thumb|thumbtime=20|Takoyaki being made in [[Osaka, 2022]]

Takoyaki ( or ) 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 (), tempura scraps (), pickled ginger (), and green onion (). The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver () and shavings of dried bonito ().

, meaning 'to grill', is one of the cooking methods in Japanese cuisine and can be found in the names of other dishes in Japanese cuisine such as and (other famous Osakan dishes). 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 ( in the Kansai dialect), or flour-based Japanese cuisine.

History

thumb|Aizuya Main Branch in Osaka

Takoyaki was first popularized in Osaka, 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 and that contained pieces of beef, konjac or other ingredients. Meanwhile, in Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture, there was a snack made of an egg-rich batter and octopus, later named . Endo combined them and began selling it under the name takoyaki.

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

Takoyaki pan

A or—much more rarely—takoyaki is typically a griddle made of cast iron with hemispherical molds, similar to a traditional Yorkshire pudding tray.

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.

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File:Takoyaki_at_the_Richmond_Night_Market_by_SqueakyMarmot.jpg|Cooking takoyaki

File:Takoyaki-1.jpg|Takoyaki served with Japanese Worcester sauce and mayonnaise

File:TakoyakiUeno.jpg|Takoyaki served with grated daikon and tsuyu

File:Yakitori_Yatai.jpg|A takoyaki yatai in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo

File:Takoyakikado.Pan.jpg|Square takoyaki pan with 16 molds

File:Takoyaki sauce on the stall by clanchou in Ueno Park, Tokyo.jpg|Takoyaki sauce on a street vendor's stall in Ueno Park, Tokyo

File:築地 銀だこ (4896548536).jpg|Open kitchen store

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See also

  • List of seafood dishes
  • Æbleskiver
  • Akashiyaki

References

  • Making Classic Takoyaki at Home A DIY Takoyaki recipe.
  • Takoyaki Recipes Ingredients and Instructions