Indulge in Hokkaido’s signature ramen, sake, soft-serve ice cream and more, without hopping on the next flight to Japan
Singapore’s love affair with Japan’s culinary scene has spawned several food enclaves and restaurants offering authentic nosh from the Land of the Rising Sun, the latest being Michelin-starred ramen eatery Tsuta and Japan Food Town. Yet if you still can’t get enough of the Nippon wave that is all the rage right now, there’s an exciting festival showcasing the best of Hokkaido at Resorts World Sentosa. From 18 to 27 November, make your way down to The Forum and Resorts World Convention Centre and eat (or shop) your way through mouthwatering street food, fresh produce and award-winning sake. These are our highlights.
Famed Santouka ramen
Hokkaido is well known for its rich ramen culture, which is why you shouldn’t skip on slurping down a bowl by Hokkaido Ramen Santouka. From a humble nine-seater eatery specialising in shio ramen to a worldwide chain with outlets in US, Canada and Southeast Asia, it has evolved into one of Hokkaido’s biggest exports. Diners flock to the restaurant for its simple and comforting white tonkotsu broth, cooked using a stock that’s made-from-scratch.
Comforting soup curry
This popular Hokkaido dish isn’t as commonly found here as say, ramen, but it’s one of the prefecture’s signature street foods. It’s a simple broth simmered with a medley of fresh vegetables, meats and seafood that’s usually served with rice. Yum!
Award-winning sake and wine breweries
Joining the lineup of over 20 food stalls is a handful of boutique sake-brewing and wine production houses. Sample Japan-made wines from Hakodate Wine, and Grande Polaire, or learn all about sake pairing at a sake social event on 19 and 26 November, from 3 to 6pm with sommeliers. Look out for Kitano Homare and the acclaimed Nippon Seishu, a sake production pioneer with a history that dates back to 1872.
Delectable dairy treats
Mention Hokkaido to any Singaporean and, chances are, you’ll be hearing them rave about the creamy and rich texture of the prefecture’s world-famous milk products. See what all the fuss is about by trying Ohara Farm’s popular melon-flavoured soft serve ice cream.
Fresh, premium seafood
Besides dishing out comforting street food, you can try whipping up a Japanese dinner with ingredients from stalls retailing seafood air-flown from Hokkaido’s Esashi and Teshio districts. Even Resorts World Sentosa’s celebrity chef restaurants are getting in on the action with special menus serving sea urchin, crab, scallop and salmon roe dishes. Look out for the steamed Hokkaido Alaska crab with Chinese wine, egg white and vermicelli at Forest, or the snow crab cannelloni at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora. Menus are priced from $22++ for a la carte orders to $68++ per person for a three-course meal. A more wallet-friendly option, the Crab Bash at the Forum gives you a choice of four different types of crabs that you can have boiled on the spot.
Lest you think it’s all about the food (we don’t blame you!), the festival has headlining music artistes such as pop singer Ayano Mashiro, girl band Milcs Honmono and traditional Japanese lute player Niya working the crowds with feel-good tunes. Hello Hokkaido! also features travel agents offering exclusive Hokkaido tour packages – who knows, you might even find yourselves planning your next holiday there! Go skiing at Niseko with tours starting from $1,483 or unwind at a cruise from $3,788.
Credits that can be used for purchases made at the event are priced from $50 for 50 credits to $200 for 215 credits. Early bird specials are available ‘til 17 November, and you’ll receive bonus credits when you purchase them now. Book here!
Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269, p. 6577 8899.
This article is sponsored by Resorts World Sentosa