Takoyaki, a Japanese delicacy - fried balls with octopus

Takoyaki is a very popular dish in Japan and some call it soul food. Its name comes from what it consists of, i.e. octopus (tako) and the way it is prepared - frying, baking (yaku). This dish was created by accident when a creative chef from Osaka decided to experiment with culinary delights. Classic takoyaki has pieces of octopus inside, but you can also find varieties with other types of meat, shrimps, sausages, and even cheese. Takoyaki, which I will write about in this article, I had the opportunity to eat in Kyoto, on the way back from the bamboo forest.

In the previous post I mentioned the advantages that gives the opportunity to watch how our dish is created in in Japanese restaurants. It was the same with takoyaki.

The chef spread the oil on iron hotplates with semi-circular recesses. Then he poured dough into them and put pieces of octopus in each of the balls.

Then he added chives to the balls.

After which the spectacular culinary spectacle began. The cook was equipped with a thin hook with which he lifted the balls one by one and moved them to the other side. He did it very quickly.

As long as the balls on both sides turned brown and had the right structure (crunchiness).

Near the frying plate lay various ball additives - chives, marinated ginger, fried onions and sauces.

Takoyaki is mostly street food, and here most portions were also taken out, but if you wanted, you could eat them on the spot.

There were several seating places inside the restaurant. And such a belligerent poster hung on the wall.

And here is my dish. You could choose several versions - balls covered with sauce and with additions, I decided on this richer option. It tasted delicious. I ate the octopus for the first time. It meat reminded me of chicken, but it also had something of seafood. The cake was fluffy and crispy, and the whole was nicely complemented by pieces of marinated ginger. I highly recommend this dish to you, it is sometimes available in other countries at Japanese festivals.