Raise Your Glass: Haku Vodka from Japan Hits India's Shores

Raise Your Glass: Haku Vodka from Japan Hits India's Shores

By Author

Published on September 29, 2023

India, brace yourself for a taste of Japan like never before, as Beam Suntory, the global leader in premium spirits, unveils the latest gem from the House of Suntory. Following the resounding success of The House of Suntory portfolio's launch in December 2019, the spotlight now shines on India with the introduction of Haku® Vodka.

Derived from the finest Japanese ingredients, Haku® Vodka is a testament to the nature and spirit of Japan. It embodies the core principles of Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii's Monozukuri craftsmanship—a relentless pursuit of perfection, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

In a country where vodka's versatility has captured the hearts of consumers, the arrival of Haku® Vodka is set to make waves in the vodka market. Neeraj Kumar, Managing Director of Beam Suntory India, expresses their excitement, stating, "Vodka continues to gain prominence as a sought-after spirit amongst Indian consumers due to its versatility. Delivering a distinctive experience and establishing a unique presence in the vodka market, we bring yet another addition from our esteemed House of Suntory portfolio in India with the launch of Haku® Vodka."

The name "Haku," meaning 'white and brilliant' in Japanese, pays homage to the key ingredient, "Hakumai," a pure, white Japanese rice symbolising Japan's essence. This rice is meticulously milled, polished, and distilled, resulting in a "junpaku," a clear, clean, and luminous vodka. What makes Haku® Vodka truly exceptional is its filtration process through bamboo charcoal, adding a touch of sophistication and complexity to the vodka's natural flavour.

Haku® Vodka's design blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern sensibilities, creating a minimalist and artisanal product that beautifully celebrates Japanese craftsmanship.

India is not the sole destination for Haku® Vodka. This premium spirit is set to take flight across multiple markets, including Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. With prices ranging from INR 3,950 to INR 6,140, it promises to set an unprecedented benchmark in the vodka category.

Haku® Vodka, an embodiment of quality, tradition, and innovation, marks a significant step in Beam Suntory's mission to elevate its premium portfolio in India, further enriching the vibrant landscape of Indian spirits.

As The House of Suntory celebrates a century of whisky innovation, the introduction of Haku® Vodka reaffirms Suntory's commitment to heritage and a relentless pursuit of crafting exceptional spirits. Beam Suntory invites India to savour the essence of Japanese craftsmanship with each sip of Haku® Vodka.

Image Source: The Whiskey Exchange


The Kitchen by Chef Deepa Offers Homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth in Chennai

The Kitchen by Chef Deepa Offers Homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth in Chennai

By Hariharan U

Published on October 21, 2026

The Kitchen by Chef Deepa is bringing a traditional festive favourite to Chennai with its special selection of homemade Matthi for Karwa Chauth, prepared with pure ghee and available exclusively on a made-to-order basis.

Matthi holds a special place in Karwa Chauth traditions, particularly during the ritual of breaking the fast after the moon is sighted. Traditionally, a husband offers his wife the first morsel of food and water, with Matthi often forming part of this moment. The festive delicacy represents care, affection and togetherness, making it a meaningful addition to the celebration.

Through its festive offering, The Kitchen by Chef Deepa aims to bring this familiar tradition closer to families in Chennai, offering home-style preparations that can be included in their Karwa Chauth rituals.

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The selection features two varieties. The Sweet Saffron, Almond and Pista Matthi, priced at ₹1,350 per kg, combines aromatic saffron with the richness of almonds and pistachios. For those who prefer a simpler, traditional option, Classic Plain Matthi is available at ₹1,100 per kg.

Prepared with pure ghee and an emphasis on traditional flavours, the Matthi is available on a made-to-order basis. Customers can place orders directly with The Kitchen by Chef Deepa ahead of their celebrations.

The festive offering reflects the kitchen's focus on traditional Punjabi home-style cooking and special preparations for occasions celebrated with family. By bringing a familiar part of the Karwa Chauth ritual to Chennai, the kitchen offers customers a convenient way to include this traditional delicacy in their festivities.

Order Details

  • Brand: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa

  • Location: Perungudi, Chennai

  • Sweet Saffron, Almond and Pista Matthi: ₹1,350 per kg

  • Availability: Made to order

  • Phone: +91 93635 44123

  • Instagram: The Kitchen by Chef Deepa


GTGO Opens First bibigo bapsang Outlet in Bengaluru

GTGO Opens First bibigo bapsang Outlet in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 21, 2026

GTGO, the Korean F&B platform behind GOPIZZA, Gochujang and Dalkomi, has introduced bibigo bapsang to India through an exclusive strategic partnership with CJ Foods, the global company behind the Korean food brand bibigo. The launch marks the arrival of the brand's authentic Korean quick-service restaurant (QSR) format in India, with its first outlet opening at Orion Mall, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru.

The new outlet marks another step in GTGO's expansion as a multi-brand platform focused on bringing Korean cuisine to Indian consumers while adapting to local tastes. Additional bibigo bapsang outlets are planned across Bengaluru by the end of the year.

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Designed to make Korean food a part of everyday dining, bibigo bapsang combines the convenience of a QSR with a menu rooted in Korean flavours. Its signature offering is BYOB (Build Your Own Bapsang), a customisable bowl inspired by the Korean table, bringing together rice, protein and vegetables in one meal.

The menu also features bibimbap, Korean chicken, Korean fries, corndogs and desserts, with options available at affordable prices. The concept aims to welcome first-time diners exploring Korean cuisine while giving regular fans access to familiar favourites.

Mahesh Reddy, co-founder and CEO of GTGO, said, "Bengaluru has always been a special market with a vibrant crowd that is ready to try new things. These stores are more than new locations; they are another step towards making high-quality, approachable Korean food a regular part of everyday life for more people across India."

A spokesperson from CJ Foods said, "In Bengaluru, we aim to offer a fun, approachable Korean dining experience through customisable meal sets and bibimbap. By combining CJ Foods' leading brand and product expertise with GTGO's deep local-market understanding and agile execution, we will bring the value of Korean food to more consumers across India."

Alongside bibigo bapsang, GTGO's portfolio includes GOPIZZA, Gochujang, which focuses on Korean street food, and Dalkomi, which offers Korean desserts. The company is looking to build on the growing interest in Korean culture and cuisine by bringing more Korean food concepts to Indian consumers.

With the launch of bibigo bapsang, GTGO aims to expand its presence in Bengaluru and make Korean dining more accessible through a mix of familiar formats, customisable meals and authentic flavours.


epigamia Brings Farah Khan and Chef Dilip Together to Showcase Greek Yogurt

epigamia Brings Farah Khan and Chef Dilip Together to Showcase Greek Yogurt

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 21, 2026

epigamia, a premium dairy products brand, has teamed up with filmmaker Farah Khan and chef Dilip to show how Greek yogurt can be used to prepare easy and delicious desserts at home. The collaboration features the duo recreating a viral Greek recipe using epigamia, the OG Greek Yogurt. The video is available on the Instagram handles of epigamia and Farah Khan.

In the video, Farah and Dilip prepare a creamy Greek dessert using just three ingredients. Their familiar banter, along with Dilip's practical kitchen tips, shows how a recipe with Greek roots can be recreated at home with everyday ingredients and minimal effort. The dish combines the indulgence of a dessert with the nutritional benefits of protein-rich Greek yogurt.

The film is the first in a series of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts planned over the next two months. The upcoming content will introduce audiences to the recipe and its variations, encouraging them to explore different ways of using Greek yogurt in their daily cooking.

Speaking about the collaboration, Ritesh Gauba, CEO at epigamia, said, “Consumers today are becoming more conscious about what goes into their food, but their love for great taste hasn't changed. The real opportunity lies in making better food choices feel effortless, not like a compromise. Greek yogurt fits naturally into this shift, bringing together creamy indulgence, protein and the goodness of dairy, without unnecessary additives. With growing interest in protein-rich foods, Greek yogurt is set to become an everyday habit, whether for breakfast, a midday snack or even dessert.”

The campaign comes at a time when Indian consumers are exploring food options that balance taste and nutrition. According to IMARC Group, India's yogurt market is projected to grow by around 19% annually between 2026 and 2034. Market Decipher estimates that India's high-protein yogurt segment will grow by around 14.6% annually through 2036.

As interest in protein-rich foods grows, Greek yogurt is finding its place beyond breakfast, with consumers exploring its use in snacks, desserts and everyday cooking. Through this collaboration, epigamia aims to position Greek yogurt as a versatile ingredient that can be used in home recipes rather than consumed only on its own.

Looking ahead, epigamia plans to strengthen its presence in the yogurt and ready-to-consume protein category through a range of consumer-focused, tasty and innovative product launches.

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