The Ultimate Guide to Making Takoyaki: A Japanese Delicacy at Home

Preparation
20 minutes Cooking Time
30 minutes Servings
3-4 people

Takoyaki is a popular Japanese street food often found in the alleys of Japan. This ball-shaped snack has a golden-brown exterior made from a special batter, with a delicious octopus filling.

Today, let’s explore the seemingly complex yet simple recipe for this tasty treat!

1 Ingredients for Takoyaki

• 200g Takoyaki flour
• 540g water
• 1 egg
• 300g octopus
• 20g green onion
• 20g ginger
• 15g fish flakes
• 10g red pickled ginger
• Seasonings: Takoyaki sauce

Tip:
– When buying octopus, look for specimens with tight, shiny skin. Avoid puffy or swollen ones as they have been soaked in water for too long.
– Fresh octopus typically has a brownish-grey back with a greenish tint. The underside is bright white, but will turn off-white or milky if soaked for extended periods. Clear, bright eyes are another sign of freshness.

Takoyaki Ingredients

2 How to Make Takoyaki

Step 1 Prepare the Ingredients

Clean the octopus and remove any inedible parts. Cut it into bite-sized pieces. Chop the green onion and ginger.

Preparing the Ingredients

Step 2 Mix the Takoyaki Batter

In a bowl, combine 200g of Takoyaki flour with 540g of water. Mix well, then add an egg and continue mixing. Finally, strain the batter for a smooth consistency.

Mixing the Takoyaki Batter

Step 3 Cook the Takoyaki

Heat the Takoyaki pan over high heat, then reduce the heat and add oil to about one-third of the pan’s height. Pour the batter into the pan, along with the octopus, green onion, and ginger.

Once the bottom is golden, flip the balls and add more batter to create a round shape.

Pouring the Batter into the Pan

Step 4 Serving

Fry the Takoyaki for about 2-3 minutes until cooked. Transfer to a plate and top with Takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed, and fish flakes.

Tip: To check if the Takoyaki is cooked, insert a toothpick into the center. If the batter sticks to the toothpick, it needs more time.

Takoyaki Served on a Plate

3 Enjoy!

With these simple steps, you’ve created a delicious Takoyaki treat for your family and friends! The soft and golden exterior paired with the fresh and chewy octopus filling makes for a mouthwatering snack.

Takoyaki Final Product

We hope this guide has inspired you to try making Takoyaki at home. Enjoy the delicious results and happy cooking!