Food Event: Kyushu & Okinawa Fair

Mitsuwa Marketplace
595 River Road, Edgewater, NJ 07020

Last weekend - Will, our friends, and I went to the Kyushu & Okinawa Fair that took place in Mitsuwa. The fair took place last Thursday, July 25th-Sunday, July 28th. We went on Saturday, July 27th and got to Mitsuwa just minutes before it hit 11AM. 

Since we arrived early I didn't have to wait too long for the special ramen and Will managed to find enough seats for 6-8 people. 

Hakata Nagahama Ramen

My friends and I really enjoyed the Hakata Nagahama Ramen better than the last special ramen we had at the Japanese Gourmet Fair. The broth was a lot thicker and richer with pork bone flavor. The broth that was used is similar to the Tonkotsu broth because it's a thick broth and has a creamy consistency. 

The Hakata Nagahama Ramen had a garlicky aroma to it which I loved. The ingredients were typical ingredients you would find in almost every bowl of ramen - tree mushroom, cha-siu, scallions, bamboo shoots, and half-boiled egg.

Oh, I can't forget this. I thought this was the most adorable addition to a bowl of ramen ever. "Thank You" in different language on a piece of seaweed. It's a great tool and neat way of showing someone your appreciation to them. I didn't eat the seaweed because I thought it was just too cute!

Fish balls

Last time we were at Mitsuwa for the food event, they ran out of the fish balls. I was determined to try the fish balls this time. They had the seaweed ones which weren't spicy and ones that were spicy (notice the red/orange like flakes). I got a combination of both. I tried the seaweed one and I really liked it. It had a bit of sweetness in it which I liked and  the seaweed really brings out a different flavor.

Mackerel Sushi

Our friends bought these. Last time we came to Mitsuwa they ran out of the Mackerel Sushi quick. Good thing we came before the food fair event ended. I didn't try these since I don't really eat raw sushi.

Mango Ice Cream

I am allergic to mango so I didn't try this either. Will tried it though and he loved it. He also loves just about anything with mango. Lucky.

Purple Yam Ice Cream

I'm glad the vendor that sold the ice cream had another flavor since I can't have the mango ice cream. I had the Purple Yam Ice Cream. 

At first, I wasn't sure if it would even tasted good, but after seeing my friends nodding their heads while eating the Purple Yam Ice Cream, then it must be good and it was damn good! I really liked it. It's interesting and tasted like real yam. I liked that it wasn't overly sweet.

The quality and variety of the food at the Kyushu & Okinawa Fair was definitely better than the Japanese Gourmet Fair we went to in June. I felt that this time around there were a lot more sweets than savory foods, but that's okay. We all enjoyed the food.