True tastes of Japan

Shoppers at Tops market and Central Food Hall can enjoy sampling lots of Japanese delicacies as the “Taste of Japan 2013: From Hokkaido Fair” comes to Bangkok. Running through November 12 at all branches, this year’s edition of the fair features more than 3,000 items, many of them not usually on sale in the Land of Smiles.

“We have organised the Japanese food festival for six consecutive years with the aim of promoting tourism and strengthening the relationship between Thailand and Japan. 

This year, there is plenty of fresh seafood as well as famous fruits and great desserts,” said Chiranun Poopat, senior vice president of buying, marketing and merchandising of Central Food Retail during the grand opening of the festival.

The desserts come from some of the biggest names in Japanese confectionery including the Hokkaido-based Alice Bakery, which is well known for its apple pie and Swiss roll. 

The bakery’s Ueda Yoshikazu flew into town to bake fresh goodies at the opening and brought with him a range of other fresh foods from Hokkaido such as wild scallops and the triple goddesses of giant crabs – giant crab, snow crab and hairy crab. 

Other nibbles include the juicy Red Meat Melon, famous Tabiji grape, Ikeda beans, sliced fish and a special collection of Polar bear ramen menus, the proceeds from which will help the Polar bears in Sapporo Maruyama Zoo.

Sapporo Chamber of Commerce vice chairman Seiroku Takizawa presided over the grand opening together with Sudhitham Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Central Group and Alistair Taylor, president of Central Food Retail. 

Chiranun gave a warm welcome to Yosakoi Dance, Japan’s most famous and largest team dance competition from Hokkai Gakuen University, led by the Iki Team, champion of the 22nd Yosakoi Soran Festival 2013. 

Popular model and actress Peechaya Wattanamontree delighted the crowds by joiningthe opening in the role of Hokkaido Princess.

In addition to the spectacular shows, Chiranun also led visitors and shoppers to taste Japanese desserts introduced by internationally-acclaimed Wakayama Kazuya, the award winning pastry chef of “Sapporo Sweet Competition 2009”. Kasuya rose to the occasion by creating a special “Cheesecake Cupberry”, a delicious medley of four different types of cheeses, milk and berries topped with eatable gold flakes and boiled lily roots. 

Shoppers also have the chance to win prizes during the festival with every purchase of Bt500 or more eligible to vie for two air tickets Bangkok-Hokkaido and accommodation at Kiroro Powder Snow, worth a total of Bt181,600. There are also 10 Hokkaido gift sets up for grabs.