This Business Spotlight originally appeared in the Autumn 2024 edition of the 503. Magazine. Click here to read the entire edition online.
Yamasa Corporation U.S.A., located in Salem, is a pivotal extension of Yamasa Corporation, a storied Japanese company with a rich history dating back to 1645. With over three centuries of tradition in crafting authentic Japanese soy sauce, Yamasa Corporation has become a global leader known for its commitment to quality, taste, and tradition.
Established in 1994, the U.S. plant in Salem and its 90 full-time employees have continued to bring the company’s genuine Japanese flavors to North American markets, upholding Yamasa’s dedication to preserving the time-honored techniques that have defined the Yamasa name for more than 375 years.
Yamasa Corporation U.S.A. continues the legacy of its parent company by combining traditional Japanese methods with modern production technologies. This unique blend of old and new allows Yamasa to deliver products that meet the evolving tastes of a global customer base while retaining the authenticity of traditional Japanese flavors.
“At Yamasa, it is our passion to craft authentic foods and ingredients of the highest quality,” said Katie McFadden, Plant Operations Manager for Yamasa Corporation U.S.A. “We approach this craft with a reverence for tradition and the utmost integrity. Every detail matters — the ingredients, the process, the people, the place and the products — in our quest to bring uncompromising Japanese craftsmanship to everything we make.”
Unique & Authentic Products
Yamasa Corporation U.S.A. is celebrated for its authentic soy sauce, crafted using natural fermentation processes that yield a rich, deep flavor. The company offers a diverse range of products that cater to both traditional and contemporary culinary tastes, including:
- Traditional Soy Sauce: Brewed using age-old methods, Yamasa’s soy sauce is known for its deep umami flavor, subtle sweetness, and complex aroma. It is an essential ingredient in both professional kitchens and home cooking, bringing out the best in any dish.
- Tamari Soy Sauce: A gluten-free alternative that retains the full-bodied flavor of traditional soy sauce, catering to those with dietary restrictions without compromising on taste.
- Ramen Broths & Miso Soup Concentrate: With a variety of ramen and soup bases, Yamasa offers both professional chefs and home cooks authentic Japanese flavors for their favorite meals.
With all of its products, Yamasa maintains strict standards for ingredient sourcing, fermentation, and production, ensuring that every bottle reflects the company’s values of tradition and quality.
“Soy sauce is a unique manufacturing process,” McFadden said. “As you move from each step in the process flow, the sense of smell changes along with it. From the sweet smell of wheat, the combination of raw materials at cultivation, the fermentation period, to the final blending process. We encourage plant tours through our facility to spread the knowledge of the product we produce at high-quality standards.”
Why Salem is the Perfect Home for Yamasa U.S.A.
“When we brought our soy sauce to professional and home chefs here in the U.S., it was imperative we find a location to build our brewery that matched our Japanese climate and pristine water – in the shadow of the Cascades in Oregon’s beautiful Willamette Valley,” McFadden said. “Here, as in Japan, our artisans attend to every detail, using only the best ingredients, the exact processes, and the unique Yamasa koji culture we’ve perfected over centuries, to guarantee that same extraordinary quality and craftsmanship.”
Yamasa Corporation U.S.A. stands as a remarkable bridge between Japanese culinary tradition and modern American tastes. With a deep-rooted history and a commitment to quality, Yamasa continues to enrich kitchens and dining experiences across the U.S.
Visit yamasausa.com to learn more about the company, its products, and more.