Healthy Fast Food Brand 'yuppa' Wins Audience Award at ICC Summit KYOTO 2025

yuppa Triumphs at ICC Summit KYOTO 2025

In a spectacular confirmation of culinary innovation, 'yuppa', a healthy fast food brand utilizing Kyoto-style fresh tofu skin, has been awarded the Audience Prize at the "Food & Drink Awards" held during the ICC Summit KYOTO 2025. Competing against numerous renowned food brands, yuppa captured the votes of 700 attendees, achieving the third position on Day 1 and improving to the second position on Day 2 among a total of 18 participants.

Overview of ICC Summit KYOTO 2025

The ICC KYOTO 2025 conference, themed "Learning Together and Creating Industries Together," stands as one of the largest business gatherings in Japan, hosting around 1,200 participants and over 500 speakers. Taking place from September 1 to September 4, 2025, the main venue for this dynamic event was the Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto.

The "Food & Drink Awards" is particularly engaging, serving as an experiential showcase where food and beverage producers from all over Japan present their products for tasting and exhibition. The evaluation process is carried out through votes from a panel of judges as well as the audience present at the event, thus providing a clear reflection of public preference.

Audience Award Success

The competition featured 18 exhibitors, and with a total of around 700 votes cast, yuppa's remarkable flavors and healthy offerings resonated with the audience, leading to its well-deserved recognition. The two-day event underscored the rising enthusiasm for health-conscious eating choices in fast food genres.

About Healthy Fast Food 'yuppa'

'Yuppa' promotes a brand philosophy of "Enjoyable Health" by making daily health fun and accessible through its delicious fast food options. This contemporary lifestyle brand specializes in high-protein Kyoto-style fresh tofu skin wrapped around various ingredients, ensuring an enjoyable and fulfilling meal experience.

Among their standout offerings is the ORIGINAL MAZESOBA yuppa. This dish pays homage to the traditional way of enjoying fresh tofu skin paired with wasabi soy sauce but revamps it into a unique fast-food rendition featuring a soy-sauce based matcha soba noodles. Designed with high protein and low-fat content, it caters perfectly to those seeking to maintain their body shape while indulging in tasty food.

Company Profile

Founded by Jinshi Watanabe, yuppa aims to provide a joyful culinary experience to busy individuals seeking healthy eating options. With plans for its first location set to open this November in Minato, Tokyo, the brand is ready to make a significant impact in the fast-food industry. Watanabe, with his background in brand marketing at Ezaki Glico Corporation and investments from Nankai Electric Railway Co., has successfully transitioned his vision into a thriving enterprise.

Meet the Founder

Born in Kyoto in 1995, Watanabe entered the workforce at Ezaki Glico, where he led projects related to their low-carb brand SUNAO and also worked on corporate lunch delivery services. With a profound academic background holding a Bachelor's in Chemistry from Osaka University and a Master of Business Administration from GLOBIS University, he designed yuppa to redefine fast food through health-centric choices that cater to modern lifestyles.