{
  "id": 15685250,
  "title": "News in Easy English: Many malatang shops open in Japan. But will they stay popular?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/news-in-easy-english-many-malatang-shops-open-in-japan-but-will-they",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T02:00:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261019/p2a/00m/0na/021000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mainichi Shimbun reporter interviewed a 48-year-old food lover, who agreed to join a discussion group about the popularity of malatang restaurants in Japan. A 26-year-old woman in the group shared that she consumes malatang approximately 100 times per year. Malatang, a Chinese soup dish incorporating Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, has gained popularity in Japan since around 2024, particularly among young women. The main reasons for its appeal are its perceived healthiness and the ability to customize the bowl with desired ingredients.\n\nMalatang shops began opening in Japan over two years ago, but the trend accelerated in 2024, with new outlets appearing not only in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka but also in smaller towns across the country. One such recent addition is Xiao Gu Jie Jie Malatang, a Chinese chain with over 1,200 locations in China, which recently opened a store near Kawasaki Station in Kanagawa Prefecture. Minghui Mu, 49, oversees the company's Japan operations and emphasizes the importance of adapting to local preferences during the planning phase. Despite some speculation that malatang may be a fleeting trend similar to bubble tea, Mu remains optimistic about the long-term potential of the business. However, he cautions that excessive competition among malatang shops could lead to failure if they prioritize quantity over quality. Mu's commitment to maintaining high service standards and serving authentic malatang is crucial in ensuring the chain's success in the Japanese market.",
  "summary": "TOKYO -- \"We are opening a malatang restaurant in Japan. We want to hear honest opinions from Japanese people. Do you want to join a discussion group?",
  "key_points": [
    "Malatang, a Chinese soup dish, gained popularity in Japan since 2024.",
    "Malatang shops opened in Japan over two years ago, accelerating in 2024.",
    "Minghui Mu, China-based malatang chain's Japan operations manager, emphasizes quality over quantity."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rapid expansion of malatang shops into smaller Japanese towns signals a shift from a niche trend to a competitive market where long-term success depends on balancing authenticity with local tastes.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}