From Unagi To Umami Peppers: Discover Shibushi City, Kagoshima Fair At Isetan Scotts & Jun’s Butchery
Source: Shibushi City Tourism and Specialty Products Association
Shibushi City is a coastal city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, facing the Pacific Ocean. Celebrated for its scenic coastline, natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere, the city is also home to mouthwatering local delicacies including its famous freshwater eel (unagi) and black pork (kurobuta). Visitors can enjoy dolphin-watching tours in scenic Shibushi Bay, explore Matsuyama Castle which boasts cherry blossoms in spring. Nature lovers can visit the stunning Todoro Gorge or explore Biwajima- small but scenic island with a scared shrine and torii gate. Whether for historical exploration, outdoor activities, or culinary delights, Shibushi provides a peaceful and authentic Japanese travel experience.
From 17 to 24 February 2025, discover the charm of Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture at the Shibushi City Fair at Isetan Scotts Supermarket and Jun’s Butchery. Indulge in premium shochu, aromatic green tea, the city’s signature grilled unagi (eel), hearty potato soup, and delectable karaimo tarts made from sweet potatoes. Experience a slice of this enchanting Japanese city right here in the heart of Singapore!
Isetan Scotts Supermarket
Seafood Delights
Shibushi City, located along the southeastern coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, is a treasure trove of fresh and delicious seafood. Its proximity to Shibushi Bay and the Pacific Ocean makes it a prime location for a variety of marine delicacies.
Their most prized seafood is none other its premium-quality unagi, often prepared as kabayaki (grilled eel glazed with a sweet soy-based sauce). Unagi Kabayaki (170～189g for $58.29) is a must-try ocean gem that perfectly captures the essence of the region's culinary expertise.
Kizami Unagi (notched eel) are finely chopped or shredded grilled eel. Kizami Unagi (70g for $16.99) offers the same deliciously smoky, savoury flavour of traditional grilled unagi, but in a more convenient and versatile form. Pair this flavourful eel with rice!
Chirimen ($12.09) (baby sardines) is another popular local specialty in Shibushi City. These tiny, translucent fish are packed with umami flavour and nutrients like calcium, making them a healthy and versatile ingredient.
Yaki Ebi ($17.29) (grilled shrimp) is an essential ingredient in the locals’ traditional ozoni (Japanese New Year's soup). The rich flavour of the grilled shrimp enhances the broth, making it a luxurious and flavourful experience with every bite. You can also pair it with rice or serve it with lemon wedges, grated daikon radish, or dipping sauces like ponzu or miso-based sauces.
Vegetable Produce
Organic JAS Moringa Stick ($75.99) from Shibushi City is grown using pure, natural spring water and rich, local nature. Known as a superfood, moringa (from the Moringaceae family, native to North India) is packed with essential nutrients. It contains high levels of iron, zinc, calcium, polyphenols, and amino acids, offering impressive health benefits—such as double the iron of beef liver, three times the zinc of oysters, and 13 times the calcium of milk.
Improve your gut and digestive health with the nutrient-rich Potato Soup (Plain) ($7.99), made with sweet potatoes from Shibushi City, known for their high content of soluble dietary fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, helping improve digestive health. The base also includes onions, Kagoshima chicken bones, and natural salt, with soy milk added for a smooth, creamy texture.
Karaimo Tart Mont Blanc (2 for $9.99) is made using sweet potatoes (beni satsuma) from the fertile land of the Osumi Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. The sweet potatoes are carefully selected for their high quality and are used to create a creamy, moist Mont Blanc dessert. A rich, yet subtly sweet whipped cream is encased in the tart, adding an elegant layer of flavour. The moist tart base perfectly complements the creamy sweet potato filling, creating a beautifully balanced and exquisite dessert.
Green Tea & Shochu
Shibushi City is also known for producing high-quality green tea on the nutrient-rich land along Osumi Peninsula. Green Tea Nozomi ($18.25) is a blend of Yabukita tea from regular and deep-steamed varieties. The base flavour is the natural sweetness of the Yabukita tea, enhanced by the richness from the deep-steamed leaves, creating a balanced and smooth flavour profile. It is perfect for everyday drinking with a clean finish and is a classic choice for those seeking a refreshing, well-rounded cup of Kagoshima tea.
Matcha fans will delight in enjoying high quality Matcha ($52.15) at home, relax and unwind with a warm bowl of matcha. For an authentic experience, prepare sweets to pair with the matcha, enhancing the matcha’s unique, earthy flavour. Pick up a Karaimo Tart Mont Blanc for a wonderful combination!
For the ultimate matcha experience, check out Matcha Beans ($9.19)- roasted beans coated with matcha powder, offering a delightful balance of bitterness and umami. These treats combine the rich, green tea flavour of matcha with the satisfying crunch of beans, making them a popular snack in Japan. Often enjoyed with tea or as a sweet snack, matcha bean treats provide a healthy and flavourful way to indulge in the unique taste of matcha.
Shibushi City Fair at Isetan Scotts
Location: Isetan Scotts Supermarket, B1F, 350 Orchard Rd, Shaw House, Singapore 238868
Fair event period: 17 - 24 Feb 2025, 10am to 9pm
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Jun’s Butchery
Discover Shibushi City’s special variety of peppers at Jun’s Butchery- Korean and Japanese-style butcher shop specialising in offering fresh meats ideal for Korean BBQ and Japanese Yakiniku. Umami Hajike Tobu Peppers (1 kg for $7.49) is a sweet, umami-packed pepper that can be enjoyed by everyone. Cultivated from winter to spring, these peppers boast a sweet and savoury umami taste while minimising the bitterness that some peppers may have.
莞爾 (Kanji) ($43.90) is a handcrafted shochu made with traditional techniques, including the use of a hinoki wood koji room and clay pots for fermentation. The result is a carefully crafted spirit designed to bring joy, with the name meaning "to smile happily." The brewers' passion and attention to detail create a refined, smooth shochu. The aim is for this drink to bring a smile to all who try it.
Jun’s Butchery
Location: 23 Hoot Kiam Rd, Singapore 249405
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm daily
Shibushi City product sale period: 17 - 24 Feb 2025
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From 17 to 24 February 2025, discover the charm of Shibushi City, Kagoshima Prefecture at the Shibushi City Fair at Isetan Scotts Supermarket. Indulge in premium shochu, aromatic green tea, the city’s signature grilled unagi (eel), hearty potato soup, and delectable karaimo tarts made from sweet potatoes.