Greer's OC

The annual Orange County Cherry Blossom Festival is a three-day celebration of Japanese culture at Central Park in Huntington Beach on Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15.

With more than 30 Asian-inspired food trucks and pop-up restaurants, the festival’s food offerings will have something appealing for everyone’s taste buds. The celebration kicks off on Friday, March 13 and will include delectable food options including mouth-watering mini donuts, tender Kobe wagyu, savory ramen, crispy Japanese fried chicken and everything in between. 

Takoyaki Tanota will serve its delicious takoyaki with a batter made from a secret recipe that requires boiling for five hours with chicken bone and more than 10 kinds of fruits and vegetables. The different kinds of takoyaki are served with an unforgettable, original “Tanto” sauce. Belly Bombz, a Korean-inspired kitchen, will offer everything from a Miso Firecracker Chicken Salad to over 13 original flavors of sweet and spicy boneless and bone-in wings. For those with a sweet tooth, AJAJ Café will have Mochi donuts with a softened inside, bubble waffles, funnel cake, thai tea and boba.

Kapamilya Restaurant will serve authentic Filipnio and Japanese dishes including chicharon bulaklak, crispy pata, lechon kawali and melt-in-your-mouth shrimp tempura. Cafe 949 is known for its irresistible grilled lobster paired with garlic noodles. Shin-Sen-Gumi will offer traditional Japanese cuisine including charcoal-grilled yakitori, sushi, udon and ramen.

The complete list of food partners for this year’s festival includes GAJA Japanese Food, Takoyaki Tanota, Babymini Donuts, LuckyBall Korean BBQ, Rockin Gyoza, Kobe Wagyu Freaks, Kapimalya, Tenkatori USA, Cafe 949, Shin-Sen-Gumi, SVR BBQ, AJAJ Café, Amamiya- Baby Castella, Hungry Belly Thai, Okamoto Kitchen, Drizzle, Angry Pig, Salt N Pepper, Scooters Italian Ice, Deli Doctor, Shake Ramen, Kuushi, Rice Balls of Fire, Baby's Burgers, Belly Bombz, Kona Ice, Inglorious Funnels, and Taste of Soul on Wheels. 

The Orange County Cherry Blossom Festival was inspired by and honors Huntington Beach’s very own sister city, Anjo, Japan. The festival raises funds to directly support a youth exchange program, sending local students to Japan to experience the culture of Anjo first-hand. In return, local families host Japanese students who gain a better understanding of our local community and way of life. For more information, please visit occbfest.com.

The Cherry Blossom Festival hours are Friday, March 13 from 5 – 9 p.m., Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Single day admission tickets will be on sale for $5 and weekend passes will be on sale for $10. Admission tickets will be available for purchase online and at the event. Attendance for children 10 and under and seniors 65 and over will be free. 

The festival will take place at Central Park, 7111 Talbert St. in Huntington Beach.