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| HokBen | |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Foodservice |
| Founded | 18 April 1985; 39 years ago (1985-04-18) |
| Headquarters | Jakarta,Indonesia |
Key people | Paulus Arifin (CEO) |
| Products | Japanese-stylefast food |
| Website | www.hokben.co.id |
PT Eka Bogainti,trading asHokBen (formerly known asHoka Hoka Bento), is an Indonesian chain of restaurants that serves mainlyJapanese-stylefast food. Headquartered in theJakarta capital region, the chain of restaurants span nationwide across the Indonesian islands ofJava,Bali,Kalimantan,Sulawesi, andSumatra.
HokBen is aportmanteau word derived from an early name of the brand,Hoka Hoka Bento, which literally means "steamingbento (Japanese-style takeaway served in box)" inJapanese. It was originally named that way to attract the Japanese expats and the Japanese-enthusiasts in Indonesia.
Established on 18 April 1985 inKebon Kacang,Jakarta, under PT. Eka Bogainti by Hendra Arifin,[1] HokBen became the largest Japanese-style fast food chain in Indonesia. Although they serve Japanese-style fast food, the ownership,[2] management and cooks are entirely Indonesian.[3] There is no Japanese involvement in the business.[4]
In April 2008, the firm had 98 outlets.[5] In April 2010, there were around 120 outlets, with expansion planned to other Indonesian cities inCentral Java,Yogyakarta and Bali.[6][7], As of 2025, HokBen has 387 restaurant chains in all ofIndonesia.[8]
In 2018 the first outlet opened inSumatra, in the city ofBandar Lampung. In 2022, the first outlet opened inKalimantan, in the city ofPontianak. And in 2023, the first outlet opened inSulawesi, in the city ofMakassar.[9]
HokBen serves various Japanese fast food. However, unlike the common ordering and serving method in most fast food restaurants, HokBen's serving arrangement is set similar to a high schoolcafeteria where customers move along the line with a tray to collect their dishes. Their menu comprises both set meals andà la carte dishes.[10] Although they define themselves as a Japanese restaurant, most of the food served have been adapted to suit Indonesians' taste.[11] Examples of the change include stronger flavor compared to authentic Japanese food as well as the addition ofsambal to cater to Indonesians' preference for spicy food.
HokBen offers a kids' meal package called "Kidzu Bento" which includes toys. They are also able to accommodate for children's birthday parties in their restaurants.[12] The logo and toys offered are based on Hoka Hoka Bento characters.
The mascots of HokBen are a pair of adolescent characters named Taro (boy) and Hanako (girl).[13] Both characters appear in the restaurant's logo.