ISETAN’s Sakura Matsuri Fair to run till Mar 26; features authentic Japanese food, groceries

The ISETAN Sakura Matsuri fair will run from now till Mar 26 at NEX Atrium Level 1.  Visitors can expect “authentic but affordable” Japanese dishes such as skewers, sweet food and treats, street food, and premium fresh produce from 33 renowned brands.

Some of these include Tsukiji Unagi Shokudo, famous for its unagi; Higo Marunoya, known for its award-winning karaage; and Fruits Café TOKIO’s fruits and desserts.

The fair features fried foods such as Mitamura’s croquettes, which are deep-fried rolls with a crispy golden brown outer skin that encases a meaty potato filling. It is priced at $3.50 per piece. 

Ijima Shoten boasts its deep fried and braised seafood from Kumamoto prefecture using batter and sauce made from their own original recipes. Its price range is from $8.50 to $9.50. 

Apart from that, the fair offers sweet and chewy treats. Visitors can purchase the Yakimono Club’s Dango, a festival favourite, for $3 per stick. 

The brand also has mini traditional Taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry, that costs from $9 to $17. There is an option to mix and match between eight different types of fillings for the Taiyaki.

Premium Japanese groceries are also available at the fair. One example is Takazawa Jozo’s Kaga Miso ($15), an additive-free miso made with matured rice malt. Another item is Ajino Hyoshiro’s Hyoshiro Dashi ($35) – a pouched soup stock made from a blend of traditional Japanese seasoning and carefully selected domestic ingredients.

Other Japanese vendors at the fair include Eiwa, a brand selling Japanese condiments such as furikake; My Mignon, which offers healthy desserts; and Keisukeya which is known for its signature warabi mochi, a sweet treat that is highly popular in Japan.

The fair’s operating hours are from 10.30am to 9pm on Sunday to Thursday, and 10.30am to 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday. The event will run from 10.30am to 8pm on the last day. 

More information on ISETAN’s Sakura Matsuri Fair and its food options can be found on NEX’s official website and Facebook.