Takoyaki, also known as octopus balls, is a famous soul food in Osaka. This popular dish is made from a batter of flour and eggs seasoned with dashi broth, filled with octopus, and shaped into balls. It is a common fare at street stalls and also a household staple in Osaka. The city boasts numerous takoyaki shops, each putting their unique twist on the dish, and some have even been featured in the Michelin Guide, making it an essential local cuisine for any foodie visiting Osaka.
In this article, we will explore the history and flavors of takoyaki, as well as highlight some famous takoyaki shops across Osaka.
1.What are Takoyaki (Octopus Balls)?
Takoyaki are round, ball-shaped snacks filled with octopus, predominantly sold at street stalls and widely cherished as a snack by people of all ages in Osaka.
Made with ingredients similar to those in okonomiyaki, takoyaki consists of a batter made from eggs, flour, and dashi, filled with octopus, pickled ginger, finely chopped tempura scraps (tenkasu), and green onions. The batter is poured into a special pan with half-spherical molds, filled with the ingredients, and continuously turned with a pick until they form perfect spheres—an engaging spectacle for onlookers.
Once cooked, takoyaki are served on boat-shaped plates, piping hot. Caution is advised due to their hot interior. The crispy exterior coupled with the soft batter inside offers a delightful taste experience. The aromatic scent from numerous takoyaki shops can draw you in as you explore the streets of Osaka.
1-1.History of Takoyaki
Takoyaki originated in Osaka, and was invented in 1935 by street vendor Tomekichi Endo. His first version was a flat, rectangular snack called “choboyaki.” Afterwards, he developed “radioyaki,” a spherical snack with a filling of beef and konnyaku, which eventually evolved to include octopus, leading to the creation of today’s takoyaki.
It is also said that Akashiyaki, a snack from Hyogo Prefecture resembling takoyaki, provided inspiration during the creation of takoyaki.
Having originated in Osaka, takoyaki has spread across Japan and is now a popular menu item not just at street stalls but also in restaurants and pubs. Various regional and shop-specific toppings allow for a multitude of flavors to be enjoyed.
1-2. Popular Takoyaki Flavors
The classic, traditional takoyaki is made with octopus-filled batter, topped with takoyaki sauce, which is slightly salty, green seaweed, and bonito flakes, making a perfect match with beer. The bonito flakes and green seaweed serve as aromatic and flavor accents. Recently, adding mayonnaise has also become popular.
Moreover, despite their name suggesting octopus balls, variations without octopus have gained popularity, with fillings like cheese, shrimp, sausage, kimchi, and chikuwa (fish cake) available for those who prefer different tastes or do not like octopus.
2. The Most Famous Takoyaki Shops in Osaka
When you visit Osaka, make sure to experience authentic takoyaki. The city is home to many takoyaki shops, each with its unique approach to the batter and distinct characteristics. Below are six of the most recommended takoyaki shops in Osaka.
2-1.Abeno Takoyaki Yamachan
Yamachan is a renowned takoyaki shop in Osaka known for its crispy exterior and gooey center. The secret to its deliciousness lies in the batter’s flavoring. A mix of onions, celery, fruits such as pineapple, banana, apple, chicken, and a broth made from bonito flakes creates a richly flavored batter. The shop recommends enjoying the takoyaki plain to fully appreciate the flavors, although classic sauces and cheese are also available for those who desire toppings.
– Address: Main Store, 1-2-34 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
– Website: https://takoyaki-yamachan.net/
2-2.Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka
Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka is highly regarded by both tourists and locals in Osaka. It has been featured in the Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka Bib Gourmand from 2016 to 2018. The shop opens early at 9:30 AM on weekends and holidays, making it a popular spot for a unique Osaka breakfast.
Their menu includes “takosen,” which sandwiches takoyaki between thin shrimp crackers, “wankodako,” similar to Akashiyaki where takoyaki is dipped in a warm broth, and “takopon,” which is enjoyed with a refreshing ponzu (citrus) sauce. If you can’t decide, there’s a set menu featuring three standard flavors and one seasonal flavor.
– Address: Namba Sennichimae Store, 11-19 Sennichimae, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
– Website:http://takoyaki-wanaka.com/
2-3.Juhachiban
Juhachiban is a popular takoyaki shop located in the tourist hotspot of Dotonbori. It was founded with the concept of creating a welcoming space for women to easily drop by. The batter is enriched with milk, creating a creamy and smooth texture. Ingredients like octopus, red ginger, and small shrimp are mixed with a generous amount of tempura scraps before being expertly rounded off. You’ll notice it contains more tempura scraps compared to other takoyaki, and with a variety of toppings available, you can customize the flavor to your liking.
– Address: Nishinakajima Main Store, 3-17-17 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
– Website: https://d-sons18.co.jp/
2-4.Hanadako
If you visit the Umeda Food Alley, stop by Hanadako, where locals line up for its takoyaki. The dining style here is standing at a counter overlooking the iron plate where takoyaki is made, allowing you to enjoy watching the fascinating preparation process. A popular menu item is the “negimayo,” where the takoyaki is generously topped with green onions and mayonnaise to the point where it is barely visible. Despite the queue, the line moves surprisingly fast.
– Address: 1st floor, Osaka Shin-Umeda Food Alley, 9-26 Tsudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
– Website: https://shinume.com/shop/%E3%81%AF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%A0%E3%81%93/
2-5.Umaiya
Umaiya, established in 1953, is a Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka 2018 Bib Gourmand recipient. It is known for its unique cooking method where the takoyaki are reshaped and cooked a second time, enhancing the texture of the shell and the fluffiness of the batter. You can order as per your hunger level—from 8 pieces perfect for a snack,
to 40 pieces ideal for sharing with friends or family. The secret recipe batter is flavorful enough that no sauce is needed.
– Address: 4-21 Naniwacho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
– Website: https://kckj800.gorp.jp/
2-6.Tamaya
Tamaya, a three-time consecutive Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka Bib Gourmand recipient, is famous for its commitment to quality ingredients. The deliciousness of Tamaya’s takoyaki comes from a rich broth made from luxurious ingredients like lobster, fresh octopus, and dried sardines, combined with a broth of pork and chicken bones simmered for two days, plus a special soup extracted from a variety of vegetables and fruits. When eating, you can choose from free toppings like mayonnaise, green seaweed, and different types of chili powder, with additional options such as cheese and green onions available for an extra charge.
– Address: Main Store, 1-3-4 Kokubunji, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
– Website: https://tamaya08.com/
Summary
Takoyaki, made from a batter of eggs, flour, and dashi, and flavored with ingredients like pickled ginger and filled with octopus, is a staple of Osaka’s culinary scene. Typically topped with sauce, green seaweed, and bonito flakes, these octopus balls have continued to be a popular delicacy since their invention in 1935 by street vendor Tomekichi Endo. Today, variations including cheese, shrimp, sausage, kimchi, and fish cake offer alternative flavors, making takoyaki a versatile dish enjoyed in shops and homes throughout Osaka.
※This article is based on information available as of May 2024.
