Food Fleet Brings Authentic Japanese Street Food to LA Anime Expo
Transforming the Anime Expo Food Experience
Back in 2016, Anime Expo reimagined its approach to food. The mission was simple: match the immersive world of cosplay and fandom with an equally authentic culinary journey. That’s when Food Fleet stepped in.
Instead of settling for the standard convention fare of tenders and hot dogs, we curated 27 local Japanese food partners. The result? Attendees lined up in droves, sales soared, and subcontractor revenue skyrocketed from $200,000 to more than $1.5 million, according to our partner at Levy Restaurants.
“The fact that we were able to give them authentic experiences — that’s the essence of what Food Fleet really does,” said Ashley Russo of Levy Restaurants.
A Japanese Night Market in the Heart of Los Angeles
Forget traditional concession stands. Guests wandered through a vibrant yatai-style Japanese night market, created exclusively for Anime Expo. Rich aromas filled the air as colorful food stalls offered:
Takoyaki balls
Musubi
Dim sum
Yakitori
Sushi sticks and hand rolls
Whimsical anime-themed corndogs
With more than 100,000 anime fans in attendance, the night market became a feast for all the senses — a perfect blend of flavor, fun, and fandom.
““The fact that we were able to give them authentic experiences — that’s the essence of what Food Fleet really does.””
Behind the Scenes: How Food Fleet Made It Happen
Running food operations at Anime Expo takes more than creativity. It requires flawless execution, from insurance hurdles to strict health code requirements. Food Fleet supported partners every step of the way, helping vendors:
Streamline menus
Optimize station setups
Speed up transactions for maximum impact
Jack, owner of Ghostix — famous for their imaginative corndogs like “Unicorn” and “Lucifer” — explained:
“Our most popular items this year were the Goblin corndogs and Bulgogi Fries… The response was nonstop from open to close — we could feel the energy and excitement around our booth all weekend.”
With over 60,000 transactions in just four days, Food Fleet had four team members onsite around the clock to ensure smooth operations.
Results That Spoke for Themselves
Guests enjoyed an immersive, culturally rich food experience.
Organizers delivered a vibrant, authentic Japanese culinary marketplace.
Vendors thrived with record-breaking sales and nonstop demand.
Even more impressive? Not a single health code violation, seamless load-in and load-out, and flawless execution across 27 makeshift kitchens — all staged outdoors in 80-degree Los Angeles weather.
The Power of The Fleet
This wasn’t just about stepping in — it was about stepping up. At Food Fleet, we respect bold visions and bring the expertise to execute them. When creativity meets the complexities of large-scale food service, we ensure the experience crosses the finish line.
