Japanese Food Suppliers in Spain: Sourcing Guide for Restaurants (2026)
Japanese dining is growing across Madrid and Barcelona, served by specialist importers — and Spain has a long-established Japanese retail/wholesale player in Tokyo-ya. Your supplier choice for sake, seafood and seasonings sets your quality.
This guide covers the suppliers Japanese restaurants in Spain actually use, the import rules you need to know, the ingredients in highest demand (and the hardest to source), and the supermarkets worth knowing — so you can build a reliable, authentic supply chain.
Washoku Agent works with Japanese restaurants across 26 countries on chef recruitment and operations. Information below is compiled from public sources; confirm current pricing and minimum orders directly with each supplier, and check regulations with the relevant authority.
Import rules you need to know
- EU food law: imports follow EU sanitary/phytosanitary rules; animal products require approved establishments and health certificates.
- Customs & VAT: duties and VAT apply; sake and other alcohol are subject to excise duties.
- Via EU distributors: most premium product enters through EU-based Japanese-food distributors who handle compliance — simpler than self-importing.
Notable Japanese food suppliers & distributors in Spain
The suppliers below are trusted by Japanese restaurants in Spain, selected for genuine industry use and Japan-direct sourcing rather than search ranking. For neutral verification, see JETRO’s Japanese Food Supporter Store programme and the EAT-JAPAN directory.
| Supplier | What they’re best for | Base / note |
|---|---|---|
| Cominport España | Importer of Japanese cuisine foods (sushi, gyoza, noodles, ramen, sake, sauces) | Madrid, est. 1995 (Takara group) |
| Foodex Group | Europe-leading Japanese & Asian food wholesaler (owns Cominport) | Spain / Europe (Takara Shuzo group) |
| Tokyo-ya | Importer/wholesaler/retailer since 1981; 1,500–2,000 items + ~150 sake; wholesale in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia & Lisbon | Madrid & Barcelona (JETRO-featured) |
| Garmiko Foods | Spain’s leading premium-sake importer (50+ sake, ~12 breweries) | Spain |
| JFC International (Europe) | Asian & Japanese food, beverages & liquor | Europe-wide (Kikkoman group) |
Most restaurants combine two or three suppliers — e.g. a broad-range distributor plus a sake or premium-seafood specialist. Confirm terms directly with each.
Japanese ingredients in highest demand in Spain
- Miso, dashi & soy sauce — the flavour backbone.
- Sake — a fast-growing premium category (Tokyo-ya stocks ~150 kinds).
- Sashimi-grade seafood — for sushi/omakase venues.
- Japanese rice & noodles — core staples.
- Matcha & green tea — for dining and dessert programmes.
Hard-to-source items (and practical workarounds)
| Hard to source | Why | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-fresh sashimi seafood | Distance from Japan + EU import rules raise cost/lead time | Use EU distributors with Japan air-freight; supplement with high-grade frozen |
| Fresh yuzu, sansho & fresh wasabi | Very limited EU availability / seasonal | Use frozen/paste forms or premium substitutes; order seasonally |
| Specific regional sake | Excise & import complexity for small breweries | Source via Garmiko or Tokyo-ya, which already import a wide sake range |
Japanese supermarkets & specialty grocers
- Tokyo-ya — the main Japanese supermarket: Madrid (Av. Presidente Carmona 9) & Barcelona (C/ Girona 119); also runs the “Shuwa” sake bar in Madrid.
- Specialty Asian/Japanese grocers — additional options in Madrid and Barcelona.
- El Corte Inglés / La Boquería gourmet stalls — selected Japanese ranges.
How to choose a Japanese food supplier in Spain
- Japan-direct sourcing & provenance — ask where premium items originate and how fresh product is handled.
- Cold-chain reliability — delivery frequency and temperature control for fresh/frozen seafood.
- Range & consistency — year-round supply of core items at stable quality and price.
- Compliance — prefer distributors that handle import permits and clearance for you.
- Direct importer vs. reseller — direct importers usually offer better provenance on premium items.
The bigger picture
A dependable ingredient supply chain is only half of a successful Japanese restaurant in Spain — the other half is the kitchen team. As Japanese dining keeps expanding, demand for skilled Japanese chefs has grown alongside demand for authentic ingredients.
Need skilled chefs as well as ingredients?
Washoku Agent specialises in placing experienced Japanese and sushi chefs with restaurants across 26 countries, including Spain. If you are opening or scaling a Japanese restaurant, talk to our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who supplies Japanese ingredients to restaurants in Spain?
Mainly Cominport and Foodex (Takara group), the long-established Tokyo-ya, sake specialist Garmiko, and pan-European JFC.
How does importing into Spain work?
Under EU rules (sanitary certificates, customs, VAT, excise on alcohol). Most restaurants buy via EU/Spanish distributors that handle compliance.
Where can I get sake in Spain?
Garmiko specialises in premium sake, and Tokyo-ya carries around 150 kinds plus a sake bar in Madrid.
Where can smaller outlets buy at retail?
Tokyo-ya (Madrid & Barcelona) is the main option, plus specialty Asian grocers and gourmet halls.
