Isetan Sakura Matsuri Japanese Fair at NEX returns in 2026
If you’re already bored with the usual food options at Serangoon NEX, here’s your chance to switch things up. From now till 29 March 2026, head down to Isetan’s Sakura Matsuri Japanese fair at the mall’s atrium, where you’ll find a variety of Japanese delicacies to enjoy. If you are into Japanese food, treats, and everything in between, this is the perfect event to check out.
Isetan Japanese Fair At NEX Has Matcha Lava Cake, Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream And More
This year’s edition of the fair features a wide range of food stalls, including traditional Japanese dishes such as ramen. However, we were drawn to the unique and eye-catching sweet treats that were simply too tempting to resist.
There was plenty to choose from, but Jung Nammi’s collection of rice bread immediately caught our attention. Hailing from Korea, the bakery brand crafts vegetable-shaped pastries so realistic that you are likely to question whether you’re about to bite into a vegetable or a sweet treat.
Developed by artisan rice cake master Jung Nam-mi, a rice cake master with over 35 years of experience, the brand’s recipe traces its roots back to 1986. While every piece looked visually appealing, the flavour that stood out the most was the Sweet Potato Bread, which carried a burst of natural sweetness with earthy, caramel-like notes. This perfectly complemented the soft and slightly chewy rice-based dough, revealing the velvety filling with each bite.
We were also impressed by the Corn Bread, which carried a hearty amount of actual corn chunks, as well as the Persimmon Bread, which looked hyper-realistic. The latter boasted a light honey-like, caramelised flavour that wasn’t overly sweet, so we could enjoy it without feeling jelak.
The brand is offering a special deal on its breads, priced at $5 each. You can also get a box of five for $24, or go big with 10 flavours for a discounted price of $45, which works out to just $4.50 per piece.
We also enjoyed the mochi-filled almond tarts from Mochelie, which feature three fillings: Sesame Noir, Yuzu Fromage, and Azuki Matcha. This is the brainchild of pastry chef Makoto Arami, who clinched Tatler Singapore’s Best Pastry Chef 2025 award. The quality is evident in the shortcrust cookie base of his tarts, which is light and delicately crumbly.
As for the fillings, the signature sesame noir delivers a bold depth with an intense nutty profile, while the yuzu fromage offers a refreshing citrus finish. Matcha lovers can indulge in the final option, with the earthy green tea flavour standing out.
Unfortunately, there were some misses as well. The fair’s Strawberry Daifuku ($5 each), featuring a mochi base topped with a large strawberry, didn’t quite impress with its red bean interior.
However, the Strawberry Shaved Ice ($12) was a refreshing treat, combining finely shaved ice with high-quality Japanese strawberries and a delightful scoop of ice cream on top. I wished the strawberries were sliced a bit thicker, as the thin slices took away from their plump texture. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable dessert.
Besides the above, the fair also offers other options such as Matcha An’s selection of unique matcha drinks, as well as Monario’s Kumamon-shaped Ningyoyaki with various fillings ($5.50 each).
Sakura Matsuri is open daily from 10:30am to 9:30pm, except on 29 March, when it closes at 8pm. Be sure to drop by and try out these seasonal treats while they’re available!
If you’re a fan of other local food festivals, check out our guide to the best Ramadan bazaars in Singapore. Otherwise, visit Springleaf Prata Place for their limited-time prata buffet, priced at just $9.90 per person.
Address: Serangoon Central 23, Level 1 Atrium, NEX, Singapore 55083
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 9:30pm (17-28 March), 10:30am to 8pm (29 March)
Website
Isetan Sakura Matsuri is not a halal-certified fair.
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Photos taken by Paula Grace.
This was a media tasting at Sakura Matsuri.
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