Entrepreneurial besties open first resto venture
The thriving food and beverage businesses in Cebu prompted millennial best friends Roydin and Ken to join the restaurant choices in Cebu.
Roydin Malabuyoc and Ken Kudo, both in their early twenties pooled their savings together to open up a Japanese inspired restobar called “Kudoku.”
This young buddies spent an estimated P3.5 million to P4 million to start their entrepreneurial stint, although Kudo, a half-Japanese Cebuano is still maintaining his job in Japan virtually.
“I decided to come home because life is here,” said Kudo.
Kudo stayed and worked in Japan briefly after college as a plant engineer.
Malabuyoc on the other hand was working in a highend restaurant brand in Cebu.
Both gained their corporate experiences, the entrepreneur-duo believe that starting with a business in an industry they love is a good entry point.
The tough competition in the food and beverage business in Cebu does not bother them at all, saying the vibrant tourism industry in Cebu and the improving purchasing power of Cebuano make a good restaurant thrive, they said.
“We ventured into restobar because every time I come home and meet with friends we always find ourselves catching up over good food and drinks,” Kodu shared.
These entrepreneur friends are capitalizing their grasp of the thick millennial market in terms of offerings, and gigs.
Their menu choices for instance are designed specifically to capture the discerning taste of millennial diners, such that their Japanese inspired dishes are not claiming to be authentic but a play between Japanese and Filipino tastebuds.
“We use Japanese ingredients, techniques, methods but we added a unique taste for locals to enjoy,” they said.
Kudoku Japaneseinspired restaurant is located at the Greenery lifestyle strip along Pope John Paul II Avenue, Cebu City.