Episode 05: Kraig Kenta Saito
“Little Tokyo was like my backyard.”
photo credit: Albert Lien
In Episode 5, Walter chats with taiko performer and instructor Kraig Kenta Saito (Kishin Daiko, Rhythmic Flow Taiko). Together, they discuss their shared interest in taiko and Japanese festivals like Nisei Week and Obon, all while reminiscing about 90s and 00s Little Tokyo.
Kraig’s Links
Kraig’s Recommendations
Kouraku - Croquette Entree (Korokke Teishoku)
Shinsengumi - Tonkotsu Ramen with firm noodles (“bari kata”), extra garlic, and spicy miso. He also recommends ordering a poached egg on the side. He seasons the egg with soy sauce (shoyu) and ra-yu (chili oil), then drinks it like a shot?!
Mitsuru Grill - chicken teriyaki and beef teriyaki
Other Notes
For more information on Nebuta and Aomori’s festival, click here. To see the Nebuta from Little Tokyo, check out this video
When discussing favorite obon foods, Kraig mentions dango. At Nikkei obon festivals, the dango are often Okinawan dango (or sata andagi), which are deep-fried balls of dough, like a donut. Mazegohan is seasoned, mixed rice. Ramune is a Japanese soda served in a glass bottle with a fun marble inside.
Kraig’s favorite dances are “Memanbetsu Bayashi” and “Hokkai no Abarembo” aka the fisherman’s dance.
More information on the late Rodney Kageyama, community personality and actor
