Mitsu Annai-Marketing & sales agent for SMEs in Japan & China





	Mitsu Annai serves as a link between Japan and China to facilitate exchange of idea, technology, goods and services.


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Issaan’s Debut at Hongkong city’super

On 30 October of 2010, once the third batch of HK students made their last cut of soba noodles at Hongkong city’super, a big smile of the visiting tutor Hidenori Katakura appeared.

The participation of 21 students in the first three handmade soba classes organized by city’super, a high-end supermarket and retail chain in Hong Kong, means great to Issaan.

Issaan is a soba restaurant brand founded by Yasuo Katakura in 1926 and its soba master training program is now being run by the third generation Hidenori Katakura in Japan. His debut in Asia ended with enthusiastic response from the HK participants. However, it was just the ‘opening’ of Issaan's advance to the world.

The classes at city’super were started with introduction of ‘what is soba?’ and showing of buckwheat grains hardly available in Hong Kong. Then, Headmaster Katakura presented the traditional soba skills by professional tools. Yes, a large lacquered mixing bowl, a fine cypress roller, two longer wrapping pins to handle the large sheet of dough, and a tall knife together with a board to ensure even cuttting. Posing his hands like 'bear-claw', he started his show by mixing the buckwheat flour with water in circular motion. As the demonstration was ended by rhythmical noodle cutting, it was the show time of students! Following the easy-to-learn and step-by-step method shown by the headmaster, everybody made soba by ordinary home utensils but traditional method. And, everybody made it! In 30 minutes, the buckwheat flour was gradually changed into a ball, a disc, a retangular sheet and noodles!

Would you like to hear some of the students’ comments?

Miss Stephanie Lam (3rd class)

“ Explanation and demonstration of tutor was very clear. The experience of soba-making was so interesting! Really a scarce cooking experience!”

Miss Lam (3rd class)

“Headmaster Katakura was very serious at teaching. Soba-making method was very scientific and precise, no-error is allowed. Really a perfect demonstration of “pursuit of perfection”. The assistant tutor was also passionate at correcting wrong hand shape of students.

Doris Cheung (3rd Class)

“I like the taste of soba. Soba(rich vitamin B) is good to health and deserves further promotion. Anyway, soba-making by hand was such a nice experience. It was not that difficult and big tool was not a must. But it would be better for the class to be longer.”

Fiona (3rd class)

“Headmaster could really demonstrate very detailed step in making soba. Hope more classes on different types of soba, such as ‘100% Buckwheat noodle’ class coming up…”

Rita Lam (3rd class)

“3- hour duration is more desirable.”

Isabel Wong(3rd class)

“Professional! But not easy to handle in the first lesson for beginner. Interesting technique.”

Katherine Li (3rd class)

“Tutors gave attention and assistance to every student and could enhance their interest in learning.”

Cicy (3rd Class)

“Very happy in joining thehandmade soba class. Thanks for the serious and professional teaching of the tutor!!.”

Yaeko Matsuzwa (2nd class)

“I was born in Nagano, where soba is very famous. I like soba, so does my French husband. The class delivered by Katakura at city’super is my first try of soba-making. It was so fun. I will try to make it at home later.”

Stanley Yung (2nd class)

“The class was very informative. The teachers are knowledgeable and I would recommend this class to anyone interested in soba making.”

Dorothy Leung (2nd class)

“I like cooking of every kind, especially the kind using handmade ingredients. I am so glad in having the chance to know soba-making and thank for the devoted teaching of tutors.”

Brian (2nd class)

I thought the instructor’s demonstration and directions were very thorough. However, most of the printed materials were in Japanese and Chinese. It would be better to have the materials in English as well.”

Mary Wong (2nd class)

“Very good. Would we have some other classes like this?”

Mayumi Kitayama (1st class)

“To fix the shape of soba sheet was no easy task. While making my sheet of dough, the thickness turned uneven. What a pity!”

Alison Lam (1st class)

“The demonstration was very smooth and easy to understand. Atmosphere was nice as well.”

Adrian (1st class)

“Too fast..”

Cat (1st class)

“Very interesting and fresh experience. Teacher’s explanation was very clear and detailed.”

Christina Chow (1st class)

“Detailed handout, very good demo. A bit rush. Better to lengthen the lesson by 0.5 hour.”