Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar

What an amazing event! I would have never heard about this event if it wasn’t for Unilocal!
Congrats on the 69^th Annual Sacramento Buddhist Church Japanese Food and Cultural Festival!
I had this on my calendar and as time came closer I was counting down. I attended the event on that Saturday and took a nice drive from the East Bay to Sac to make this event! No shame in my game that I came just for the food! Boy was I in Japanese Heaven! Food galore it was!
The event was free and once I came at 1pm there were TONS of people.
Parking was pretty limited but thank goodness for the Target across the street! HAHA!
Everything was organized and there was even a map that was presented that showed where everything was and where all the food stations were going to be.
Tons of events for young children to play and they even had seating for people to sit, eat and listen to the band playing.
The lines were long but man they were moving very fast! I was surprised; I think I just came during a good time because I stood in each line for almost 5 minutes by 15 minutes of standing in 3 lines. I was ready to sit down and eat.
The nice thing about traveling a distance and having Unilocal friends all over the bay area is that when you traveling alone you know you always have friends at the event. I was able to meet up with some Unilocal friends in Sac and they even saved me and my friends some seats! Yayy!
All the food was made fresh and I even seen the hardworking people in the back cooking the food. It was tons of people that worked together to make sure that this event was successful.
Prices were cheap and very reasonable! I was surprised.
This is what I ordered:
~Rice balls: 3 for $ 3
~Chow Main-​$ 3
~Vegetable and shrimp tempura– a large amount for $ 7 (It was a serving for 2 people)
Everything was DELISH! They were even serving Boba! Man… They definitely know the way to my heart! HAHA!
All the venders were very nice and even asked if it was my first time attending!
I was so thrilled with this event and even stayed longer then I planned. I hear that this event happens in San Francisco and Fremont so I look forward to experiencing those as well!
I definitly recommend this event for everyone to come and check out! I truly enjoyed myself and trying all the different foods and I look forward to the next year event August 13^th & 14^th 2016!

Such fun!!!
Step into the crowd and work your way to the food offerings. Many outside including their famous teriyaki chicken. The stage provides almost non-​stop free shows such as Taiko drummers and traditional Japanese dances. Many cool carnival games for the little kids that are operated big the little ones of the church. Even though the prizes are mere trinkets, every kid wins a prize and the parents get the prize of seeing the kids smile and scream in joy. A few vendors on your way inside selling all kinds of neat Japanese nick-​nacks. Eric S found himself a neat Daruma… it was love at first sight. The money came out of his wallet so fast!
Inside and there is more food available and lots of seating. You can also tour the church and see a few doll exhibits as well as have your name written in Japanese caricature. Cool games can be found inside as well. Two roulette style games… for a quarter you can we a variety of Japanese food products. Many people opt for the 5# bag of rice or the cookies but there is more than 50 items to choose from. One dime toss game for you the get your dime to land completely within the star… it’s very difficult.
Parking is very difficult, sometimes you must park a few blocks away but it’s well worth the walk. Some say the food quality is not too notch for the $$ (except the teriyaki chicken) but keep in mind this is a fund raiser.
Indulge yourself in song, dance, food, games, and smiles… it’s worth it.

i wish i made a review before or after the first day so ya can experience it for yourself! well let me tell you some cool stuff they have every year and for you to make notes and prepare for next year. I do treat this event like a state fair where you would have to wait in line for food and beat the crowds, but at the end it is all worth it! let me start with why…
FOOD
TERIYAKI BEEF SANDWICHES
This is served in a soft french roll. Inside is filled with juicy marinated tender teriyaki beef!, cabbage and red onions for the veggies and with mayo spread. You can always customize it with no veggies or mayo or vice versa or both. I do love my veggies and yes veggies do make you grow stronger is what i have learned. But yes and hands down to this sandwich and it is a must get, or try. Also great for taking one home and enjoy after your food coma. This cost $ 6.
TEMPURA
If you like deep fried golden crisp veggies and shrimp, this is the place to get it. Usually they filed the plate, with green beans, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, and shrimp. This cost $ 7 They also have non shrimp tempura if your a vegetarian.
TERIYAKI BBQ GRILLED CHICKEN
This is what i look forward to each year. The chicken bursts with flavor and is soaked into every layer of the chicken and into the bones as well. The chicken is char grilled to perfection. Sometimes the chicken can be burnt outside but the meat is juicy and moist. Just don’t eat the skin your good. This cost $ 6 for half a chicken.
SUSHI
I love getting my California roll which comes in 8 pcs for only 4 bucks. If you did like extra ginger and wasabi, additional 50 cents. Also they have a variety of other sushi rolls, but i just like the plain simple ones.
SOMEN
If your a vegetarian this is one of my favorite choices! i love it so much because i like how it is served cold. A nice cold chilled noodle dish for a hot summer day is just perfect! love the red ginger, shitake mushroom, and angel hair thin noodles, in a special Japanese ponzu broth! Light and sweet.
UDON
This is usually served inside the gym where there is AC. They have an indoor gym kitchen with a window and usually serve it in a cool area. This year the AC wasn’t working too good and was hot, but i stay prepare with bringing a fan so i can enjoy my hot udon! The udon is served in a sweet broth, with udon noodles, shitake mushrooms, tempura flakes. also served with complimentary hot green tea. one said when it is hot drink hot green tea instead of ice cold water and it will cool your body down.
CURRY RICE
I love the japanese curry rice which comes in a rice bowl form for only $ 5, minced, chicken, potatoes, peas, carrot, and onions, over Japanese sticky white rice.
GINGER BEEF
Awesome big chunks of tender well done beef which is not chewy. mixed in a ginger sauce with onions, and over Japanese sticky rice served in a rice bowl for only $ 5.
KAROKKE
Japanese croquettes which served in a golden crisp brown served with katsu sauce on the side. The first thing i do is unwrap the foil, because i love it crisp and dry and not soggy. This is a must get when i come here for only $ 3 for 3 pcs.
Overall must get is TERIYAKI BEEF SANDWICHES, BBQ CHAR GRILLED TERIYAKI CHICKEN AND KAROKKE, AND SOMEN.
DESSERTS
SHAVE ICE
If your a big kid or just looking for something to cool down, then i suggest the shave ice. They can pour up to 4 or 5 flavors, which creates a beautiful rainbow shave ice.
TAPIOCA
They started serving tapioca drinks now, not my favorite but just fyi. For $ 3.50
MOCHI
I do love mochi on a stick with 3 pcs of plain mochi without filling in the inside. I just love the sweet sticky chewy texture. They do have kochi filled with red beans inside but i prefer no filling inside.
PASTRIES
They also have a variety or american pastries such as rice krispy, cookies, and cakes, and etc.
BEER
Love the beer garden when it is super hot at the bazaar! love the selection they have. If your looking to get a little buzz they do serve $ 4 sake in a bottle, it is great combo with the teriyaki chicken or the teriyaki beef sandwiches! Sake and meat is the best!
SAPPORO
KIRIN
SAKE
SOUVENIR
They do have a section with handmade arts and crafts and are usually marked down with a good price.
TACTICS/​LINES
Some suggestions is bring a few friends like 3 or 4 and split up the work. Work as a team! Each one of ya go into each line and should be done about the same time or maybe faster depending on the situation and line. Anyways that is the smartest way to do it, so you don’t have to get in line for each one. if your not a line person then come here after lunch time which is like 3pm which is usually slower and much faster lines.

This was our first time going there. We had a great time. Lots of people but everyone’s very nice. Everything we tried was good and very reasonably priced. Rainbow roll was $ 7. ½ Teriyaki chicken also $ 7. Chow mein $ 3. Onigiri $ 1.
Will definitely return next year.

Yes i have been there. It was o k .It was really hot under the tarp. I am looking for great japanese food. Since RICKSHA closed it is hard to find good food. Does any one know of one

The Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar is a well organized and family oriented annual event. A multitude of booths are provided with a wide selection of Japanese foods from Teriyaki, Udon soup and noodle dishes to sushi. All of the food is freshly made and very affordable! Then, there are the delicious desserts and flavored shaved ice! If you are hungry enough, you will find yourself eating all day here!
When we first walked through the entrance, the place was almost filled to capacity, but there seemed to be plenty of things to do for all ages. The outdoor portion of the festival was covered with a huge tent-​like canopy that offered a little shelter from the hot sun. At least there was a nice variety of cold drinks available. A large stage was placed to one side and was somewhat viewable by most of the tables set up around it.
There were also several booths that offered fun games for the kids, booths selling souvenirs, handmade crafts and even clothing. Japanese flower arrangements, handmade dolls, and calligraphy were on display for us to enjoy the artistic beauty that the Japanese are well known for. We were allowed to enter the building where there were more tables and chairs set up for people to relax and eat/​drink. It was easier to find a place to sit here, but the noise of continuous chatter of people all talking at once was not so relaxing and very hard to hear yourself think.
Lots of great entertainment was provided on the outdoor stage or in the Buddhist main chapel every 1 – 2 hours. Groups like Sakura Minyo Doo Koo Kai performed some Japanese folk dancing, the drum ensembles of Koyasan Taiko and Sacramento Taiko Dan, Hawaiian style entertainment by Na Alkane Ukulele Group, Koto concerts, and Japanese classical dancers all in traditional costume. One of my favorite bands also performed later that afternoon — Sacramento’s own East Wind! I used to be one of their devoted groupies right when I got out of high school! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see them this time because we had to leave before they performed. :(
I used to go to these events often with my friends when I was younger, then kind of lost touch when I had to become a responsible adult. Going to the Bazaar again after all these years made me realize how much fun I had been missing! I think this will be a yearly event for me again!

I woke up this morning thinking; «Joe; what you need is a little more culture in your life», so off we went to the Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar to get a little more culture in our lives. (Not really but it sounds like a good story.)
Anyway, my daughter immediately came running up to Ida and I the moment we entered into this wonderful Buddhist cultural event. I did not realize that she didn’t know we were coming. It felt good to surprise her. Next thing we knew, we were also joined by my ex-​wife who has been coming to this event every year since the mid sixties.
The place was a zoo. Extremely long queues of humanity patiently awaited their turn to purchase tempura, sushi, teriyaki, baked goods and other traditional Japanese delicacies from booths that surrounded a large outside seating area comprised of folding tables strung together in long lines leading to an outdoor stage. A giant canopy floated overhead providing much appreciated shade to the masses. It seemed like every chair was already occupied by people eating and enjoying each other’s company. I felt immediately overwhelmed by the crowds.
Fortunately my ex, being the pro of these bazaars, lead us to a large air conditioned hall where, to my amazement, we were able to avoid the crowds and buy various kinds of sushi, baked goods, udon noodles, and pineapple on a stick. We were comfortably seated and chowing down on all our wonderful goodies within minutes.
A while later, after we had sampled most of the items in the large hall, it too began to get crowded and extremely noisy so we returned to the outside pavilion where we were lucky enough to find some seats to relax while sipping on iced coffee and Thai tea and watching a local dance troop called Sakura Minyo Do Ko Kai perform Japanese cultural dances on the outdoor stage. It was a little warm but an occasional breeze was just enough to keep us comfortable.
At that point we were all cultured out and returned home to write reviews and take naps.

Went here for the first time this weekend. The food was really good and reasonably priced. There was a nice seating area to eat the food and watch the stage entertainment. It was a very family friendly event. My only problem is the directions given on the flier to the parking lot were very confusing since the intersection did not actually exist, so it did not come up on the GPS. The shuttle service was good from the parking lot. I would like to have seen more varieties of items for sale in the bazaar, the food selection was quite good.

Culture, good friends, great food. This year is the 66^th Annual celebrating the Year if the Dragon.