“O-Matsuri-Yatai” Foods

In Japan, there are seasonal events and ceremonies that are held at each temple or shrine. Some of them are known as “O-Matsuri (Japanese festivals)” in each region, and during the festival days, food stands called “O-Matsuri-Yatai” are lined up. These “O-Matsuri” are also called “Ennichi”. The sight of various colorful food stalls lining the streets is somehow very nostalgic, crowd-pleasing, and fun. And the food and drinks sold at these stalls are absolutely fascinating! In this article, we would like to talk about the foods and drinks sold at the “O-Matsuri-Yatai”.

Most of the foods and drinks sold at the “O-Matsuri-Yatai” look like some kind of fast food. It’s because that you can eat them while strolling around there. There aren’t many foods that can be eaten in only each region, but many of them are standardized. So, if you have a favorite food or drink from the stalls, you can eat the same thing at any “O-Matsuri” you visit. As a matter of fact, foods and drinks that you can only find at “O-Matsuri-Yatai” are getting fewer and fewer these days. Nowadays, there are more and more food courts in shopping malls, service areas on highways, and convenience stores where you can eat them daily. HOWEVER. Well, we can assure you that the foods and drinks sold at the “O-Matsuri-Yatai” actually tastes better. This is true. In other words, we think that the foods and drinks sold at “O-Matsuri-Yatai” are meant to be enjoyed together with the atmosphere of the place. But if you’re having too much fun and eat too much, it can be quite a problem later. Be careful, your wallet will be drained…

Essentially, almost of “O-Matsuri” in Japan were important seasonal events and rituals in the local area. Some are to wish for a good harvest, some are to ward off evil or bad luck, and some are to pray for a peaceful and safe daily life, and to be grateful for all the blessings or benefits, right? Therefore, many of them had been solemnly performed. However, as time went on, “O-Matsuri” became more and more enjoyable for people regardless of their status. Let’s show our gratitude for the blessings of Gods and nature by enjoying ourselves! It probably changed into events with such a meaning for people. We love this kind of thinking because it’s so positive and straight-forward. It can be said that “O-Matsuri-Yatai” were one of these important components. It should be that the foods and drinks sold at “O-Matsuri-Yatai” might create the atmosphere of “O-Matsuri” itself. And it is surely important for us to enjoy those atmospheres ourselves. We hope that everyone to be able to enjoy that amazing atmosphere. The following is a list of some of the more common foods and drinks available at “O-Matsuri-Yatai”. Please refer to these.

Konamono

In Japan, foods made from wheat flour and other grains are called “Konamono”. Here, we will introduce some of the “Konamono” foods that are not sweets. Many of them are served with sauce and mayonnaise. All of these are the very standard menu of “O-Matsuri-Yatai” food. Actually, the quality varies quite a bit depending on the food stand. It is probably because of the ratio of the ingredients and the baking method. We wish you all the best in finding a delicious one.

・Takoyaki
It’s in the shape of a spherical ball. It has chopped octopus in it. Be careful not to burn your mouth.

・Okonomiyaki
It is a dough made of flour, broth, cabbage, meat or seafood, and baked into a flat shape. There are not only food stalls, but also specialty stores.

・Yakisoba
Most of the time, the sauce flavored ones are sold. Yakisoba made on a big griddle is delicious! Some of them are sold in the omelet styled.

・Ringyaki
The ingredients and method of preparation are the same as for those of “Okonomiyaki,” but it is baked into a compact size so that it can be eaten easily without using chopsticks. It is called by various names.

Snack Foods

It’s like fast food that you can easily eat without using chopsticks or foodpicks. Many of the foods are in the style of skewers. Nowadays, many of these foods are sold in convenience stores and etc. So it’s not like they are only available in “O-Matsuri-Yatai” anymore. That’s why some of them are more varied than in the past, probably to differentiate themselves from the rest. But still, there are many standard and popular ones.

・American-dog
This is a so-called “corn dog”. It is a sausage (mostly fish sausage) covered with pancake mix batter and fried in oil.

・Frankfurter
It is sausage skewered and grilled. These days, you can find them with fancy decorations, bacon, and rice cakes wrapped around them.

・French fries
Fried potatoes. There are several variations, such as cut into long thin strips, or small potatoes that have been deep fried. You can select the one you like. Personally, “I” love the mashed potatoes that are shaped into long, thin strips and deep fried, because it gives me the “O-Matsuri” vibe.

・Karaage
It’s fried chicken. In Japan, “Karaage” of chicken is very popular. In recent years, there are more and more specialty stores, and you can often find them at “O-Matsuri-Yatai”. It can be eaten like a snack, so it can be quite risky for you…

・Yaki-Tohmorokoshi
This is corn that has been baked with soy sauce. It is one of the foods, along with “Konamono” foods, that create the atmosphere of the festival with its scent.

・Yakitori
“Yakitori” is grilled chicken skewers. It is also familiar in Izakaya bar. There are both salt and sauce flavors, so take your preference.

・Yakiika
“Ika” means “squid”. The whole body of the squid is baked. What happened to the gizzard part? It’s a question “I”‘ve had for a long time…

・Gohei-Mochi
Gohei-mochi are skewers of rice that have been half mashed into a paste and then baked with miso sauce. It is quite satisfying to eat. If you get greedy and eat more than one skewer, you won’t be able to eat anything else, so be careful.

・Kyuri-zuke
It is a whole skewered cucumber that has been light-pickled. This is one of the few vegetable foods sold at the “O-Matsuri-Yatai”. We recommend the ones that are well chilled.

Sweets

These are sweet foods. There are many foods that can be included in the “Konamono” category, but here we’ve classified the sweet ones as this “Sweets”. Many of them enhance the atmosphere of the “O-Matsuri” not only by their scents but also by their looks. It is a field where, surprisingly, not many brand new foods appear. That’s how incredibly popular the standard ones are.

・Choco-Banana
It’s a banana skewered and covered with chocolate. It’s a very standard street sweets. You can’t go wrong with it. In addition to bananas, strawberries, pineapples, apples, kiwis, and other fruits may be used.

・Ringo-Ame
It is made by skewering an apple and coating it with red colored syrup. There is also a similar kind called “Anzu-Ame (apricot one). This is the one you must eat at “O-Matsuri”. If you see someone walking around while eating this, it will give you a very “O-Matsuri” atmosphere. If the one’s wearing a yukata, it’s even better. Let’s create and enjoy the “O-Matsuri” mood with all together.

・Kakigori
It is “Shaved Ice”. This is another “O-Matsuri-Yatai” sweet that gives off “O-Matsuri” atmosphere. Recently, there are many kinds of shaved ice with toppings such as fruit and ice cream. It is a must when you go to a summer festival or fireworks display.

・Crepes
There are so many kinds and toppings that it’s hard to decide which one to choose. After a lot of confusion, “I” always end up settling for usual one. We recommend the one with a lot of ingredients. If you’re going to eat it, let’s go all out.

・Taiyaki
“Taiyaki” is a pancake-like dough filled with red bean paste and baked in the shape of “Tai (snapper)”. The filling can be also chocolate, custard, cheese cream, etc. There are few disappointments.

・Imagawayaki
A pastry made of a pancake mix-like dough filled with red bean paste and baked into a round shape. It is a version of “Taiyaki” with a different shape. Depending on the region, it is sometimes called by other names, such as “Obanyaki”.

・Watagashi
It is so-called “Cotton Candy”. This is another one of those “O-Matsuri-Yatai” sweets that brings out the “O-Matsuri” mood. We think the person who came up with this method must be a genius.

・Baby-Castella
This is a pancake-like batter baked into a round shape. It can be eaten like a snack. A drink is required.

・Tenshin-Amaguri
It is the classic sweets, chestnuts that have been roasted while adding molasses. It may not be suitable for eating while walking. But once you start eating them, you can’t stop.

・Ramune Soda
It is a “Ramune bottle (Codd-neck bottle)” filled with cider. In modern Japan, “ramune soda” is very well known as a typical summer drink. The glass ball that serves as the stopper and the glass bottle can both be reused, making it the originator of completely recycled containers. That unique pale blue appearance of the bottle and the pleasant sound of the glass ball rolling around in the bottle every time you drink it create an indescribably cool feeling. Unfortunately, however, glass ones are almost impossible to find these days. Nowadays, most of them are made of PET. Glass ones are quite rare. If you see one, don’t hesitate to get it. It will be a good memory for you.