Japanese Food Expo 2023 at Universal City, CA

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FoodieLA

1 year ago

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Japanese food culture is widely popular and beloved by people around the world.

Personally, I love sashimi for its generally high protein content (also its deliciousness), and I am always amazed to find a diverse array of snacks produced by Japanese companies.

If you are looking to discover your new favorite Japanese food and snacks thorough tasting in-person tasting, check out the Japanese Food Expo!


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Japanese Food Expo provides educational workshops where you can learn more about the Japanese food culture. In between workshops, you can sample dozens of food, snacks, and beverages (mostly alcoholic).


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The sashimi and scallops they served were brought to the Expo directly by the vendors. Even though they were frozen and thawed before serving, they tasted very fresh.


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Image of product Sardines stewed in soy sauce and sugar by brand Kamei Kogyo Holdings Co., Ltd. product Deep-fried yellowtail with sweet and sour sauce by brand Kamei Kogyo Holdings Co., Ltd.

Image of product Deep-fried yellowtail with sweet and sour sauce by brand Kamei Kogyo Holdings Co., Ltd. product Sardines stewed in soy sauce and sugar by brand Kamei Kogyo Holdings Co., Ltd.


The exhibitors (representatives of the vendors) were so kind, and they didn't mind that I took multiple samples of the same product.

Ready-made and frozen yellow-tail with sweet and sour sauce was my favorite food in all of this Expo, and I bought five of them to take home with me.


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While most of the exhibitors did not sell their products at the Expo, they told me that I could find their products in local Asian grocery stores such as Hmart, Mitsuwa, 99 Ranch Market, etc. Some of them are available on Amazon as well.


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Image of product Frozen Takoyaki by brand Gindaco

Image of product Frozen Takoyaki by brand Gindaco

Image of product Frozen Takoyaki by brand Gindaco

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Image of product Mayonnaise by brand Shirakiku product Sriracha Chili Sauce by brand Shirakiku

Image of product Chilled Imitation Crab Shredded by brand Shirakiku

Image of product Chilled Imitation Crab Shredded by brand Shirakiku product Sriracha Chili Sauce by brand Shirakiku


Once I've had way too much food for one meal (LOL), I walked on to the dessert section of the Expo.


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This is miso powder that you can add to your dessert and it provides a deeper and sweeter taste. Seriously, the Japanese are way too creative with their snacks. 

Even though I personally prefer bold-flavored ice cream such as chocolate fudge or peanut butter and generally dislike vanilla, this vanilla ice cream with miso powder was very enjoyable.


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One thing I've noticed was that the majority of the products' packaging was written mostly in Japanese.

My Japanese friends told me that this is because English speakers are less prevalent in Japan than in other Asian countries such as South Korea or Hong Kong. This makes it difficult for non-natives to discover Japanese products, and hopefully Japanese brands will pursue global expansion more in the future.


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One of my top picks from this Expo is the Mochikon Konjac jelly.

These tasted so sweet but they are only about 100 kcal per serving! That sounds too good to be true, but konjac is famous for its low calories and health benefits it provides to its consumers.


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Image of product Roasted Green Tea Powder by brand Koyo Orient Japan


The ticket was not cheap ($65), but I had a full meal plus dessert and discovered a dozen delicious products that I can buy when I visit a local Asian grocery store, thanks to the Japanese Food Expo.

It was totally worth it!


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