Japanese dining chain backed by IAN, Samved VC and LetsVenture; aims for 90 outlets and Rs 200 crore revenue by 2027
Harajuku Tokyo Café, one of India’s fastest-growing Japanese casual dining and QSR chains, has raised $2 million (Rs 19 crore) in seed funding to fuel its national expansion. The round was co-led by Indian Angel Network (IAN) and Samved VC, with additional participation from LetsVenture and Capitar Ventures.
The fresh capital comes on the back of the brand’s successful Mumbai debut at Jio World Drive, BKC, in July, where Harajuku Tokyo Café and its sister format Harajuku Bakehouse launched to enthusiastic customer response. Founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Gaurav Kanwar, the company has already scaled to over Rs 30 crore in annual recurring revenue with seven outlets across Delhi NCR and Mumbai.
Harajuku Tokyo Café now plans to expand to 90 outlets across 20 cities by 2027, targeting more than Rs 200 crore in revenue. The company has already signed Letters of Intent for 15 new locations, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ludhiana and Chandigarh.
“This funding milestone strengthens our vision of democratising Japanese cuisine in India,” said Gaurav Kanwar, Founder and CEO. “What began as a passion project has evolved into a scalable business model that resonates with India’s evolving palate. With our Mumbai launch exceeding expectations and this funding secured, we’re positioned to become India’s leading Japanese dining destination.”
The investment was backed by seasoned IAN investors such as Hari Balasubramanian, Uday Chatterjee, Pradeep Jai Singh and Sri Prakash, alongside Samved VC Partner Vivek Khare, who described Harajuku as “a cultural bridge that makes Japanese cuisine approachable for Indian families while maintaining authenticity.”
With India’s $51 billion food-service industry expected to more than double by 2033, Harajuku Tokyo Café is banking on growing appetite for global cuisines, driven by anime culture, travel to Japan and changing consumer tastes. Its signature offerings—jiggly pancakes, conveyor belt sushi, ramen, and Japanese cheesecakes—have already become social media sensations, drawing millions of organic views.
Alongside dining, the brand is expanding into the packaged foods segment through its D2C vertical, KoiKoi Essentials, offering ramen kits, sauces and frozen meals. Future growth also includes exploring international franchise opportunities, particularly in the UAE.
“Our vision extends beyond restaurants,” Kanwar added. “We’re building a Japanese lifestyle brand that encompasses dining, retail and experiences. By 2030, when someone thinks of Japanese cuisine in India, we want Harajuku to be the first name that comes to mind.”
