Mitsuwa, a chain of Japanese supermarkets that extends from San Diego to Edgewater, New Jersey, regularly hosts compelling multi-venue events, including June’s Japanese Gourmet Fair and July’s Kyushu Okinawa Fair. Vendors fly from Japan to feature their culinary specialties in existing food court stalls and pop-up stands. Here are some of the highlights.

Mitsuwa Costa Mesa featured lump and shredded crab in Chirashi & Inari Sushi Set ($9.90).

Takoyaki (8 for $6.90) an Osaka specialty, consisted of kokuru (original blended dough) with octopus at the center, tempura batter, spring onions, red ginger, sauce and mayonnaise, powdered seaweed and dried bonito.

Mitsuwa Torrance served Kesennuma Ushio Ramen w/Boiled Egg ($10.80) at Kamome Diner.

Sesame Shoyu Salmon Bowl ($3.80) featured silky slices and steamed rice folded with nori.

A sushi combo pack featured crumbly cooked uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), yellow tobiko (flying fish roe) and King crab leg, which found mixed success.

Uni Croquettes ($2.50) were creamy inside, with crispy panko outside.

For the Kyushu Okinawa Fair, which showcased the foods of a particular island and prefecture in southern Japan, Kyushu-based chef Tsuyoshi Tanaka prepared Hakata Nagahama Ramen ($9.90), cloudy tonkotsu ramen immortalized in a Dose of Vitamin P post.

Mochikichi were rice crackers and mochi munchies tossed with chile oil or cinnamon sugar.

Kimajyun Imo Mochi featured fresh-made glutinous rice balls.

Kimaiyun coated mochi with sesame and bean powder ($2.30), and I skipped ikinari dango.

Kikuya Strawberry pudding was over-the-top dessert, cradled in a fresh cream pie puff.

Mochi Donuts ($2.30) are usually at Mitsuwa. Let them thaw and experience multi-layers of white chocolate, green tea chocolate, mochi cream, and green tea flavored bean jam.