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Japanese cheesecake company to open first U.S. location in Hawaii

COURTESY UNCLE TETSU JAPANESE CHEESECAKE

The Uncle Tetsu Japanese cheesecake is lighter than American cheesecakes and is stamped with a signature image on top.

Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake, recently purchased by Panda Restaurant Group, will open its first U.S. location at the Royal Hawaiian Center.

Tetsushi Mizokami established the company in Hakata, Japan, in 1985 and makes his cakes with a signature stamp on top.

Japanese-style cheesecake is lighter in texture than its western counterparts, and Tetsu’s cheesecakes and other baked goods as well as teas now are served in 80 locations around the world.

“Expanding into the U.S. has been a dream for our family-owned business and we are honored to have the chance to grow our fan base here in Honolulu,” Mizokami said, in a statement.

Panda Restaurant Group founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng plan to expand the Uncle Tetsu’s brand across the U.S.

“Through this partnership we will offer our Panda insight and culture-building expertise to help make Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake the go-to destination for authentic Asian dessert options,” Andrew Cherng said. The company will open a second U.S. Uncle Tetsu’s location in Arcadia, California, later this year.

Panda Restaurant Group also owns and operates restaurant chains including Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San.

Cheesecake Factory, known for its heavier, American-style cheesecakes, savory selections and large portions, has been operating at the same center for more than a decade.

25 responses to “Japanese cheesecake company to open first U.S. location in Hawaii”

  1. Jiujitsu_Fighter says:

    Finally they’re coming. Now I don’t have to fly to Japan to get this.

  2. mikethenovice says:

    More sugar based food coming to America. Thread lightly with one at a time.

  3. mikethenovice says:

    Now the Japanese tourist can travel thousands of mile to Hawaii to eat the same thing as in Japan.

  4. lokela says:

    Cheesecake factory competition?

  5. iwanaknow says:

    How soon will we see these products on the shelf’s of Foodland or Costco?

  6. wrightj says:

    It should do well here, especially when the medical marijuana dispensaries are up and running.

  7. AhiPoke says:

    The Japanese cheesecake that I really like is made by LeTAO. What’s interesting is that I recently had a bite of a cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory that I thought was almost as light as the one from LeTAO.

  8. justmyview371 says:

    I’ll stick with NYC cheesecake, nice and heavy.

  9. paniolo says:

    Dessert at Panda restaurants?

  10. oxtail01 says:

    Japanese don’t make real “cheesecakes”. Always try a piece from different bakeries when visiting Japan but none of the one’s I’ve tasted comes close to the richness nor creaminess of American cheesecakes. It’s more like very light cream cakes, real pretty to look at but totally unfulfilling. Even they admit it’s “lighter”, a code for it is a total waste of time and money if you’re a real cheesecake lover.

  11. 2liveque says:

    I LOVE THESE!

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