Tofu-ZILLA 2005

It was a mad tofu festival this weekend with the hoards of tofu consuming foodies, Nisei week supporters, out of towners, and crowd controlling police officers. As a supporter from way back when (my oldest tofu fest tee is from 1997) and someone who grew up with all the Nisei week festivities, it was great to see so many people out in Little Tokyo this weekend.

This afternoon, I helped a good friend who's also a partner of the old Far East Chop Suey Cafe - with promoting the grand reopening of this historic Little Tokyo landmark at their open house. Here's a sampling of what's to come:

"In 1935, the Far East Chop Suey Cafe opened to introduce Chinese American food to Little Tokyo. Seventy years later, we again reopen our doors to introduce Little Tokyo to Asian Fusion dining...As our community changes, so has our taste. Our goal is to blend the old with the new - the very essence of what fusion (and Chop Suey) is all about. We are taking the best of both worlds... and infusing the nostalgia of the old Far East Cafe with the fresh energy and spirit of the new Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge... Our commitment is to provide a venue with outstanding service and creative new dishes, combined with a few select signature items from the Far East Cafe menu... By honoring our past, featuring our present, and inventing the future, Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge wans to share with you our vision and invite you to be a part of us as we grow with Little Tokyo."

Lucky me, I was able to get into the festival for *free* but I did buy a tshirt to help the cause [see above pic] - the Little Tokyo Service Center. Since I already had lunch and had family dinner plans, I only sampled two tofu dishes that were again, *free* for me. I had the Smoked Tofu Salad and the Tofu Chili. The salad was made up of fresh mixed greens, fried onions that were crunchy and oh-so-yummy, a fruit medley salsa vinegarette dressing, and smoked tofu slices. I thought it was quite good although the smoked tofu had a distinct flavor that took a little getting used to. The Tofu Chili reminded me of a tomato-based mabo tofu, and was absolutely yummy!

Although the Japanese American community has changed over the years, I was happy to see how busy Little Tokyo was today. With the Nisei Week parade and the second day of the Tofu Festival, the streets were hopping with laughter, children, families, couples, and so many people who may not necessarily stop into this ethnic enclave for a bite to eat or a visit to the Japanese American National Museum. I grew up here as a fourth generation Yonsei Japanese American, ate tofu with my miso soup and shoyu along with Okinawan dangos, danced the odori at the summer obon festivals, and took J-school to learn my "Itadakimasu!" and "Gochisousama!" ~ something to learn if you ever eat Japanese food.




10th Annual Tofu Festival
2nd St & San Pedro St
Little Tokyo, Downtown LA

Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge
347 East 1st Street
ph: 213.745.1777