Ballpark Eats

[bloviatrix]

I was at Yankee Stadium this evening and spotted several groups of Japanese visitors rooting for Hideki Matsui, which got me wondering -- what's typical ballpark food in Japan?

[Jason Perlow]

Ramen. Hot Dogs. Fried Squid, Takoyaki (fried Octopus balls -- the Osaka stadium, home to the Kintetsu Buffaloes is in fact, "The Takoyaki Dome"), Yakisoba (pan fried noodle dish with meat and veggies). Also Edammame, various bento boxes, Yakitori (chicken parts on a stick), Yakiniku (grilled meat and veggies of various types on skewers) , Beer and Japanese Whiskey. Sake.

[bloviatrix]

Which ballpark has the best food? And how does the food vary between sporting events/venues (would you snack differently at a sumo match)?

[torakris]

Which ballpark has the best food? And how does the food vary between sporting events/venues (would you snack differently at a sumo match)?

good question..

I have only been to Tokyo Dome for football games (American football NOT soccer) and the menu is exactly as Jason listed. I don't think I have ever been to any other sporting events in Japan.....

[Muffin210]

Just curious, how much are these foods sold for in Japanese sporting venues? I'm wondering if it's the same rip-off prices that we get in the US!

[Hiroyuki]

Which ballpark has the best food?

It's hard for me to answer that question.

According to the site below, pork cutlet sandwiches, Pizza Hut pizza, and Jojoen (restaurant name) grilled meat bento seem to be popular at the Tokyo Dome; at the Osaka Dome, which Jason mentioned, hot dogs called itemae dogs, curry (and rice?), and pop corn.

http://web.poporo.net/home/npb89/

(Japanese only)

At Kokugi-kan, where sumo tournaments are held, makunouchi bento seem to be still popular.

http://kawama.jp/General/Diary/040120093029/disp

(Japanese only)

The 4th photo shows a makunouchi bento. I think it's mediocre considering the price - 1,050 yen.

[Hiroyuki]

Just curious, how much are these foods sold for in Japanese sporting venues?  I'm wondering if it's the same rip-off prices that we get in the US!

I think so. At one ballpark, a can of 500-ml beer costs 600 yen, about twice higher than at regular liquor shops.

http://web.poporo.net/home/npb89/compare.html

(Japanes only)

[Sleepy_Dragon]

The Takoyaki Dome?! Damn, how cool is that! My conversation partners have promised to host a takoyaki party next time they are both in town, can't wait, I love them.

What about food served at プロレス (puroresu/pro-wrestling) or K-1 fighting arenas?

The stadium where the Seattle Mariners play does have a stand that serves sushi rolls, thanks to the influx of Japanese fans following Sasaki, Ichiro, et al. Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches too. But otherwise, it's the same hot dogs, peanuts, beer, etc.

Pat

Edited July 7, 2004 by Sleepy_Dragon (log)

[torakris]

here are some pictures of bentos sold at Tokyo Dome:

http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/dome/fan_information/lunch/

you can pick your price range from about $8 to $20, you can probably find similar bentos somewhere else for close to half of that.....

[Mayhaw Man]

you can probably find similar bentos somewhere else for close to half of that.....

Yeah, Kristin, but do they come in cool baseball bat shaped bento boxes?

Easily worth the extra money.

[Hiroyuki]

The Takoyaki Dome?! Damn, how cool is that!

The Takoyaki Dome is so called because it's shaped like an an octopus ball.

http://homepage2.nifty.com/raipachi/studium/o-dome.html

See the last photo but one.

Osaka is a place where almost every household has a takoyaki grill.