What: North American Taiko Conference
Who: 500+ fellow taiko-philes, all gathered in one place for a weekend of workshops, concerts, and eating. So we will focus on the eating part...
Kogi BBQ truck!
What is that, you ask?
Korean bulgogi, spicy pork, kimchi, etc. used to make amazing tacos, burritos, etc.
Why didn't I think of this?
The Kogi truck (one of them, anyway) comes to JANM on Thursday nights. Hungry fans start lining up at least an hour and a half before the truck shows up. We very nearly missed one of the conference events waiting for the truck. But I managed to get a spicy pork burrito AND a beef taco and beef burrito from the other Korean taco truck (yes, there are knockoffs, and yes, those are good as well).
Was it worth it? YES.
Next: Orochon Ramen, one of the many ramen-ya in Little Tokyo.
I got the #3, which was pleasantly spicy.
Next time, I'm getting the #2.
I finish mine.
So does Dyls.
Everyone else: meh.
Next: Chin-Ma Ya, which is directly under Orochon and specializes in mabo tofu and tan tan men. And $.99 drafts during happy hour! Woot!
So which is better: Orochon or Chin-Ma Ya?
Both are solid. Orochon's noodles are chewier, but I preferred the broth (and happy hour) at Chin-Ma Ya.
Go to both!
Next: Yogurtland. Oh, don't worry - we also went to Pinkberry and the other place in Little Tokyo (name???), which had the $2 yogurt special. But how do they compare?
I liked Pinkberry's yogurt better, but Yogurtland had more selections and a make-it-yourself system, featuring its wall of yogurt dispensers and giant topping bar.
And yes, I did other things besides stuff my face. I saw old friends, made new ones, and had an Odaiko New England class of 1998-1999 reunion with John (now of San Diego Taiko), Kirstin (currently with Portland Taiko), and Mark (now Artistic Director of Odaiko New England).
And Joe & I went to Marukai, where he bought a head massager.
I first thought it was a whisk. Not so.
Thanks, NATC! The next one will be at Stanford in 2011. See you there?
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