Yama - Japanese perfection for more than 50 years
How it all began
Yama is a true family business. It all began with Yuang Tsing Ma (grandfather of Yama CEO Chih-Sung Ma), who became enamoured with the Japanese culinary philosophy and the complex flavour profile of Japanese soy sauce half a century ago. He imported the umami-rich sauce to the Netherlands, but he had to compete with the familiar and cheaper Indonesian ketjap, which restauranteurs of the time preferred.
Love for Japanese refinement
In 1966, his son Jaap Ma launched Yama Products, which specialised in and soon began to deliver a wide range of ingredients for oriental cuisine. The group of lovers of Japanese cuisine in the Netherlands grew, in part due to the rising popularity of sushi and a growing interest in refined flavours. Of course, Jaap Ma's drive to introduce innovative flavour combinations to top chefs played a major part as well.
The third generation
At Yama, the third generation joined the company: our current CEO Chih-Sung Ma. He expanded the product range and became a sparring partner and consultant to producers. In the nineties, Diederik Ma, Jaap's next son, also joined the company. Today, Yama is so much more than soy sauce and umami alone. For over fifty years, we have been sharing the secrets of Japanese cuisine and making a valuable contribution to the world of western gastronomy.
Are you looking for Japanese perfection in your dishes?
