June 11, 2023 – Another gourmet first for the Croatian capital – the first Zagreb Asian Street Food Festival.
Another tiny sign that Zagreb is changing for the better…
When I first started coming to Zagreb over 20 years ago, the international restaurant scene was lamentable, especially if you were looking for something a little more exotic. There was one very poor Chinese, and one very poor Indian. And that was it.
How things have changed, and it seems that there is a sushi place almost on every corner, as well as an increasing number of Indian, Chinese, Korean and Thai dining options. And you can get to know many of them next week with the city’s first-ever Zagreb Asian Street Food Festival, which kicks off on June 15 – full press release below.
Great news for all foodies and lovers of Asian cuisine – Zagreb is about to host the first Asian Street Food Festival in Croatia. From 15th to 25th June, at Strossmayer Square visitors will have a chance to enjoy all the richness and beauty of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai delicacies.
Dim Sum, Pho, Phad Thai, Sushi, Gyoza, Curry, Ramen – to mention only a few Asian dishes that require exquisite skills and precision that take years to master. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to try the above-mentioned, and many more Asian delicacies all in one place – at the Asian Street Food Festival.
Croatia has a long-lasting love for Asia. The very first Chinese restaurant in Zagreb named Phoenix opened during the 70s of last century. Today, all over Croatia we have hundreds of Chinese restaurants that continue to thrive during more than 50 years and it’s fair to say that Croatian people are familiar with Asian cuisine.
At the Asian Street Food Festival you will be welcomed by: Jellyfish in Space, Sushi & Poke by Soho, Thai, Purple Monkey, Asian Burgers by Mate Jankovic, Full Circle Katsu by Marko Palfi, Bite of Fun by Melkior, K-dog, Picnic Craft Bar, Gingle Bells and Central bar.
Chef Marko Palfi was one of the pioneers to introduce Asian dishes to Croatian guests with his famous wok and Katsu Sandos during his time in Mundoaka. He will make these famous Japanese sandwiches at the Asian Street Food Festival, this time introducing 4 kinds of Katsu Sando that combine Japanese and Croatian ingredients, marinades and spices.
Popular Street Food & Cocktail Bar Jellyfish in Space will offer unique combinations unexpected tastes by offering sushi rolls that combine fish and fruit. We are eager to try their Cosmic Berry – sushi with strawberries, salmon and mango, as well as Starburst – sushi with salmon, peaches, apples and passion-fruit sauce. There will also be some classics like shrimps in tempura, as well as refreshing summer cocktails: Bergamote Fizz, Jelly Lagoon, Lucky Strawberry i Tropical Heaven – to name only a few.
We can’t mention cocktails and leave out the creative guys of Picnic Craft Bar that made a special cocktail for Asian Street Food Festival and named it WabiSabi – it is made from Old Pilot’s vodka, Lillet blanc, Sake, Rice, Cherry, Soy Cream. Beside them, eternally inspired nad hard working crew from Gingle Bells will bring us loads of joy – as they did so many times before.
This Asian Fairy tale wouldn’t be complete without Thai cuisine, that’s why we are sure that Thai Thai’s specialties Green Curry and Phad-Thai will be deeply appreciated.
Sushi and poke bowl lovers will be happy to hear that Soho Sushi & Poke, a new brand that you can try in Palmoticeva street at popular Good Food, will offer 3 kinds of Poke: Tuna supreme, Salmon in Green and Spicy chicken, as well as 6 kinds of Uramaki: Philadelphia, Ebi original, Chicken teriyaki, Tiger roll, Hawaii roll i Soho spicy tuna. Accompanied by Philadelphia fry, and Spicy tuna fry. They will also have Mochi ice-cream: Coconut, Honey Roasted Pistachio, Mango Passion fruit i Belgian Chocolate & Hazelnut. Especially for this Festival they made new Aloha roll – with tuna, pineapple , avocado and their special summer sauce.
Korean cuisine will be present on the form of K – dog that will offer Korean Hot-Dog, while famous chef Mate Jankovic will make his version of Asian burger. We are sure that many of you will enjoy the selection of fried and steamed gyoza and karaage chicken from Purple Monkey and their chef Tomislav Bilic. Another famous chef, Croatia’s Masterchef jury member Melkior Bašić will present his creations at Bite of Fun by Melkior. He will serve 4 kinds of Onigiri : Onigiri Maguro (fried rice rolls with tuna tartar) Onigiri Ikura (with salmon tartar), Shiromi Onigiri (with white fish tartar), and Tofu Onigiri. He will also make 4 kinds of Yakimeshi no Kyūbu, or sushi cubes. Alongside Melkior, a famous cocktail master Hrvoje Rihtarić will be mixing his Asian passion fruit cocktail named Mizu no Yūwaku”.
Entertainment and music are a big part of all festivals by Chicken or Egg Agency, and this one will not be any different. Musical part of our festival is being carefully created by Mr. Ozren Kanceljak, a well-known gourmand and musical expert. He will take our visitors on a journey through different genres and periods, as well as through Asian discography. Beside enjoying in food and culture, our visitors will be able to participate in culinary workshops. For our youngest visitors we also prepared various culinary, art and educational workshops at Kids Zone.
Asian Street Food Festival is promising to offer original and perfect mixture of gastronomic experience, musical program and educational activities, modern and urban atmosphere and positive energy. What a great way to welcome Summer – as the Asian Street Food Festival will be open from 15th to 25th June, every day from noon till midnight, with free entrance.
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Photos: Press Asian Street Food Festival
