© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Tracy Yoshida Gruen
review by Tracy Yoshida Gruen
Guests of the Asian Food Festival at the Super H-Mart in Niles got a taste of Asian food and culture from April 26 to April 29.
As they entered through the main doors of the super mart, guests were greeted by a friendly young woman dressed in a traditional Korean dress and the popular red and fuzzy American character, Elmo, showing a nice fusion of Asian and American culture.
Throughout the Korean supermarket, there were more than 40 vendors providing free samples of various Asian foods. Some
of the delicious samples were of seafood dumplings, Miso soup, Teriyaki beef and rice, green tea, vegetable juice, a vinegar
drink and much, much more.
Many couples and families were shopping for groceries and some of the items were on sale during the festival, such as a bag of frozen dumplings that were regularly $3.99, for only $1.99.
By the registers that all had long lines of shoppers, there
was a special stage for the wide array of Asian entertainment provided throughout the four-day festival. The entertainment included an Asian folk costume fashion show, children’s talent show, dance party and Asian cultural drum
and dance performances from Korea, as well as a Japanese drum performance.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Tracy Yoshida Gruen
During the Korean dance performance, the young girls, all wearing a smile, danced elegantly around the stage in their colorful traditional Korean dresses. They were all very in sync with each other and with the powerful traditional Korean music, and their dance movements showed they were very passionate about that type of dance. They also performed a few powerful pieces with the Korean drums and while they were playing the drums they gracefully danced around the stage. The audience cheered and gave them a huge round of applause.
The adult group sat on the stage and played the Korean drums, while their instructor sat in the audience, facing them and played along with them. The emotion of each piece came
across clearly through every beat of the drum.
“I think it was very good,” said Sam Adamson, a Chicago resident, whose wife performed at the festival. He said that he saw their performance on opening night and came back the second time because he enjoyed it so much.
Another member of the audience said she has been enjoying sampling all of the Asian foods. She said that it’s good because it gives people the opportunity to try foods that they’ve never experienced before.
The festival attracted about 18,000 guests each day, including many Asians and a good number of Americans. There were many families with small children who were shopping and watching the entertainment as well.
A representative of Super H Mart said that one of the main goals of the festival was to introduce Americans to the wonderful sights, tastes and sounds of the Asian culture.
The festival also included a lottery with special prizes such
as a Plasma HDTV, home sauna, houseware and an Asian
food appreciation writing and picture contest.
This festival was filled with delicious food, exotic and beautiful costumes, passionate dance and drum performances and a fun, family-oriented atmosphere.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Tracy Yoshida Gruen
It was enjoyable every step of the way.
Super H Mart recently opened at the Civic Center Plaza
in Niles, Illinois. It is located at 801 Civic Center Drive. It offers a wide array of Korean, other Asian and American food products and fresh produce. There are Asian restaurants inside the mart, and even a Pizza Hut to satisfy those taste
buds.
April 26, 2007
Super H-Mart’s Asian Food Festival kicks
off today and
will run through Sunday, April 29.
The festival involves a large food sampling prepared by various Asian food companies as well various forms of entertainment and other activities.
Festivities will take place at the Super H-Mart that recently opened at 801 Civic Center Drive in Niles.
More than 40 Asian food companies will come together during this event to introduce their various products to customers.
There will be an Asian cultural dance performance, Asian folk costume fashion show, children’s talent show, dance party and other shows every evening of the four-day extravaganza.
Other aspects of the festival include a lottery with prizes such as a Plasma HDTV, home sauna, houseware and more and an Asian Food Appreciation Writing and Picture Contest.
The music festival will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on each day of the festival and Asian dancing will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each of the four nights.
Also, starting today, April 26, at 2 p.m., Kyong Gi Rice will be given to customers on a first come first serve basis.
Store
hours are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The telephone number of Super H Mart
is (847)
581-1212.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
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