Japanese Food Expo in LA 2025

By Japanese Food Culture Association (JFCA)

Experience authentic Japanese food, drink, and culture — all included in your admission at the Japanese Food Expo on November 14–15, 2025.

Date and Time

November 14, 5pmNovember 15, 7pm PST

Location

Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
Get directions

Highlights

  • 1 day 2 hours
  • In person

Refund Policy

No refunds

About this event

Food & Drink • Food

Japanese Food Expo 2025 is back on November 14–15!

This year, we’re offering three time slots over two days — giving you more chances than ever to experience the best of Japanese food and culture! Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just curious about Japanese cuisine, this is the event you don’t want to miss.

We’ve got everything you could want all included in your admission — Mark your calendars, and see you there!

More than 100 different Japanese food and beverage

Bring your friends, family, and anyone who loves great food to enjoy a day filled with mouthwatering Japanese dishes, refreshing drinks, and interactive workshops!

100+ food and drinks to try

– VENUE –

Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608
Get directions(仮)

– DATE & TIME –

November 14–15, 2025 (Friday–Saturday)

This year’s Japanese Food Expo 2025 offers three time slots over two days. Each time slot will feature the same food, drinks, and cultural experiences, so you can choose the one that best fits your schedule!

Please note: There is a 2-hour break between the first and second time slots on Saturday to allow our vendors time to reset and prepare for the next group of guests. (1 ticket = 1 time slot entry)

Friday, November 14, 2025

  • TIME SLOT #1: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, November 15, 2025

  • TIME SLOT #2: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • TIME SLOT #3: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

– TICKET PRICING & INFO –

  • General Admission + ALCOHOL (Age: 21+): $80
  • General Admission (Age 11–20): $50
  • General Admission (Age 6–10): $30
  • General Admission (Age 5 & below): FREE
  • *Children will need a legal guardian to enter this event*
  • *Must be 21 to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.*
  • *Double-check your time slot before you make your purchase through Eventbrite.*
  • *ADMISSION COVERS FOOD, BEVERAGES AND WORKSHOPS.*

Food and sake tasting, shopping from Japanese merchants, taiko performances, and a live tuna cutting show — we’ve got everything you could want all included in your admission!

Live bluefin tuna cutting performance

LIVE BLUEFIN TUNA CUTTING

Get ready for an extraordinary culinary spectacle as Chef Andy Matsuda showcases the art of live bluefin tuna cutting! This is a rare opportunity to witness the intricate and skillful butchering of one of the ocean’s most prized fish. Chef Matsuda, renowned for his expertise and precision, will guide you through each step of this mesmerizing process, turning the cutting of a bluefin tuna into a captivating performance.

Japanese food and ingredient sampling

JAPANESE FOOD / INGREDIENTS SAMPLING

Taste your way through Japan — one bite at a time. Enjoy more than 100 varieties of Japanese food and beverages available for sampling, including rare and hard-to-find products you won’t want to miss! You can also shop what you taste — so bring a bag and take your favorites home. Many of these products are flying in from Japan exclusively for this event!

Japanese drinks display

● DIY ONIGIRI BAR

Comes with miso soup and green tea. Create your own onigiri (Japanese rice ball) any way you like! Using premium rice from Hokkaido, you can enjoy a truly homemade rice ball made by you. First come first serve for each session, so make sure to come early!

● TAIKO PERFORMANCE

Feel the power of traditional Japanese drums! Our opening taiko performance brings energy and excitement to kick off the Japanese Food Expo. Experience the dynamic rhythm and spirit of Japan as skilled performers set the tone for the day.

● SAKE PAIRING LECTURE

In this guided session, industry experts will share tips on matching sake with different types of Japanese food, explaining flavors, aromas, and balance. Discover new ways to enjoy sake and deepen your appreciation for Japan’s national beverage.

● SUSHI ROBOT

Get ready for a fascinating live demo featuring Autec sushi robots in action! Watch as these cutting-edge machines, used by many of your favorite local sushi spots, expertly craft sushi with precision and speed.

…and MORE!!

Japanese Food Expo 2025 in Los Angeles

– NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY –

When you enter a Japanese Food Expo (“JFE”) event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by JFE and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar JFE events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of JFE.

You release JFE, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged.

You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by JFE or the person or entity designated to do so by JFE. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

Frequently asked questions

Is this an all you can eat event?

This is technically not an all you can eat event because people tend to pick up as much food as possible and throw away uneaten food. Therefore, in order to minimize food waste, you can eat as much as you want but there is a limit of 1 serving per person every time you line up for a food item.

Can I buy tickets at the door?

There will be no ticket sales on the day of the event.

Is admission free for children 5 and under?

Yes, children aged 5 and under receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.

What can I bring into the event?

Bring your friends and family! Everyone is welcome! Photography is encouraged, so bring your fancy DSLR/mirrorless cameras and your cellphones! If you can help us out, tag us on social media with #japanesefoodexpo2025.

Are tickets refundable?

Tickets are non-refundable.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

For ticket related inquiries, please contact the Ticketing Office: expo@jfcausa.org (仮)
For the organizer, Japan Food Culture Association, visit: https://japanfoodculture.org/(仮)