About zenDine
Evolution & Achievements
From its conception to its realization, zenDine has journeyed through a rapidly transforming landscape, steadily marking milestones that define our commitment to culinary discovery in Japan.
- 2019
The Idea
In the bustling heart of Tokyo, zenDine emerged as a thoughtfully crafted platform designed to seamlessly introduce foreign visitors and residents to the intricate and diverse culinary experiences that Japan has to offer.
- 2020
Beta Testing
Amidst global challenges presented by the pandemic, a beta version of zenDine was launched and evaluated. Both foreign residents in Tokyo and restaurant owners in Japan gave the platform encouraging feedback, highlighting its potential impact.
- 2021
Team Expansion
Recognizing the potential, experts in technology, hospitality, and marketing join the zenDine team, enriching the platform with their diverse experiences.
- 2021
Partnerships Initiated
Collaborative efforts begin with restaurants in Japan, paving the way for a broader reach.
- 2022
Tech Advancements
zenDine introduced an advanced dual-language technology platform, tailored specifically for English and Japanese speakers.
- 2023
Official Launch
zenDine officially goes live, quickly gaining traction among foreign residents, travelers, and restaurant owners across Japan.
- 2023
Rapid Growth
With a focused approach on the onboarding of restaurant partners, zenDine established meaningful collaborations across Japan's culinary tapestry.
- 2023
Content Expansion
zenDine expanded its role from a restaurant discovery platform to a leading digital content curator, becoming an authoritative source of information and insights about dining in Japan.
Today, as we continue to evolve, our achievements are not merely numbers or accolades; they are stories of memorable dining experiences, lasting partnerships, and a community that grows stronger with each shared meal. With an unwavering commitment to our vision, we're excited for the many more milestones to come on this gastronomic journey.
Partnerships & Collaborations
At zenDine, we believe in the power of collective strength. Our vision of connecting foreign residents and travelers to the vibrant culinary world of Japan wouldn't be possible without the invaluable partnerships and collaborations we've fostered over the years.
Local Restaurants: From the very beginning, we've joined hands with a broad spectrum of eateries, from traditional ryotei and izakayas to modern cafes and fusion restaurants. These partnerships have enabled us to showcase the diverse range of culinary offerings available in Japan, catering to all tastes and preferences.
Food Critics and Bloggers: We work closely with local food critics, bloggers, and influencers who share their insights, reviews, and recommendations on our platform. Their expertise adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the zenDine experience.
Chambers of Commerce: Our collaboration with various chambers of commerce has enabled us to foster relationships with the international business community in Japan, further extending our reach and providing a more inclusive dining platform.
Travel Agencies: To enhance the overall Japan experience for travelers, we've established collaborations with travel agencies. These synergies allow visitors to plan their culinary adventures alongside their sightseeing activities, offering a holistic view of Japan's culture.
Community Initiatives: We actively engage in community initiatives and events, joining forces with local organizations and businesses to promote the culinary scene in Japan. These collaborations help us give back to the community that has so warmly embraced us.
The Founding Story of zenDine
Amidst the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, where ancient traditions intertwine seamlessly with modern life, the culinary tapestry of Japan comes alive. But for foreign residents and travelers, navigating this culinary scene wasn't always straightforward due to the language barrier and the lack of a platform catering to their unique needs.
The vision for zenDine sprouted in 2019 when Veronica, a long-time Tokyo resident, dined alongside a group of foreign travelers at a restaurant in Ginza. As they delved into the intricacies of Japanese cuisine, Veronica realized the challenges they faced — from choosing the right restaurants to understanding intricate menu details. This evening was the spark for a transformative idea: a platform that bridged the gap between Japan's rich culinary heritage and those eager to immerse in it.
Yet, as the blueprint of zenDine started to take form, the world found itself grappling with an unprecedented challenge — the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a period of global uncertainty, causing countless dreams to be paused, including Veronica's. The aspiration to launch zenDine in the subsequent year faced a hiatus. But with unwavering determination, a dedicated team by her side, and a deep belief in the platform's vision, Veronica steered through these tumultuous times.
Come 2023, as the world gradually stitched itself back together, zenDine was officially unveiled. The pandemic, while causing delays, reinforced the core belief of zenDine — the timeless allure of shared meals and collective experiences.
zenDine wasn't solely about translation. It embodied the heart and soul of dining in Japan — from passionate chefs crafting culinary masterpieces, age-old recipes echoing stories of the past, to the innovative fusion of flavors heralding the future.
Under Veronica's leadership, and with the collaboration of numerous restaurant partners, zenDine has transformed into more than a platform — it's a community. A beacon for culinary adventurers in Japan, representing the universal language of food.
Today, with pride and gratitude, zenDine stands as Japan's foremost restaurant discovery platform, connecting culinary aficionados from all corners of the world with Japan's dining treasures. Our journey is in its nascent stages, and we invite you to be an integral part of this gastronomic adventure.
Veronica Lobanow, Co-founder
A seasoned entrepreneur and innovator, Veronica Lobanow brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as co-founder of zenDine. With a background that spans marketing, technology, and entrepreneurship, Veronica has a proven track record of building successful ventures from the ground up.
Before co-founding zenDine, Veronica was the co-founder of a marketing agency that she helped grow from its foundation to a million-dollar business. This agency was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies in America for several consecutive years. Known for its technology-driven approach, the agency successfully partnered with multiple Fortune 100 companies and launched trademarked products that represented these brands at prominent events around the country and abroad.
Veronica has also been instrumental in the founding and success of several other ventures, including Veltech Global, SMART Hive, ELISTOCRAT, and Step Logic, Inc. At SMART Hive, she was at the forefront of bringing together marketing and sales stages under one roof, streamlining customer journeys, and automating interactions with prospects. As co-founder of Step Logic, Inc, Veronica played a key role in transforming the company into a performance marketing agency that provided services and built products with technology at their core.
In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Veronica holds a Master's Degree in Bioinformatics from the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology. Her education and experience have equipped her with a unique combination of skills, enabling her to spot opportunities, solve problems, and deliver value.
As co-founder of zenDine, Veronica is dedicated to leveraging her extensive experience and innovative thinking to bridge the gap between Japan's vast culinary offerings and the foreign community eager to explore them. Her focus on technology and passion for building lasting partnerships are instrumental in creating a platform that benefits both diners and restaurant owners.
Veronica's resilience, dedication, and innovative spirit have propelled her to great heights, and she continues to break new ground as a co-founder of zenDine. With her leadership, zenDine is set to become a premier restaurant discovery platform for foreign residents and travelers in Japan.
Protection Measures
At zenDine, we're dedicated to protecting your personal information and ensuring your privacy. We've put stringent security measures in place to safeguard your data against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Here's how we're committed to keeping your data secure:
Data Encryption: We employ robust encryption technologies to protect the data you share with us, ensuring that your personal and payment information is securely transmitted and stored.
Secure Payment Processing: We've partnered with trusted payment gateways that adhere to the highest industry standards for security. All payment transactions on zenDine are processed through these secure gateways, providing you with a safe and reliable payment experience.
Regular Security Audits: Our systems undergo regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities. This helps us maintain a secure platform and stay ahead of emerging threats.
Privacy Practices: We follow best practices for data privacy, ensuring that your personal information is only used for the purposes you've agreed to. We do not sell, rent, or share your data with third parties without your explicit consent.
Transparent Communication: We're committed to being transparent about our data practices. Our Privacy Policy provides a comprehensive overview of how we collect, use, and protect your information.
Your trust is important to us, and we're dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of data protection. If you have any questions or concerns about our protection measures, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.