View source for Takoyaki

{{short description|Japanese appetizer}}
{{distinguish|Taiyaki|text=[[Taiyaki]], a fish-shaped cake}}
{{Cleanup lang |date=March 2025 }}
{{Infobox food
| name             = Takoyaki
| image            = Takoyaki.jpg
| image_size       = 230px
| caption          = A "boat" of takoyaki
| alternate_name   = 
| country          = [[Japan]]
| region           = [[Osaka]]
| creator          = 
| course           = [[Snack]]
| served           = 
| main_ingredient  = [[Batter (cooking)|Batter]], [[Octopus as food|octopus]], [[tempura]] scraps (''tenkasu''), [[beni shoga|pickled ginger]], [[Welsh onion|green onion]], takoyaki sauce (with [[mayonnaise]]), [[green laver]] (''aonori'')
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| other            = 
}}
[[File:Takoyaki - Osaka - 2022 Dec 30.webm|thumb|thumbtime=20|Takoyaki being made in [[Osaka]], 2022]]
'''Takoyaki''' ({{langx|ja|たこ焼き}} or {{lang|ja|蛸焼}}) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a [[wheat flour]]-based [[batter (cooking)|batter]] and cooked in a special molded pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced [[octopus as food|octopus]] (''tako''), [[tempura]] scraps (''[[tenkasu]]''), [[beni shoga|pickled ginger]] (''beni shoga''), and [[Welsh onion|green onion]] (''negi'').<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Dijitaru daijisen |title=蛸焼 |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-06-22 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=ja |trans-title=Takoyaki| oclc=56431036 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref><ref name="enc">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Japan |title=Takoyaki |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-06-22 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |oclc=56431036 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref> The balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to [[Worcestershire sauce]]) and [[mayonnaise]], and then sprinkled with [[green laver]] (''aonori'') and shavings of dried [[bonito]] (''[[katsuobushi]]'').

{{nihongo||焼き|Yaki}} is one of the cooking methods in Japanese cuisine, meaning 'to grill', and can be found in the names of other dishes in [[Japanese cuisine]] such as ''[[okonomiyaki]]'' and ''[[ikayaki]]'' (other famous [[Osaka]]n dishes).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.justhungry.com/takoyaki |title=Takiyaki, the great street snack |access-date=2009-02-14 |archive-date=2018-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601125451/http://justhungry.com/takoyaki |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 {{Transliteration|ja|konamono}} ({{Transliteration|ja|konamon}} in the [[Kansai dialect]]), or [[flour]]-based [[Japanese cuisine]].

==History==
[[File:Aizuya-Headoffice.jpg|thumb|Aizuya Main Branch in Osaka]]
Takoyaki was first popularized in [[Osaka]],<ref name="kokugo">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Nihon Kokugo Daijiten | title = 蛸焼 | url = http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | access-date = 2012-06-17 | year = 2012 | publisher = Shogakukan | location = Tokyo | language = ja | oclc = 56431036 | trans-title = Takoyaki | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | archive-date = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> where a [[Street food#Japan|street vendor]] named Tomekichi Endo is credited with its invention in 1935. In the early 20th century, in Osaka, there were snacks called {{nihongo|choboyaki|ちょぼ焼き}} and {{nihongo|radioyaki|ラジオ焼き or ラヂオ焼き|rajioyaki}} that contained pieces of beef, [[konjac]] or other ingredients.<ref name="rekishikaido">{{Cite web |url=https://rekishikaido.php.co.jp/detail/2570 |title=「たこ焼き」と「明石焼き」と「ラヂオ焼き」 |trans-title=Takoyaki, Akashiyaki and Radioyaki |website=Web rekishikaido |publisher=PHP kenkyusho |language=ja |date=2023-03-09 |access-date=2024-12-03 }}</ref> Meanwhile, in [[Akashi, Hyōgo|Akashi]] in [[Hyōgo Prefecture]], there was a snack made of an egg-rich batter and octopus, later named {{nihongo|[[akashiyaki]]|明石焼き}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=361&pID=1168 |title=Takoyaki - Icon of Osaka |access-date=2009-10-17 |archive-date=2012-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725201459/http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=361&pID=1168 |url-status=live }}</ref> Endo combined them and began selling it under the name takoyaki.<ref name="rekishikaido"/> It spread throughout Osaka, with various stalls making improvements, and after the [[Pacific War]], the style of eating takoyaki with sauce and mayonnaise was established. Endo's takoyaki shop, named ''[[:ja:会津屋|Aizuya]]'' after [[Aizu|his hometown]], still exists today and serves the original takoyaki without sauce or mayonnaise.<ref name="rekishikaido"/> Today, many shops offer different flavors of takoyaki, including ones filled with cheese or spicy seasonings.

Takoyaki was initially popular in the [[Kansai region]], and later spread to the [[Kantō region]] and other areas of Japan. Takoyaki is associated with ''[[yatai (retail)|yatai]]'' [[street food]] stalls, 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://japandreamtours.com/culture/food/takoyaki.html|title=Takoyaki {{!}} food {{!}} Culture {{!}} Japan Dream Tours|website=japandreamtours.com|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=2019-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016055154/https://japandreamtours.com/culture/food/takoyaki.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is also very popular in [[Taiwanese cuisine]] due to the historical influence of Japanese culture.<ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2018/02/24/food/taiwan-top-chefs-building-long-history-culinary-exchange-japan/#.W2TjatJKiUk "In Taiwan, top chefs are building on a long history of culinary exchange with Japan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804050118/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2018/02/24/food/taiwan-top-chefs-building-long-history-culinary-exchange-japan/#.W2TjatJKiUk |date=2018-08-04 }}, ''The Japan Times''. Retrieved 2018-02-28.</ref>  In recent years, takoyaki can be eaten with various toppings and fillings (such as cheese or bacon<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Namiko |date=2016-12-05 |title=Takoyaki Recipe (Video) たこ焼き |url=https://www.justonecookbook.com/takoyaki-recipe/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Just One Cookbook |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714192713/https://www.justonecookbook.com/takoyaki-recipe/ |url-status=live }}</ref>) as its cultural span has evolved in western parts of the world. The food, known as "octopus balls", quickly became popular throughout Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/supplement/art/20151120/19379553|title=【飲食籽】快閃大阪 嘆米芝蓮章魚燒|website=Apple Daily 蘋果日報|access-date=2019-03-07|archive-date=2022-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925050543/http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/supplement/art/20151120/19379553|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/lifestyle/20130723/00479_002.html|title=可愛章魚小丸子|website=太陽報|language=zh-hk|access-date=2019-03-07|archive-date=2019-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308080727/http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/lifestyle/20130723/00479_002.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Takoyaki pan==
A {{nihongo|takoyaki pan|たこ焼き器|takoyaki-ki}} or&mdash;much more rarely&mdash;takoyaki {{Lang|ja-Latn|nabe}} is typically a [[griddle]] made of [[cast iron]] with [[wikt:hemisphere|hemispherical]] [[Mold (cooking implement)|mold]]s, similar to a traditional [[Yorkshire pudding]] tray.<ref name="enc"/> 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 at [[Japanese festivals]] or 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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

==In popular culture==
Takoyaki is the favorite food of Taruruto, the title character of the 1988 manga series ''[[Magical 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/47973/magical-taruruto-kun-magic-adventure/ | title=Magical Tarurūto-kun: Magic Adventure (1992) }}</ref>

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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

In the ''[[Animal Crossing]]'' series 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.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Image gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Takoyaki_at_the_Richmond_Night_Market_by_SqueakyMarmot.jpg|Cooking takoyaki
File:Takoyaki-1.jpg|Takoyaki served with [[Worcestershire sauce#Japan|Japanese Worcester sauce]] and [[mayonnaise]]
File:TakoyakiUeno.jpg|Takoyaki served with grated ''[[daikon]]'' and ''[[wikt:Special:Search/tsuyu|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
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Food|Japan}}
* [[List of seafood dishes]]
* [[Æbleskiver]] 
* [[Akashiyaki]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.otajoy.com/blogs/recipes/classic-takoyaki Making Classic Takoyaki at Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921192358/https://www.otajoy.com/blogs/recipes/classic-takoyaki |date=2020-09-21 }} A DIY Takoyaki recipe.
*[https://foodefare.com/recipe/Takoyaki Takoyaki Recipes Ingredients and Instructions]
{{Japanese food and drink}}
{{Street food}}

[[Category:Street food in Japan]]
[[Category:Octopus dishes]]
[[Category:Japanese cuisine]]
[[Category:Japanese dumplings]]
[[Category:Japanese food preparation utensils]]