Who We Are

The Realm of Authentic Japanese Food Distribution

In the early 1900’s, during the era of the Takuwan Boeki, or the “Japanese Pickle Trade”, rice, Miso, and Shoyu were the mainstay of imported Japanese foods. In the 1950s as commerce grew, thousands of other Japanese imports were added, made up mostly of shelf staple, canned foods – everything from Tofu, Shirataki, Kamaboko, Matsutake mushrooms, Sukiyaki no Tomo, Unagi Kabayaki, and yes, even Takuwan pickles.

With the advent of the container ocean freight system in the 1970s, import of fresh chilled and fresh frozen foods became a possibility: frozen Unagi, Natto, Udon, and fresh Tofu, Takuwan, and Miso. Most significantly, this technological advancement gave Sushi its most important first step in America by achieving the safe distribution of fresh seafood ingredients for Sushi toppings.

Established in 1926, Mutual Trading Co., Inc. was originally a small co-op organization for centralized purchasing of essential import foods to service the needs of the early Japanese immigrant society in Southern California. We’ve grown to nearly 80 years old, command a premiere position among Japanese food service suppliers, and fill a key role as “Culinary Ambassador” promoting Japanese foods worldwide. We import, manufacture, and distribute over 5,000 Japanese foods, beverages, restaurant equipment, and supplies.

Mutual Trading’s business expands beyond importing foods. In fact, the rapidly growing export division, the Pan Pacific Merchandising (PPM) group, handles automotive, home improvement, and houseware products.