Shalom Japan Shark Tank Update — Shark Tank Season 17
Two cultures, one unforgettable bowl—Shalom Japan’s Matzoh Ball Ramen brings Jewish comfort and Japanese soul together in a dish unlike anything else.
Sawako Okochi and Aaron Israel entered the stage of Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 6. A happily married couple from two different countries pitched their brand, Shalom Japan. They talked about their signature dish, Matzoh Ball Ramen. Let’s have a closer look at their pitch and how the Sharks responded.
But will they receive any flyers from America’s top investors, or will the Sharks decide to pass?
About Shalom Japan
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Shalom Japan |
| Founders | Sawako Okochi and Aaron Israel |
| Industry | Food & Beverages |
| Product | Matzoh Ball Ramen kit |
| Investment Asked | $200,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Barbara Corcoran |
| Deal Outcome | $200K for 30% equity contingent on Cousins Maine Lobster |
| Valuation | $2 million |
The founders presented a dish that represents the history and vision behind their restaurant, Shalom Japan. Matzoh Ball Ramen has been the signature dish of their restaurant for the last 12 years, which is served in Matzoh Ball Ramen kits.
Shalom Japan was founded in the year 2013 on the Southside of Williamsburg, by married chefs Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi. The space is designed by taking inspiration from Aaron’s Jewish heritage and Sawako’s Japanese background.
Matzoh Ball Ramen is a bowl that combines two ultimate comfort foods into an unforgettable experience. The kits deliver the same restaurant-quality experience at home.
Every kit offers two servings, and it contains soup, ramen, and toppings along with chicken broth. You just have to simply heat the soup for 10 minutes, boil the ramen for 1 minute, and pour everything together with your favorite ramen toppings, like egg or seaweed.
Their pitch and the delicious Matzoh Ball Ramen dish created a ‘Wow’ moment on the Tank, when all the Sharks were seen enjoying the meal.
Shalom Japan Shark Tank Pitch
Aaron and Sawako entered the Tank seeking $200,000 in exchange for 10% equity. They presented the delicious bowl made from the Matzoh Ball Ramen kit to the Sharks, which made them fall in love with the dish.
However, Kevin O’Leary came up with a strategic question that the Shalom Japan kit required refrigeration. Daniel Lubetzky and Kevin were concerned about the refrigeration, which makes the product harder to get into retail.
Additionally, Aaron took the plunge and shared that they are selling the product nationwide, including Goldbelly. The cost of the kit of two portions, inclusive of the shipping charges, was $79.99, while they sell it for $30 in the restaurant.
Moreover, the cost of production was $9.60, and the founders were reliant on Goldbelly orders for revenue. Additionally, when Daniel Lubetzky asked about their earnings, the Sharks got disappointed, as the earnings stood at $17,000.
Barbara Corcoran praised their Brooklyn-based restaurant, as she has been there twice. However, let’s find out how the other Sharks responded.
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What Makes Shalom Japan Unique?
Let’s list some of the reasons why Shalom Japan’s Matzoh Ball Ramen is unique:
- Merging two cultures: It combines Jewish food, matzoh ball soup, with Japanese ramen, creating a unique recipe.
- Restaurant-quality ball: The Matzoh Ball Ramen Kit allows food lovers to make the signature dish at home by mixing the same flavors, along with their choice of toppings.
- Handcrafted ingredients: The rich chicken broth, along with the noodles and toppings, are prepared, maintaining the restaurant’s standards.
Did Shalom Japan Get A Deal On Shark Tank?
Daniel Lubetzky and the other Sharks were very skeptical about the Matzoh Ball Ramen kit. The product had many challenges, including margins, acquiring freezer space, and tweaking the recipe for retail. One of the major concerns was that they already own a restaurant, which means that they would be unavailable sometimes.
However, regardless of the challenges, Barbara came up with an excellent solution: a food truck. She admitted that it will require a lot of work, as they have to be available full-time, like in a restaurant.
Despite all of that, she made an offer to bring in Cousins Maine Lobster, a billion-dollar company, further suggesting a deal of $200,000 in exchange for 30%.
This way, Barbara, along with Cousins Maine Lobster, can open up a few food trucks, and Aaron and Sawako can work in collaboration with them.
The other Sharks, too, loved Barbara’s brilliant idea. Hence, Lori Greiner decided to stay out of the deal as it involved a lot of work on the retail front. Daniel and Kevin O’Leary, along with Daymond John, bowed out of the negotiations.
Therefore, the founders took Barbara’s offer, and the deal was secured at $200K for 30% contingent on Cousins Maine Lobster.
Shalom Japan Shark Tank Update
After the episode aired, their Brooklyn-based restaurant got more visitors. They secured a deal with the Shark Barbara Corcoran to open food trucks in collaboration with her partner, Cousins Maine Lobster. Thus, their focus shifted from going into retail to opening food trucks.
Where Can You Buy It?
In the meantime, if you want to get a taste of their signature dish, you can order it from their official website or visit their restaurant. For more updates, you can check their Instagram page.
Quick Summary
- Sawako Okochi and Aaron Israel, two chefs, came up on the Tank seeking $200K for 10%, pitching Matzoh Ball Ramen.
- They own a restaurant, Shalom Japan, a mix of Jewish and Japanese traditions and comfort foods of the two cultures.
- Hence, they were offered a deal to open food trucks by Barbara Corcoran, who asked $200,000 in exchange for 30% equity. Also, Barbara said that her partners from Cousins Maine Lobster will come in with her to help with the operations.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 17 Episodes.
Curious to know more about other products that appeared on the same episode? Check out their business updates!
