Soy Long: The Tofu Festival Is Canceled

Longtime readers of Franklin Avenue know that Little Tokyo’s annual Tofu Festival is one of our favorite events of the year. That’s why we were sad to learn that the annual event has been scrapped.

It wasn’t a surprise, however, as we noted last year that the event was in trouble. Indeed, last year’s Tofu Fest, while still pretty well attended, nonetheless had fewer food booths than years past, and no major musical concert. Plus, the parking lot where it used to be held was under construction, forcing the event on to just one street, San Pedro.

As a result, the Little Tokyo Service Center told the Downtown News last year that the event might just go away.

Here’s our description of the 2007 event.

We always loved the Tofu Fest because the food was plentiful and cheap, the booths were interesting (and many boasted free stuff) and the entertainment pretty good. It was never insanely crowded either, and we loved the downtown locale. We’ll miss you, Tofu Fest!

Soy You Later, Tofu Festival?

After a lackluster turnout this year, the Tofu Festival — our favorite street fair of the year — may undergo a major overall of disappear all together, the Downtown News reports.

Funny, I thought last week’s event was still pretty well attended, considering the decrease in the number of food booths, the lack of a major musical talent (unlike past years’ concerts by the likes of Ozomatli) and the fact that we went in the evening.

Still, because this year’s Tofu Fest was pushed out of its normal parking lot home and allowed only on San Pedro St., it was confusing. I detailed the shortcomings of this year’s event — which was still awesome — here.

The Downtown News, meanwhile, fills us in on the future:

The Little Tokyo Service Center, which stages the event, said the heat wave and a smaller space (a new residential project is being built nearby) contributed to the drop in attendance.

Noelle Ito, a spokeswoman for LTSC, said the festival has become a large undertaking for the small group, requiring more manpower than they can supply.

“It’s a really huge event for a non-profit to produce,” she said. “We haven’t made a final decision. It’s still early but it’s a potential thought (to cancel it).”

Ito said the LTSC is considering several options including hosting a new event altogether. The organization also stages an annual sake tasting that draws hundreds of people.

Here’s hoping they find a way to save it.

Tofu Festival: The Roundup

Mr. Tofu is mobbed by photographing fans

Like I mentioned on Friday, the Tofu Festival is one of our favorite street fairs of the year.

And how could it not be? The food is plentiful, and cheap. And every year we’ve gone down, we’ve had surprisingly little problem finding free parking — this year, for example, we found an abandoned (at least on the weekends) parking lot near the Artists District and next to all the Little Tokyo condos being built.

We decided to go Saturday evening around 5 p.m. to avoid the heat and the crowds, and it was a smart move. The Tofu Fest was still crowded, but not packed.

But the event itself lacked the excitement of recent years, due partly because of its new layout. The large parking lot that normally held the food booths (with the other booths on San Pedro St.) is now under construction, which means the food booths instead had to be spread out among the health booths, business tables and other vendors. What’s worse, the fest was split into three parts (with 2nd St. separating the sides). And this year, the main stage was far away from the food and the booths. (What’s more, there appeared to be several fewer food booths at this year’s event.)

But griping aside, the event remains well-organized, and well worth the trip. This year we were joined by Blogger Toddler’s cousin, plus his parents. We each popped down $20, which was more than enough. Some of the highlights:

Tofu Hamburger -- from Tokyo Table (non-vegetarian)

Mixed fruit and tofu, with blackberry sauce -- from Maison Akira

Soon Du Bu -- from BCD Tofu House

Tofu Keema Curry Rice -- from Curry House

Sweet Potato Pie with Tofu Cream -- from New Way of Life Cafe

Green Tea Boba -- from Arroyo Thai Food -- and Shave Ice -- from Premium Snow Cones

Honestly, I'd prefer a glass of "Soil Mike."

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

2006 Tofu Festival coverage

2005 Tofu Festival coverage

Tofu Festival: The Roundup

Mr. Tofu is mobbed by photographing fans

Like I mentioned on Friday, the Tofu Festival is one of our favorite street fairs of the year.

And how could it not be? The food is plentiful, and cheap. And every year we’ve gone down, we’ve had surprisingly little problem finding free parking — this year, for example, we found an abandoned (at least on the weekends) parking lot near the Artists District and next to all the Little Tokyo condos being built.

We decided to go Saturday evening around 5 p.m. to avoid the heat and the crowds, and it was a smart move. The Tofu Fest was still crowded, but not packed.

But the event itself lacked the excitement of recent years, due partly because of its new layout. The large parking lot that normally held the food booths (with the other booths on San Pedro St.) is now under construction, which means the food booths instead had to be spread out among the health booths, business tables and other vendors. What’s worse, the fest was split into three parts (with 2nd St. separating the sides). And this year, the main stage was far away from the food and the booths. (What’s more, there appeared to be several fewer food booths at this year’s event.)

But griping aside, the event remains well-organized, and well worth the trip. This year we were joined by Blogger Toddler’s cousin, plus his parents. We each popped down $20, which was more than enough. Some of the highlights:

Tofu Hamburger -- from Tokyo Table (non-vegetarian)

Mixed fruit and tofu, with blackberry sauce -- from Maison Akira

Soon Du Bu -- from BCD Tofu House

Tofu Keema Curry Rice -- from Curry House

Sweet Potato Pie with Tofu Cream -- from New Way of Life Cafe

Green Tea Boba -- from Arroyo Thai Food -- and Shave Ice -- from Premium Snow Cones

Honestly, I'd prefer a glass of "Soil Mike."

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

2006 Tofu Festival coverage

2005 Tofu Festival coverage

Tofu or Not Tofu

The answer, of course, is Tofu. Forget the crowded, annoying Sunset Junction this weekend and instead head down to Little Tokyo for one of our fave shindigs of the year, the annual Tofu Festival.

Funny, when I mention the Tofu Fest to people who have never been, they think I’m nuts. Tofu is bland enough. But a festival devoted to it?!

Aha, that’s where you’re wrong, my friend.

Tofu Fest — a part of Little Tokyo’s Nisei Week — is what every food fest should be: Booths and booths of cheap, plentiful — and here’s the important part — unique food. Check out some of the twists on tofu being offered at the varied booths:

Pad Sei Eu Noodle with Tofu, Inai BBQ Tofu, Spicy Noodle with Tofu, Tofu Sushi, Tofu Bibimbap, Tuna Poke Salad, Tofu Satay, Pad Thai Tofu , Mapou Tofu Boba Drink, Tofu Ciabatta Sandwiches, Tofu Pizza, Malaysian Tofu Salad (Rojak), Tofu Hamburger, Chowmein with Tofu, etc.

But yes, wusses, there’s plenty of meat-based dishes to be had too, not to mention drinks and dessert.

The entertainment factor, however, seems to be rather sparse this year. Past fests have included concerts by Ozomatli and Blackalicious, but there doesn’t seem to be any headlining performer this year… or even a stage. Not sure if that signals a downsizing of the fest — but the food appears to still be plentiful.

Tix are $5 — but don’t pay that. Make sure you print out the coupon here that allows you in for $3. (Kids under 12 and seniors over 60 are free.)

The Tofu Festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 18, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Check out the fest’s companion blog here.