Taiyaki – The famous 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 yeast… It is usually filled with sweet red bean paste (azuki) and grilled in a mold shaped like a sea bream. Many buy Taiyaki because of its symbolism, as the red sea bream symbolizes good luck and fortune.

Taiyaki is basically a normal pancake or waffle in the shape of a fish. It is placed on a grill with a mold on both sides. It is quite similar to those Swiss crepes. It is usually grilled until golden brown. It is also similar to imagawayaki, which is a thick, round cake also filled with azuki bean paste or cream. This is the famous cake that the character Yami from To Love Ru often eats.

Curiosities about Taiyaki

Its first appearance was in 1908, in a candy store called Naniwaya in Azabu, Tokyo. Today it can be found anywhere in Japan, but it has gradually lost the shine it once had. It became even more popular after a single (song) was released in Japan 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 others. The reality is that it offers endless possibilities just like pancakes. They have even invented ice cream, and there are also savory flavors filled with meat and chicken. It is considered a street food and for 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

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. Fill it the way you want and cover with a little more batter, close the mold, turn it over, and bake until both sides are golden;

Some had the idea of buying a taiyaki mold and selling it at fairs in Brazil instead of the traditional Swiss crepe; perhaps this is an option for you. So it is easy to find them at events about Japan and anime. Have you had the chance to try it? Share your experience in the comments and share this article with friends.