Who We Are
A Japanese Company with a Strong European Presence
We are a subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group, a key player in Japan and a strong, established reference in the global food industry. We offer unique frozen specialties from Japanese and French cuisines across numerous distribution channels.
We are proud to be the number one Gyoza brand in France* and Japan**, and to be a major macaron manufacturer in the European and international markets.
We operate as a human-sized company, bringing together over 500 employees across 5 sites in Europe. We have a strong base in France with our Parisian headquarters and two industrial sites in the Eure and Tarn-et-Garonne departments.
Key Figures
Inspired by our Parent Company, Ajinomoto
Our mission is to share and make French and Japanese frozen cuisines accessible, while drawing daily inspiration from the Ajinomoto Group’s enduring motto: “Eat Well, Live Well”.
This philosophy dates back to the founding of Ajinomoto in 1909 by two visionary figures. The first, the renowned Dr. Ikeda, was dedicated to improving the nutrition of the Japanese people. After a study trip to Germany, he recognized the profound connection between diet and good health. During his research, he discovered the fifth taste, called umami, and created the world’s first umami seasoning, AJI-NO-MOTO®, meaning “essence of taste” in Japanese. He partnered with Saburosuke Suzuki II, and together they founded Ajinomoto.
Since then, the company has continued to innovate, notably entering the frozen food technology in 1972. Today, Ajinomoto offers a wide range of Japanese frozen products and has become the number one Gyoza brand in France* and Japan**.
Ajinomoto continues its mission to improve the nutrition and well-being of people around the world, not only in the food industry but also through investments in other sectors such as personal care and biotechnology. Present internationally, the Group relies on strategic commercial locations and over a hundred production sites worldwide.
A Strong Anchor in France
The first commercial teams established themselves in France around the year 2000. The acquisition of Labeyrie Traiteur Surgelés in 2017, along with its two production sites, marked an incredible opportunity for us. At that time, we decided to make France the strategic hub for the production of our frozen specialties, such as Gyoza and macarons, for the European market. To support this ambition, we manage all our activities, including innovation and R&D, directly from France, ensuring we stay close to the needs of our clients and consumers.
Over the past 5 years, more than 25 million euro has been invested in modernizing our infrastructure, including 13 million that was dedicated to the expansion of Le Neubourg site, complementing its historical puff pastry expertise with a new Gyoza manufacturing expertise. This new production capacity is essential to meet ever-increasing European demand.
In Castelsarrasin, our Macaronade de Castel entity is dedicated to the production of high quality frozen pastry, including the famous macarons. Following investments in 2018-2019 to modernize the factory, the Castelsarrasin site proudly serves as the sole global manufacturing site for Ajinomoto macarons.
Our uniqueness
Passionate International Teams
At Ajinomoto, cultural diversity is part of who we are. Our teams bring together over ten nationalities, adding unique value across all areas of our business.
Based in France, our R&D teams combine French and Japanese expertise. This blend of local market insight and product excellence allows us to create innovative solutions that perfectly meet the needs of our clients and consumers across Europe.
Our commercial teams are equally international. They are fluent in multiple languages and well-versed in different cultural codes, enabling them to provide truly tailored and effective support to each client partner.
The Meeting of Japan and France
France and Japan form the foundation of our French-Japanese culture, sharing many common values.
Both the French and the Japanese are highly demanding when it comes to gastronomy and share a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. While French cuisine is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage, Japan rightly boasts a globally admired culinary expertise. In both cultures, there is a strong commitment to preserving and passing on techniques, skills, and recipes. This dedication is reflected across all our product ranges, from the precise folding of our Gyoza, to the creation of our macarons and savory puff pastries.
Learn more about the Ajinomoto Group
**Intage Inc. Sales analysis carried out from 01/02/2023 to 31/01/2025 in the Gyoza segment available on both fresh shelves and frozen department, all grocery retail chains combined (hypermarkets, supermarkets) in Japan.