WAPATO —People will be in Wapato March 1 from as far away as Seattle and Portland for a fresh, hot meal they know they can’t get anywhere else.
They’ll be in town for the 48th Annual Sukiyaki Dinner, hosted by the Wapato Buddhist community in the gymnasium adjacent to the temple, at 212 W. 2nd St.
The dinner is a fundraiser that began in 1961, and which sold out in the first year.
Event chairman Yosh Uchida said he and his group of about 125 volunteers will be prepared for about 1500 people this year, over a six-hour period, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Uchida also said, though, that if the need arises, they can provide meals for even more.
“We never turn anyone away,” he said.
In previous years, seeing to it that everyone who wanted fresh sukiyaki got it required an emergency trip to the supermarket.
That’s pretty amazing, considering how much of the ingredients are on hand to begin with, for the dinner.
Uchida said those supplies include 500 lbs. of thinly-sliced prime rib, 220 lbs. of yam noodles, which come all the way from Japan, 500 lbs. of rice, as well as small mountains of dry and green onions, bamboo shoots, and celery.
There is also a special sauce that’s used, that Uchida won’t say much about, other than that it is “proprietary,” and has been handed down over the years, as part of the original recipes that were provided by the congregation’s women’s club.
“There are many sukiyaki recipes,” he said. “For us, this one is special.”
Though the sukiyaki that will be served is the same as it has always been, the event has added a couple of new twists to accommodate its customers.
For those who prefer vegetarian diets, tofu can be substituted for the prime rib.
And for those who want to take their sukiyaki home to eat it, takeout orders are available.
Yosh Uchida, as chairman of the event, has the help of his brother, Tom Uchida, whose title, according to Yosh, is “Basement All-Around Man and Chief Rice Maker,” and David Sakamoto, “Chief Kitchen Sauce Maker and Salad Specialist.”
But Tom is quick to credit the other 120-plus volunteers for making the event possible.
“If it wasn’t for the volunteers, we couldn’t do it,” he said.
The gymnasium accommodates 218 diners at a time, Yosh said, and meals are prepared fresh when customers arrive and are served on real plates.
The hall is decorated with crepe paper and hanging lanterns, and there will be a special display provided by Sakamoto in keeping with this year’s theme, which is Girls Days.
The display is a set of hand-made dolls in period dress from the days of feudal Japan, which belong to Sakamoto’s daughter.
He said the display is set up in five tiers and includes the emperor and empress and members of their court, such as archers, ladies in waiting, and musicians.
Meals at the dinner are available for a $10 donation, for dine-in or take-out. Tickets are available at the door or by contacting Yosh Uchida at 966-9244.