In a charming street in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japanese YouTuber Yuma Ogihara, known as Japonesito Yuma, has opened his own completto shop named “Once.” In an interview with La Tercera, Yuma shared his motivation for starting the business and how the classic Chilean sandwich has been received in Japan.
Yuma Ogihara, 32, has captivated his followers through his YouTube channel, where he shares his culinary adventures around the globe with over 63,000 subscribers. During his time in Chile, Yuma sampled various local delicacies like sopaipillas, empanadas, and mote con huesillo. However, it was the Italian completo that particularly caught his interest.
“My love for completos grew so much that I decided to open a shop in Nishinomiya on July 10,” Yuma explains. The name “Once” refers to the traditional Chilean afternoon snack.
Yuma, who had always dreamed of starting his own business, saw this as an opportunity to share his passion for completos, a dish that is not common in Japan. “I wanted to have my own business and show the Japanese people what a true Chilean completo is,” he says.
Since his university days, Yuma had an interest in learning Spanish, which led him to study in Spain. Although returning to Japan limited his practice, his desire to further improve his Spanish led him to start a YouTube channel during the pandemic. In September 2022, he decided to move to Iquique, Chile, where he lived for nearly ten months and worked in used car sales. This period allowed him to immerse himself in Chilean culture and explore its cuisine.
After returning to Japan in July 2023, Yuma embarked on a journey across Europe and Latin America, continuing his culinary explorations. However, by February of this year, he decided it was time for a change. “I was exhausted and had to choose whether to continue making YouTube videos or find a more stable job. I opted for something more fun and challenging,” he explains.
Thus, “Once” was born—a completo shop where each sandwich is sold for 600 yen, approximately 3,500 Chilean pesos. Although Yuma acknowledges that tastes between Chileans and Japanese differ, he has received positive feedback. “Most people have really enjoyed it. In Japan, we eat avocado, tomato, and bread, but not in the way we do with completos in Chile,” he says.
One aspect that has surprised Japanese customers is the creamy texture of the avocado, which in Japan is usually used differently, such as in salads or with tuna. The combination of avocado, tomato, and mayonnaise has been particularly well received.
During the shop’s opening, Yuma’s friends tried the completos, and their reactions were captured in two videos that quickly gained popularity on YouTube. The videos have attracted the attention of Chileans living in Japan, who have promised to visit the Nishinomiya shop.
