There’s really nothing like it.
The annual Taste of Marukai is the culinary event of the season, with dozens of gourmet small plates, sake and shochu spread over the spacious Marukai Wholesale Mart in Dillingham.
The event benefits the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Hawaii United Okinawa Association.
While there were entertainment and prize giveaways, the highlight — and the reason people pay $85 per ticket — was the food. There were Alaska crab legs, fresh sashimi, sushi, soba, grilled Kona Coast abalone and tempura. And, of course, there were tasting stations offering a wide variety of sake, shochu and beer.
No wonder hundreds of people flock to this event every year!
Here’s what the event looked like:
9 Comments
$85 entry fee seems a bit steep but frankly I can eat that much sashimi in fairly short order. Always wanted to go to one of those events but never got to it. How come you don’t take a 720p camera with you for these Cat Chat tings?
It’s pricey, but at least it’s going to a good cause!
Hello Cat, I would like to attend this event but $85.00 is out of my budget.
It’s out of mine, too! Good thing I had a media pass! LOL
Job benefits!
Hey Cat … I let my Marukai membership expire … so I haven’t been there in a while … but I never heard of Taste of Marukai … haha … probably that I don’t pay attention … is it open to anyone to attend??? …
… btw, which one of the girls was the Cherry Blossom Queen??? … I can’t tell, they’re all wearing the same thing … and the tiara’s look the same …
I think $85 is a bargain for all of that tasting. Are you kidding me? Look at how much you get to eat and drink! I just wish they had that at the Marukai markets on the Mainland. Does anyone know where did Marukai go first, the mainland or Hawaii? Thanks Catherine for the great pics!
Does anyone else think the Cherry Blossom princess on the left and Cat look alike?
You mean, in the main photo? I wish! These girls are so adorable — and young!