Oishii JAPAN is the largest ASEAN trade fair specialising in Japanese cuisine. Showcasing a huge selection of Japanese food and beverage, with an array of authentic Japanese ingredients, culinary techniques and equipment, plus demonstrations and classes, it is truly a feast for the senses.
Shochu, a popular Japanese distilled spirit, is one of Oishii Japan’s highlights. With 36 varieties to be specially showcased at the event, visitors will be able to learn about this versatile drink and pick up tips on the different styles of serving and enjoying Shochu through workshops and tasting sessions.
In Singapore, not many have actually been able to try this popular alcoholic beverage. Here are three reasons why you should try shochu at Oishii Japan 2015.
1. Shochu is a healthier alternative.
Photo © Vanessa Koh
Lower in calories than cocktails, wine and even sake, shochu packs only 35kcal for every 2oz. That’s less than the calories in an apple. Drinking shochu instead of other alcoholic beverages gives you more calorie allowance for the rest of the meal.
2. It is a versatile drink.
Photo © Vanessa Koh
There is no hard and fast rule on how you should be drinking shochu. Drink it neat – with no water added. On the rocks – served chilled with ice, or even mixed with water (Mizuwari) and it is still going to taste just as good. I tried it in a cocktail and it was sublime.
3. It is made up of interesting ingredients.
Unlike its more familiar counterpart sake, shochu is made up of very different ingredients. Three of the shochus featured during Oishii Japan are made of ingredients such as rice, barley and even sweet potato.
Apart from the Shochu tasting, you’ll be awed by the food technologies showcase during the fair. Witness the world’s smallest Nigiri sushi machine that rolls about 1,200 pieces of sushi per hour. Be drawn into the noodle-making machines and see if you can spot the changing of blades as it churns out different types of Japanese noodles before your very eyes.
Photo © Vanessa Koh
There will also be a live tuna (60- 80kg!) cutting demonstration, which is a rare experience outside of Japan, so be there to witness the chef deftly carving, filleting and slicing a massive tuna flown in from the Ehime Prefecture.
And, what is a Japanese food fair without the cooking demonstrations? Oishii Japan 2015 will be cooking up a storm with sake ice cream making to patisserie demonstrations as well as wagyu ramen preparations. I assure you that you’ll be saying “Oishii!” after tasting all the delicacies at the event.
What: Oishii Japan 2015
When: 22-23 October 2015, 10 am to 5.30 pm (for trade); 24 October 2015, 11 am to 4.30 pm (for public)
Where: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Halls 405-406
Tickets: *Trade visitors enjoy complimentary admissions when they register online at www.oishii-world.com/en by 19 October 2015. On-site registration is at S$20 per person. Members of the public can purchase tickets at S$4 per person. Admission is free for children aged 12 years and below. Tickets can also be purchased at www.oishii-world.com/en.
