"Gekikara Gourmet Festival 2016", a food event where "Gekikara Gourmet" gathers, will be held from August 25th to September 19th at Okubo Park (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). 23 stores, the largest number ever, exhibited.
This event offers spicy food from various countries such as India, Thailand, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and Japan. It has been held since 2013 and is gaining popularity every year.
This year, it will be divided into three sessions: 1st ROUND (August 25th-August 31st), 2nd ROUND (September 2nd-September 11th), and 3rd ROUND (September 13th-September 19th). Some stores and menus will be replaced. An example of the provided menu is as follows.
・ Mokotanmen Nakamoto (exhibited in all rounds)
A famous shop for spicy ramen. The menu changes in each round.
・ Mongolian Chinese BAO (First appearance / 1st ROUND)
A Mongolian Chinese restaurant with a store in Shimbashi. "Boiled sheep with salt", which is combined with a special dry sauce, is said to be a dish that regulars praise.
・ Saffron Ikebukuro Phantom Indian food (1st ROUND)
"The hottest curry in the world" that shook the venue last year will be released this year as well.
・ Ethiopia (2nd ROUND)
A curry rice specialty store that has been exhibiting for four consecutive years. "Curry rice" with plenty of spices is popular.
・ Cloisonne Malatang (First appearance / 2nd ROUND)
A store specializing in Shanghai-born soup vermicelli "Malatang" and "Yakuzen hot pot". The signature menu is soup using more than 30 kinds of "medicinal spices".
・ Nanglo Ghar (First appearance / 3rd ROUND)
A Nepalese restaurant that just opened in Shin-Okubo last year. Including the traditional Nepalese dish "Momo" (steamed gyoza), the "authentic taste" has won the hearts of customers.
・ Musashino Udon Fujiwara (3rd ROUND)
A shop that is also called "the hottest udon noodles in Saitama". Try the "skull udon" with plenty of Jorokia (the hottest pepper in the world).
You can check the details of the store and menu on the official website.
Business hours are from 11:00 to 21:00. Admission is free, and food and drink are ticket-based (800 yen, 1,000 yen, 1,200 yen depending on the menu). It can be purchased from the ticket issuing service "7-ELEVEN Ticket". In addition, electronic money can be used at some stores.