Sumofish
Sumofish is a San Francisco-based independent line of T-shirts with unique Japanese illustrations by owner Brandt Fuse. The artwork is inspired by a love of Japanese food, drink and culture, and also a Japanese American experience in Hawai’i and San Francisco.
CONTACT: bfuse@yahoo.com
Bok Choy Apparel
Bok Choy Apparel is a small apparel company that focuses on Asian-themed graphic T’s. Our inspiration comes from the many quirks and intricacies of Pan-Asian culture, including food, family, fun and games. Come by and check out our Tofu Clan shirt!
CONTACT: Gloria Roman (323) 806-3851
photo by Brian Yee
Blacklava
An online store for all things Asian American. Breaking down stereotypes through T-shirts since 1992. Fun shirts we carry include “I Suck at Math,” “I Will Not Love You Long Time,” “Good Asian Driver,” “Chicken Adobo,” “Mochi is Nice, Mochi is Rice,” “Ramen is Skinny, Udon is Fat,” and more!
CONTACT: (310) 259-3907
Katey’s Kandles
Made from 100 percent FDA and Kosher approved soybean oil, these candles naturally contain Vitamin E and Lecithin, and can be used on your skin as a lotion or massage oil. They relieve burns, insect bites, bruises, eczema, psoriasis and poison oak, and come in 15 delightful fragrances that burn clean, are soot free and do not emit harmful toxins into your home. The candles are non-GMO (genetically modified organisms), and all fragrances are from plant sources and not chemicals.
CONTACT: (209) 244-6439, KateysKandles@gmail.com
Hodo Soy Beanery
In 2004, after an enthusiastic response and growing demand through word-of-mouth to his soy products, Minh Tsai left his career in finance and founded what would become Hodo Soy Beanery. Hodo Soy Beanery’s mission is to craft the highest quality, best-tasting, freshest soy milk, tofu, and yuba possible; then to get their products to their customers right away so that they can be enjoyed at the peak of freshness; all the while working to demystify tofu through direct customer education and transparency of ingredient sourcing, production methods and philosophy.
CONTACT: (510) 464-2977, info@hodosoy.com
Rau Om (tofu misozuke)
Tofu marinated in miso and aged for months becomes a rich, creamy, and flavourful delicacy that’s indescribable and must be tasted for one’s self. Tofu misozuke can be enjoyed on its own or as a spread on cucumber, bread or crackers. Comparisons to cheeses are inevitable, but tofu misozuke is in a class of its own. Rau Om is delighted to bring this ancient delicacy to you.
CONTACT: Oanh@RauOm.com
San Jose Tofu
175 Jackson St., San Jose, Calif.
With the tofu-making process being so labor intensive and more companies choosing to automate, San Jose Tofu remains as one of the last handmade tofu-shops in the country. It is no wonder that this tofu sometimes sells out, with people driving for miles just to buy it. With a taste and texture that can’t compare to a mass-produced tofu, San Jose Tofu is worth the wait, and a drive — it’s a labor of love that you won’t find anywhere else.
CONTACT: (408) 292-7026
Japan Traditional Foods., Inc.
Natto is a traditional food of Japan, recognized for centuries for its unique health benefits. Fermentation enhances the nutrition of soybeans. During fermentation, a beneficial bacteria, Bacillus natto, is added to the soybeans. This results in the production of the enzyme Nattokinase. This enzyme has been found to dissolve blood clots and thin blood. Megumi Natto is high in protein, good source of dietary fiber, and rich in Vitamin B2 and K2.
CONTACT: Minami Satoh (CEO/Founder)
photo courtesy of Megumi Natto
Traveling Takoyaki
Traveling Takoyaki is a street cart vendor committed to providing one of Japan’s most loved street food, takoyaki. While takoyaki is always the traditional favorite, we have created several varieties to please everybody, including bacon and cheese; nutella and banana; and garlic ginger tofu to name a few.
CONTACT: travelingtakoyaki@gmail.com
photo by Branca Nitzche / www.brancaphoto.com
Onigilly
Yummy, healthy and handy rice balls made with brown rice and filling, wrapped with seaweed
CONTACT: Koji Kanematsu
(415) 794-1254, koji@onigilly.com
Sacramento Tofu
In 1979, Alvin Kunishi, a nuclear engineer, and his wife Dorothy Kunishi, a school teacher, were faced with the daunting task of carrying on Alvin’s ailing father’s tofu company, with little knowledge on how to run the business. With 6,000 pounds of tofu being produced each week in their state-of-the-art facility, Sacramento Tofu is distributed to markets throughout the Bay Area.
CONTACT: (916) 383-0725
8300 Belvedere Ave., Sacramento, Calif.
Nakayoshi Café
100 percent of all proceeds from the Nakayoshi Young Professionals food booth — including Tofu Sushi and Mabo Dofu — will benefit the Nichi Bei Foundation.
JapaCurry
Staking territory as the first Japanese food truck in San Francisco, JapaCurry has been serving Japanese curry rice, one of Japan’s favorite comfort foods, around the Bay Area for the past year and a half.
At the festival, they’ll be serving up Tofu Curry — you’ll love how well the two go together. They also serve a Tofu Bento with fried tofu and brown rice.
What: Japanese curry (and other sides)
Average price: $6-$8 per main entree
Signature dish: Katsu Curry (breaded pork or chicken cutlet over rice)
Best way to find out where they’ll be next: http://japacurry.com/ ; follow them on Twitter @JapaCurry
The Chairman Truck
Using secret recipes from their Little Red Cookbook, and some tongue-in-cheek humor, The Chairman Truck serves up baked and steamed Taiwanese buns with a variety of savory fillings.
Heralding from Little Saigon and running for the past two years, The Chairman uses house-made ingredients such as braised pork belly, and Korean spicy chicken to bring new flavors to an old favorite.
Try their Crispy Garlic Tofu with Miso Greens, and wash it all down with a fresh shave ice drink.
What: Taiwanese guo baos
Average price: $3-$6
Signature dish: Pork Belly with pickled daikon
Best way to find out where they’ll be next: www.chairmantruck.com; follow them on Twitter @ChairmanTruck
KoJa Kitchen
Ko = Korean and Ja = Japanese. KoJa Kitchen cooks up a burger that is anything but traditional. Serving up Korean barbeque and teriyaki-style meats (and pineapple!) between two crisped rice buns, the flavors pack a punch.
Try their Kamikaze fries, a favorite among followers, topped with beef, kimchi, onions and green onions and a signature sauce.
What: Korean and Japanese fast casual cuisine
Average price: $6
Signature dish: Korean BBQ beef burger and Kamikaze fries
Best way to find out where they’ll be next: Follow them on Twitter @KojaKitchen, or connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KoJaKitchen
