Local Entrepreneur Challenging the World with a $300 Sauce at FOODEX JAPAN 2026

A Unique Journey: The $300 Premium Sauce from Yamaguchi

In a world saturated with affordable condiments, it’s a bold move for a young entrepreneur to launch a gourmet sauce priced at a staggering $300. Meet Amon Yamamoto, the 31-year-old founder of ITADAKI, hailing from Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. His creation, called "YAIBA," is set to take center stage at the prestigious FOODEX JAPAN 2026, Asia’s largest international food and beverage exhibition.

The Vision Behind YAIBA

So, why a $300 sauce? Unlike typical pricing strategies that are determined by cost calculations, YAIBA emerged from a philosophy of pushing boundaries. Each facet—flavor, ingredients, production methods, and time—was meticulously crafted all aiming to elevate the dining experience. By choosing to use only the finest ingredients available at their peak condition and processing them with unparalleled care in Japan, the sauce transcends mere luxury. It represents an experience that lingers in memory, designed for special occasions rather than everyday meals.

The price isn't merely a reflection of luxury; it’s a calculated decision to ensure that the experience resonates with significance, prompting consumers to consider not just the meal, but the companionship that accompanies it.

An Inspiring Heritage

The roots of YAIBA trace back to Yamamoto's grandmother, who cultivated the family recipe for over 60 years. While the original sauce lacked flamboyance, it held a special place at family gatherings, evolving into something irreplaceable. Rather than replicating the family tradition directly, Yamamoto chose to refine it, meticulously removing excess to elevate its elegance while preserving that cherished family memory. This meticulous approach emphasizes time and effort as essential ingredients in crafting the sauce.

The Role of Ingredients

YAIBA is not about showcasing the rarefied origins of its ingredients, but instead, each element serves a specific role that contributes to the overall taste and experience. The unique flavors create an emotional response, and the delicate finish ties everything together. Each ingredient is carefully selected, prioritizing current quality over mere geographic origin. Yamamoto's philosophy embraces the ethos of subtraction—creating harmony from complexity, resulting in an elegant and sophisticated flavor profile.

Why It's a Chef's Challenge

Star chefs acknowledge the exceptional craftsmanship behind YAIBA, pointing out its intricate design as something they couldn't replicate in a restaurant setting. The evaluation of this sauce goes beyond mere taste, highlighting a mastery of design that is both challenging and extraordinary. While restaurant chefs focus on maximizing quality within constraints—cost, operation, reproducibility—YAIBA aspires to reach an unprecedented standard of excellence without limits.

In creating YAIBA, Yamamoto defied conventional constraints, prioritizing flavor over cost or ease, thus achieving a taste that stands apart.

Creating Connections Through Gift Giving

In its essence, YAIBA is more than a condiment; it is a conduit for connection and storytelling. Gift recipients immediately feel valued upon receiving such a remarkable item. The experience lingers even before it is used, rekindling thoughts of the giver and enhancing the shared moments around it. As diners savor the sauce, they naturally recount the story behind it, elevating the meal into a greater narrative. Beyond merely enriching their culinary experience, YAIBA fosters deeper connections and stories among people.

The Stage at FOODEX JAPAN 2026

FOODEX JAPAN is a significant B2B trade show that attracts buyers from around the globe. Yamamoto plans to make a significant international impact during this event, personally presenting his sauce, discussing its philosophy, and offering tastings. This occasion offers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the essence of YAIBA, celebrated not just as a product, but as a personal venture that ties together individuals, moments, and cultures alike.

Exhibition Details

- Event Name: FOODEX JAPAN 2026
- Dates: March 10-13, 2026
- Location: Tokyo Big Sight
- Exhibition Zone: Nippon Food Export
- Booth Number: S2-G27

Media Contact

Yamamoto will be available for interviews in person or via phone during the event. Consult the FOODEX JAPAN 2026 official website for media inquiry submissions.