The OC Japan Fair returns to Costa Mesa on Oct. 16-18, bringing Japanese street food and culture, with organizers expecting an estimated 45,000 attendees. That’s a lot of mouths to feed, so they plan to oblige with more than 60 dishes and festival favorites.
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On the menu this year: egg sandos and fruit sandos from Pillow Talk Cafe and Sandoitchi, respectively; ramen burgers from Rated R Ramen Burger; and noodles care of Tokyo Udon. Other dishes to be found include okonomiyaki, the savory Japanese pancake; takoyaki, battered balls filled with octopus; yakisoba, grilled chicken skewers; ramen; and tonkatsu sandwiches.
Taiyaki and shaved ice will handle the sweeter end of things, joined by cream puff purveyor Beard Papa and glassy, sugar-shelled fruit from HGG Tanghulu.
In addition to a sprawling gastronomic lineup and cultural attractions (this year’s new Japan Pop Culture Zone will occupy roughly half the indoor festival space), food will also supply some of the spectacle. Tuna-cutting demonstrations are slated for the main stage on Saturday and Sunday, giving visitors a look at the knife work behind their sushi. Sake tasting will be available, too.
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OC Japan Fair’s 2026 food lineup is as follows:
- Aiya
- AJAJ Cafe
- Akayani US
- Aki Drinks
- All Dat Dumpling
- All Dat Noodle
- Amami-ya Babycastella / Osaka Hashimaki
- Aoki No Chuuka
- Asahi Beer
- Beard Papa
- Big and Long Potato Swirl
- Bluey & Co.
- Boba Bestie
- Boutcha Gelatea
- Bread, Espresso &
- Cafe 949
- Chiharu Matcha
- Cocoboy
- Craving House
- Dream of Japan
- Dreamland Maid Cafe
- Egghausted
- Fresh Foods Master
- Furikake Wings
- Gong Su Gan
- Hawaiian Honey Cones
- HGG Tanghulu
- Honda-Ya
- Hot Bamboo
- I Love Onigiri
- Ikoi Japanese Cafe
- Japadog
- Jinya Ramen Bar
- K. Minamoto
- Kanto Filipino Streetfood
- Kashiwa Ramen
- Kobayashi Noodle
- Kondo Sando
- Kuramoto Shavery
- Lava Curry
- Luckball Korean BBQ
- Mango Summer
- Mochill Mochi Crepe
- Mochimas
- Mori-Nu
- Mr. Bully
- Omusubi House
- Onigiri by Hyugo, Umacha
- Osaka Street Food
- Oyshicha Cafe & Tea
- Pillow Talk Cafe
- Rainbow Clouds
- Rated R Ramen Burger
- Rice to Meet You
- Sandoitchi
- Sapporo Ichiban
- Shibuya X
- Shin-Sen-Gumi
- Sutadonya
- SVR BBQ
- Taiyookie
- Takoyaki Yamachan
- Tengu Burger
- Tenkatori
- Tokyo Street Food Lab
- Tokyo Udon
- Tokyo Yakisoba
- Tsukiji Style Tamagoyaki Tatsunoya
- Waffeland
- Yakitori Yado
- Yakitori Yado Matcha Latte
- Yatai LA
- Zindrew Wonton Shop
Hours are 4 p.m-10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, noon-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Advance tickets, including fees, cost $13.58 now through Sept. 30 and $15.71 from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15. Free entry for children under 6 and seniors 65 and over.
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Find it: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, oc-japanfair.com