Transport yourself to the lively atmosphere of an Okinawan summer festival at Karii, where seasonal dishes and interactive activities capture the spirit of Ornatsu Matsuri. Running until 31 August 2026, the promotion introduces refreshing new dishes, colourful drinks and hands-on experiences. Craft your very own Okinawa-inspired drink, pen down your heartfelt wishes at Tanzaku Wish Win, and try your luck at Wish Spin for attractive prizes.
Karii @ Suntec City. Photo © Fen Chia.
Our very first experience at Karii was to Craft Your Own Okinawa Drink (S$12 per pax, or S$10 with any food order) through three simple steps. Begin by choosing either a soda or jasmine tea base, then personalise it with flavour shots, such as citrusy Okinawa Shikuwasa Honey, brown sugar, goya (bitter melon), ginger, or Calpis, that popular Japanese probiotic beverage. or even choose all if you wish. Third, add the garnish, which could be more goya (known for its excellent health properties), lemon or lime slices, sea salt, cherry and mint, and voila!
Those looking for an alcoholic version can top up S$5 for a shot of Awamori, Okinawa’s indigenous liquor, though we found it refreshing as it was. Before taking your first sip, don’t forget to raise your glass and say ”karii!’ – a toast to happiness in the local dialect.
Craft Your Own Okinawan Drink. Photo © Fen Chia.
Karii’s other new drinks include the Sanpin Goya Shiku Hai (S$8.50), a tea-based cocktail featuring a fragrant jasmine tea base infused with goya, shikuwasa honey and awamori, the Shikuwasa Shouga Soda (S$6.50) a blend of ginger, shikuwasa honey and soda and the Goya Shikuwasa Coconut (S$7.20), a refreshing cocktail that pairs the distinctive flavours of goya and shikuwasa honey with creamy coconut notes for a light and thirst-quenching finish.
My drink – everything on the platters, but I especially liked the bitterness of the goya – bars should feature goya more in drinks! Photo © Fen Chia.
Unlike most parts of Japan, Okinawa is particularly renowned for its love of pork in their cuisine, and Karii’s new summer menu celebrates this heritage with two hearty mazesoba dishes. Served without hot broth, these dry-tossed noodles are ideal for warmer weather. The Soki Maze Okinawa Soba (S$11.80) pairs springy wheat noodles with soft bone pork, resulting in a savoury and aromatic bowl full of comforting flavours.
We also enjoyed the Hiyashi Maze Okinawa Soba (S$12.80), a chilled noodle dish dressed in a tangy soy-based sauce with braised pork belly, pickled ginger and egg strips. Both dishes were topped with Okinawa’s famous sea grapes—tiny bursts of seaweed affectionately known as “green caviar” for the way they pop in the mouth. A dab of the accompanying yellow mustard adds another layer of brightness, making this an especially refreshing dish on a hot day.
Soki Maze Okinawa Soba – the bones were soft and chewable. Photo © Fen Chia.
Street food is at the heart of Karii’s concept, and its impressive selection of onigiri (Japanese rice ‘balls’, though their shapes vary) is reason enough to visit. Karii’s onigiri are more like rice sandwiches and they come with fillings ranging from braised pork and Spam to fried chicken and even goya tempura. We tried the new Mentai Salmon Katsu Onigiri (S$9), featuring a crispy salmon cutlet layered with rice, mentaiko mayonnaise, Spam, egg and seaweed between generous portions of rice. Hearty and satisfying, it is substantial enough to be a complete meal on its own while remaining wonderfully portable – as a tiny 24-seater, Karii does welcome takeaways. Top up S$3.50 if you wish for an onigiri set meal that also comes with white miso tonjiru soup, okinawan seaweed and two appetisers of the day.
Mentai Salmon Katsu Onigiri. Photo © Fen Chia.
Among the sides, the Taco Hokkaido Pork Harumaki (S$2) spring roll impressed with its crisp exterior and well-seasoned minced Hokkaido pork filling. Another standout was the Purple Potato Croquette (S$3), of which the golden, crispy shell gave way to an incredibly smooth and sweet mashed purple potato filling. It quickly became one of our favourite bites of the evening.
Taco Hokkaido Pork Harumaki. Photo © Fen Chia.
Purple Potato Croquette.
Since it had been years since our last Okinawan meal, we couldn’t resist trying classic cold side dishes as well. The Jimami Tofu (S$2.80), made from peanuts rather than soybeans, offered a fascinatingly chewy yet silky texture unlike any conventional tofu. It’s difficult to describe, but absolutely worth ordering. Equally distinctive was the Mozuku Su (S$2), featuring Okinawan mozuku seaweed served in vinegar and topped with freshly grated ginger. Sweet and sour and refreshingly light, it is a healthy appetiser that remains a rare find at conventional Japanese restaurants.
L-R: Jimami Toru and Mozuku Su. Photo © Fen Chia.
During this promotional period at Karii, every dine-in guest with a minimum spend of $25 (before GST and service charge) will receive one Wish Spin for a chance to win exciting rewards – spin the wheel to unlock more delicious deals including free dishes and discounts on your next visit! Before leaving, be sure to participate in the Tanzaku Wish Win, by writing down down your heartfelt wish and hanging it on Karii’s bamboo tree. One lucky Karii diner’s wish will be selected weekly from the tree to win a $20 voucher (follow @okinawakarii.sg on social media to qualify).
Wish Spin – alas, I got a no win. Photo © Fen Chia.
With only a handful of eateries in Singapore specialising in authentic Okinawan cuisine, Karii offers something refreshingly different. Beyond its affordable prices and tasty food, it captures the warmth, charm and festive spirit of Okinawa through an experience that feels both interactive and welcoming. We’ll definitely be back soon.
Karii
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-170 Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Opening hours: 11am to 10pm daily
