N4KU is a restaurant that creates Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches with a Nordic twist, and in addition to addictive Asian delicacies, it has become known for its viral rice porridge, served at Tuomaan Markkinat around Christmas times. At À la Park, the crew will cook a new and delicious rice porridge – Chinese congee. The dish combines the restaurant's two specialties: Asian flavors and rice porridge.

“Congee is a perfect continuation of N4KU's rice porridge saga since it is still a rare treat in Helsinki. It's the perfect blend of comfort food and street food. It’s easily customizable, full of umami, and can be enjoyed from morning to evening. At À la Park, we offer our own twist – silky rice porridge, crispy toppings, and lots of flavor,” says Konsta Kettunen one of the people behind N4KU.

In Meripuisto, you’ll also find the recently popular Japanese sando restaurant, Café Tampopo, along with the same restaurateurs' izakaya-style Sake Bar & Izakaya, known for its cozy and authentic atmosphere.

Sake Bar & Izakaya, located at Vironkatu, is a restaurant focused on sake and Japanese bar food, and Café Tampopo is its little sister, serving specialty coffees and Japanese sandwiches. Both restaurants delight with their genuine Japanese atmosphere and delicious, unpretentious food.

“Sake Bar & Izakaya is our love child, born from our longing for Japan’s bar culture. Café Tampopo’s specialty is Japanese-style sandwiches, or sandos, which we originally served during the corona lockdown as a pop-up,” tells restaurateur Benjamin Öberg.

Café Tampopo X Sake Bar & Izakaya will bring fan-favorite dishes from both kitchens to the festival, so the best dishes to cure to Japan-longing will be served at the same counter in À la Park.

More news about the festival program and restaurants will be announced throughout the spring.