HokBen


HokBen is a Japanese fast food chain of restaurants based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Their chain of restaurants today spread across Java and Bali. The name Hoka Hoka Bento is derived from Japanese language which means "steaming bento".

History

Established on 18 April 1985 in Kebon Kacang, Jakarta, under PT. Eka Bogainti by Hendra Arifin, HokBen became the largest Japanese fast food chain in Indonesia. Although they serve Japanese fast food, the ownership, management and cooks are entirely Indonesian. There is no Japanese involvement in the business.
In April 2008, the firm had 98 outlets. As of April 2010, there were around 120 outlets, with expansion planned to other Indonesian cities in Central Java, Yogyakarta and Bali. Today, Hoka Hoka Bento has 141 restaurant chains in Java and Bali.

Products

HokBen serves various Japanese fast food. However, unlike the common ordering and serving method in most fast food restaurants, HokBen's serving arrangement is set similar to a highschool cafeteria where customers move along the line with a tray to collect their dishes. Their menu comprises both set meals and à la carte dishes. Although they define themselves as a Japanese restaurant, most of the food served have been adapted to suit Indonesians' taste. Examples of the change include stronger flavour compared to authentic Japanese food as well as the addition of sambal to cater to Indonesians' preference for spicy food.
HokBen offers a kids' meal package called "Kidzu Bento" which includes toys. They are also able to accommodate for children's birthday parties in their restaurants. The logo and toys offered are based on Hoka Hoka Bento characters.

Mascot

The mascots of HokBen are a pair of adolescent characters named Taro and Hanako. Both characters appear in the restaurant's logo.