The taiyaki, small sweet waffles in the shape of fish, are one of the favorite pastries of the Japanese. Presentation:
- The taiyaki, pastry in the shape of fish
- The different tastes of taiyaki
- The ingredients of taiyaki
- How to make taiyaki
- The taiyaki in Japan
The taiyaki, pastry in the shape of fish
Taiyaki たい焼き are Japanese waffles filled with sweet bean paste (anko) in the shape of a fish. You can find them everywhere in Japan, and especially at festivals or markets. Taiyaki was invented around 1900, and at first had a simply round shape resembling the Imagawayaki. To launch sales, the taiyaki was transformed into a fish, a sign of luck in Japan. It was an immediate success. ” Tai たい”means sea bream and ” yaki 焼き ” grilled.
Taste variations of taiyaki
Taiyaki is usually filled with red bean paste but you can also find it with custard or chocolate. You can also find a savory version, filled with cheese for example. It is usually accompanied by green tea. Some stores even sell taiyaki with a filling of okonomiyaki or gyoza or even filled with a sausage inside! So far from the original. This Japanese specialty even goes beyond the borders! Indeed you can also find it in Korea under the name of Bungeopang.
The ingredients of taiyaki
The dough of taiyaki is made with waffle or pancake dough. L’ankoThe sweet red bean paste is similar to chestnut cream in taste and texture. You can find taiyaki in Japanese supermarkets, conbini, but the best is to eat it hot at the many street food stands, the yatai. You will have the crunchy texture of the outside of the taiyaki and the melting of the hot filling, a delight. 
What is the best way to eat taiyaki? Starting with the tail or the head? The debate is launched in Japan… and you what is your preference?
The making of the taiyaki
The dough is poured on the 2 sides of the fish-shaped mold, the filling is added on one side then the whole is assembled and closed. The whole is grilled a second time on both sides to obtain a golden brown taiyaki! Here is a video from Justonecookbook to make it yourself at home:
Taiyaki in Japan
Taiyaki is so popular in Japan that chains of restaurants called “the taiyaki” have specialized in taiyaki. You will find them in the Shibuya district in Tokyo, it is a popular district where there is a lot of traffic. You will easily see them with their big signs! Thousands of them are sold every day! So if you are in the area, don’t hesitate! In terms of taste, you will find the classic red bean paste but also with influences from other countries like the American stuffed like a hamburger, the Italian stuffed with bolognese sauce… You will also come across chain restaurants called “taiyaki croissant”, the fish is drawn on a crispy croissant dough! Sugar is added on top for even more deliciousness. You will find some with azuki paste of course but also with matcha green tea, or chocolate for example! 
For ice cream fans, taiyaki are also available in cone shape for sweetened ice cream versions just like Japanese pancakes. The“perfect taiyaki” restaurant chains established in Tokyo have even set up in Singapore and Jakarta! The principle is the same as for the Japanese pancakes. The base is made with the body of the fish, inside there is cream, then according to your taste whipped cream, fruits, a scoop of ice cream… It is really to taste absolutely. You’ll see, it’s hard to make it more greedy!
