BTSD Japan Cultural Bazaar

I was searching on the Internet, to see if there were any Obon Festivals here in San Diego. To my surprise, The Buddhist Temple of San Diego has an Obon Festival scheduled for July 30th. I also noticed that something called a Japan Cultural Bazaar was being held today, so not having anything scheduled today (except for cleaning - and that can always be procrastinated away...), I grabbed my wallet and camera and headed down to 30th and Market St. I found parking on the street and could immediately smell teriyaki in the air, one of my favorite smells. I noticed elderly Couples and Ladies carrying boxes of cookies and pastries and followed them into the parking lot of the Temple.

From May through September, there are many Festivals and Bazaars in San Diego. They range from large, like next weekends Greek Festival at St. Spryridon's to smaller ones like this. There were several food booths, and the classrooms of the Temple had been set-up with Bonsai displays, a bake sale, crafts, children's games, and a silent auction area. The line you see is for something called "Angie's Tacos" seemed to be very popular. But the line was too long for me to maneuver.

Instead I opted for the Teriyaki Chicken plate ($6.00). This was half a teriyaki chicken, two musubi(onigiri), and something called cabbage salad, which was a cross between cole slaw and tsukemono. Half of the enjoyment of these little festivals is being able to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, and food is secondary. The chicken was fine, the dark meat portions actually tasted pretty good, the teri sauce had a touch of smokiness. As is common with chickens in the U.S., the breasts were overly large and thus dry. Like I said food is secondary. As I was about to leave I saw a sign that caught my eye:

So what did I do? I followed the signs into the building, and saw a dining area where people where eating(slurping?) up noodles. So I ponied up the 5 bucks and bought a container to go. This ended up being fried yakisoba with some bamboo shoot and shiitake mushrooms. I added some green onions, spam, and shoyu and had a little snack. All in all a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Buddhist Temple of San Diego
2929 Market Street
San Diego, California  92102
Buddhist Temple of San Diego

Comments

[Jo]

THere ya go! Spam spam Spam spam! Actually, there is a little song about Spam. If I ever figure out how to record with this marvelous machine, I'll have to sing & send. You might need hearing aids afterwards, but hey, it's a Spam Song! ::wink::

I guess the Teri Chicken folks haven't heard about brining yet. I'm catching on to that little technique. I did a slow roasted chicken a couple weeks ago. About 3 hours at 300 degrees. I basted it with a bottled American style barbecue sauce a couple times during the last half hour. Oh my goodness! It was outstanding! Even the breasts were nice and juicy! I have to agree with you regarding the dryness of the breast meat. I never realized it was different in other places though.

Give the brine trick a shot some time. It's pretty quick & easy. I take a large bowl, fill it with cold water, throw in some kosher salt, sugar, bruised garlic, onion, whatever herbs catch my fancy, toss in the chicken (typically I cut it in half) and then I put it in the fridge to do it's thing. I try to give it at least half an hour but it's much nicer when I'm organized enough to let it soak all day. Also, when you use this technique, DON'T salt the chicken again! Boy did I learn that little lesson the hard way! ::laughing:: My mouth got salt puckered so bad I needed a crowbar for dessert!

[Kirk]

Actually, if I grill and don't use a marinade I usually brine chicken - 2 parts sea salt to one part sugar.... even works great for prepping the chicken breast for chicken katsu! Jo, you know that SPAM! is one of the major food groups, right?

[Jo]

One of the major food groups? Nope, I think you're wrong there Kirk my friend. SPAM IS the MAIN food group! The only thing that is even close is the dessert group! ::giggle::

mmm Katsu... I like pork myself, I love chicken but have problems digesting it. I'd love to know how to make it!

[Reid]

Hi Kirk,

Obon season is here!

[Kirk]

Reid - Yes it is!!!!

[Joyce Teague]

Hey, guys, we are doing it again! The 2006 JAPANESE CULTURAL BAZAAR at the Buddhist Temple of San Diego means a variety of ethnic food including sushi, beef curry, chicken teriyaki, kintoki and other goodies served up 11 am to 5 pm. Our Cantonese-style chow mein with pan-fried noodles and Angie's Japanese-Mexican tacos are the bazaar's erennial faves.

Come check out the all-day Japanese music, dance, cultural demonstrations and exhibits like taiko, koto, ikebana, tea ceremony, bonsai, martial arts, choral singing and an anime workshop. It's free. Plus fresh produce, flowers, plants, bakery, Buddhist bookstore, crafts, silent auction, raffle, bingo, door prizes and games and crafts for the kids. Fun for the family. Call 619/239-0876 for more info.

[Joyce Teague]

Okay, so I don't get hassled for posting about the Buddhist Temple's bazaar, I want to recommend a new joint in Pacific Beach called Wasabi Sushi. Took the Dadster there about a month ago for lunch and we chowed down on some faves like saba, unagi, toro and hamachi. The big pieces of sashimi were impressive. A nice thing we didn't know about beforehand was the 50% off certain kinds of sushi, so our meal was very reasonable, especially considering the generous portions. Service was friendly, too.

This place used to be called Dragon Buffet and was a reliable joint to get a quick and inexpensive lunch whenever I took Dad to visit nearby Kaiser. Wasabi Sushi really updated the interior nicely and we enjoyed hangin at the comfortable sushi bar. Sushi Ota is just up the street, but we thought this is a very good alternative during lunch hour when Sushi Ota is very crowded and finding parking is a chore. Ciao and chow.

[Kirk]

Hi Joyce - Ok, I'll give you a "pass" this time. :o) I've passed Wasabi Sushi a few times, but for some reason I'm always hesitant about plcaes that advertise 50% off sushi. But thanks to your rec' I may just try them out. Also, I think I may need to work out somekind of festival "calendar" or something of the sort.