3 days Ago By Brock Keeling
One of Southern California’s largest Japanese cultural festivals, the 16th annual OC Japan Fair, is set to draw an estimated 45,000 people to Costa Mesa’s OC Fair and Event Center on April 4-6. Attendees can explore a vast array of attractions, including performances, cosplay, exhibits and live music, as well as a sprawling food scene showcasing the best of Japanese and Asian cuisine.Gastronomic highlights will include a live tuna-cutting demonstration, in addition to Japanese fare galore, from traditional dishes to modern favorites.
Guests can look forward to ramen from Michelin-recognized Ramen & Tsukemen, taiyaki (fish-shaped griddle cakes) from Mr. Bully, tamago sando (fluffy egg sandwiches) care of Pillow Talk Cafe, bao from Nikuman-Ya and yakitori from Shin-Sen-Gumi, to name a few of the nearly 50 food vendors from around Southern California and beyond.Beer and sake will also be on hand for the 21-and-over crowd, while boba teas and matcha drinks available for all ages.
OC Japan Fair’s 2025 food lineup is as follows:85C BakeryAll Dat DumplingAamai-Ya (featuring sweet treats)Aoki No ChuukaBig and Long Swirl PotatoBluey & Co. (coffee)Boba BestieCafe 949 (lobster)Daikokuya (ramen)NH Foods (gyoza)Dreamland Maid CafeEgghausted (tamagoyaki, egg omelets)GindacoGold Mench & Uma LemonadeGong Su GanHawaiian Honey ConesHGG Tanghulu (glassy, sugar-coated fruit)Honda-YaJapadogJungle Wings (crispy chicken)KaguraKanto Filipino Street FoodKondo SandoKyoto TenderLucky Ball (Korean barbecue)Mr. Bully (taiyaki)Mr.
Teddy Baker (katsu sando)Nikuman-Ya (hand-made bao)Okamoto Kitchen (anime food truck)Omusubi HouseOsaka Hashimaki (savory pancakes on chopsticks)Osaka Ohsho (gyoza)Osaka Street FoodPillow Talk Cafe (fluffy egg sandwiches)Ramen & Tsukemen (Michelin-recognized ramen)Rated R Ramen BurgerShin-Sen-Gumi (yakitori)Sukiyuki LATaiyookie (fish-shaped waffles with savory and sweet fillings)Takoyaki TanotaTakoyaki YamachanTemaki Time (handroll sushi)Tokyo YakisobaTonkatsu MarushichiWafflelandWagyu StreetYakitoriyado (skewered chicken)Yakitori Yado Matcha LatteOC Japan Fair happens from Friday, April 4 from 4 p.m. until 10 p.
m., Saturday, April 5 from noon until 10 p.m.
and Sunday, April 6 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.
m.Related ArticlesRestaurants Food and Drink | St. Patrick’s Day 2025: Where to get corned beef, minty shakes and green doughnutsRestaurants Food and Drink | Comfort food classics come with Korean influences at this Toluca Lake restaurantRestaurants Food and Drink | San Pedro Fish Market talks Fish Fridays for Lent and ‘Kings of Fi$h’ reality showRestaurants Food and Drink | Pi Day 2025: Where to find pizza deals on Friday, March 14Restaurants Food and Drink | Meet the two LA chefs competing on the new season of Bravo’s ‘Top Chef’Admission prices are $15 for general admission for tickets purchased in advance online or $18 for general admission for tickets purchased onsite.
Free entry for children under 6 and seniors 65 and over. Parking costs $12.Find it: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
