Taiyaki - Japan's Fish-Shaped Cake

Taiyaki (鯛焼き) literally means grilled sea bream, but it only has the appearance of fish. Taiyaki is a sweet (or savory) cake made with a batter of flour, water, and baking powder. It is usually filled with sweet red bean paste (anko, from azuki beans) and grilled in a mold shaped like a sea bream. Many people buy it for the shape as well as the filling, since red sea bream symbolizes good luck and fortune.

Taiyaki is basically a pancake or waffle in the shape of a fish. The batter is poured into a two-sided mold and grilled until golden brown. It is quite similar to those Japanese crepes cooked on a hot plate. It is also similar to imagawayaki, which is a thick, round cake also filled with azuki bean paste or cream. This is the snack that Yami from To Love Ru is always eating.

Curiosities about Taiyaki

Its first appearance was in 1909, at a shop called Naniwaya in Azabu, Tokyo. Today it can be found anywhere in Japan. It became even more popular after a children's song was released in 1975. The single, named Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun, tells the story of a taiyaki that got tired of staying in the mold and escaped to the sea.

You can find taiyaki not only with sweet bean paste but also with chocolate, cream, cheese, green tea, and other fillings. There are even ice cream versions, and savory ones filled with meat or chicken. It is considered a street food and a staple at festivals, but it can also be found in markets and food courts. They usually cost around 100 to 300 yen each. The size depends on where you buy it, but it is generally about 15 cm.

Taiyaki Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of wheat flour;
• 2 eggs (there are recipes without eggs);
• 5 tablespoons of sugar;
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder;
• 1/2 cup of water;
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt;
• sweet red bean paste (anko) or another filling of your choice

How to make:

1. Beat the eggs with the sugar until frothy, and gradually add flour and water;
2. Finally, add the salt and baking powder;
3. Heat the taiyaki mold, grease it, and pour enough batter to cover the bottom;
4. Add the filling in the center, cover with a little more batter, close the mold, turn it over, and cook until both sides are golden;

Some people had the idea of buying a taiyaki mold and selling it at fairs in Brazil instead of the usual Swiss crepe; perhaps this is an option for you. That is why it is easy to find them at events about Japan and anime. Have you had the chance to try it?