Takoyaki
I'm surprised I have never really introduced Takoyaki on this site yet.
Takoyaki is a Japanese food which is basically a little bit of octopus (tako) cooked inside of a pancake-like flour based batter (but not sweet) and covered in katsuobushi (the dancing fish flakes) and aonori (seaweed), as well as takoyaki sauce. Takoyaki sauce tastes surprising similar to okonomiyaki sauce...
When you eat takoyaki out at shops on the street, they are usually making their own sauce so should have a unique taste.
Honestly, I can hardly tell the difference... I'm 鈍感。 And if you want a good explanation of what takoyaki is really made of, and all that goes with it... check the wikipedia entry.
I was living in Tokyo for about 2 years before I came to Osaka, and let me tell you, it is amazing how much more takoyaki is around in Osaka than Tokyo. You can really find Takoyaki at any hour of the day here. Also, it is not only a snack, but people will often eat it for dinner with rice.
In Namba on Doutonbori (道頓堀) there is a famous takoyaki shop. The shop claims to have the biggest in Japan. Number one! I also hear there is an even better place in Shinsaibashi in America-Mura as well.
I wonder what their sign says...



Posted by Harvey at June 19, 2005 12:18 AM
Hi, Harvey.
I tried to send a mail but mailserver didn't received it,
so I just decided to post here.
About Takoyaki,
Takoyaki in Nagoya is flavored by Shoyu,
not sause.
My girl-friend, who is from Osaka, doesn't like sause,
so she prefers Takoyaki of Nagoya.
Strange.
I've been to Osaka three times or more,
but haven't tried yet.
Actually I once tried, but it was Akashi-yaki.
I was too young to know Akashi-yaki is not Tako-yaki.