Harajuku Tokyo Café, India's fastest-growing authentic Japanese casual dining and QSR chain, today announced the successful completion of its first institutional funding round, raising ₹19 crores in a structured investment. The round was led by Indian Angel Network (IAN), one of India's largest angel investment platforms, with participation from Samved VC, LetsVenture as well as venture debt fund Capitar Ventures to support its aggressive expansion plans. Harajuku is seeing strong demand in its ongoing round, with additional capital expected to be raised.

The funding comes on the heels of the brand's highly successful Mumbai debut at Jio World Drive, BKC, where both Harajuku Tokyo Café and Harajuku Bakehouse opened to overwhelming customer response in July 2025. The Mumbai launch marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to bring authentic Japanese cuisine to India's mainstream dining landscape.

Founded in 2021 by Gaurav Kanwar, Harajuku Tokyo Café has redefined Japanese dining in India by making authentic cuisine accessible through casual dining restaurants and quick-service formats. The brand has achieved remarkable growth, scaling to ₹30+ crores in annual recurring revenue (ARR) with 7 operational outlets across Delhi NCR and Mumbai. With technology and innovation at its core, the company is targeting 90 outlets across 20 cities and ₹200 crores+ in revenue by 2027, with Letters of Intent already signed for 15 locations in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh.

“This funding milestone strengthens our vision of democratizing Japanese cuisine in India,” said Gaurav Kanwar, Founder and CEO of Harajuku Tokyo Café. "What began as a passion project to make Japanese food accessible has evolved into a scalable business model that resonates with India's evolving palate. With our Mumbai launch exceeding all expectations and this funding secured, we're positioned to become India's leading Japanese dining destination."

The brand's unique positioning combines authentic Japanese flavors with Instagram-worthy aesthetics, featuring signature offerings like jiggly pancakes, conveyor belt sushi, Naruto ramen, and Japanese cotton cheesecakes. Each outlet creates an immersive Tokyo experience with manga libraries, robot DJs, and vibrant Harajuku-inspired décor.

The investment round was co-led by IAN investors Hari Balasubramanian (who was one of the first angels in standout deals like Wow Momos, Samosa Party, and others), Uday Chatterjee, Pradeep Jai Singh and Prakash, seasoned angel investors of IAN who bring diverse industry experience and strategic networks to support Harajuku’s expansion. Commenting on the deal, Balasubramanian said, “Gaurav and his team have masterfully executed a complex concept – bringing authentic Japanese cuisine to the mass market while maintaining quality and creating genuine brand affinity. Their attention to operational detail, from the central kitchen operations to the customer experience design, demonstrates the scalability we need to see in today's competitive F&B landscape.”

Chatterjee added, “Having visited their outlets multiple times with family, I can attest to both the food quality and the unique dining experience they've created. Harajuku is a cultural bridge that makes Japanese cuisine approachable for Indian families while maintaining authenticity.”

The round was also co-led by Samved VC; a venture capital fund focused on underserved and high-potential Indian markets. Speaking on the investment, Vivek Khare, Partner, Samved VC, said, “I’ve always believed that the best investments come from the heart—and my heart has long been with this brand. I’m a regular customer, drawn back again and again by the flavors I love. But what truly sealed my decision was the founder’s infectious passion—for the food, the menu, the processes, the hygiene, the branding, and the vision for scaling. He lives and breathes every aspect of the business, and that energy is as irresistible as the cuisine itself. Investing here is about being part of something I genuinely enjoy and believe in.”

LetsVenture, led by Shanti Mohan—a leading early-stage investment platform that connects startups with accredited investors, also participated in the round.

India’s food-service industry, valued at ~USD 51 billion today and set to more than double to USD 123 billion by 2033, is being driven by the explosive growth of casual dining and QSR. Within this, Japanese cuisine is one of the fastest-growing international segments, expanding at a double-digit CAGR. Driving this trend are rising anime influence, growing travel to Japan, and evolving consumer food preferences. Harajuku is at the forefront of this expansion.

Harajuku operates through two high-growth formats: the full-service Harajuku Tokyo Café and the quick-service Harajuku Bakehouse. Backed by a central kitchen in Delhi NCR that handles 85% of food preparation, the brand delivers consistent quality within minutes across outlets. The business is already operating with industry-leading unit-level margins, providing a solid foundation for accelerated growth.

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Harajuku’s success stems from its innovative blend of culinary authenticity and operational technology. The brand collaborates with renowned Japanese chefs Asami Indo and Nariaki Higuchi, who bring years of experience to ensure cultural authenticity while constantly evolving and helping bridge the gap between Japan and India. The company also leverages technology across operations, from AI-powered inventory management, tech-driven loyalty programs to digital ordering and customer experience.

Expanding beyond dining, the brand is foraying into the packaged food segment with its D2C vertical, KoiKoi Essentials, which will bring ramen kits, sauces, and frozen meals to homes across India.

“Mumbai's response has been phenomenal," shared Shreya Bhagat, Head of Marketing. "We're seeing strong organic social media traction, with our conveyor belt sushi and jiggly pancakes becoming Instagram sensations, garnering 3 million views organically.” Harajuku Tokyo Café has also earned industry recognition with multiple awards, including Restaurateur of the Year (Restaurant India), Best Asian Specialty Casual Dining (NDTV Food Awards), Best Japanese Casual Dining (Times Food Awards), and Foreign Cuisine Restaurant of the Year (Indian Restaurant Awards).

Beyond immediate expansion goals, Harajuku Tokyo Café envisions becoming India's definitive Japanese dining brand while exploring international opportunities. The company is already in discussions for franchise partnerships in the UAE and other international markets where Indian diaspora communities could drive demand.

"Our vision extends beyond just restaurants," concluded Gaurav Kanwar. "We're building a Japanese lifestyle brand that encompasses dining, retail, and experiences. By 2030, when someone thinks of Japanese cuisine in India, we want Harajuku to be the first name that comes to mind."