The number of Japanese eateries in Thailand has been growing continuously, especially in the provinces, the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) Bangkok said on Friday (September 13).

The number of outlets serving Japanese food in the Kingdom has expanded 21 per cent from last year to 3,637 eateries this year. Japanese outlets in Bangkok alone rose from 1,718 to 1,993, while upcountry, the number has grown from 1,286 to 1,644. 

The survey, conducted from June 1 to August 20, covered eateries serving Japanese cuisine, fusion foods and outlets where half of the menu covers Japanese food. 

In terms of types of eateries, restaurants led the list with 893, up 19 per cent from last year, followed by outlets selling sushi, ramen, sukiyaki and izakaya or Japanese tapas-style food. The number of sushi outlets alone grew to 683 this year from 299 last year. 

Bangkok has the largest number of Japanese eateries, followed by Chon Buri, Nonthaburi and Chiang Mai.