Okurimono Holiday Fair at Mitsukoshi Fresh BGC
Photographs By Marbee Shing-Go for the daily tribune (from left): Berg Go; Sunny Ku; Makoto Sudo of JETRO Manila; Mark Ocampo of Auro Chocolates; Lexlee Comia of JETRO Manila; and Takato Ishimoto of Mitsukoshi Federal Retail Inc.
Giving gifts is a practice shared by many cultures, including Filipinos and the Japanese. It is both in our nature to be giving and the Japanese call it "Okurimono" or "present/gift." Much attention goes into the gift, its symbolism and packaging. Utmost thoughtfulness in gift giving is prevalent in Japanese culture.
A dinner collaboration was recently hosted by Japan External Trade Organization in Manila with Ikomai Tochi's chef, James Antolin, to launch the Okurimono Holiday Fair at Mitsukoshi Fresh in Bonifacio Global City. Guests were given the opportunity to sample dishes made with ingredients available at the newly opened Mitsukoshi Mall. Each dish was masterfully paired with a special drink made with shochu or sake, both available at Mitsukoshi Fresh.
Karaage (lightly coated deep fried chicken) and Nagoya Style Tebasaki Wings (glazed crispy wings with IKOMAI special sauces). Paired with Sakurajima Komikan Gin Tonic. Komikan is a botanical gin from Kagoshima made with Sakurajima Komikan, tiny mandarin oranges
Aburi Sendai Wagyu Beef Sushi.
Recently certified as "Japanese Food Supporter" store, Mitsukoshi Mall BGC will be the site of holiday festivities as JETRO hosts a two-week long Holiday Fair, which showcases some of the best exports from Japan. The fair presents premium sweets, traditional alcohol, gourmet cooking ingredients, and elevated ready-to-eat meals and snacks. It's the perfect way to explore Japanese culture further through food.
