5 stalls to check out at Takashimaya Food Fiesta, back from June 19 to July 7

SINGAPORE - The popular Takashimaya Food Fiesta makes a highly anticipated return to Takashimaya Square at Basement 2 from June 19 to July 7, offering a sumptuous spread of food and drinks from more than 55 local and international brands.

Home-grown brands take centre stage, with the likes of Dona Manis Cake Shop, La Levain bakery and Keong Saik Bakery dishing out scrumptious bakes.

And it is snacks galore with fried Thai snacks from Banana, Taiwanese sausages from Sausage Family and grilled corn from Korean lifestyle brand SoGoodK – complete with “fit farmer” Kim Kyung-jin of South Korean reality TV competition Physical: 100 (2023 to present). He will be at SoGoodK’s booth from June 19 to 22.

Unique dishes include Togi Korean Kitchen’s Korean-style “rojak” ($8), with chunks of cucumber, pear and tteokbokki topped with seaweed; and Hougang Otah’s otah (from $5 for six pieces), with optional toppings such as cheese, corn and coriander ($5 for two). Japan’s famed Bake Cheese Tart makes a return with its cheese tarts (from $3.90), along with Taiwanese brand Yi Lai Shuen, best known for its sauces and sun-dried mee sua.

The food journey continues inside Takashimaya Department Store’s Food Stops section, outside Cold Storage supermarket, which runs till July 9.

If you are feeling adventurous, Altimate Nutrition is selling its protein bars (from $4 a bar) made with cricket powder and other ingredients, such as cashew nuts and flax seeds. The Flour Department is dishing out its shio pan (from $3.30), while J&C Bakery has fried durian and cempedak fritters ($7.50 for three).

Not sure where to eat and drink? Here are five suggestions to get you started.

Sugar Smith’s macarons

The most Instagram-worthy treats at the food fair are home-grown brand Sugar Smith’s adorable macarons. It is officially licensed by Japanese entertainment company Sanrio to create Hello Kitty ($7), My Melody ($7.50), Kuromi ($7.50) and Cinnamoroll ($6.50) character macarons.

The other macarons are equally cute: the lemon-shaped Yuzu Zest ($5.50), bunny- and cat-shaped Biscoff Cheesecake ($6 each) and Chocolate Bear ($6). The macarons have a crisp shell and chewy texture and, most importantly, are not too sweet.

Ollella’s coco ubi

Ollella bakery is selling not only its popular kueh at the fair, but also three cooked-to-order items. They are the signature gula jawa kueh dadar ($2.20), durian kueh dadar ($3.20) and coco ubi ($3.20) – made of grated tapioca and coconut, topped with fresh coconut slices and gula jawa. Pan-fried to caramelise the surface, it is a take on the Indonesian coconut pancake snack wingko babat.

Sausage Family’s sausages and sparkling winter melon and chia seed drink

The Taiwanese pork sausages ($3.50 or $3.90) come in original, garlic, squid ink and mala flavours. Pair these snacks with the booth’s refreshing winter melon and chia seed drink ($4.80), jazzed up with sparkling water that helps to cut the grease from the fried food. You can ask for the sugar level to be tweaked.

Wake The Crew’s drinks

Get your caffeine fix at Wake The Crew – best known for its cold brew coffee concentrates. Prices start at $5.50 for a black coffee. Or go for the signature items of matcha latte ($7), SG60 kopi latte ($7) and strawberry matcha ($8).

Boms & Buns’ choux puffs and buns

Dig into the sweet choux puffs with flavours like vanilla salted caramel ($5.30), kaya butter ($5.20) and pistachio raspberry bom ($7.80), alongside buns in flavours of garlic cream cheese ($7.40) and chocolate hazelnut ($6.80).

Takashimaya Food Fiesta at Takashimaya Square, Basement 2, runs from June 19 to July 7, 10am to 9.30pm daily. For more information, go to takashimaya.com.sg