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Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Return of the Tofu Festival



Maria and I were excited to see that our favorite food festival of the year, Little Tokyo's Tofu Festival, is less than a month away. The event, which takes place August 12 and 13, is a fundraiser for the Little Tokyo Service Center, which provides services to low income, immigrant, homeless and distressed seniors and families.

Yes, it's a good cause, but here's another reason to go: The food is cheap, plentiful and tasty.

I know, I know. "Tofu" and "tasty" aren't regularly used in the same sentence. First off, you're wrong -- last year I tried a tofu chili dog that was absolutely delicious. And secondly, the food vendors do offer a lot more than just tofu.

Some vendors already confirmed, and their planned menu: Arroyo/Chandra Catering (Pad Thai Noodle with Veggies, BBQ Chicken Sticks, BBQ Tofu, Thai Ice Tea); Bamboo Hut (Fried Sweet and Sour Tofu, Yakisoba Noodles with Tofu, Vegetable Tempura, Fried Rice Tofu); Berth 55 (Tuna Poki); Blue Hen (Fried Tofu with Scallion Sauce, Tofu in Ginger Corriander Sauce, Vietnamese Curry with Tofu and Potatoes); Chandra Thai Restaurant (Tofu Satay, Lemongrass Chicken, Pad Thai Tofu, Garlic Tofu with Rice); LL Bakery (Tofu Ciabiatta, Tofu Bruschetta, Tofu Pasta Salad, Tofu Pizza); Maison Akira (Smoked Salmon with Balsamic Reduction and Wasabi Furikake, Grand Marnier Marinated Strawberry and Fresh Mint on Tofu with an Almond Cookie); Your House Thai (Sticky Rice with Mango, Tofu Thai Salad, Fried Tofu with Bananas and Taro); and more.

Blackalicious headlines the entertainment, performing on stage at 8:30 p.m. on Satuday, Aug. 12. Also scheduled to appear are Real Food Daily's Ann Gentry; Iron Chef Morimoto; PBS chef Tommy Tang; and contestants from "Hell's Kitchen," "Top Chef," and "The Next Food Network Star."

The Tofu Festival is also kid-friendly; check the Tofu Festival website for discount coupons.

Previously on Franklin Avenue: Tofu or Not Tofu (August 2005)

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