As we enter the latter half of November, New Zealand's early summer days bring strong sunshine, making it easy to get sunburned in no time.
During a quick shopping trip to the Wellmart Asian Supermarket, we stumbled upon an exciting find—authentic Japanese sweets and ikura (salmon roe) donburi!
Wellmart Asian Supermarket: A Budget-Friendly Asian Market in Hamilton
Located in Hamilton CBD, Wellmart Asian Supermarket offers a wide range of Asian groceries, particularly from Japan, China, and Korea, including kimchi, natto and miso.
Here’s the location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eJq7cWNKaCekjLrAA
We often shop at New Save in The Base, but Wellmart stands out for its affordable prices.
Eggs, for instance, are much cheaper here compared to Woolworths or New World. They also offer a great selection of fresh vegetables and fruits!
This time, since we had errands in Hamilton CBD, we decided to stop by Wellmart. Despite being a Saturday, it was noticeably busier than usual—almost all parking spaces were taken.
As we entered the store, we noticed a small crowd near the entrance, just before the cash registers.
It turned out that on this particular day, a professional Japanese wagashi (traditional sweet) artist: Rumi Kumashiro had come from Auckland for a pop-up sale!
We arrived a little after 11:30 AM, and there was already a line inside the store. I’d estimate about 20 people were waiting in line!
Experience Authentic Japanese Sweets and meals : Fukuoka Japanese Food by Rumi & Tatsuo
While waiting, Tatsuo kindly offered samples of their baby castella cakes. (Thank you, Tatsuo-san!)
The sweet and fluffy castella brought back so many nostalgic memories—it was absolutely delicious.
Their menu at the pop-up featured a range of rice dishes and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), making it a must-try for anyone who loves Japanese desserts.
23rd November, their menu was:
Fukuoka Futo-maki (Sushi Burrito) $15
Saba-Sushi (Mackerel sushi） $18
Gyu-meshi don (Japanese Beef Bowl) $18
Ikura-don (Salmon roe bowl) $25
For sweets:
Dora yaki (Red bean pancake) $6
Baby castella (Japanese Sponge Cake) $8
Dai fuku mochi (A rice cake stuffed with sweet bean paste) $7
Shio-mame Daifuku (A rice cake stuffed with salty beans) $7
Ohagi rice cake（A sticky rice ball wrapped with sweet red bean paste） $5
Matcha-cream Daifuku $7 (A rice cake stuffed with matcha and whipped cream)
Matcha soybean warabi mochi (Bracken starch dumpling with roasted soybean flour and matcha powder) $7
Yomogi Mochi (Mugwort rice cake) $7
Strawberry Daifuku (A rice cake stuffed with sweet bean paste and strawberry)（Not sure how much it was）
Note: This was the situation when we were in line, so there’s a chance that some items might have sold out by the time others arrived.
The customer ahead of us brought their own container, which led us to believe they were likely repeat customers from previous visits. 😊
The japanese sweets, except for the warabi mochi were beautifully displayed on a tray. Once you placed your order, each piece was carefully individually wrapped.
For the delicate mochi, they were packed in dome-shaped plastic containers to keep them from getting squished—a thoughtful touch, especially since kinako (roasted soybean flour) and anko (red bean paste) can stick easily.
That said packaging multiple items did take some time - so next time, we’re planning to bring our own container too! 😊
Fukuoka Futomaki Sushi Burrito): Packed with Variety of Fresh Ingredients
The futomaki (thick sushi roll) was filled with a variety of delicious ingredients, including takuan (pickled radish), unagi (eel), kanpyo (dried gourd strips), shiitake mushrooms, dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet), avocado, and Japanese parsley.
The vibrant presentation and generous fillings made it look absolutely mouthwatering!
Kid-Friendly Japanese Sweets: Dorayaki & Baby Castella
The dorayaki featured a cute imprint of the beloved Japanese anime character Doraemon, making it even more charming!
Each one was individually wrapped, making them perfect as souvenirs or small gifts.
They were flying off the shelves, especially among families with young kids!
The baby castella, sold in packs of about 20, were bite-sized and irresistibly adorable. We ended up purchasing both a dorayaki and a pack of baby castella.
The dorayaki was filled with generous amounts of sweet red bean paste, with a fluffy outer layer that melted in your mouth.
As for the baby castella, they were lightly sweetened like mini pancakes, and their bite-sized convenience made it hard to stop at just one!
Gyumeshi （Beef Bowl) with Sweet Beef and Burdock
We also picked up a gyumeshi bowl, a hearty dish featuring sukiyaki-style beef, shredded egg, pickled ginger, burdock root, green onions, and pickled radish served over rice.
The beef was marinated in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce and sugar, delivering a deliciously rich flavor.
The combination of tender beef and the crisp texture of the burdock root made for a delightful contrast in every bite!
Hidden Delight!?: Ikura Don (Salmon Roe donburi)
Just seeing the words Ikura Don was enough to make me commit to standing in the long line. 😄
In New Zealand, you can occasionally find ikura (salmon roe) at stores like PAK'nSAVE, but it’s often sold as sujiko (roe still in the sac).
Preparing it involves carefully separating the roe and marinating it, which takes considerable effort.
Even at sushi restaurants, ikura is rarely available, so when I spot it, I make it a mission to enjoy it no matter what.
At Fukuoka Japanese Food's pop-up, the ikura was sold in a separate container, ready to be added to your dish. It seemed to be lightly marinated—possibly in soy sauce, mirin, or white soy sauce.
We decided to go all out with this rare find and made a luxurious seafood bowl at home, adding some frozen tuna and scallops we had in stock.
It was a feast worthy of celebration! 🎉
Matcha Warabi Mochi with Black sugar syrup Syrup
We couldn’t resist trying the Matcha Warabi Mochi. Warabi mochi is a bracken starch dumpling.
Inside the package was a small container of kuromitsu (black sugar syrup).
The combination of the subtly bitter matcha and the sweet, rich syrup was simply divine!
The warabi mochi itself had a wonderful chewy, jelly-like texture that was both satisfying and refreshing.
Matcha Cream Daifuku: Perfect for Those Who Don’t Love Red Bean Paste
For anyone who’s not a fan of anko (sweet red bean paste), like me, the Matcha Cream Daifuku is a must-try.
I even asked Rumi, the chef what was inside, and she kindly explained : "It’s fresh cream and matcha cream! Some people don’t like red beans, so I made this instead."
I got to enjoy one of these delightful matcha cream mochi, and it was amazing!
The chewy mochi, the elegant matcha flavor, and the generous filling of fresh cream created a heavenly combination. I instantly regretted not buying another one!
If you’re someone who loves mochi but prefers to skip the anko, and you enjoy matcha, this is definitely for you!
Adorable and Delicious: Strawberry Daifuku
We couldn’t resist picking up a Strawberry Daifuku as well.
There were two color options: white and pink. According to the chef, the flavor is the same for both—so it’s all about personal preference!
Inside, the daifuku is filled with sweet anko (red bean paste), and the strawberry on top is generously sized, sweet, and slightly tangy.
The combination of the juicy strawberry and the soft, chewy mochi creates pure bliss in every bite.
It’s not just a treat for the taste buds but a feast for the eyes too! 🍓
Experience Authentic Japanese Sweets in New Zealand: Fukuoka Japanese Food by Rumi Kumashiro and Tatsuo
Who would have thought you could enjoy authentic wagashi (Japanese sweets) right here in Hamilton, New Zealand?
Collaborations with local businesses like this are such a treat, and I hope to see more of them in the future!
If you’re craving delights like ikura bowls, matcha cream daifuku, or strawberry daifuku, Fukuoka Japanese Food is a must-try.
The flavors are authentic, and everything is made with the skill and care of a professional japanese chef: Rumi Kumashiro.
I received their business card, and it seems their announcements are mainly shared on Instagram and Facebook.
If you’re wondering when their next visit to Hamilton will be, keeping an eye on their social media is essential! Follow Rumi Kumashiro on Social Media:
Rumi's Instagram: Here
Rumi's Facebook: Here I don’t use Facebook, so I followed them on Instagram and let me tell you—the photos of their japanese sweets, cakes, and sushi are stunning.
Everything looks not only delicious but also artistically crafted.
Just scrolling through their posts makes me excited! There’s something magical about seeing the creations of a professional chef—it’s a feast for the eyes and the soul. ✨
Details of the Hamilton Pop-Up Event:
11:00 AM – Queue began forming inside Wellmart.
11:30 AM – Sales started at the pop-up stall.
We joined the queue around 11:30 AM, and by then, over 20 people were already in line.
It took about 30 minutes to reach the front.
Payment Options: Eftpos was available, which made things convenient!
The wait time felt a bit long, mainly because each wagashi order was carefully wrapped individually, and most of the menu items didn’t have English descriptions.
However, if you have questions about the sweets, the chefs are very kind and happy to explain.
Considering the limited parking space, deciding the best time to visit can be tricky. Still, I really hope they’ll make these trips to Hamilton a regular thing—maybe even monthly! 🤞
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