Nanka Seimen was built on a foundation of quality, consistency, and deep respect for Japanese culinary heritage since 1905. With a century of experience, the company has earned a reputation for producing authentic wrapper products that serve both foodservice professionals and retail consumers with reliability and care.
Today, as part of the JSL Foods family, Nanka Seimen enters a new chapter of growth and innovation. Together, Nanka Seimen and JSL Foods combine tradition with scale. By preserving the integrity of Nanka Seimen’s heritage while leveraging JSL Foods’ manufacturing excellence and market reach, the partnership strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality wrapper products across retail and foodservice.
As we move forward, our focus remains clear: honor the legacy, innovate with purpose, and continue serving customers with products that meet the highest standards of taste, texture, and performance.
In 1905, Masakichi Tokunaga and his wife moved from Japan to Los Angeles to rebuild their lives in America. With one of the first imported Japanese production machines, they opened an authentic restaurant in Little Tokyo, introducing traditional Japanese craftsmanship and flavors to Southern California.
In 1939, following the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the Tokunaga family—like many Japanese Americans—was forcibly interned. Before leaving, Masakichi entrusted the factory to Keiichiro Sayano, a close friend and employee, who carefully preserved the equipment.
In 1975, Keiichiro Sayano retired and passed the family business to his son, Shoichi Sayano, a University of California, Los Angeles graduate and former McDonnell Douglas aerothermodynamics engineer. While scaling traditional Japanese craftsmanship for larger production presented a very different challenge from aerospace design, his deep commitment to kazoku (family) ultimately led Shoichi back to continue the legacy.
In 2024, this legacy entered a new chapter through its integration into JSL Foods, Inc., further strengthening its foundation for the future. With expanded resources and a continued respect for its heritage, the company remains dedicated to crafting premium skins and wrappers with authentic ingredients and time-honored Japanese techniques.