Shin-Sen-Gumi's grilled yakitori, or chicken skewers. Image courtesy Shin-Sen-Gumi.

Taste of Japan, the festival that celebrates Japanese culture and cuisine is hosting another pop-up event, the second this year, in Downtown, Saturday, Nov. 14.

Pre-pandemic, the event drew sold-out crowds as it would transform the Pike Outlets into a playground of sights, smells and tastes of traditional Japanese culture. Until Taste of Japan can once again return to its grander celebration, organizers are hosting a quaint, albeit just as tasty celebration outside of Burger Daddy, located at 149 Linden Ave.

Featured this year will be specialty grilled meat skewers, a popular street food in Japan, cooked to tender perfection by Shin-Sen-Gumi and DIY ramen kits from online retailer, Ramen District.

The pop-up is pick-up only, so guests will have to pre-order their food online, click here for more details. Upon arrival, guests are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing.

Vendors this year include:

  • Shin-Sen-Gumi: Although this traditional-style restaurant offers all the Japanese mainstays, this year participants can enjoy a plethora of grilled meats, such as takoyaki (grilled octopus balls), tsukune (grilled chicken meatballs), chicken skewers (yakitori) and black tiger shrimp.
  • Ramen District: This ramen retailer brings crowd-favorite ramen dishes from restaurants around the region to you, prepackaged and ready to be prepared from the comfort of home. At Saturday’s pop-up guests can purchase ramen meals from Ramen Tatsunoya, Mogu Mogu Mazemen, Daikokuya Tonkotsu Ramen, Hakata Ikkousha Tonkotsu Ramen. Or, buy a four sampler box with meals by Daikokuya, Hakata Ikkousha, Tsujitala and Ramen Tatsunoya.
  • The Drinking Buddy: This Japanese snack maker offers Rayu Senbei, chili oil rice crackers and Wasabi Shoyu Mayo, a savory cracker bite with a kick.
  • Japanese Capsule Toys: Ultra kawaii, these iconic teeny-tiny key-chains, baubles and other tinkets, packaged in a round, plastic capsule will be available through this toy retailer.

For more information you can visit the Taste of Japan “pop-up” website, here.