Tokyo Festivals and Food

Japanese festivals are very popular, they have one almost every weekend and for every occasion. Usually, they are held during the weekend by parks and temples and have a string of stalls that sell food, drinks and hold kiddie games.

Every festival offers similar food. Frequent dishes include okonomikayi (a japanese pancake), takoyaki (fried octopus balls), yakisoba (fried noodles), and fried potatoes.

OKONOMIYAKI

A Japanese pancake with all sorts of ingredients. Unlike a western pancake, this tastes more of ingredients than flour. If Im not mistaken, its originally from Osaka but its easy to find over Tokyo, especially at festivals such as this one. This picture was taken at a small festival right by Ueno park. Personally, Im not really fond of it. Its got this funky acquired taste, I still havent put a finger to what exactly it is. Maybe its the ginger, or the sauce (similar to Worcestersire but sweeter), or the fish flakes that move that they sprinkle on top...

YAKISOBA

Yakisoba is Japanese fried noodles made from wheat flour (similar to that found in ramen) and fried with a whole array of ingredients. From what I remember, there are veggies (usually cabbage, onions and carrots), pork bits, sauce for flavoring and ginger (again with the ginger!). My first experience of yakisoba was instant noodles - the type that cooks in hot water? I learned to actually like it, a reminder of my simpler days as a backpacker. This... tastes nothing like it. It almost tastes like chinese noodles, but with ginger. You know how I feel about ginger. So again, me and the traditional yakisoba dont go.

TAKOYAKI

Takoyaki is fried octopus balls - to me it actually tastes very similar to okonomiyaki. ITs got the octopus, and a variety of veggies, then topped with the funky fish flakes and japanese sweet sauce. Again... its got the ginger thing going on that Im not so fond of. Out of all the dishes, no matter which version I try, this one I cant seem eat and at all.

FRIED-O POTATO-O

Like my Japanese friend says -- say it like your retarded. Fried-o potato-o is usually what I go for in these festivals. I know it sounds boring, but they dont make it with the ginger I cant seem to dig! Usually the potato is fried with garlic and lathered with butter and salt. This picture above is cut, deep fried and sprinkled with your powedered flavoring of choice (mayo, wasabi, cheese, etc...)

Most festivals also have simple games. Y300-500 will earn you a small toy, if your lucky.


In this game, you are given a round hoop covered in paper. The challenge is to catch as many fish as you can without destroying the paper. Pretty innovative, dont you think?


This other one is just about catching any toy of your choice. There's actually no challenge to it as you can try as many times as possible, but i can imagine why kids would get excited!