Mr. Tofu is mobbed by photographing fans
Like I mentioned on Friday, the Tofu Festival is one of our favorite street fairs of the year.
And how could it not be? The food is plentiful, and cheap. And every year we've gone down, we've had surprisingly little problem finding free parking -- this year, for example, we found an abandoned (at least on the weekends) parking lot near the Artists District and next to all the Little Tokyo condos being built.
We decided to go Saturday evening around 5 p.m. to avoid the heat and the crowds, and it was a smart move. The Tofu Fest was still crowded, but not packed.
But the event itself lacked the excitement of recent years, due partly because of its new layout. The large parking lot that normally held the food booths (with the other booths on San Pedro St.) is now under construction, which means the food booths instead had to be spread out among the health booths, business tables and other vendors. What's worse, the fest was split into three parts (with 2nd St. separating the sides). And this year, the main stage was far away from the food and the booths. (What's more, there appeared to be several fewer food booths at this year's event.)
But griping aside, the event remains well-organized, and well worth the trip. This year we were joined by Blogger Toddler's cousin, plus his parents. We each popped down $20, which was more than enough. Some of the highlights:
Tofu Hamburger -- from Tokyo Table (non-vegetarian)
Mixed fruit and tofu, with blackberry sauce -- from Maison Akira
Soon Du Bu -- from BCD Tofu House
Tofu Keema Curry Rice -- from Curry House
Sweet Potato Pie with Tofu Cream -- from New Way of Life Cafe
Green Tea Boba -- from Arroyo Thai Food -- and Shave Ice -- from Premium Snow Cones
Honestly, I'd prefer a glass of "Soil Mike."
Previously on Franklin Avenue:
2006 Tofu Festival coverage
2005 Tofu Festival coverage
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