Zauo is a popular chain in Japan where diners are able to enjoy extremely fresh fish—by catching their own food on-site with a fishing pole. Now, Zauo is expanding to a Chelsea location in York City, which will give locals and tourists alike the same chance to fish for their dinner.
The new NYC eatery will take the form of a three-floor restaurant, with two levels that offer boat-style seating where patrons may reel in different kinds of fish from stocked tanks. Once a fish has been caught, diners are able to turn their fresh catch over to Zauo's staff to be grilled, prepared for sushi or fried in tempura.
The third floor of the all-new space will be set up as an upscale sushi lounge, where this interactive component is left off of the menu.
Interactive Fishing Restaurants
NYC's Zauo Encourages Diners to Fish for Their Own Meals
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Dining - Restaurants are incorporating unique interactive elements into their dining experiences, creating opportunities for unique customer engagement.
2. Vertical Integration - Restaurants that incorporate fishing for their own food are engaging in vertical integration by controlling the sourcing and preparation of their ingredients.
3. Experience Economy - Interactive dining experiences like Zauo are capitalizing on the shift towards an experience-focused economy, where consumers seek out unique and memorable experiences rather than just products or services.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - Hospitality companies could leverage the trend of interactive dining experiences, such as Zauo's fishing for your own meal, to create memorable and engaging experiences for their guests.
2. Food and Beverage - Food and beverage companies could explore the potential of vertical integration, potentially creating experiential restaurants that allow patrons to participate in the sourcing and preparation of their own food.
3. Entertainment - Interactive dining experiences have the potential to cross over into the entertainment industry, creating a unique and memorable experience for consumers looking for a night out.