Osaka's Yummy Takoyaki! Wanaka!

Published on 06.03.2016 In this video, Tyler and his brother try out a western-Japan favorite: Takoyaki! Takoyaki is a ball-shaped snack made by frying a wheat-flour based batter in a specially moulded pan with many tiny spherical hollows in it. In the middle of the ball is usually minced tako (octopus), hence why the treat is called "Takoyaki."

Takoyaki was first made popular by a street vendor in Osaka during the 1930s. It soon spread throughout all of Japan, and is now found almost everywhere: from street stands to 24-hour convenience stores. The special Takoyaki griddle can also be found commonly in any store selling kitchenwares or household appliances.

When eating Takoyaki if you have a sensitive mouth (In Japanese: nekojita), don't be like Tyler and instead, allow the snack ample time to cool before eating. Takoyaki is usually very hot in the center, which can lead to some minor burns if you are not careful! It is a food that maybe only the tough people of Kansai can bear!

There are many ways to eat takoyaki, and some are shown in this video. It is popular to put takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) on the takoyaki. Mayonnaise is also very common, as well as bonito flakes, seaweed flakes, and ginger. Recently different variants of takoyaki have even been popping up, like italian flavor takoyaki made with tomato sauce and cheese.

When you are in Japan, please be sure to try some of the delicious and unique takoyaki options! You will not regret it!