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.
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.
Hiroto, from Osaka, Japan, demonstrates how to cut a 135-pound tuna, worth about $5,000, during the Tuna Cutting Show on the OC Stage during the annual OC Japan Fair in Costa Mesa on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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.
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
Drummers from Yoyoka Drum perform on the Nakamise Stage during the annual OC Japan Fair at the OC Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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.
Find it: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, oc-japanfair.com