Taiyaki - Perfect Lil Fishy Treat
As tasty as it looks: Taiyaki with sweet red bean paste filling.<33
This lil fellow swam its ways into my hands in Düsseldorf, Germany. I found it in a shop of a famous street there, which is known for its focus on Japanese cuisine and street food. It is even called Little Tokyo and you can find it in the large Immermannstraße. If you can, just go there and explore while strolling through the many shops. :)
For me, Taiyaki is a classic that I never skip if given the chance. It has the perfect little snack size, not filling ones tummy up too much while being rich in flavor and pleasantly warm. Super yummy and just iconic if you ask me. ^^ The fish shaped snacky can be made with sweet or savory fillings. I always prefer the red bean paste filling, because it’s sweet but not too sweet. Just writing about it is so delightful, I could eat one right now, help. :D
But anyways, let me tell you a little more about this must-try snack gem.
Sweet and Savory
The traditional red bean paste that I favor remains the classic filling for Taiyaki. Nonetheless the snack has evolved to include a wide range of sweet and savory flavors to suit every taste. The variety of fillings ranges from the red bean paste one to modern adaptations like for example custard, chocolate, and even cheese or sausage (haven’t dared trying one of the latter ones, yet xD). Sweet options like chocolate, matcha or fruity ones offer a nice treat for those of us with a sweet tooth, while savory fillings like cheese cater to those who need something more savory. The variations of Taiyaki make it an exciting snack that can be enjoyed any time of day: Whether it’s a fast bite on the go or a tasty dessert after a meal. Honestly, I wouldn’t judge if you get savory and sweet ones at the same time and eat them alternately. :D
Taiyaki and Good Luck
Did you know? The fish shape is associated with wealth in Japanese folklore. That’s why Taiyaki is a popular snack during for example festivals and celebrations: It’s seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Therefore you can find the beloved street food sold by vendors at many markets, festivals and street corners all around Japan. So the freshly baked fish-shaped treat offers even more than its quirky appearance and delicious flavors - it can bring good luck. If that’s not a fantastic reason to enjoy one of them as soon as possible.. ^^
Taiyaki for Every Taste
You can tell, Taiyaki is more than a snack—it reflects Japanese culinary craftsmanship, creativity, playfulness and even culture. I know, it’d be best having the chance to enjoy one of them on the bustling streets of like Tokyo or Kyoto. But I hope you have the opportunity to find Taiyaki at least in a cute café in your hometown, or you try making them at home in your own kitchen. :) Either way, if well made, Taiyaki can delight your taste buds and bring joy to everyone who taste them. A lil fish-shaped snack filled with deliciousness - doesn’t it sound intriguing? Let’s enjoy!
Additional: Same But Different ?
Japanese Taiyaki vs. Korean Bungeoppang (붕어빵)
To be honest, to me these two are the same, only with different names. Same shape, same filling, isn’t it?
At least I thought so. It’s correct, that both consist of some kind of dough that is baked in fish-shaped molds. A friend of mine told me, that Bungeoppang used to be simpler (only one type of filling, the red bean paste), while Taiyaki has more diverse fillings as we already know (though this one also started off with only red beans back in the days..). But actually, these days Bungeoppang as a street food has more options for fillings, as well (such as chocolate, custard, ham & cheese, …). I’m obviously not an expert for any of them, but that sounds kinda identical to me at least. However, apart from that, the fish shape is supposedly different. The Taiyaki shaped fish has a tail that sticks outward while the Bungeoppang is said to have a straight tail. Well, I can’t claim to ever having noticed that.. But I’ll have an eye on this explicit detail in the future. ^^