culinary professionals.
3. Custom Sauce Development: Bespoke sauce development services for food manufacturers and brands, creating custom formulations to meet specific requirements. The company offers detailed development from concept to consumption with their team of culinary experts.
4. Commercial Manufacturing: Manufacturing services for fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and shelf stable products with flexible packaging capabilities from industrial to club store formats. Certified HACCP programs and SQF Level 2 Certification ensure food safety compliance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Yamasa USA crafts and sells artisanal Japanese soy sauces (shoyu), ramen broth concentrates, marinades, and specialty sauces using traditional brewing processes and a proprietary Yamasa-koji culture refined since 1645. The company manufactures products in Oregon's Willamette Valley and distributes them to retail consumers via Amazon and physical retail, to professional food service operators through direct sales, and to food manufacturers through custom sauce development and contract manufacturing services.

Product overview

Yamasa USA is a food manufacturing company offering a portfolio of artisanal Japanese sauces and condiments crafted in America using 400-year-old traditional processes. The core product line includes Shoyus (Japanese soy sauces) such as Yamasa Shoyu, Reduced Sodium Shoyu, Tamari Organic Gluten-Free, Nikiri Soy Sauce, and Zuke Soy Sauce. The company expanded into Ramen Broths and Soups with four varieties: Tonkotsu, Shoyu, Miso, and Vegetarian Tonkotsu. Additionally, the Marinades and Sauces line features Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce and Katsu Sauce. Products are distributed to food manufacturers, food service operators, and retail consumers through various channels including Amazon and store locator.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Yamasa Shoyu Artisanal Japanese soy sauce (shoyu) brewed with distinctive red color, aroma and umami that brings perfect balance to any dish. Non-GMO and Kosher certified, crafted in the US using 400-year-old traditional processes.
• Yamasa Reduced Sodium Shoyu Artisanal Japanese soy sauce with 25% reduced sodium compared to regular Yamasa Shoyu, crafted in the Japanese tradition while maintaining the same distinctive flavor profile.
• Yamasa Tamari Organic Gluten-Free Organic tamari gluten-free soy sauce with distinctive red color, aroma and umami. Certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO with no MSG added.
• Yamasa Nikiri Soy Sauce Refined finishing soy sauce inspired by traditional sushi craftsmanship. Infused with kombu umami and gentle sweetness, delivering a smooth, glossy finish for sushi and beyond.
• Yamasa Zuke Soy Sauce Savory Japanese-style marinade designed to deepen flavor and add complexity. Infused with soy sauce and garlic, enhances rich umami with a concentrated, glossy texture for seafood and proteins.
• Yamasa Ramen Broth Tonkotsu Artisanal Tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen broth concentrate inspired by Southern Japan's most popular ramen shops. A creamy broth with rich pork flavor, makes 8 servings. Gluten-free and non-GMO.
• Yamasa Ramen Broth Shoyu Artisanal Shoyu ramen broth concentrate inspired by Japan's most popular ramen shops. Features refined umami flavor with earthiness, depth and complexity. Makes 8 servings.
• Yamasa Ramen Broth Miso Artisanal miso ramen broth concentrate inspired by Northern Japan's most popular ramen shops. Features rich body with delicate fermentation and earthy notes. Makes 8 servings.
• Yamasa Artisanal Vegetarian Tonkotsu Ramen Broth Concentrate Artisanal vegetarian tonkotsu ramen broth concentrate inspired by Southern Japan's most popular ramen shops. A creamy broth with rich tonkotsu flavor made from plant-based ingredients. Makes 8 servings. Gluten-free, non-GMO, plant-based.
• Yamasa White Miso Soup Concentrate Easy to prepare miso soup concentrate crafted in Japanese tradition. Savory with a toasty, rich umami kick. Versatile ingredient for various recipes.
• Teriyaki Artisanal Marinade & Sauce Artisanal teriyaki marinade and sauce crafted in the Japanese tradition. Sweet and tangy sauce made with finest ingredients that adds sublimely delicious flavor. Can be used as cooking sauce, marinade, or stir fry addition.
• Yamasa Artisanal Katsu Sauce Perfectly blending sweet, savory, and spicy notes with gluten-free soy sauce, molasses, and spices. Elevates every dish and ideal for creating perfect Katsu Sando (Pork Cutlet Sandwich). Non-GMO, gluten-free, and plant-based.
• Custom Sauce Development Services Bespoke sauce development services for food manufacturers and brands, creating custom formulations to meet specific brand requirements. The company offers end-to-end development from concept to consumption with their team of chefs and food scientists, covering fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and shelf stable formats.

Quantifiable outcome

• Used by 2/3 of Japanese-food restaurants in Tokyo
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Yamasa Corporation (Parent)coreOthersYAMASA CORPORATION U.S.A. is the US subsidiary of the Japanese Yamasa group founded in 1645. The parent company and various affiliated Yamasa entities share personal information and operate under the same corporate family, including Yamasa Corporation Japan, Yamasa Europe B.V., Yamasa Asia Oceania Co., Ltd., and others.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lee Kum Kee: Hong Kong-based global sauce manufacturer with extensive US retail presence. Lee Kum Kee competes directly in soy sauce, teriyaki, and Asian condiment categories across both consumer and foodservice channels.
• San-J International: Acquired by Yamasa in 2005, San-J is a premium tamari and Asian sauce brand. It remains a direct competitive brand in the US organic tamari and gluten-free soy sauce segments, now operating within the parent group.
• Mizkan: Japanese producer of vinegars, sauces, and condiments with strong US presence. Mizkan competes directly in the Asian sauce and soy sauce category, serving both retail and food manufacturer customers.
• Wan Ja Shan: Producer of tamari soy sauce, miso, and Asian condiments. Wan Ja Shan competes directly with Yamasa in the premium tamari and organic Asian sauce segments in the US retail and natural foods channel.
• Kikkoman: Global soy sauce market leader with extensive US operations. Kikkoman is the most direct competitor to Yamasa USA, offering premium shoyu, teriyaki, and Asian sauces across retail, foodservice, and industrial channels in the US market.
• Marukin: Japanese specialty sauce manufacturer producing ponzu, teriyaki, and other Asian condiments. Marukin competes with Yamasa's marinade and finishing sauce portfolio in the US market.
• Pearl River Bridge: China-based soy sauce and Asian condiment manufacturer with US distribution. Pearl River Bridge competes in mainstream and premium soy sauce categories in retail and foodservice channels.

Emerging players

• Kishibori Shoyu: Premium artisanal shoyu producer in the US. Kishibori competes in the same premium, traditionally-brewed soy sauce segment as Yamasa, serving specialty retailers and food service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/yamasaUSAsoysauce
• Instagraminstagram.com/yamasausa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yamasa-corporation

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yamasa USA