Convention - Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 2024: Japanese pastries with Emma Obadina

By Mulder, Villepinte, Parc des Expositions, 17 march 2024

The Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 2024 brilliantly highlighted the richness of Japanese pop culture, from science fiction to animation to culinary traditions. Among the latter, Japanese pastries took pride of place, thanks to the remarkable presence of Emma Obadina. An expert in Japanese patisserie, Emma offered visitors a fascinating insight into the world of Japanese sweets, from their history to their manufacture, highlighting their uniqueness. In this article, we'll take a look at the highlights of her participation, and give you a better understanding of the craze for these unique pastries.

Japanese patisserie, known for its delicate textures and subtle flavors, is based on a philosophy in which aesthetics play as crucial a role as taste. Emma Obadina's demonstrations and workshops highlighted the perfect harmony between form and flavor that is so characteristic of Japanese desserts. Her presentations covered a wide range of pastries, from traditional wagashi, made to accompany the tea ceremony, to mochi, famous for their soft texture and sweet filling.

The highlight of the show was undoubtedly Emma's demonstrations, in which she shared her know-how and techniques with the participants. Armed with patience and precision, she transformed simple ingredients into veritable works of art. Participants were able to observe the making of dorayakis, small pancakes filled with red bean paste, and daifukus, mochis wrapped in a creamy filling. Emma also explored the art of Neri Kiri, illustrating the creation of sculpted pastries with motifs inspired by nature.

Beyond the demonstrations, Emma Obadina shared with her audience the rich history and traditions surrounding Japanese pastries. She spoke of the evolution of wagashi, originally used as offerings in temples, before becoming refined accompaniments to tea. Emma's expertise highlighted the importance of seasonality and symbolism in Japanese pastry, with each creation reflecting an element of Japanese culture or nature.

One of the most interesting aspects of Emma Obadina's talk was the comparison between Japanese pastries and their Western counterparts. Whereas Western pastries tend to emphasize richness and density, Japanese pastries are distinguished by their lightness and subtlety. Emma emphasized the innovative use of ingredients such as red beans, matcha and yuzu, which give Japanese pastries their unique tastes and inimitable textures.

Emma Obadina's participation in the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show 2024 was a window onto the fascinating world of Japanese pastries. Combining practical demonstrations, historical accounts and cultural comparisons, Emma succeeded in conveying her passion and respect for this culinary art. Visitors left with a renewed appreciation for Japanese pastry, armed with the knowledge to explore this delicious aspect of Japanese culture for themselves.

The Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show is the flagship event for all aficionados of pop culture, manga, anime and science fiction in France. A must-attend event over the years, this biannual show brings together under one roof an impressive diversity of activities, exhibitors and internationally renowned guests. Whether you're an avid collector, a passionate cosplayer, an inveterate gamer or simply curious about this fascinating universe, the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show offers an unrivalled immersive experience. With booths dedicated to the latest in video games, comics, manga and anime, unique exhibition spaces like movie cars and iconic sets from cult films and series, and meetings with artists and creators, this show is where passion meets creativity. Each edition is a promise of escape, learning and sharing, making the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show an unmissable event for the geek community and beyond.

You can see our photos on our Flickr page

Practical info
Dates: March 16 & 17, 2024
Venue: Parc dewww.parismanga.frs Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte - Hall 5A
Website: www.parismanga.fr

Photos and video : Boris Colletier