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# Japanese cuisine comes local for two-day Pier festival
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/japanese-cuisine-comes-local-for-two-day-pier-festival/
- Published: 2024-11-08T22:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-14T00:30:06.000Z
- Description: Locals at the Santa Monica Pier will have their attention to the other side of the Pacific Ocean this weekend thanks to some legendary cuisine.
- Author: Thomas Leffler
- Tags: Food, Lifestyle, festival, japanese, Pier, smdp podcast, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-06 12:20

On both Saturday and Sunday, [the Pier](https://smdp.com/2024/10/18/annual-amateur-production-save-the-pier-arrives-this-weekend/?ref=smdp.com) 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](https://www.konamonfest.com/vendors?ref=smdp.com) 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](https://www.konamonfest.com/?ref=smdp.com).

*thomas@smdp.com*