Asian cooking is more than preparing a meal; it is a tradition where flavour, craftsmanship, emotion and culture come together. Authentic recipes and cooking techniques have been passed down through generations, creating a rich culinary heritage.
For more than 65 years, Vanka-Kawat has been bringing these authentic Asian flavours to the Netherlands. As an importer, producer and distributor, we supply a wide range of Asian food products to the retail, hospitality, foodservice and Asian specialty stores. By combining traditional recipes with innovative product development, we continuously meet the needs of today’s consumers.
A large part of our assortment is imported directly from the countries of origin, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore. We work exclusively with carefully selected manufacturers that excel in quality, food safety, sustainability and social responsibility.
In addition, we produce a variety of products at our own production facility in the Netherlands, where authentic Asian recipes are combined with modern production techniques and the highest quality standards.
Quality and Food Safety
Quality, food safety and service are at the core of everything we do. Our production and wholesale operations are certified according to the international food safety standard FSSC 22000. We also operate in accordance with HACCP principles and make use of advanced automated systems for quality management, traceability and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
Vanka-Kawat is also SKAL certified for the import, trading and production of organic products. Together with our dedicated employees, we strive every day to further improve our processes, products and services, enabling us to provide the highest level of support to our customers.
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Our Customers
Vanka-Kawat supplies Asian food products to a broad range of business customers throughout the Netherlands and Europe.
- Asian specialty stores, delicatessens and other businesses – supplied through our own distribution network or via collection at our B2B wholesale outlets in Amsterdam and The Hague.
- Supermarket chains – supporting professional retail organizations through EDI connectivity, GS1 Data Source integration and distribution centre logistics.
- Foodservice and hospitality – supplying restaurants, caterers, restaurant chains and foodservice wholesalers.
- Wholesalers and cash & carry wholesalers – reliable supply of an extensive range of Asian food products.
- Export partners – supplying customers and distributors across Europe.
From our central warehouse in The Hague, we distribute products to customers throughout Europe. In addition, we operate two dedicated B2B cash & carry wholesale outlets in Amsterdam and The Hague. Our production facility is located in Zoetermeer, where we manufacture a variety of authentic Asian products in accordance with the highest quality and food safety standards.
Our Mission
At Vanka-Kawat, we believe that authentic Asian flavours should be accessible to everyone. That is why we import, produce and distribute high-quality Asian food products that enable both consumers and professionals to prepare authentic Asian dishes with ease.
By combining traditional recipes with premium ingredients, product innovation and strict quality control, we contribute to enjoyable dining experiences and a greater appreciation of the diversity and richness of Asian cuisine.
The Meaning of Vanka-Kawat
Vanka-Kawat was founded in 1958 by Mr. G.L. van Kasteren. The company name is a combination of two family-related names:
- Vanka refers to the family name Van Kasteren.
- Kawat refers to the wire manufacturing company owned by the family in Indonesia. The Indonesian word kawat means “wire”.
The name reflects the rich heritage and international background of the family business, which has been active in the import, production and distribution of Asian food products for more than 65 years.
