Japanese Culinary Delights

We extend our warmest invitation to join us at “KUCHIMATSURI | 口祭り”, an enriching culinary-cultural event hosted by JACCU Bunkakai Team. Taking place on Saturday, February 17th, at the beautiful Oudegracht of Utrecht, this gathering offers a selection of elegant and authentic flavours of Japanese cuisine.

Kuchimatsuri is a perfect opportunity to tantalise your taste buds and immerse you in the tender flavours of Japan. We promise an unforgettable experience for those seeking a delightful blend of Japanese cuisine and cultural exploration.

Join us at the centre of Utrecht City

The charming Buurthuis In De 3 Krone in Oudegracht, sets the stage for our event, providing the perfect setting to explore the various aspects of the Japanese culinary elegance.

There is limited space for participants, so please book your seat well in advance. Should you know someone who might find joy in the simplicity of Kuchimatsuri, not only we will be grateful that you extend this invitation to them, but also, by you purchasing a duo ticket, you can get a big discount! It is a perfect weekend event to enjoy with your partner, best friend, your child or parent!

Different Aspects of Japanese Cuisine

Kuchimatsuri is more than a popular Japanese food festival; it’s a journey into the heart of Japanese culinary traditions. When you enter the Buurthuis In De 3 Krone, we will welcome you with sakura tea, to help you wind down before you take your seat. Then there will be three phases in the afternoon: Pickling and putting a side, tasting special teas & desserts, and tasting the pickles and more appetisers with sake or a soft drink. Here is the detailed content of the event:

Tsukemono | 漬物

Japanese pickles called tsukemono are deeply rooted in Japanese culinary tradition and are considered a symbol of simplicity and harmony. They showcase the Japanese appreciation for preserving and enhancing the natural flavours of ingredients.

Tsukemono can be made from a wide range of ingredients, such as daikon radishes, cucumbers, carrots, eggplants, and more. The pickling process often involves salt, rice bran, vinegar, soy sauce, and sometimes other seasonings like miso.

Shizuka Murase, an experienced Japanese cook, will demonstrate how to prepare namasu [なます] with daikon and carrot. She will also invite you into a small workshop on another recipe for short-time pickles: asazuke [浅漬け] with cucumbers. After this event, you will know how to make your own tsukemono!

Wagashi | 和菓子

After we put all the tsukemono aside to eat later, we will treat your sweet tooth to a selection of three traditional Japanese confectioneries called wagashi. These traditional sweets have a long history and are crafted with great attention to detail, focusing on both flavour and artistic presentation. Wagashi plays a significant role in Japanese culture, especially during tea ceremonies and various seasonal celebrations, and it provides a sensory experience that goes beyond mere sweetness.

Hiroko Matsushita and Taciser Sevinc will introduce you a special selection of daifuku [大福餅, odango [お団子], and matcha [抹茶] chocolate. Each bite is a journey into the sweetness of Japan.

Ocha | お茶

Wagashi is a vital element in Japanese tea ceremonies. The sweets are carefully chosen to complement the flavour of the tea and enhance the overall experience. While formal tea ceremonies are a beautiful and revered aspect of Japanese tea culture, the everyday practices of enjoying green tea in various settings also play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community, tranquillity, and appreciation for nature. And serving tea to guests is a common expression of hospitality in Japanese culture. Green tea is especially known for its health benefits, and it is often consumed for its antioxidant properties and potential positive effects on metabolism and relaxation.

In this event, Niek Span will introduce you to a selection of Japanese teas that go well with the confectioneries we serve: Sen-cha [煎茶], a type of green tea that is not powdered, Houji-cha [ほうじ茶], a roasted tea that does not contain caffeine, and Genmai-cha [玄米茶], green tea with roasted rice, the favourite of almost every Japanese individual. Niek will tell you the brewing and serving methods, all that you need to know to enjoy a Japanese tea later at home, as well as the historical and cultural significance of each tea type.

Aemono | 和え物

Aemono, dressed dishes, are popular appetisers in Japanese cuisine and are appreciated for their refreshing and flavourful qualities. They showcase the culinary principles of balance, texture and the artful use of seasonings to create a well-rounded dish.

Yoshi Noda and Hiroko Matsushita will prepare four different aemono recipes for you, using different types of beans, cabbages and sea weeds, seasoned with soy sauce, vinegar or sesame oil. They will create a harmonious blend of flavours that enhance the natural taste of the ingredients.

Osake | お酒

Together with Aemono dishes, tsukemono that was prepared at the beginning, which will be the perfect otsumami [おつまみ], side dishes for drinking sake, Japanese rice wine. Japanese sake embodies a rich tapestry of flavours, traditions, and craftsmanship. Its production and consumption are integral to Japanese culture, offering a unique and diverse drinking experience.

Niek Span and Yoshi Noda will serve a curated selection of three different sake to allow you to discover the perfect pairings for each type and savour the distinct notes of each type of Japanese rice wine.

We did not forget those who cannot consume alcohol! We also have ramune [ラムネ], a popular Japanese carbonated soft drink known for its distinctive bottle and marble stopper. Ramune is a favourite among both children and adults in Japan. Its playful and interactive packaging, along with its wide range of flavours, contributes to its popularity and recognition both in Japan and among lovers of Japanese culture worldwide.

Special gifts are waiting for you!

After tasting all these Japanese delicacies, we could not send you home filled-stomach but empty-handed. Every guest will receive a set of tea bags including the brewing instructions, and a set of recipes for each wagashi, tsukemono and aemono dish you tasted in the event. So that you can share the amazing experience once again at home with your loved ones.

JACCU Bunkakai Team is eager to share the warmth and richness of Japanese cuisine with you. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of a culinary-cultural adventure, mark your calendar for February 17th, Saturday.