Shoppers can indulge in a smorgasbord of yatai delicacies, sweet treats and premium fresh produce from 25 renowned Japanese brands.
Photo Credit: NEX
Venue: NEX Atrium Level 1
Date: 18 to 30 Oct 2022
Time: 12pm to 9pm (18 Oct 2022) | 10.30am to 9pm (Sun to Thu) | 10.30am to 9.30pm (Fri to Sat) | 10.30am to 8pm (30 Oct 2022)
NEX, in collaboration with ISETAN, celebrates the rich deep flavours of autumn by bringing back the iconic ISETAN Momiji Matsuri Fair after a two-year hiatus.
Happening from 18 to 30 October 2022, the fair will be held at NEX Atrium Level 1 where shoppers can look forward to various seasonal food flavours from Japan.
Here are some of the highlights of this year’s fairs to keep an eye out for:
New Brands
Making their debut this year at the fair are heritage brands such as Kurikoma Chaya, TOKIO and KINOKUNIYA.
Kurikoma Chaya
The brand upholds their traditional-style appeal while connecting with the younger generation by appealing to their Instagram aesthetics with traditional sweets that elegantly incorporate a mix of colourful fruits and trendy elements.
Photo Credit: Kurikoma Chaya
Their Fruit Mochi Cake is a very popular dumpling set that combines the well-balanced sweetness of specialty red bean paste and fresh seasonal fruits with mascarpone cream (5 sticks for S$25).
TOKIO
Photo Credit: TOKIO
If you prefer something easy to eat on-the-go, TOKIO’s Banana Crepe is a delectable bundle of whipped cream and banana, and comes individually packed for your convenience (S$3/pc)! These sweet Japanese crepes are Harajuku’s most popular street food, and are sold with various fillings and toppings such as seasonal fruits.
The 57 year old fruit parlour brand offers the freshest fruits and fruit products, be sure to try their famed Fruit Almond Pudding and Fruit Jello too, available in mixed fruits and strawberry versions.
KINOKUNIYA
Photo Credit: KINOKUNIYA
First established in 1910 as a fruit merchant in Aoyama Tokyo, KINOKUNIYA has since expanded and now houses 34 stores mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan, offering well-loved ready-to-eat foods and specialty bakes.
KINOKUNIYA’s signature American-style Apple Pie (S$24.90) is a long-time bestseller since 1959, and features a generous amount of Japanese apples with a hint of cinnamon, and a pie crust with a crisp texture. Warm it up in the toaster to bring out the robust flavours even more, and enjoy it with your favourite toppings such as vanilla ice cream, fruit or whipped cream!
Yatai Fare
Nakayama Shokuhin
Photo Credit: Nakayama Shokuhin
Enjoy Takoyaki by Nakayama Shokuhin (1 pkt of 6 pcs for S$8) — delicious grilled octopus balls made of wheat flour-based batter and filled with diced octopus from Hakata, Kyushu. Topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, green laver and dried bonito flakes, this is one of Japan’s best-known street foods that you don’t want to miss out on.
Ijima Shoten
Photo Credit: Ijima Shoten
Taste the essence of the sea with Ijima Shoten’s wide array of seafood items, such as octopus, scallops, squid and shellfish. Sweet and full of umami, the characteristic seafood from Kumamoto is served in both braised and deep-fried style (S$8.80 for 100g braised, S$7.80 for 100g deep-fried) - perfect for seafood lovers to indulge in.
Tekiya
Photo Credit: Tekiya
Photo Credit: Tekiya
Experience a piece of Japanese food culture with classic comfort foods such as Omurice (S$13.80 for one serving) and beef skewers (S$13) from Tekiya. Savoury fried rice flavoured with ketchup and topped with a thin layer of fluffy omelette, Omurice is a popular favourite amongst children and adults alike. Complemented with soft and juicy beef skewers, these dishes are bound to keep you craving for more.
Premium Japanese Speciality Produce
nonomo
Photo Credit: nonomo
nonomo brings you unique local produce from all over Japan by small lesser-known manufacturers ranging from region-specific agricultural produce, novel sweets and snacks and sake. The 157 year-old Dewatsuru sake brewery located in the southern part of Akita Prefecture boasts a quaintly designed cup sake. Apart from the small capacity which makes it easy for beginners to try sake, the Dewatsuru Junmai Sake Cup (180ml) is available in assorted designs that are perfect to be re-used as drinking glasses (S$13.90 per cup).
Takazawa Jozo
Photo Credit: Takazawa Jozo
The Shio Koji (Salty Fermented Rice) Miso (S$30 for 450g) from Takazawa Jozo is a world-class all-purpose seasoning that goes well with any kind of cuisine. This miso is made from Koshihikari rice and water from Noto with traditional manufacturing methods, resulting in a deep and unique flavour.
