2008 Mitsuwa Torrance Summer Festival

[Keizo]

The natsukashii~ Summer festival is back! I don't have much information other than what's been posted on Mitsuwa's website: http://www.mitsuwa.com/event/eevent.p...

There will be several yatai's serving different Japanese foods (unfortunately no ramen) and lot's of entertainment. So bring out the whole family to Torrance next weekend to get a feel for some genuine Japanese culture. I'm personally looking forward to the goldfish scoop. That was my favorite as a kid!

Here is the schedule:

7/19(Sat) 11:00AM - 8:00PM
- Band Performance 12:30PM - 1:00Pm
- Hawaiian Hula Dance Show 4:00PM - 4:45PM
- Others

7/20(Sun) 11:00AM - 6:00PM
- Band Performance 11:30AM - 12:00PM
- Hawaiian Dance Show 2:00PM - 2:45PM
- Others

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Mitsuwa Marketplace
21515 Western Av, Torrance, CA 90501

[Keizo]

I got there at 11:30 and the lines for okonomiyaki and takoyaki were already miles long so I decided to wait for the yakitori booth to open at 12. Then they got delayed and said that they wouldn't open until 1pm...bummer cuz I had to leave for my bball game by then. Oh well, so I got some shaved ice and looked around at the natsukashii toys & candy and all the kids scooping goldfish and water balloons. I'm sure the festival will pick up at night so PLEASE post your pics and let me know how the food was. I don't think I'll be able to go tomorrow. Thx!

[liu]

Keizo --
We really appreciate that you posted about this festival. We arrived just before 11:00am today, just as they were setting up the food booths. We were the lucky ones who were able to order the okonomiyaki at the moment it was ready. It was as delicious as that at Gaja. We also had the Korean scallion pancake, but my preference was for the Japanese one. I found the Korean one just a bit greasy, although still very tasty.

What we enjoyed most, however, were the dollar tables inside Mitsuwa...what fun! It gave us an opportunity to try lots of Japanese items that we would not normally buy in their usual larger quantities. We went through the tables about three or four times, each time spotting new items to purchase.

Again, Keizo, thanks for letting us know about this festival!

[E Eto]

Here's a link for the Mitsuwa events in Chicago and New Jersey. By the way, most of these Mitsuwa posts really belong on the Chains board, as most of these festivals also pass through the Bay Area as well as Chicago and New Jersey.
http://www.mitsuwa.com/event/eevent.p...

[Keizo]

Sorry E Eto. I didn't see the Chicago and New Jersey post. I'll pay more attention next time. Thanks.

[rameniac]

perusing my mitsuwa flyer, they've listed:

takoyaki (octopus balls)
reimen (naengmyun cold noodles)
kakigori (shaved ice)
yakitori (everyone should know what this is by now)
yakisoba (this too)
kalbi (bbq beef ribs)
hiyashi somen (cold somen)
okonomiyaki (cabbage & batter pancakes with assorted toppings)
chijimi (korean onion pancakes)
gyudon (beef bowl)
candied apples
saata andagii (okinawan dango)
okinawa soba (^^) http://www.rameniac.com/resource/comm...
cotton candy
iced green tea
ramune

and perhaps best of all...

"toys from asakusa japan"

as being on offer. guess okinawan-ness is hip this year.

[Dommy]

Ooo! Do you have any idea on what make Okinawa Soba different from other types? We are Soba fiends...

--Dommy!

[rameniac]

eh, double post lag. ignore this one...

[rameniac]

hi dommy,

okinawa soba isn't really "soba" in the familiar sense, but more of a ramen variant with wheat (not buckwheat) noodles and a light, fish-heavy broth. it's kind of like the japanese analogue to hawaiian saimin. worth a try if you've never had it, but probably not what you're thinking of =).

[Dommy]

Thanks Rameniac!! We'll have to give it a shot!

--Dommy!

[liu]

The okonomiyaki interests us! Will it be made fresh on-the-spot?
Is this fair a good lunch destination or is the food secondary to other festival activities?
Is this fair similar to one they had just a few months back?

[rameniac]

this one is much more of an actual "event" - with stands all set up in the parking lot and an entertainment stage, but without the highly touted foods and chefs flown in from japan. in that sense, it's as much about the entertainment as it is about the food this time, but i wouldn't necessarily say that one is secondary to the other.

the okonomiyaki will probably be ok - made and dished out on the spot but not necessarily fresh fresh (unless you're the lucky customer in line as they're finishing up a brand new batch). if serious okono is what you're after, you're much better off going to Gaja. but heck, just go to Gaja after the festival and have dinner there, if you haven't been eating all day anyway.

[liu]

Thanks, rameniac!
I have been to Gaja -- a couple of times -- and that is why I am possessed by okonomiyaki...such a delicious mixture!

We also enjoyed the Mitsuwa event with the chefs from Japan, so your assessment of this event was exactly the information I was looking for...many thanks!

[exilekiss]

I had the same reaction as Dommy! LOL...

Ooo! Okinawan Soba! I was mildly interested in this Natsu Matsuri, but now it sounds like they have a few more offerings. Hopefully they'll be be at least decently executed (cooking-wise). Can't wait!

Thanks for the additional 411 rameniac. :)

[rameniac]

lol are we all going to be there? i'll be there either saturday or sunday afternoon (or both). feel free to say hi, as it'd be cool to meet you guys. i'll be the skinny asian dude... in a pair of cobalt blue converse all-stars ;).

[Dommy]

Ginchy! I'll be there Sunday Afternoon with Red Tapestry Chucks and my new homemade socks...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ccdommy/...

[Keizo]

Thanks for the rundown rameniac! I'm not sure which day I'll be able to go yet but I'll be looking out for ya! My original intentions are to end the night at Gaja eating monjya, but for some reason ramen always gets between me and Gaja.

[bitesandbolts]

So many noodles, so little time. I'm saving my lunch for some cold noodles and dango. Mmm.

[Dommy]

Awesome!! I think I just found out what we are doing Sunday!! ;)

--Dommy!

[bitesandbolts]

Thanks for posting this up, Keizo. I saw some tables being set up last weekend and wondered if I missed an event.

[Keizo]

You're welcome! Hope you have fun!

[exilekiss]

Thanks for the info Keizo. Did you go last year? I'm curious how good the Takoyaki was. :)

[rameniac]

the mitsuwa natsu matsuri is usually pretty good for a relaxing afternoon. i'm thinking this year's food offerings will be similar to past years... yakisoba, okonomiyaki, tomorokoshi, takoyaki, shaved ice, etc. no guest stars like during the regional festivals, but definitely better than the food at the japanese american obons.

[Keizo]

Ya I agree with rameniac...a nice relaxing afternoon. The food might not be spectacular but the mood...at least for me...reminds me of my childhood. I'm looking forward to the zaru udon.