Aji Ichiban () was one of the largest snack food franchises in Hong Kong, established in 1993 by Lai Chan Yuk Hing and Lai Hin Tai, which was the president and managing director, respectively. Despite having a hiragana syllabary no (の) in its name, Aji Ichiban was not a Japanese franchise. There were over 90 international locations in varying international destinations. Product Items sold vary by location and encompassed a wide range of flavors from both East Asian, Japanese and American cuisines, including beef jerky, dried apricots, Skittles, chocolates, nonpareils, spicy dried fish, plum tablets, chili olives, fried and shredded squid, shrimp crackers, hot dog and hamburger shaped gummy candies, wasabi peas, etc. In addition to providing products based on gustatory appeal, many Aji Ichiban shops carried items that have ties to traditional Eastern remedies. The stores had small bowls of samples for most of the snack items - mainly dried fruit and seafood preparations - so that customers could taste the snacks before they bought them. The snacks were purchased by taking a bag and filling it up with food from the various stations, according to the cost. It was then weighed and you paid accordingly. International locations Canada In Canada, Aji Ichiban had a store in Parker Place, an Asian shopping mall in Richmond, a suburb of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. (now closed) Philippines In the Philippines, Aji Ichiban had several outlet-sized stores, most of which were in shopping malls. Makati Power Plant Mall - Open Glorietta 4 - Open Mandaluyong SM Megamall Building A - Open Manila City Robinsons Place Manila SM City Sta. Mesa Pasay SM Mall of Asia Quezon City Robinsons Galleria San Juan Greenhills Shopping Center - Open United States In the United States, Aji Ichiban USA was founded in 2000 as an exclusive franchise, with several stores located throughout the United States. Many Chinese political leaders paid visits to these locations. However, as of 2013, most of the locations had been closed. California San Jose/Cupertino - Closed Los Angeles Monterey Park - Open San Gabriel - Open San Francisco Chinatown - Closed Illinois Chicago - Open Hawaii Honolulu - Closed Maryland Rockville - Closed Massachusetts Boston - Closed New York New York City Broadway - Closed Centre Street - Closed Lafayette Street - Closed Mott Street - Closed Hester Street - Closed Main Street - Open Pennsylvania Philadelphia - Closed Texas Richardson -