Who really invented Takoyaki?
TIME HAS COME..
WE’RE FINALLY ABOUT TO UNVEIL THE MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS OF
THE ICONIC JAPANESE TAKOYAKI..!
TIME HAS COME
WE’RE FINALLY ABOUT TO UNVEIL THE MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS OF
THE ICONIC JAPANESE TAKOYAKI..!
1. WHAT IS JAPANESE TAKOYAKI STREET FOOD?
Takoyaki is often served in a boat shaped tray
As you can see in many Japanese movies, manga or anime, Takoyaki can be defined as the quintessence of Japanese traditional street food.
Ball-shaped and covered with colorful tasty sauces and seasonings, it’s usually served in a boat-like looking tray.
Don’t be surprised if you’re given toothpicks instead of chopsticks. That’s the way to takoyaki! Click To TweetTakoyaki
A popular Japanese dish made up of yellow-brown round balls of fluffy dough.
It’s then enriched with special sweet n savory takoyaki sauces and filled with tasty pieces of octopus (combined with various fresh and crunchy ingredients).
Discover all the secrets of Japanese Takoyaki!
Ready to enjoy Takoyaki at home, like you’re in Japan..?
So, so, so… Takoyaki.
Do you know where everything actually started??
2. TAKOYAKI EVOLUTION
© Dromediary– Takoyaki evolution
According to illustrious archeologists, Takoyaki is the result of 3 main evolution steps.
From Choboyaki Neanderthal
Passing by Radioyaki Sapiens
To Takoyaki Sapiens Sapiens
CHOBOYAKI
Choboyaki is the ancestor, the one who started this evolution of taste.
The name comes from “Chobi chobi”.
This term expresses the act of drinking by taking tiny sips, little by little.
Same way when you drink a precious whiskey or sake.
Why that?
Well… when cooking Choboyaki, the batter is poured almost drop-by-drop on the cooking griddle, that’s the reason.
Speaking about the shape, it’s more like a flat rectangle rather than individual balls, so still quite far from the iconic takoyaki balls.
The ingredients are different too.
Choboyaki is stuffed with konnyaku (yam paste), beni shōga (red pickled ginger), edamame (green peas), and soy sauce.
RADIOYAKI
Then, the time for Radioyaki has come.
Slightly larger than Choboyaki, it’s been named after the newest, most popular invention of that time: radio.
Generally filled with beef, Radioyaki was a popular snack food among children.
TAKOYAKI
Finally, around 1935, a visitor from Akashi to Osaka came upon a street stall selling Radioyaki. His name was Tomekichi Endo.
He was marketing his business, saying that his Radioyaki were the only one filled with delicious octopus from Akashi (a city in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan).
He’s probably been inspired by Akashiyaki (small round dumplings from Akashi, made of an egg-rich batter and octopus).
Initially popular in the only Kansai region, Takoyaki popularity soon spread to the Kantō region first, becoming then famous everywhere in Japan (and in the whole Asia).
3. WHERE TO ENJOY TAKOYAKI TODAY
Giant Octopus Lantern in Osaka
Since it made its first step there (around 1935), Takoyaki is now one of the main icons of Osaka.
Even most of visitors from all around Japan don’t miss the chance when in Osaka.
They want to enjoy piping hot takoyaki while walking around Osaka.
Sold in food stalls called yatai, they are extrimely popular during Japanese summer festivals (Matsuri 祭).
Takoyaki are often prepared with crazy speed and absolute precision, right in front of customers and curious people.
They can also be found in dedicate shops and restaurants, as well as supermarkets or convenient stores, all around Japan!
4. FIVE FACTS ABOUT TAKOYAKI
Did you know?
Making Takoyaki is really fun and super easy!
Dig deeper to discover all the
secrets of Japanese Takoyaki!
