2023 - 20th LALALA Matsuri Festival Event with Ramen Yokocho (Ramen Street) Torrance (Sun) 50+ Japanese Food Booths, Performers..NEW

20th Year Anniversary LALALA Matsuri with Ramen Yokocho (Street Alley) Celebrating the Japanese Community in LA we can fortunately mark our 20th anniversary. And we are thrilled that it’s our turn now to bring something exciting back to the community. So, we are hosting this MATSURI event, where you can find more than 50 booths that would introduce Japanese food and culture, fun stage performance, music, and more! In “Ramen Yokocho” section, we are inviting popular ramen shops from LA, Las Vegas, and even Japan. Join us and eat! Enjoy! Have fun!

Festival Event Date
May 14, 2023 - Sunday

Event Time
11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Stage Performers
11:00am Asano Taiko
11:20am Pom Pom Girls
11:50am Mana Dance Class
12:15pm Chicken Blow The Idol
12:50pm TERRY ITO
01:20pm LAXPD Yuri
01:50pm Dance Space AI Vibration
02:50pm NAOYUKI HONDA
03:20pm Crossing Rain
04:00pm Chicken Blow The Idol
04:30pm TERRY ITO
05:00pm KENICHI MIKAWA
05:50pm Mutsumi Kai
06:10pm Team Kawachi ondo

--- FOOD & NON FOOD BOTHS --- 

9 Style Signature Garlic Tonkotsu
Opened two years ago in the surfing town of San Clemente, the restaurant has gained support from the locals and is rapidly growing in popularity with fans traveling from Irvine and San Diego. The broth with outstanding flavor is prepared for over 6 hours with dashi stock. Signature’s “Garlic Tonkotsu” can be enjoyed at the festival!

Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai
Kitakata Ramen. Long-established and popular restaurant serving “Kitakata Ramen”, one of the three major ramen in Japan. The secret to the delicious taste is light seasoned soup with rich flavor, created by slowly cooking of pork bones. “Flat aged noodles with a high water ratio” featuring soft and tender grilled pork.

Daikokuya Ramen - Daikokuya Ramen Daikokuya Spicy Ramen
Long-established ramen restaurant in LA with a long queue. It now offers “Daikoku Ramen” and “Daikokuya Spicy Ramen”! The pork bone broth features condensed rich flavor, and the spicy miso is fabulous. The toppings, such as juicy chashu and flavored eggs, are also gorgeous. Worth waiting in line to try.

Kashiwa Ramen x Hide Chan Ramen - 30th Anniversary Special Maze-men, Mentaiko Espuma
Celebrating the 30th anniversary, “Kashiwa Ramen - Hide chan Ramen Special Mixed Noodles” is made with browned butter & shoyu, chicken, and spicy cod roe form on top. The fluffy spicy cod roe form goes well with the noodle, perfectly seasoned with the butter and shoyu. Their ramen is constantly evolving with respect for traditions. Enjoy the first collaboration between the two sister restaurants!

Laki Ramen - CHICKEN BAITANG RAMEN, SPICY CHICKEN BAITANG
Laki Ramen is a new ramen restaurant opening in Mid City in LA. Chef Niki will be serving a bowl of her new creation: the noodles are entwined with a rich chicken baitang broth made from slowly simmering chicken, giving the savory soy sauce flavor and the sweetness of the chicken.

Munchie Ken - Garlic Shrimps Mazemen
Munchie Ken provides mazemen (dry noodles), a shrimp noodle mixed a thick shrimp broth extracted by many shrimps in olive oil with shrimp oil and topping it with garlic shrimps. It is tasty and refreshing shrimp flavor with cilantro or green onion and squeezed lemons. This dish makes you find that it focuses on shrimps.

RAKKAN Ramen - AMBER・GARNET-Vegan Option Available-・SPICY GARNET-Vegan Option Available
RAKKAN Ramen’s story begins in 2011 as a small, four-seater ramen bar in Tokyo. In 2017, they opened the first overseas location in Los Angeles, with having set “to spread authentic Japanese ramen to the world” as a goal. RAKKAN’s speciality is the healthy broth made out of its original fermented seasonings and vegetables. Try the real taste that has been recognized as one of the best ramens in Japan.

Haru chan - Chuka Soba
Haru chan Ramen, winner of the “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2023 Bib Gourmand” award and highly evaluated by fans and connoisseurs, offers Showa-style “Chinese noodles”. The medium-thin flat noodles popular among the connoisseurs features soup based on the delicious flavor of pork, and outstanding combination of chashu and sauce. Enjoy it to the fullest.

Ramen Nagi - SUGOI Niboshi Ramen
Ramen Nagi continues to pursue a taste that everyone feels “amazing”. “The soup is all about the broth, the source of the flavor. “Knowing the very essence of the ingredients’ flavor is the pride of a master ramen chef. Enjoy Japan’s best “Niboshi ramen” created by tremendous passion and effort.

Shogun Ramen - Shogun Ramen
“Authentic and innovative” are two words to describe Shogun Ramen in Las Vegas. As the name implies, it values traditions of Japanese food while pursuing an insatiable appetite for newness. The ever-evolving restaurant offers nostalgic but new “Shogun Ramen”. The ramen with umami broth you’ll savor to the last drop.

Tsujita LA - Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen
“Tsujita LA” is the popular ramen restaurant in LA that has captured the hearts of ramen connoisseurs who are willing to wait in line or drive the freeway. The pork bone ramen featuring spicy leaf mustard is loaded with toppings such as homemade chashu. Come early to try it!

831Tokyo Ramen - VEJIRO RAMEN,CHASHU BOWL
831Tokyo Ramen is the newly opened ramen shop in Hollywood, serves delicious vegan ramen (also non-vegan ramen) and healthy appetizers using lots of vegetables on the side. It’s a must-try and an
unforgettable ramen that’s unlike any others!


--- FOOD BOOTHS ---

Bun Geiz Corporation - Assorted Seafood Rice Bowl & Beef Tongue Curry
Bun Geiz Corporation, a Lo Angeles-based company that operates Japanese restaurants including Kisen, Izakaya Tonchinkan, Sushi Yamamoto.They will offer Seafood Bowl topped with fresh seafood imported from Japan, and Tonchinkan’s Beef Tongue Curry with rich umami flavor.

GOSHIKI USA - Mitarashi Dango
How about Mitarashi dango dumplings? You might have seen on Demon Slayer. Its sticky and fluffy mochi exquisitely flavored with a slightly sweet soy sauce glaze. The chef said they were a big hit at another festival in LA. With a bite of this mitarashi dango making you feel like you are in a dream.

Amami-ya Baby Castella - Amamiya Parfait Baby Castella + Whipped Cream Baby Castella
Baby Castella is casual sweets from west side of Japan. It made with flour, sweet rice flour, sugar, and egg. Cute bite-size castella cake is sweet and fluffy, loved by all ages. In addition to regular babe castella, they will be offering Amamiya parfait topped with lots of whipped cream.

HONDA-YA - YAKI SOBA, GYOZA BLACK/RED
The Hondaya Group, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has two restaurants in OC (HONDA-YA and KAPPO HONDA), offering over 300 Japanese dishes, and opening until midnight. Their anniversary special Hondaya Beer is only sold at the restaurants. The popular Yakisoba and Honda-ya’s Homemade Gyoza, and original goods will be sold at the festival!

Apple by Hachi-ya - Candy Apple/Strawberries/Grapes・Chocolate Banana・Tofu Doughnuts from Ring・Ramune Soda・Cream Soda
Candy apples are a nostalgic and familiar Japanese festival food! At this festival, you can enjoy candy strawberries and candy grapes. The candied fruits are sweet and photogenic like glasswork. There are also chocolate bananas and tofu doughnuts that you can easily eat while walking. For drinks, how about ramune soda or cream soda?

Kagura - Katsu-Sandwiches
Kagura is one of the most popular tonkatsu in LA. The crispy, fluffy and juicy tonkatsu are outstanding not only freshly fried, but also as a takeaway. The special “Katsu Sandwich,” a very delicious tonkatsu sandwiched in a fluffy bread, will be on sale at the festival!

Kuramoto Shavery / M’s Crepe - Shaved ice from Kuramoto Shavery, Crepe from M’s Crepe
Kuramoto Shavery offers fluffy shaved ice using Kanazawa’s clear ice made over 48-hours. Syrups, sauces, and whipped cream are all homemade. Enjoy the shaved ice with specialties. Also, it is M’s crepe that offers a harmony of crispy pie crust and fluffy crepes made by sticky dough, fresh fruits, and handmade gentle whipped cream!

LA musubi - Yakiniku, Tamaen Bibimbap, Sweet red bean paste, Wasabi mayo, California
“LA Musubi” was launched in TAMAEN Japanese BBQ Gardena to serve Japanese Omusubi (rice balls) with love. Their musubi is always fresh out of kitchen for the best taste! You will meet your favorite musubi among wide variety of menu from standard spam musubi to unique musubi.

MYOJO USA - Mazesoba
[Fresh Noodles★Myojo USA] MYOJO will be serving Mazesoba, a soupless ramen. MYOJO proudly manufacturing noodles for over 30 years! They are Japanese noodle manufacturing company producing freshly crafted authentic Japanese ramen, yakisoba, udon, soup base, gyoza/wonton wrappers for restaurants and supermarkets since 1991.

Oriental Breeze - Tornado Potato
“Oriental Breeze”, a Japanese restaurant on the sea at Redondo Beach Pier, offers Tornado potatoes. The speciality is its “freshly made on the spot”! This Tornado potatoes are also unique in appearance, with the potatoes’ skin skewered in a spiral shape and deep fried. How about enjoying the festival stage while filling your mouth with this freshly food?

Catering Shin Sen Gumi - Yakitori : Miyazaki Wagyu Chuck Eye Log, Prime Beef Skirt, Beef Tongue, Grilled Whole Squid, Pork Belly, Corn, Chicken Thigh, Chicken Meatball
“Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori”, which celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2022, is very popular at various events in LA, OC, and other states! Besides authentic yakitori slowly grilled over charcoal by skilled chef, you can enjoy different atmosphere and taste under the blue sky including powerful grilled squid, grilled corn that both adults and children like, and very popular A5-rank Miyazaki wagyu beef skewers available only at events!

Otafuku Foods - Okonomiyaki
The soul food that cannot be missed at Japanese festivals is “Okonomiyaki”, filled with lots sauce. At the festival, the best okonomiyaki made with Otafuku sauce, the pride of Otafuku Foods from Hiroshima, will be served. With spatulas, Otafuku’s trained chefs prepare hot okonomiyaki, which sizzles on the griddle with an appetizing sound. Please enjoy it with plenty mild sweet sauce.

Morinaga America, Inc. - FREE Chargel
Chargel, a Morinaga America’s jelly drink, is provided for free! It is perfect for refreshments or refilling your energy. It is safe for all generations because of caffeine-free and Japan-made drinks. The fruity taste from the “Hi-Chew” maker has been popular! Please visit the festival booth to taste it once.

Wismettac Asian Foods - Shirakiku Products
Shirakiku brand is a long beloved food brand started in North America since 1947. The brand started in the Japanese American and Asian markets in the U.S., and has expanded across the U.S., becoming popular in grocery stores and restaurants, and now worldwide. Shirakiku’s products will be displayed and sold at the festival booth.

Takoyaki Yamachan - Takoyaki・Takoyaki Sandwich
Yama-chan’s takoyaki recipe is one of the famous throughout Japan and is arguably the best version out. A takoyaki is made up of four main parts: the slightly crispy shell, doughy inside and a piece of tako (octopus) tucked inside and of course, the topping that range from traditional to creative (think cheese and/or kimchi).

Ms.Tiramisu - Drinkable Tiramisu
“Drinkable tiramisu specialty shop” opened in May of this year. It features a delightful combination of crushed coffee jelly and rich mascarpone cheese cream thus offering a sophisticated treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness.

--- ALCOHOL BOOTHS ---

Asahi Beer
Enjoy Japan’s #1 selling beer brand - Asahi Super Dry with a crisp, clean and refreshing taste and try their new non-alcoholic lager - Asahi Super Dry 0.0% that won’t settle for anything less than superior quality.

Choya
CHOYA is the world’s No.1 Umeshu (plum wine) company with over 100 years of history, expertly crafting Umeshu and Japanese originated flavor beverages. They will be serving “Uji Green Tea” “Yuzu” “The CHOYA Original Sparkling Wine” at the Matsuri event.

iichiko
iichiko Shochu is the native spirit of Japan - a white spirit that’s incredibly rich in flavor, yet smooth and easy to drink with food. At the event, Cocktail made with Iichiko Seirin barley will be served.

Kirin Brewery of America
Do you know that America’s first squeeze is made in the United States? On the day of the festival, the freshest first squeeze from LA will be served in a special “frozen (draft)” form! Discover and enjoy “Kirin Ichiban (draft + frozen foam)”!

Maruto
Uncompromising sake brewing by a Yamagata prefecture’s sake brewery, clear and high quality with the flavor of rice, and local sake brewed with YamadaNishiki rice, both produced in Yamagata and other prefectures. In addition to Rokkasen’s “Time and Effort Sampler” and “Yamagata Sake Sweet and Dry Tasting Sampler,” specialty products such as Tsuyahime and Yamagata soba noodles are also available.

Sapporo Beer
Sapporo Premium Beer has been one of the top selling Japanese-brand beers for over 30 years. Refreshing, edgy and clean taste beer goes perfectly well with all kinds of dishes! Try this at the event and enjoy!

SUNTORY
“The Premium Malt’s,” SUNTORY’s signature beer, provides a flowery aroma and deep-reaching rich flavor. The creamy form that is floating on the surface gives tremendous beer experience.

--- PERFORMERS ---

Team Kawachi Ondo
“Team Kawachi Ondo” are BonOdori dance group, established in 2018, has been actively performing at popular Matsuri in LA & OC areas. The members are from Kansai Club and anyone who likes Bon dance, singers, guitarists, drums, and dancers in Yukata. Let’s dance together!

Dance Space AI Vibration
Dance group of 100 members from 6-year-old kids to 17-year-old teens. Classes are held in Torrance, Glendale, and also started in Irvine this January. The group is growing in size and power every year, and they look forward to performing at matsuri stage!

The Pom Pom Girls
The Pom Pom Girls are a dance and cheerleading group of Japanese American kids from 1st grades through 8th. Every Saturday, they practice very hard to perform fun and cheerful performance. The Pom Pom Girls’ energetic dances and stunts are a must-see!

Asano Taiko
Asano Taiko is a major taiko-producing organization in Ishikawa prefecture, and has been producing taiko for over 400 years. ASANO TAIKO U.S., Inc. was established in 2013 and is based in Torrance, California. They are a full-service taiko facility, selling taiko related products and offering taiko classes for all levels. They actively perform at many community events.

The Rafu Mutsumi Kai
Since its foundation in 1994, The Rafu Mutsumi Kai has been actively working to expand the deep or hidden side of Japanese tradition and culture. They will bring the “Mikoshi”　(Portable shrine) to do the Mikoshi parade, which is Japanese Matsuri’s main event. The Rafu Mutsumi Kai has been appearing at NISEI Week in Little Tokyo, Matsuri in Torrance, Las Vegas, and many other places to spread the Mikoshi beauty.

Mana Dance Class
Mana Ikeda, dancer based in LA leads the class in maily Torrance. Every Thursday, She has three different level classesat 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm.　Pen for private lesson as well.

More Information

In Japanese


Festival Location
Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503