[On-site Report] "16th Sunshine Okinawa Mensore Festa"

【Local Report】Experiencing Okinawan Gourmet and the Excitement at the Venue on the First Day of the "16th Sunshine Okinawa Mensore Festa"

 

1. Event Overview

 

Event Period

May 23, 2025 (Fri) - June 1, 2025 (Sun)

Venue	Ikebukuro Sunshine City Exhibition Hall A and others
Main Content	Okinawa Product Exhibition, Food Booths, Sanshin Live Stage, Beer Terrace

• A traditional festival lasting about 10 days where you can experience "Okinawa Now" through food and crafts.

• Dozens of stores participate in both food and merchandise, with lunch lines lasting no more than 5 minutes, ensuring a stress-free experience.

• An exclusive beer terrace is set up in the outdoor area next to the exhibition hall, allowing you to toast with Orion Beer from noon if the weather is fine.

2. Atmosphere at the Venue

 

• Visit Time: Around 12:00 on the First Day

  Despite being a weekday, the venue was bustling with a wide range of people from families to office workers, with live sanshin music playing beside the stage.

• Smooth Flow

  Food Purchase → Move to Table → Stage Viewing all completed on one floor. You can enjoy your food hot right after purchase.

• Beer Terrace

  You can take a break in the outdoor area while feeling the breeze. Perfectly pairs with Okinawan food.

3. Report: Introduction to 3 Purchased Items

 

3-1 Salted Island Shallots (100 g ¥1,500)

 

Point

Memo

Quantity	50 g×2 types (Salted & Tempura) available in small portions
Flavor	Crisp texture unique to island shallots. The saltiness is sharp, making it hard to stop drinking beer!
Episode	When I was hesitating, the staff kindly suggested, "Shall we do half of each?" It was a big hit when I shared it with my colleagues. The tempura was a first-time experience but an exquisite collaboration that became addictive.

Recommended Enjoyment

• Pair with chilled Awamori or highball for a grown-up snack. Also goes well with beer!

• Lightly sprinkle salt on the tempura for a crisp bite. The aroma of island shallots is further enhanced.

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3-2 Sata Andagi 3 Types (Plain/Brown Sugar/Purple Yam) 1 each ¥200

 

| Size | Approximately 7 cm in diameter, substantial |

| Sweetness | Moderately sweet and not heavy |

| Highlight | Unbelievable value at 200 yen. Tasting all three types for just 600 yen! |

 

• Plain: Classic simple sweetness. Crispy outside, fluffy inside.

• Brown Sugar: Rich and aromatic, with a lingering deliciousness.

• Purple Yam: Delightful texture and vibrant purple color for great presentation.

 

"Will I be able to finish it because it's so big?" Yet, the gentle sweetness makes it possible to eat as many as you want...!

It was so delicious that I wanted to eat it every day!

This store had many other delicious-looking products besides Sata Andagi.

 

I'm curious about the blues, so I'd like to buy them when I visit Okinawa.

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3-3 Mamiya Gyoza (Cheese Flavor) 5 pieces ¥600

This is a new sensation!

Details

Base	Fish paste from the long-established "Mamiya Kamaboko"
Method	Wrapped fish paste in gyoza skin and fried
Awards	Two-time winner of the Mensore Festa "Snack Championship"
Taste Comparison	Tasted garlic flavor at the booth → Purchased cheese flavor

• The moment you put it in your mouth, you're surprised at how light it is despite being packed with flavor.

• The taste of cheese spreads throughout your mouth! A fusion of "kamaboko x gyoza" that defies conventional wisdom.

• Perfect pairing with beer, guaranteed to be a repeat purchase!

4. How to Enjoy the Stage & Merchandise

1. Sanshin Live

   
   

   • Each session lasts about 30 minutes, featuring a variety of Okinawan folk songs and J-POP covers.

   • Enjoy live music with food in hand—experience Okinawa with your ears too.

2. Crafts & Goods Corner

   
   

   • A wide selection of souvenirs like Shisa figurines and Ryukyu glass.

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