Queens’ Japan Fes Cooks in Astoria

Astoria’s streets sizzled last night with Queens’ JAPAN Fes, spicing NYC’s spring with Tokyo flair. Chef Lena Carter grilled yakitori as 1,000 chowed, a global food fest’s April tease. It’s borough bites—$5 skewers, pure Queens vibe. A kid slurped ramen; a pro nabbed sushi. ‘Queens eats world—this is it,’ Carter says, flipping sticks. The curbs turned Japan.

The fes is huge—April 5’s kickoff, it tripled since ’24, packing lots by noon. Carter’s a Flushing grill; last night’s crowd hit max—soy flew. A takoyaki stall sparked a line—cash buzzed; NYC grit glowed. Dates run all month—Astoria’s last on 27th. #JapanFesNYC trended; Brooklyn’s hungry.

Some griped—’Too greasy,’ sniped a health nut, dodging oil. Trash piled—cans rolled; swept slow. A rival’s pitching a Flushing fry, splitting woks. Still, 2,000 stayed—flavors ruled. Astoria’s never cooked so bold.

Carter’s teasing a finale, maybe a sake bash if spring bites. ‘NYC’s plate—this fills it,’ she says, wiping grills. The fes is a Queens win—grit meets umami. It’s a food trip; hit a date. Bring a napkin—sauces drip.