KOIKE-YA will initially launch “Gold Potato,” premium molded potato sticks made with 100% domestically grown potatoes, in Tokyo and 6 prefectures, and will expand distribution to general retail channels from 5 October. The product uses a newly developed vacuum-fried fresh method designed to recreate the flavor of freshly fried snacks.
KOIKE-YA will initially launch “Gold Potato (Addictive Salt and Classic Seaweed Salt),” premium molded potato sticks made with 100% domestically grown potatoes, at convenience stores in Tokyo and 6 prefectures on 21 September 2026. From 5 October, the product is scheduled to become available through general retail channels, including supermarkets.
The product’s key feature is a vacuum-fried fresh method (patent pending) developed over 10 years. The method combines vacuum concentration, in which steamed potatoes are mashed and their moisture is removed under vacuum, with vacuum frying, in which the potatoes are slowly fried under vacuum. The product will be available in 2 flavors: Addictive Salt, a seaweed-salt flavor, and Classic Seaweed Salt, which uses 3 types of seaweed and chili pepper as hidden flavor notes. Another feature is the easy resealable function of the bag-style container, which allows the lid to be closed after opening.
The product has achieved a 10-month best-before period, longer than that of conventional cup-style snacks. KOIKE-YA expects this to help deliver the taste of freshly fried snacks for longer while also contributing to food-loss reduction. The company positions Gold Potato as one of the pillars of its value-added strategy and plans to develop the premium molded potato market.