If you’re a foodie with a massive sweet tooth, this Japanese dessert might just be what you’ve been looking for. Taiyaki, translated directly as “grilled red sea bream”, has been a staple for over a century, recently gaining popularity in the US. As the name suggests, taiyaki is a fish-shaped pastry. Similar to a waffle, batter is poured into a fish-shaped griddle and cooked until fluffy and golden. Then, through a wide opening in the fish’s mouth, filling is spread on the inside. Taiyaki stems from a similar cylinder-shaped snack called imagawayaki that was popular during the Meiji period of the 1800s. The exact details are unknown, but along the way, the fish shape replaced the cylinder and the rest is history. Some speculate that red sea bream were a rare delicacy at the time, while others propose that the fish was a symbol of happiness. Gaining popularity as a street and festival food for decades, taiyaki finally came to the US around 2015, with the first wave of shops opening on the West Coast. Since then, the market has expanded and many shops even serve taiyaki with ice cream. But despite its fascinating history and delicious taste, it’s not on a lot of people’s radar. So why should you give it a try? Here are the top reasons taiyaki needs to be your new obsession:
Versatility
Taiyaki is almost always customizable, from the filling, to toppings, and even the ice cream served with it. Most shops offer traditional options, such as red bean paste, or modern options, such as custard, matcha, and ube. Shops that add ice cream will sometimes make it as in-house soft-serve, adding a creamier and richer flavor with as many varieties as the taiyaki itself.
Freshness
Taiyaki is made to order and always comes out hot and fresh. In many shops, customers are able to watch the taiyaki batter cook in the griddle. When it’s finished, the filling and toppings are added right away, creating a rich and warm texture.
Uniqueness
Taiyaki shops offer flavors that are constantly changing and hard to find elsewhere in the US. Flavors can pay tribute to the Japanese origins of the dish, such as chestnut and sakura (cherry blossom), and some shops change flavors based on the season.
perfect for a sugar fix
Perfect as a dessert, snack, or even breakfast (these technically count as waffles, right?), there’s never a bad time to grab some taiyaki. It’s the perfect way to satisfy sweet cravings and can be as simple or extravagant as you want. Now go out and get some taiyaki!