Review of the National Gyoza Festival in Sendai

Website:  http://gyoza.strikingly.com

Address:  Kokusai Center Subway Station.   

Map:  Check on their website.

Sunday, July 2^nd from 10 am to 4 pm.

For more info, please read my initial posting of this event HERE.

When I realized in the late afternoon that it would not rain today, I decided to venture on out and fight the crowds at the famed Gyoza Matsuri.  I was concerned that with today’s heat and humidity that waiting in line with a bunch of strangers for a small sampling of food might not make for an enjoyable afternoon.

But to my surprise upon arrival at around 3 pm, I discovered that the event was NOT crowded at all!  In fact, all but two of the gyoza stalls had lines.  There were lots of people there, but no lines.

This was the size of the crowd

For my first sampling, I chose the Utsunomiya Gyoza, which did have a line.  Of course it had a line; Utsnomiya and gyoza go hand-in-hand.  I had to wait a WHOLE five-stomach growling-minutes.  I was unable to find a seat under a tent so I went to one of the many standing tables available.  

This was good gyoza!  Crispy on the outside with a flavorful filling.  And at five dumplings for 300 yen, I recommend this one! 

There were 5.  I was starving and ate 1 before I took the photo.  Oops.

Next, I moseyed on over to the other stall that had a loooooooong line (I waited three-minutes tops) for a jumbo Tsu Gyoza from Mie Prefecture.  This was one puffy pot sticker reportedly registering 15 cm in length.  (This time I was able to find a seat under a tent, but it was so hot it didn’t feel like the shade helped that much.)  The wrapping was thick and a bit crispy, stuffed with all the flavors that you’d expect.  This was good, but I liked the Utsunomiya Gyoza better.

One chubby gyoza

For what I thought was my final taste testing, I decided to try the Fukushima Gyoza, as that booth had accumulated a short line.  Apparently, Fukushima Gyoza is popular due to its emphasis on vegetable fillings, and for the fact that 700 of these gyoza can be cooked at the same time.  This gyoza was very good!  I recommend this one, too!  Very similar to the Utsunomiya Gyoza.  

Fukushima Gyoza

How many gyoza do you see?

While waiting in line, I ran into my friend, Fumika, who graciously invited me to join her and her friend.  They had purchased the Hachiman Gyoza from Fukuoka Prefecture, which uses yuzu pepper as a condiment, and offered me a dumpling.

We all first tried the gyoza without the yuzu pepper.  It was good, as I detected a slight sweetness to it.  Then we all tried the yuzu pepper by itself.  The yuza flavoring was sour, the pepper strong.  I guess that was to be expected.

Hachiman Gyoza

I suspect that since it’s supposed to be sunny tomorrow, that’s when the crowds will flock to this event, so I’m glad I battled the heat today.   

Also, if the tents are crowded, you might want to try the Kokusai Center Station viewing platform.  There are tables, chairs, steps, and most importantly, shade!  

If you try some of the other gyoza, please let me know what you thought of it.

Have fun if you go!

From the Kokusai Center Station Viewing Platform

National Gyoza Festival in Sendai 全国餃子祭りin仙台 022-259-3712

Website:  http://gyoza.strikingly.com

Address:  Kokusai Center Subway Station.   

Map:  Check on their website.

Saturday, July 1^st from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, July 2^nd from 10 am to 4 pm.

I stopped by late Sunday afternoon during last year’s festivities, and some of the gyoza booths had already sold out, while other stalls had lines that were more than a 40-minute wait.  This proved to be an extremely popular event in 2016.

Still, it was fun to sit, eat, and watch the crowd enjoy themselves.  I also got a glimpse of Gyoza Man (?-I don’t know he calls himself).

Gyoza Man?  Mr. Gyoza Head?

Kirin Beer is once again hosting this gyoza extravaganza and there are live performances scheduled throughout the event.  

All the vendors are selling their gyoza packages for 300 yen, which are usually four dumplings per pack.

I’m sorry, but I really don’t remember my impressions on the pot stickers from last year, but I’ll add a few photos just to give you an idea.

Hope to see you there!

Sendai Food Convention 2016 仙台フードコンベンション 022-224-5640

For a bit more of some of the food that my be featured, click HERE to see my wrap-up from the 2014 event.

Website:  http://foodconvention.net

Address:  錦町公園 (仙台市青葉区本町).  Nishikichō Park is located about a five-minute walk from Kotodai-koen Subway Station.

Map:  Scroll down below.

Open Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd from 10 am to 7 pm.

This "convention" is a relatively small foodie affair, but it offers you a chance to sample some specialties from Sendai establishments.  I counted 29 restaurants that will showcase their finest this weekend.  Compared to the recent Oktoberfest and Niku Festa, this festival, in the past, has not been nearly as crowded and should be much easier on your wallet.

It looks like the weather might be better on Saturday, so that might be your best bet.

I hope to see you there!

Sendai Food Convention 2016 仙台フードコンベンション 022-224-5640

For a bit more of some of the food that my be featured, click HERE to see my wrap-up from the 2014 event.

Website:  http://foodconvention.net

Address:  錦町公園 (仙台市青葉区本町).  Nishikichō Park is located about a five-minute walk from Kotodai-koen Subway Station.

Map:  Scroll down below.

Open Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd from 10 am to 7 pm.

This "convention" is a relatively small foodie affair, but it offers you a chance to sample some specialties from Sendai establishments.  I counted 29 restaurants that will showcase their finest this weekend.  Compared to the recent Oktoberfest and Niku Festa, this festival, in the past, has not been nearly as crowded and should be much easier on your wallet.

It looks like the weather might be better on Saturday, so that might be your best bet.

I hope to see you there!

Niku Festa 2016 肉フェスタ2016

Website:  http://www.nikufes.jp

Address:  仙台市宮城野区五輪1-3.   Located at Tsutsujigaoka Park, right next to the Tsutsujigaoka Koen JR Station on the Senseki Line.  Or about a 20-miute walk from Sendai Station, straight down Miyagino-dori.

Map:  Scroll down below.

Open:  Thursday, September 22^nd to Sunday, September 25^th, from 10 am to 8 pm.

It may be the 11^th annual Sendai Meat Festival, but today was my first time attending this event.  Fifteen out of twenty-two vendors were marketing meat, meat, and more meat!  But at a price!

Scrumptious looking!!!

In order to partake in any grilled goodness, you need to purchase a ticket.  Cash is not accepted at any of the meat stalls, but they do accept electronic payment from such cards as Nanco, Edy, Suica, and others.  Each pre-paid ticket is 700 yen, however, most vendors sell their wares for 1400 yen, which means that you need two tickets for each dish.

My better half and I lined up at the end of a looooong line for the ticket booth, but were quite surprised on how quickly we were able to buy tickets.  We bought four tickets for 2800 yen.

All of the meats being solicited looked mouthwatering, so it was difficult to choose which stall to choose from.  

For our first venture, we decided upon booth M-4, 鉄板焼ごっつい (Teppanyaki Gottsui), a Roppongi-area restaurant which advertised beef tenderloin slices in a secret sauce.  I didn’t see it, but wife said she noticed a sign that stated that two of the three flavors in the sauce were pineapple and apple.  I handed over two tickets (a 1400 yen value) and received eight small pieces of beef with some corn mixed in.  

The beef was tender and had a distinctive flavor that was quite nice, but nothing special.  I was lucky that my wife ate only three of the slices and focused on the corn instead.  If this serving had been half the price, I might be satisfied with its value, but it definitely wasn’t worth 1400 yen.

1400 yen worth?  Hmm?

Our next attempt was at stall M-6, 神埼熟成肉格之進 (Kazaki Jukusei Niku Kakunoshin), an Ichinoseki restaurant, which proudly stated that its beef was aged for more than one-month.  Again, the cost was two tickets, and again, we received eight small slices of meat.  My wife went and bought a small bowl of rice from stand M-9 for 300 yen to accompany the beef.  This beef was remarkably flavorful, and initially we were quite impressed.  But then we were chewing, and chewing, and still couldn’t grind it down small enough to swallow.  It felt like I had meat-flavored chewing gum in my mouth.   My wife gave up after her second slice, and actually spit out the remainder of her final piece into a tissue.   I had to do the same with my last slice.  Again, a disappointment for 1400 yen.

Delicious, but cheeeeeeeewy.

Unfortunately, not even the rice was that good.  My wife commented that the rice from a convenience store onigiri tasted better.

The saving grace for my wife was the beer.  She tried both the 肉厚エール(Nikuatsu Ale), which she found to have a deep, rich flavor,  yet easy to drink, and the ゴールデンエール (Golden Ale), that she thought was light and smooth.

The event today was crowded with lines at almost every booth, but the lines moved quite quickly.   A good-sized tent with tables and benches were available, and despite the crowd we were able to find a seat a couple of times easily.

We did enjoy today’s venture to the Meat Festival just for the experience.  But like many festivals, it’s not cheap.  I recommend this event for the experience, and perhaps you may choose a vendor with a better cut of meat.  But I told my spouse, “I don’t think we need to come to the 12^th annual Meat Festival.”  She replied with, “Yup.”

2016 Thai Festival in Sendai タイフェスティバルin仙台 022-714-0545

Website:  http://www.thaifestival-sendai.com/index.html

Address:  勾当台公園市民広場.  Come up off the Kotodai-koen Subway Park exit and you’re there.

Map:  Scroll down below.

Open Saturday, June 11th from 10 am to 8 pm.   Sunday, June 12th from 10 am to 7 pm.

Please click HERE for some information about last year's festival.

It's the 4th annual Thai Festival in Sendai this weekend, and hopefully, unlike the last couple of years,  the weather will be accomadating for the 50,000 people expected to enjoy the many features of Thai culture, but mostly the food!  (hee-hee)

By my count there will be sixteen different restaurants offering their Thai cuisine samplings, so there will be plenty to choose from.

Hope to see you there!

Izumi Marché 2015 this Saturday, September 26th!

Website:  http://www.izumimarche.com/2015.html

Please click HERE for my article describing last year's event.

I was really impressed with the 2014 Marché, and this year's promises to be just as good, if not better.
The difficulty is in choosing which of the delicious delectables to devour!

And easy to find as this festival is held above Izumichuo Subway Station.

Hope to see you there!

2015 Thai Festival in Sendai タイフェスティバルin仙台 022-714-0545

Website:  http://www.thaifestival-sendai.com/index.html

Address:  勾当台公園市民広場.  Come up off the Kotodai-koen Subway Park exit and you’re there.

Map:  Scroll down below.  That was the closest I could get.

Open Saturday, June 27^th from 10 am to 8 pm.   Sunday, June 28^th from 10 am to 7 pm.

I’ve been looking forward to this year’s festival ever since I attended this event last year when over 40,000 people (according to the organization’s website) attended this two-day food-fest.  Unfortunately, the weather may not be kind to Sendai this weekend but if you’re willing to brave the elements and are searching for some great eats, head on down to the 3^rd Thai Festival in Sendai!

Besides the scrumptious cuisine, there will be stage performances throughout the day, many of them Thai related (traditional dance, Muay Thai demonstrations, etc.).

I can’t foretell how this weekend’s happening will turn out, but take a look at my write-up of last year’s festivities for a further in-depth report.  Just click HERE.

Hope to see you there!

Izumi Marché 2014 泉マルシェ

Website:  http://www.izumimarche.com/index.html

Located at Izumi-chuo Station.

Map:  Scroll down below.

Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 11 am to 5 pm.

Apologies for the very late notice.  I have never been to this event, but luckily I was alerted this morning while perusing a Sendai message board.  And since I have never been, I cannot give a first-hand account, but the reviews I read gave it a thumbs-up.

It appears as if this is the sixth year for this annual grubfest, hosting 150 food/drink/boutique stalls, as well as two stages with live performances throughout the day and a wine festival (advanced ticket purchased required-so that’s probably not going to happen).

What I found notable were four restaurants that I have reviewed previously on this blog, three of them being in my Favorites List:  Bistro Ampoule, Café de Mieux, and Daily’s Muffin.  The fourth, Spica, is listed under my Recommended Eateries.

According to the reviews, it’s best to get there early, as the food stalls do sell out.

I can’t wait till tomorrow to try these tempting treats!  

Hope to see you there!

View Larger Map

Thai Festival in Sendai タイフェスティバルin仙台 022-397-9741

Website:  http://www.thaifestival-sendai.com/

Address:  勾当台公園市民広場.   Located exactly at that address.  Come up off the Kotodai-koen Subway exit and you’re there.

Map:  Weird.  Google Maps cannot show this accurately.  Sorry.

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 29^th from 10 am till 6 pm.

Sorry that this is such late notice, but I didn’t attend the inaugural Thai Festival held last year in Nagamachi, so I didn’t know much about it, but I caught the last two minutes of this morning’s あらあらかしこ TV program which was promoting this event, so I thought it would be worth a try. 

This is the lowdown:  If you want to try some delicious, SPICY, Thai cuisine, you should go!

Once there, you might find it difficult, as I did, to choose among the many different food stalls, each with their own enticing aromas of Thai dishes.  My wife and I decided on the Phu Thai vendor, although all of the   restaurant representatives offered equally tempting dishes.

We went with the Stir-Fried Chicken with Holy Basil on Rice (500 yen), and I added a “Sai Krok”, or Grilled Herbal Sausage (300 yen).  I had never heard of Holy Basil before, but holy crap:  Was it ever spicy!!!  And equally scrumptious!!!

鶏肉のバジル炒め

Besides a wide selection of food being offered, there is always a live performance to be entertained with, as well as many stalls selling Thai goods, foods, and souvenirs.

I was lucky enough to spot my favorite あらあらかしこガール,Manami Kawada, in the crowd and she was kind enough to pose for a photo.  On this program, Manami seems extremely down-to-earth, funny, and very cute!  In person, she did not disappoint!   She made my day!

If you don’t get a chance to make it out tomorrow, be on the lookout for next year’s festival!

65th Tōhoku University Festival 第６５回東北大学祭 022-795-7849

Website:  http://www.festa-tohoku.org/index.html

Access:  It’s roughly about a fifteen-minute bus ride from Sendai Station, but it would be best to look at the following website for the various bus routes.  Not far from the Sendai International Center.

http://www.festa-tohoku.org/access/access.html

Runs Saturday, November 2^nd, 9 am till 7 pm, and Sunday, November 3^rd, 9 am till 6 pm.

Sorry that this is a little late, considering that by the time you read this the first day of this festival has already past.  But at least you have Saturday and Sunday to head down to an interesting foodie event, as well as lots of entertainment.

My wife and I stumbled upon this event two years ago while out for a drive after lunch, and we were disappointed that we had eaten before finding so many interesting goodies at this festival.

On that day, I managed to make room for a Malaysian (actually, I forgot what country’s dish this was) crepe filled with a peanut paste that was quite delicious!  

Malaysian (?) Peanut Crepe (?)

And from a different food stand a small, yet delightful plate of baked apple slices!

Baked Apple Slices

But the campus was teeming with tents offering sooo many other tantalizing treats!  And so it seems that the tradition continues this year!

I counted 78 different food options available at this year’s festival!  Too numerous for me to go into detail.  But even a picky eater like me is sure to find something that would please my palate.

And the atmosphere of the festival was so 懐かしい, as the youth and exuberance of university life reminded me of hectic, yet fun-filled college days.  Damn, I’m getting old.

Go on an empty stomach with lots of change in your pocket and I’m sure you’ll enjoy a day full of fascinating flavors and engaging entertainment!