May 7, 2024 – The second edition of the Zagreb Asian Street Food Festival has officially kicked off, turning Strossmayer Square into a miniature Silk Road. Visit Strossmayer Square this week, and travel through Japan, China, India, Korea, Thailand and Malaysia.
The seven-day celebration of Asian gastronomy and culture was opened by the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the entrance to Zagreb’s Josip Juraj Strossmayer Square. The Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand in the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Stjepan Ćurić, wished the Festival good luck, good weather and many happy visitors, and pointed out: “Croatia has always been connected with Asia. Let’s just mention the world-famous Marco Polo, who is from these parts, and I hope that you will follow his efforts to connect Asia and Croatia with equal success. Asia is probably the continent that has done the most for the development of the entire planet, throughout history we have the biggest leaps in development when people from Asia are involved. And when we talk about Thailand, it is the country with a thousand smiles, it is thus recognized in the world, and I wish that Thailand brings many smiles to this festival, that people feel the health benefits of Thai massages, which they will have the opportunity to try here, along with, of course, Thai gastronomy which is widely known and I hope they enjoy it. Also, considering that this is a festival that represents all of Asia in Zagreb, I want all the other participants to present the best of their country.”
During the seven days of the Asian Street Food Festival, Strossmayer Square truly becomes a unique location that gives you the opportunity to travel through Japan, China, India, Korea, Thailand or Malaysia in just ten minutes.
On the first day, visitors commented with great approval on the diversity and creativity of the gastronomic offer, where everyone can find their favorites at 11 booths and among more than 40 different Asian specialties, whether they are fans of sushi, tempura, bao buns, gyoza, ramen, tuna, prawns, pad thai, tikka masala, poke, Korean hot dog, Asian burgers, curry, mochi ice cream, bubble tea, kombucha, sake, yuzu cocktail, homemade lemonade or sticky mango rice. This year’s concept of the Asian Street Food Festival also brings something new – each stall has one dish or ingredient that is specific to them, which can be easily read from the name of the stall itself. And while each takes you to a separate Asian gourmet fairy tale, we noticed that every dish is seasoned with naturally fermented Kikkoman soy sauces that contain only four basic ingredients: water, soybeans, wheat and salt, and are made according to a recipe that is more than 300 years old.
“Asian food is good when we want something healthy, and when we’re in the mood for comfort food and eager to explore new, exotic flavors,” the visitors said on the first day of the festival, adding: “We love the Asian Street Food Festival because, in addition to the variety of really high-quality food it also offers that special, specific vibe through music, decoration and additional content.”
And indeed, in the next seven days you will be able to chill with top-quality handmade SOHO sushi rolls, juicy Purple Monkey gyoza or invigorating ZUKUJI ramen, accompanied by music programs such as Umami Grooves, Springroll Soul or Sav Thai Jazz and performances by top DJs under Ozren Kanceljak. Wwatch the Korean hit movie Parasite under the stars while nibbling on K Dogs’ Korean hot dog or feasting on Mate Janković’s Shitake Umami burger. Celebrate an anniversary, birthday or Baby Lasagna’s success in an Asian style with bao buns from Jellyfish in Space, tikka masala from Tuk Tuk Express, or pad thai from Thai Thai House. We also recommend refreshments at the Central Bar with an ideally chilled Staropramen or GRIF, tasting Crobucha kombucha as well as signature cocktails inspired by Asia at the Gingle Bells house.
If you’re under a lot of stress, try relaxing with a Thai massage at Asian SFF every day, then enjoy Picnic’s Tuna Katsu and Tuna Tartar Sandos made from top-quality Adriatic bluefin tuna from Pelagos in Zadar, served in the most famous sushi restaurants in the world – Nobu.
Do you have knowledge about Asia and their cuisine and a team of quiz lovers? Be sure to sign up for the Food quiz hosted by Domagoj Jakopović Ribafish, scheduled for Thursday from 5:00 p.m. Entertainment in the most inspiring environment with the appropriate music program Kung Food Fighting is guaranteed, and it can’t hurt to mention that the winner will receive 200 euros on the Metro consumer card. Second place wins €100, third place wins €50, and the consolation prize for the fourth place is free consumption of food and drinks at the Festival.
If you’re more of an artistic type, don’t miss the Pinelli & Vino workshop on Friday from 6:30 p.m., for which you don’t need any equipment or knowledge, and after the expertly led painting workshop with top Šoškić wines, you can take home your own work of art with an Asian motif.
All this is part of the rich program of this year’s Asian Street Food Festival, which started on Monday with a special attraction. On the first day, thanks to the donation of an entire wild bluefin tuna from the Zadar company Marikomerc, visitors had the opportunity to witness the charity Tuna Cutting Show, and learn all about the techniques of cutting individual parts of tuna from the Filipino chef Renardo of SOHO Sushi, and then taste it fresh from the grill, while at the same time donating funds to the Down Zagreb Association.
Tastings, promotions and attractive entertainment content have been announced for the weekend as well – on Saturday and Sunday from noon, try a taste of Crobucha kombucha for free, while on Saturday you can taste oysters and Reserva Real sparkling wine for free, and also attend a charity show for Down Zagreb by the Fishery and Deni Srdoč. The festival will end on Sunday, May 12 with an extremely attractive performance by a dance group from Thailand.
You can find out all the news, event dates and registration methods daily by following the Asian Street Food Festival on Facebook and Instagram.
List of exhibitors:
- Bao Buns by Jellyfish in Space
- Korean Hot Dog by K Dogs
- Sushi by SOHO Sushi
- ZU KU JI Ramen House
- Tuna&Bar by Picnic
- Asian Burgers by Mate Janković
- Pad Thai by Thai Thai
- Gyoza bar by Purple Monkey
- Curry House by Tuk Tuk Express
- Jingle Bells
- Central Bar
Location: Trg Josipa Juraj Strossmayer, Zagreb
Duration: May 6 – 12, 2024.
Working hours: 12:00 – midnight
Entrance: free
Photos: Sandro Sklepić
