Takoyaki

Takoyaki(たこ焼き or 蛸焼)is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of awheat flour-basedbatterand cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or dicedoctopus(tako),tempurascraps (tenkasu),pickled ginger(beni shoga), andgreen onion(negi).The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar toWorcestershire sauce) andmayonnaise, and then sprinkled withgreen laver(aonori) and shavings of driedbonito(katsuobushi).
Yakicomes fromyaku(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 inJapanese cuisinesuch asokonomiyakiandikayaki(other famousOsakandishes).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 ofkonamono(konamonin theKansai dialect), orflour-basedJapanese cuisine.
Takoyaki was first popularized inOsaka,where astreet vendornamed 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,konjacor other ingredients.Meanwhile, inAkashiinHyōgo Prefecture, there was a snack made of an egg-rich batter and octopus, later namedakashiyaki(明石焼き).Endo combined them and began selling it under the name takoyaki.It spread throughout Osaka, with various stalls making improvements, and after thePacific War, the style of eating takoyaki with sauce and mayonnaise was established. Endo's takoyaki shop, namedAizuyaafterhis hometown, still exists today and serves the original takoyaki without sauce or mayonnaise.
Takoyaki was initially popular in theKansai region, and later spread to theKantō regionand other areas of Japan. Takoyaki is associated withyataistreet foodstalls, 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.
It is also very popular inTaiwanese cuisinedue 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.
A takoyaki pan(たこ焼き器,takoyaki-ki)or—much more rarely—takoyakinabeis typically agriddlemade ofcast ironwithhemisphericalmolds, similar to a traditionalYorkshire puddingtray.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 atJapanese festivalsor 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.
Takoyaki is the favorite food of Taruruto, the title character of the 1988 manga seriesMagical 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.
A children's book namedTakoyaki Mantoman, published in the 1990s and later adapted into ananimetelevision series produced byStudio Pierrotthat aired from April 1998 to September 1999, focuses on a group of takoyaki fighting crime.
In theAnimal Crossingseries 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.