mitsuwa-japanese-fair.JPG

Mitsuwa Marketplace's annual Japanese gourmet culinary fair opens Thursday, with free samples for shoppers throughout the store.

(Frances Micklow/The Star-Ledger)

Fried octopus, fresh soba and seafood ramen are among the regional Japanese specialties to be sampled at Mitsuwa Marketplace's annual Japanese gourmet fair starting Thursday.

Mitsuwa, at 595 River Road in Edgewater, will welcome esteemed ramen makers Kamome-Shokudo of Yokohama, and Osaka's Takoya Kukuru will be on hand with its famous takoyaki, or octopus fritters. Also on the menu: red queen crab and lotus root-stuffed tofu sushi, and manju, the Japanese sweets made from red bean paste, among dozens of other items, with free samples throughout the store.

The fair runs through Sunday. For store hours or more information, go to mitsuwa.com or call (201) 941-9113.

MORE NEW JERSEY FOOD EVENTS:

EAST AMWELL What Exit Wines, new wine launch to benefit Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, 7 p.m. Thursday. $10. Old York Cellars, 80 Old York Road in Ringoes. (908) 284-9463.

Explore different ways to cook kale, currently the hottest green on the market, at the Englewood Public Library Wednesday.

ENGLEWOOD "Usage of Kale Three Ways," presentation by Toy Buchanan Gordon and Caroline Brown, 7:15 p.m. today. Englewood Public Library, 31 Engle St. (201) 568-2215.

HO-HO-KUS 21st Amendment Brewing Company Dinner, four-course dinner paired with selections from California craft brewery, 7 p.m. Wednesday. $65. Registration required. Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern, 1 E. Franklin Turnpike. (201) 445-4115.

MORRIS TOWNSHIP "Grow, Cook Eat: Beans, Beans and More Beans," program on seeds, recipes and tasting, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday. $20. Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 E. Hanover Ave. (973) 326-7600.

MORRISTOWN "Eating for Energy," lecture and walk with the wellness coach, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday. $10. Registration required. Morristown Medical Center, 100 Madison Ave. (973) 971-6301.

PRINCETON "Fresh and Fabulous Food for Summer," program with chef Jean Pierre and registered dietitian Jill Kwasny, 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. McCaffrey's, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 N. Harrison St. (215) 752-9440, ext. 138.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK "Creating Healthy Family Meals on a Budget," Rutgers Cooperative Extension class with dietitian Kanan Thakore on shopping, cooking and eating nutritious meals, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. $15. Register by June 14.Middlesex County Earth Center, Davidson's Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Ave. (732) 398-5262.

The Food Calendar is an edited list of the week's community food events. Submit events online at nj.com/myevent. Find more culinary events at nj.com/dining.

FOLLOW STAR-LEDGER ENTERTAINMENT: TWITTER | FACEBOOK