Japan Fes is returning to Queens on Sunday, April 26 in Astoria.
Photo courtesy of Soofley Instagram
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Get ready to indulge in an afternoon of refreshing boba tea, mouth-watering grilled skewers, and handmade onigiri as the world’s largest Japanese street food festival makes its return to Astoria on Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Japan Fes, located at Steinway Street, between Broadway and 34th Street, will feature over 30 vendors, from savory classics to sweets and desserts, letting guests explore delicious food from restaurants and cafes based in NYC and beyond as the festival marks 10 years of highlighting Japanese culture and cuisine.
Soofley’s light and fluffly gluten-free Soufflé pancakes are a popular vendor at the festival. Photo courtesy of Soofley Instagram
Japan Fes was founded in NYC in 2016, offering a space for the community to connect over delicious food, whether guests are discovering dishes for the first time or reconnecting with their favorite flavors. The festival, which has since expanded to places like Texas, Florida, and Paris, has become a popular annual destination filled with delicious flavors, aromas, and vibrant energy, perfect for welcoming in the start of warmer weather and longer days.
The event, which has over 34 dates set for NYC, kicked off on March 28 in the East Village. In Queens, the festival will return for multiple dates in addition to its April event, including June 28 and Oct. 10, with more potential dates to be announced.
Menya Jiro is another popular vendor known for its handmade ramen noodles. Photo courtesy of Menja Jiro Instagram
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, guests can earn stamps toward rewards by purchasing food from multiple vendors and taking a photo at the reception tent. While prices vary, each vendor has agreed to offer at least one item priced at $5 or less, so guests can indulge in a range of bites while staying budget-friendly.
This year, the festival will include favorites such as Menya Jiro, specializing in fresh ramen noodles, Soofley, known for their airy and fluffy freshly made gluten free souffle pancakes that have since gone viral, Ming Xing BBQ, a Flushing-based Chinese BBQ restaurant that have popular dishes including lamb and beef skewers, and sweets like milk tea from Cozy Tea Loft, which has a location in LIC Food Hall, and desserts from Spot Dessert Bar, with three Queens locations, popular for its signature Asian-inspired desserts, including seasonal specials and bubble tea, to name just a few vendors to look forward to. The event also features a few vendors selling items like traditional folk art, apparel, and anime-themed merchandise.
Whether it’s your first time attending Japan Fes or you return every year, keep in mind that some popular vendors get lengthy lines, and bring cash in addition to credit cards or mobile payments, as some stalls may still be cash only.
To learn more about Japan Fes, visit their website or follow them at @Japanfes.