Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

California Rice Center, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality Japanese-style frozen rice and prepared food products, headquartered in Gardena, California, United States. Established with a focus on delivering authentic Japanese cuisine to both foodservice providers and retail businesses across North America, the company has built a strong reputation for consistency, innovation, and quality over the years.

Company Overview

Operating in the heart of Southern California’s food manufacturing belt, California Rice Center, Inc. (CRC) has positioned itself as a reliable partner for businesses seeking frozen rice and bento-style food solutions. The company’s operations are deeply rooted in traditional Japanese culinary practices, complemented by modern production technologies that ensure safety, taste, and scalability.

Product Portfolio

California Rice Center offers an extensive line of frozen Japanese foods tailored for the North American market. These include staple rice varieties and fully assembled boxed meals, making them a preferred supplier for Japanese restaurants, catering businesses, and Asian food retail chains.

Key Product Categories:

• Frozen Rice Products

  • White Rice
  • Sushi Rice
  • Brown Rice
  • Flavored Rice Blocks
  • Rice Balls (Onigiri)
  • Rice Patties
  • Rice Rolls

• Egg-Based Products

  • Rolled Eggs (Tamagoyaki)
  • Kinshi-Egg (Julienned Fried Egg Strips)

• Boxed Meals

  • Bento Boxes
  • Sushi Platters
  • Osechi Dishes (Traditional Japanese New Year Dishes)
  • Party Hors d'Oeuvres

• Side Dishes

  • A variety of traditional Japanese side dishes, freshly prepared and flash frozen for quality preservation

• Packaging and Containers

  • Take-out containers and display trays designed for visual appeal and convenience, widely used in supermarkets and foodservice setups

Specialization and Core Strengths

CRC’s core strength lies in its ability to mass-produce authentic Japanese rice products without compromising on taste or quality. All rice products are steamed using traditional methods and immediately frozen to lock in freshness. The company also emphasizes hygienic, automated facilities that align with USDA and FDA safety standards.

Key USPs include:

• Authentic flavor and texture consistent with traditional Japanese culinary standards
• Highly scalable production suited for bulk distribution
• Versatile packaging solutions for foodservice and retail

Market and Target Customers

California Rice Center primarily caters to:

• Japanese and Asian cuisine restaurants
• Grocery stores and Asian supermarket chains
• Catering and event businesses
• Bento and boxed meal distributors

Their products are particularly popular on the West Coast of the United States, where there is a high concentration of Japanese and Asian food consumers. However, CRC also distributes nationwide and to select international clients in Canada and Latin America.

Manufacturing Capabilities

The company operates a well-equipped facility in Gardena, California. This production unit includes:

• Automated rice steaming and flash-freezing equipment
• Clean rooms for bento assembly
• Cold chain storage and logistics systems
• Custom packaging line for private label and OEM orders

CRC can meet custom order specifications, including size, flavor, and packaging format, making them a flexible and adaptive manufacturing partner.

Certifications and Compliance

California Rice Center complies with all U.S. food safety regulations. The facility is inspected under USDA and FDA oversight, ensuring compliance with hygiene and labeling standards. The company has implemented HACCP protocols and is reported to maintain strong internal quality control systems.

Shipment and Distribution

While specific international shipment data is limited, CRC primarily focuses on domestic U.S. distribution. Trade data from platforms such as ImportYeti and Volza suggests a moderate volume of exports, particularly for rice-based products and frozen boxed meals to Japanese restaurant chains and wholesalers in Canada and Central America.

Leadership

CRC is led by Daisuke Fujisawa, who has been instrumental in maintaining the company’s focus on quality and cultural authenticity. Under his leadership, CRC has expanded its product range and operational capacity to meet growing market demand for traditional Japanese frozen foods in the U.S.

Customer Testimonials

CRC receives consistent praise from long-term B2B clients who value the company’s product consistency, timely delivery, and flexible packaging options. Restaurant owners and grocery distributors particularly commend the rice quality, noting its "perfect stickiness and authentic flavor profile ideal for sushi and bento menus."

Achievements and Industry Presence

• Over 15 years of uninterrupted service to U.S. foodservice industry
• Recognized supplier to multiple West Coast grocery chains and Asian restaurants
• Regular exhibitor at food trade shows including the Japanese Food Expo and regional distributor showcases

California Rice Center, Inc. continues to stand out as a trusted name in the Japanese frozen food category, helping businesses across North America offer authentic, high-quality rice meals with convenience and reliability.