Didn’t get your tofu today? Then make sure you stop by the LA Tofu Festival tomorrow.

I joined the thousands of tofu lovers in Little Tokyo earlier today to sample all things tofu. As usual, I headed first to buy tickets — a buck a ticket, required in exchange for most goods at the fest — and headed straight for the food booths.

After free samples of tofu tostatas (tofu’d salsa!) and Naked Juice, I got a Tofu Teriyaki plate Tuna Poke Salad, both v. yum.

A bit disappointing was a tofu dessert thing I got — which I discovered was basically a slab of soft tofu with a bit of sauce and fruit on top. Avoid the Maison Akira booth.

Beyond the strip of food and crafts booths on San Pedro, there’s the performance stage a little to the east. I caught a bit of the performance from the Mele Ohana Ukulele Group — complete with hula dancers.

Plus, right next to the stage’s the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center building — and within it’s a buncha interesting stuff to check out — from ceramic, dolls, and flower exhibits to tea ceremonies. (Also, bathrooms’re on the 2nd floor, if you’re portapotty shy).

Most of the time there I spent at the beer garden — partly because the shaded area provided much-needed respite from the summer heat, and partly because there was, you know, beer (going dry‘s not going so well). Unfortunately Singha beer was all they had — Does tofu not go well with wine?

Don’t drive — Parking looked like a serious nightmare. From Santa Monica, the easiest way there’s to hop on the Big Blue Bus 10, then exit at Los Angeles and Temple. Walk a block south, then follow the crowd.

Happy tofuing –

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