takoyaki
たこやき
Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food consisting of small, ball-shaped snacks made from a savory wheat-flour batter. They are typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion, then brushed with a special sauce, mayonnaise, and sprinkled with dried bonito flakes. The mental image is of a steaming, hot-off-the-grill snack served in a small paper boat. It is a quintessential comfort food found at festivals and street stalls. Because they are cooked in a specialized molded pan, they have a crispy exterior and a molten, lava-like center, so it is important to be careful not to burn your tongue when eating them!
In conversation
At a summer festival
Look, the takoyaki stall has a huge line!
Look, the takoyaki stall has a huge line!
It's worth the wait. I love how they get them so crispy on the outside.
It's worth the wait. I love how they get them so crispy on the outside.
Takoyaki is synonymous with Japanese street food culture.
Planning a snack run
I'm starving. Should we grab some takoyaki before the movie starts?
I'm starving. Should we grab some takoyaki before the movie starts?
Yes, but make sure to let them cool down first. I burned my mouth last time!
Yes, but make sure to let them cool down first. I burned my mouth last time!
A common warning because the inside of takoyaki stays hot for a long time.
Examples
I bought takoyaki at the festival.
たこやき
I bought takoyaki at the festival.
Be careful, the center of the takoyaki is very hot.
たこやき
Be careful, the center of the takoyaki is very hot.
They perfected the art of flipping takoyaki in the iron mold.
たこやき
They perfected the art of flipping takoyaki in the iron mold.
