Takoyaki

Japanese appetizer

Not to be confused with Taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake.

Takoyaki

A "boat" of takoyaki

Course| Snack
Place of origin| Japan
Region or state| Osaka
Main ingredients| Batter, octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, green onion, takoyaki sauce (with mayonnaise), green laver (aonori)
Variations| Taiwanese cuisine

* Media: Takoyaki

Takoyaki being made in Osaka, 2022

Takoyaki (たこ焼き or 蛸焼) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger (beni shoga), and green onion (negi).[1][2] The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi).

Yaki comes from yaku (焼く), which is one of the cooking methods in Japanese cuisine, meaning 'to grill', and can be found in the names of other dishes in Japanese cuisine such as okonomiyaki and ikayaki (other famous Osakan dishes).[3] Typically, it is eaten as a snack or between meals, but in some areas it is served as a side dish with rice. It is an example of konamono (konamon in the Kansai dialect), or flour-based Japanese cuisine.

## History

[edit]

Aizuya Main Branch in Osaka

Takoyaki was first popularized in Osaka,[4] where a street vendor named Tomekichi Endo is credited with its invention in 1935. In the early 20th century, in Osaka, there were snacks called choboyaki (ちょぼ焼き) and radioyaki (ラジオ焼き or ラヂオ焼き, rajioyaki) that contained pieces of beef, konjac or other ingredients.[5] Meanwhile, in Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture, there was a snack made of an egg-rich batter and octopus, later named akashiyaki (明石焼き).[6] Endo combined them and began selling it under the name takoyaki.[5] It spread throughout Osaka, with various stalls making improvements, and after the Pacific War, the style of eating takoyaki with sauce and mayonnaise was established. Endo's takoyaki shop, named Aizuya after his hometown, still exists today and serves the original takoyaki without sauce or mayonnaise.[5]

Takoyaki was initially popular in the Kansai region, and later spread to the Kantō region and other areas of Japan. Takoyaki is associated with yatai street food stalls, and there are many well-established takoyaki specialty restaurants, particularly in the Kansai region. Takoyaki is now sold at commercial outlets, such as supermarkets and 24-hour convenience stores.[7]

It is also very popular in Taiwanese cuisine due to the historical influence of Japanese culture.[8] In recent years, takoyaki can be eaten with various toppings and fillings (such as cheese or bacon[9]) as its cultural span has evolved in western parts of the world. The food, known as "octopus balls", quickly became popular throughout Japan.[10][11]

## Takoyaki pan

[edit]

A takoyaki pan (たこ焼き器, takoyaki-ki) or--much more rarely--takoyaki nabe is typically a griddle made of cast iron with hemispherical molds, similar to a traditional Yorkshire pudding tray.[2] The heavy iron evenly heats the takoyaki, which are turned with a pick during the heating process to pull the uncooked batter to the base of the rounded cavity. Commercial gas-fueled takoyaki cookers are used at Japanese festivals or by street vendors. For home use, electric versions resemble a hotplate; stovetop versions are also available, and many incorporate a non-stick coating to facilitate turning.

## In popular culture

[edit]

Takoyaki is the favorite food of Taruruto, the title character of the 1988 manga series Magical Taruruto. The food plays a major role in several episodes of the anime and a single tie-in film, and also serves as the many collectibles and potential platforms in several tie-in video games.[12]

A children's book named Takoyaki Mantoman, published in the 1990s and later adapted into an anime television series produced by Studio Pierrot that aired from April 1998 to September 1999, focuses on a group of takoyaki fighting crime.

In the Animal Crossing series of video games, there is a villager named Zucker, based on takoyaki. He is an octopus with a round head resembling takoyaki, he generally wears a yukata, and his home is inspired by a traditional Japanese summer festival.[citation needed]

## Image gallery

[edit]

* Cooking takoyaki

* Takoyaki served with Japanese Worcester sauce and mayonnaise

* Takoyaki served with grated daikon and tsuyu

* A takoyaki yatai in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo

* Square takoyaki pan with 16 molds

* Takoyaki sauce on a street vendor's stall in Ueno Park, Tokyo

* Open kitchen store

## See also

[edit]

* Food portal
* Japan portal

* List of seafood dishes
* Æbleskiver
* Akashiyaki

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "蛸焼" [Takoyaki]. Dijitaru daijisen (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
2. ^ a b "Takoyaki". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
3. ^ "Takiyaki, the great street snack". Archived from the original on 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2009-02-14.
4. ^ "蛸焼" [Takoyaki]. Nihon Kokugo Daijiten (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
5. ^ a b c "「たこ焼き」と「明石焼き」と「ラヂオ焼き」" [Takoyaki, Akashiyaki and Radioyaki]. Web rekishikaido (in Japanese). PHP kenkyusho. 2023-03-09. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
6. ^ "Takoyaki - Icon of Osaka". Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
7. ^ "Takoyaki | food | Culture | Japan Dream Tours". japandreamtours.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
8. ^ "In Taiwan, top chefs are building on a long history of culinary exchange with Japan" Archived 2018-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, The Japan Times. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
9. ^ Chen, Namiko (2016-12-05). "Takoyaki Recipe (Video) たこ焼き". Just One Cookbook. Archived from the original on 2022-07-14. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
10. ^ "【飲食籽】快閃大阪 嘆米芝蓮章魚燒". Apple Daily 蘋果日報. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
11. ^ "可愛章魚小丸子". 太陽報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
12. ^ "Magical Tarurūto-kun: Magic Adventure (1992)".

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Takoyaki.

* Making Classic Takoyaki at Home Archived 2020-09-21 at the Wayback Machine A DIY Takoyaki recipe.
* Takoyaki Recipes Ingredients and Instructions

* v
* t
* e

Japanese food and drink

Shushoku|

| Rice|

* Chahan
* Curry
* Katsu curry
* Glutinous
* Hatsuga genmai
* Kayu
* Donmono
* Chūkadon
* Gyūdon
* Katsudon
* Oyakodon
* Tekkadon
* Tenshindon
* Unadon
* Hayashi rice
* Okowa
* Onigiri
* Tenmusu
* Omurice
* Sushi
* History
* Sustainable
* Sekihan
* Takikomi
* Zosui

|

Noodles|

* Harusame
* Hiyamugi
* Hiyashi chūka
* Ramen
* Champon
* Kagoshima
* Muroran curry
* Tantan-men
* Tonkotsu
* Tsukemen
* Shirataki
* Soba
* Okinawa soba
* Soki
* Sōmen
* Salad
* Udon
* Yakiudon
* Yakisoba
* Hōtō

Konamono|

* Monjayaki
* Okonomiyaki
* Hirayachi
* Takoyaki

Bread|

* Anpan
* Curry
* Melonpan
* Milk bread
* Yudane

Okazu|

* Agedashi dōfu
* Agemono
* Furai
* Karaage
* Korokke
* Kushikatsu
* Satsuma-age
* Tempura
* Chawanmushi
* Gari
* Gyōza
* Kakuni
* Nabemono
* Namasu
* Nattō
* Nikujaga
* Oden
* Onsen tamago
* Sashimi
* Fugusashi
* Shabu-shabu
* Shiokara
* Sukiyaki
* Tamagoyaki
* Tokoroten
* Tonkatsu
* Tororo
* Tsukemono
* Nukazuke
* Takuan
* Tsukudani
* Tsukune
* Yakiniku
* Yakitori

Soup
(Shirumono)|

* Butajiru
* Kenchin-jiru
* Miso soup
* Suimono [ja]

Set menu|

* Bento
* Ekiben
* Kyaraben
* Makunouchi
* Wappameshi
* Honzen-ryōri
* Jūbako
* Kaiseki
* Osechi

Beverages|

| Alcoholic beverage|

* Sake
* Amazake
* Nigori
* Toso
* Shōchū
* Awamori
* Habushu
* Umeshu

|

Tea|

* Green tea
* History
* Bancha
* Gyokuro
* Hōjicha
* Kabuse
* Kukicha
* Matcha
* Sencha
* Uji
* Herbal tea
* Genmaicha
* Sobacha
* Kombu-cha
* Mugicha

Soft drinks|

* Ramune

Products|

* C.C. Lemon
* Calpis
* Canned coffee
* Boss
* Georgia
* Energy drink
* Lipovitan
* Oronamin C
* Sports drink
* Aquarius
* Pocari Sweat
* Yakult

Snacks /
sweets/
Wagashi|

* Amanattō
* Botan Rice Candy
* Daifuku
* Dango
* Chichi
* Kibi
* Dorayaki
* Karukan
* Konpeitō
* Manjū
* Mochi
* Agemochi
* Goheimochi
* Kankoro
* Kuzumochi
* Zunda-mochi
* Senbei
* Arare
* Shiruko
* Taiyaki
* Uirō
* Warabimochi
* Yōkan

Fruits|

* Square watermelon
* Yubari King
* Ruby Roman
* Shine Muscat

Ingredients /
Condiments|

* Anko
* Aonori
* Bamboo shoot
* Beni shōga
* Burdock
* Daikon
* Sakurajima
* Dashi
* Fish
* Kamaboko
* Mentaiko / tarako
* Surimi
* Tobiko
* Hijiki
* Kanzuri
* Karashi
* Katsuobushi
* Kombu
* Konnyaku
* Kuromitsu
* Kuzuko
* Mayonnaise
* Menma
* Mirin
* Miso
* MSG
* Mushrooms
* Enokitake
* Matsutake
* Shiitake
* Myoga
* Nori
* Sake kasu
* Panko
* Sansyō
* Sauce
* Ponzu
* Soy
* Tare
* Tonkatsu
* Worcestershire
* Sesame oil
* Shichimi
* Shiso
* Tenkasu
* Tofu
* Umeboshi
* Wasabi
* Yuzu
* Yuzu koshō

Utensils|

* Chawan
* Chopsticks
* Kitchen knife
* Deba bōchō
* Gyuto
* Maguro bōchō
* Nakiri bōchō
* Santoku
* Sashimi bōchō
* Usuba bōchō
* Yanagi ba
* Rice cooker
* Shamoji
* Suribachi
* Zaru

Lists|

* Dishes
* Ramen
* Soups and stews
* Sushi and sashimi ingredients

Related|

* Chinmi
* Ichijū-sansai
* Omakase
* Teppanyaki
* Tokusanhin
* Teriyaki
* Umami
* Customs and etiquette
* Okinawan cuisine

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Street food

Foods|

* Acarajé
* Aloo chaat
* Aloo tikki
* Anticucho
* Apam balik
* Arancini
* Arepa
* Asinan
* Bagel
* Bakpau
* Bakso
* Balık ekmek
* Banana cue
* Bánh hỏi
* Bánh mì
* Bánh xèo
* Batagor
* Beef Pares
* Beguni
* Belgian waffle
* Beondegi
* Bhel puri
* Binaki
* Binatog
* Biryani
* Bourekas
* Bratwurst
* Brochette
* Bublik
* Bubur ayam
* Bun cha
* Bungeo-ppang
* Bunny chow
* Burrito
* Breakfast burrito
* Calzone
* Calamares
* Camote cue
* Cart noodle
* Chaat
* Chebureki
* Chiko Roll
* Chimichanga
* Chinese bhel
* Cockle (bivalve)
* Cōng yóu bǐng
* Covrigi
* Coxinha
* Crêpe
* Crescia
* Currywurst
* Dahi puri
* Dak-kkochi
* Dim sum
* Donkey burger
* Dosa
* Doubles
* Douhua
* Empanada
* Enchilada
* Esquites
* Falafel
* Farinata
* Fish ball
* Focaccia
* French fries
* French tacos
* Fried chicken (Korean, Taiwanese)
* Navajo frybread
* Galette-saucisse
* Ginanggang
* Gorengan
* Ghugni
* Gukhwappang
* Gyeranppang
* Gyro
* Haleem
* Hot dog
* Inihaw
* Isaw
* Idli
* Jambon
* Jhalmuri
* Jiaozi
* Kaassoufflé
* Kachori
* Kapsalon
* Kati roll
* Karantika
* Kebab
* Chapli kebab
* Doner kebab
* Kyinkyinga
* Shami kebab
* List of kebabs
* Kerak telor
* Ketoprak
* Khachapuri
* Khanom Tokyo
* Kikiam
* Knish
* Kwek Kwek
* Laksa
* Lángos
* Luchi
* Malatang
* Mami
* Maruya
* Masala puri
* Meat pie
* Mie ayam
* Murtabak
* Naan
* Nem chua rán
* Obwarzanek krakowski
* Pad thai
* Pajeon
* Pakora
* Paneer tikka
* Pani câ meusa
* Panini
* Panipuri
* Panzerotti
* Papri chaat
* Paratha
* Pasty
* Pav bhaji
* Pempek
* Pepito
* Peremech
* Pho
* Piadina
* Picarones
* Pilaf
* Pinasugbo
* Pirozhki
* Pizza al taglio / Pizza by the slice
* Pizzetta
* Plăcintă
* Pljeskavica
* Poha
* Poutine
* Pretzel
* Punugulu
* Puri
* Quail eggs
* Quesadilla
* Rat-on-a-stick
* Ražnjići
* Rogan josh
* Rojak
* Roti
* Roti bakar
* Roti john
* Roujiamo
* Rumali roti
* Rustico
* Sabich
* Samosa
* Sandwich
* Sardenara
* Satay
* Sausage roll
* Scaccia
* Seblak
* Sevpuri
* Sfenj
* Shao Kao
* Shashlik
* Shawarma
* Sicilian pizza
* Siomay
* Soto
* Souvlaki
* Stigghiola
* Stromboli
* Taco
* Korean taco
* Tahri
* Tahu gejrot
* Tahu sumedang
* Takoyaki
* Tamale
* Tandoori chicken
* Tangbao
* Taquito
* Tauge goreng
* Tornado potato
* Turon
* U' pastizz 'rtunnar
* Vada
* Vada pav
* Vastedda
* Vietnamese noodles
* Xôi
* Yakitori
* Zapiekanka

By location|

* Hong Kong
* India
* Chennai
* Mumbai
* Indonesia
* Mexico
* Philippines
* South Korea
* Taiwan
* Thailand

Mobile catering|

* Field kitchen
* Food booth
* Food cart
* Food truck
* Food truck rally
* Hot dog cart
* Hot dog stand
* Ice cream van
* Sausage wagon
* Taco stand
* Yatai
* Pojangmacha
* Würstelstand

Lists|

* List of street foods
* List of food trucks

Food portal Category: Street food
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template