On both Saturday and Sunday, the Pier will play host to the first-ever Konamon Fest on the West Coast, a tribute to both Japanese street food and culture. Konamon, which is flour-based cuisine, is a hit in its home country and is continuing its American expansion in Santa Monica.
"This is something [to bring] the idea of Japanese culture, [which is] to make something affordable and easy food to grab in [the] street," Japan Taste Marketing Inc. Event Coordinator Stephanie Yoshida said of the event.
The event’s main sponsor is Otafuku, a Japanese sauce and ingredients company that wanted a soiree to celebrate the culture of Konamon. The cuisine has gained a foothold in America with events like JAPAN Fes New York, now aiming for California as its next takeover.
Along with Otafuku, another 15 vendors will be present, including some heavy-hitters in the Japanese food scene. Japan’s most famous brand of Takoykaki, a flour-based batter ball filled with crispy, golden octopus, will be represented via Gindaco. Another spot, Denko-Sekka, is known for its Okonomiyaki (a savory pancake dish) and was the first restaurant of its kind to earn a Bib Gourmand rating in the Michelin Guide.
"A lot [vendors are] also famous [for] food in Japan, so we wanted to put it together and introduce the atmosphere, and we wanted to do this at this unique place [that] is Santa Monica Pier, which is a center of tourism … so we can have locals and tourists to enjoy this festival," Yoshida added.
Yoshida also pointed to more "interesting" collaborations, such as the festival-famous brand Tokyo Yakisoba and J’s Kitchen, which combines traditional flavors of Warabi Mochi (soft rice cakes made from broken starch) to create a drinkable item.
"[It’s] made out of special mochi powder, and it's cold mochi that you can enjoy in summer or [fall] or anytime," Yoshida said. "This is a very unique mochi coming into the United States right now."
Tickets for the event are $10, and for an extra $35, locals and tourists alike can try a special Sake flight with five tastings of the unique alcohol and a special souvenir cup. While the two-day festival will also have performances and a family play area, the delectable bites remain at the forefront.
"[It’s] mainly focused [on] the food," Yoshida added. "We just want everyone to enjoy the food and some fun time from the beach."
To purchase tickets for the event, visit konamonfest.com.
thomas@smdp.com