A Taste Of Yatsushiro City: Experience Kumamoto Prefecture’s Rich Flavours At Isetan Scotts
From 3 to 16 February 2025, experience the unique culinary delights and cultural heritage of Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture at the Yatsushiro City Fair, hosted at ISETAN Scotts Supermarket!
Located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Yatsushiro City is a must-visit destination just an hour from Fukuoka, and a quick 20-minute journey from Kumamoto City via the Kyushu Shinkansen. Renowned for producing the world’s heaviest citrus fruit, Banpeiyu, and as Japan’s top producer of Igusa (used in tatami mats), the city is brimming with unique local specialties. Visitors can experience its rich culture through UNESCO-listed 妙見祭 Yatsushiro Myoken Festival and the stunning natural beauty of 五家荘 Gokanosho.
Product Highlights
The Yatsushiro City Fair celebrates the city’s charm, featuring local products like yuzu kosho, pressed sushi, and Banpeiyu paste, offering a delicious glimpse into its vibrant local heritage.
Savour the bold flavours of Kakurezato Yuzu Kosho, crafted with locally sourced, additive-free ingredients. This condiment combines the aromatic yuzu with the fiery kick of chili peppers grown by local farmers. A recipient of the French Award at the 2008 Visit Japan Contest, this condiment is perfect for enhancing a variety of dishes. For instance, the Green Yuzu Kosho ($9.39) pairs well with charcoal-grilled dishes, the Red version ($9.39) adds a richer flavour profile to pork, miso soup, and even chocolate, while the Yellow variant ($9.39), known for its extreme spiciness, complements meat dishes and soups.
The Ginger Tea ($7.49) is made from locally grown ginger, sweetened with honey and brown sugar. This soothing drink is known for its strong ginger fragrance and body-warming properties, making it a bestseller at Yatsushiro’s roadside station “Toyo”.
Healthy Vegetable Pizza (Frozen) ($14.69) is the perfect guilt-free meal, made using a soy milk miso-based bagna cauda sauce and no animal-derived ingredients. This vegan-certified pizza also supports sustainability by using vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.
Enjoy the delicate flavours of Traditional Pressed Sushi made with fresh Gizzard Shad ($24.99) and Pike Conger ($24.99) from the Yatsushiro Sea. Free from preservatives, colouring, and flavouring agents, these sushi varieties offer a taste of authentic Yatsushiro cuisine.
The Gizzard Shad (konoshiro) features a rich flavour without the usual fishy smell, enhanced by locally sourced ginger from Toyo Town. The Pike Conger, a high-end fish, is expertly prepared and deboned. The tasty flavour of the seared soy sauce enhances the Pike Conger, and the shiso leaves from Kumamoto produce a refreshing aftertaste, complemented by Kumamoto’s red vinegar-infused rice.
Confectionery Delights
Delight in the soft and fluffy goodness of Kyushu Bagels, made with 100% Kumamoto Prefecture wheat. These egg-free and butter-free bagels come in two flavours: Blueberry ($2.99), packed with large, tart blueberries, which would pair perfectly with a thick layer of cream cheese or sour cream; and Matcha & White Chocolate ($2.99), featuring bittersweet matcha dough with white chocolate chips kneaded into it, making for an irresistible sweet and savoury snack.
The Gluten-Free Domestic Rice Flour Financier (Plain / Chocolate) ($2.09) is a guilt-free snack, free of gluten and additives. Made with premium Japanese rice and soy flour, these financiers are safe for everyone with no added fat, perfect for health conscious folks that would still like to enjoy dessert!
Sweet Treats
Known for being the world’s heaviest pomelo variety, the large, round, and yellow Banpeiyu is considered auspicious with the Chinese, making it ideal for the upcoming CNY celebrations! The luxurious Banpeiyu Paste “Maxito” ($26.09) is made from the peel, pith, and flesh of Banpeiyu, encapsulating the essence of this unique fruit, predominantly produced in the Yatsushiro region.
Discover the nutritional benefits of Igusa, traditionally used as a medicinal herb during the Edo period, in the form of Nagomi Flavour candy. Igusa Candy “Nagomi Flavour” ($3.79) is made from pesticide-free edible igusa, offering a light sweetness and a simple way to enjoy the healthy properties of this traditional Japanese plant.
Visit the fair and indulge in the rich, authentic flavours of Yatsushiro City and Kumamoto Prefecture. Don’t miss this chance to experience these unique Japanese culinary gems!
Yatsushiro City Fair at Isetan Scotts
Location: Isetan Scotts Supermarket, B1F, 350 Orchard Rd, Shaw House, S238868
Fair event period: 3 - 16 Feb 2025, 10am to 9pm
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