Takoyaki is a small, round Japanese snack. It’s made of wheat flour-based batter, filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onion. Sprinkled with takoyaki sauce (like Worcestershire), mayonnaise, green laver and dried shavings of bonito, it’s my favourite thing to eat π.
My favourite place for takoyaki is Dotonbori, Osaka, where travelling on the Osaka Loop Line is easy with a JR PASS HERE. The rest of Japan has Gindaco (review at end of the post). Btw, I take takoyaki eating very seriously and enjoy keeping a record every time I go to Japan π.
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My ratings are based off how good they are, compared to Michelin-star takoyaki, Takoriki (LINK) and whether I would buy it again. My preference is a soft and creamy ball, with a sweet umami flavour π. I normally give Sydney’s takoyaki an average of 4/10 because they’re mostly imported or defrosted. β
P.S. I’ve also added poorly designed maps π³ Just ‘open image in new tab‘ to zoom in
- 104 takoyaki, 3 weeks (2017)
- 30 takoyaki, 1 week (2017)
- 65 takoyaki, 2 weeks (2019)
- 72 takoyaki, 1 week (2020)
My ratings are based off how good they are, compared to Michelin-star takoyaki, Takoriki (LINK) and whether I would buy it again. My preference is a soft and creamy ball, with a sweet umami flavour π. I normally give Sydney’s takoyaki an average of 4/10 because they’re mostly imported or defrosted. β
P.S. I’ve also added poorly designed maps π³ Just ‘open image in new tab‘ to zoom in
ACCHICHI HONPO γγ£γ‘γ‘ζ¬θ
The first spot is my all-time favourite takoyaki stand in Japan, Acchichi Honpo Dotonbori.β
Review: The takoyaki was super soft and creamy with effortless chewing. You could swallow the ball whole once it cools down. The balls maintained their shape when picked up with chopsticks. There was a nice thin crispy layer.
The sauce blended in well into a sweet umami flavour. The mayo was not too overwhelming. There was a good balance on the sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. They have been consistently generous with the size and serving of their takoyaki and the octopus inside. I’ve been here every time, sometimes 3 times in a trip, over the last 4 years and they have not disappointed me yet ππ»π.
The only downside is this place is so popular among locals and tourists, the queue can easily be a minimum of 40 minutes, at 9pm on a weeknight. βThey have a dine-in option. β
Location: π 7-19, Soemoncho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Tip: if you want a cute picture, make sure to say “eat-in” to get the paper boat.
βCost: 500 yen for 9
Rating:β 9.8 out of 10 β I’m more likely to eat here again on my next visit because of their consistency and deliciousness. Worth the wait β π
Review: The takoyaki was super soft and creamy with effortless chewing. You could swallow the ball whole once it cools down. The balls maintained their shape when picked up with chopsticks. There was a nice thin crispy layer.
The sauce blended in well into a sweet umami flavour. The mayo was not too overwhelming. There was a good balance on the sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. They have been consistently generous with the size and serving of their takoyaki and the octopus inside. I’ve been here every time, sometimes 3 times in a trip, over the last 4 years and they have not disappointed me yet ππ»π.
The only downside is this place is so popular among locals and tourists, the queue can easily be a minimum of 40 minutes, at 9pm on a weeknight. βThey have a dine-in option. β
Location: π 7-19, Soemoncho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Tip: if you want a cute picture, make sure to say “eat-in” to get the paper boat.
βCost: 500 yen for 9
Rating:β 9.8 out of 10 β I’m more likely to eat here again on my next visit because of their consistency and deliciousness. Worth the wait β π
TAKOYAKI JUHACHIBAN DOTONBORI γγηΌγ εε «ηͺ ιι ε εΊ
This takoyaki store is famous for its giant dΓ©cor.
Review: The takoyaki was very soft, with nice, thin crispiness on the outside. It was medium-sized and held its shape well. There were a few crunchy bits, almost like tempura? π€ It was interesting to have contrasting textures in the bite. There was a hint of red ginger in the aftertaste. The octopus was medium, firm and easy to chew.
This is a takeaway store. βThis place is only popular with tourist because they had no customers in March 2020, due to Covid-19. I think this is a tourist trap because of the location and storefront. I’d only eat here if the queue has <10 people because of the price = quality. β
Location: π 1 Chomeβ7β21, Dotonbori, Osaka-shi, Osaka
βCost: 500 yen for 6
Rating: 8.1 out of 10 β (bit pricey – tourist trap)
Review: The takoyaki was very soft, with nice, thin crispiness on the outside. It was medium-sized and held its shape well. There were a few crunchy bits, almost like tempura? π€ It was interesting to have contrasting textures in the bite. There was a hint of red ginger in the aftertaste. The octopus was medium, firm and easy to chew.
This is a takeaway store. βThis place is only popular with tourist because they had no customers in March 2020, due to Covid-19. I think this is a tourist trap because of the location and storefront. I’d only eat here if the queue has <10 people because of the price = quality. β
Location: π 1 Chomeβ7β21, Dotonbori, Osaka-shi, Osaka
βCost: 500 yen for 6
Rating: 8.1 out of 10 β (bit pricey – tourist trap)
TAKOYAKI WANAKA γγηΌιζ₯½ γγͺγ
This stall is located right in the centre of the Dotonbori strip.
Review: The takoyaki comes out extremely hot (I’m able to eat takoyaki immediately but this was too hot for me). The balls were medium-sized and held their shape well. The insides were soft and gooey on mouthfeel. The octopus had a dried, fishy texture to it if that’s possible π€.
They were slightly salty and had a burnt ginger aftertaste. The mayonnaise & sauce condiments helped balanced the salty octopus out, whereas the original (no toppings and sauce) required frequent sips of water due to the salt content π§.
They have another store in Nipponbashi, and one in Sennichimae, with dine-in options. I’ve had it at both locations in two different years and so far, I’ve been disappointed by the salt levels. No photos were allowed at the Nipponbashi store.
Location: π 1 Chome-6-7 Dotonbori, Osaka
Cost: 500 yen for 8 (Dotonbori store), or 600 yen for 10 (Nipponbashi store)
Rating: 7.4 out of 10 β
Review: The takoyaki comes out extremely hot (I’m able to eat takoyaki immediately but this was too hot for me). The balls were medium-sized and held their shape well. The insides were soft and gooey on mouthfeel. The octopus had a dried, fishy texture to it if that’s possible π€.
They were slightly salty and had a burnt ginger aftertaste. The mayonnaise & sauce condiments helped balanced the salty octopus out, whereas the original (no toppings and sauce) required frequent sips of water due to the salt content π§.
They have another store in Nipponbashi, and one in Sennichimae, with dine-in options. I’ve had it at both locations in two different years and so far, I’ve been disappointed by the salt levels. No photos were allowed at the Nipponbashi store.
Location: π 1 Chome-6-7 Dotonbori, Osaka
Cost: 500 yen for 8 (Dotonbori store), or 600 yen for 10 (Nipponbashi store)
Rating: 7.4 out of 10 β
KUKURU γγγ
Next up is Kukuru and its giant octopus dΓ©cor π.
Review: The takoyaki was very soft and didn’t really hold their shape well. The balls were medium size. The octopus was moderate and bouncy. I could taste a charred texture on the outer layer – not too sure about that but willing to buy another batch for comparison. They went a bit overboard with the sauce and this elevated the sweetness of the octopus. Thankfully, the mayonnaise helped balance the bite. It needed more bonito flakes. This takoyaki was a lot more gooey and creamy.
This store has dine-in options and is really popular among locals. We lined up for 20 mins, whereas other stores were empty, during the Covid-19. βThey have a ‘bacon & cheese’ option.
Location: π 1 Chomeβ10β5 Dotonbori, Osaka
Tip: if you want a cute picture, there is a takeaway box in the shape of an octopus. Make sure to say “eat-in” to get it. This black one was their takeaway version.
Price: 790 for 8 (the guy gave me 9 π)
Rating: 9.0 out of 10 β I’m more likely to eat here again on my next visit because I enjoy the sweeter, soft kind.
Review: The takoyaki was very soft and didn’t really hold their shape well. The balls were medium size. The octopus was moderate and bouncy. I could taste a charred texture on the outer layer – not too sure about that but willing to buy another batch for comparison. They went a bit overboard with the sauce and this elevated the sweetness of the octopus. Thankfully, the mayonnaise helped balance the bite. It needed more bonito flakes. This takoyaki was a lot more gooey and creamy.
This store has dine-in options and is really popular among locals. We lined up for 20 mins, whereas other stores were empty, during the Covid-19. βThey have a ‘bacon & cheese’ option.
Location: π 1 Chomeβ10β5 Dotonbori, Osaka
Tip: if you want a cute picture, there is a takeaway box in the shape of an octopus. Make sure to say “eat-in” to get it. This black one was their takeaway version.
Price: 790 for 8 (the guy gave me 9 π)
Rating: 9.0 out of 10 β I’m more likely to eat here again on my next visit because I enjoy the sweeter, soft kind.
DOTOMBORI TAKOHACHI SOHONTEN βγγε « ιι ε η·ζ¬εΊ
This place is located towards the end of Dotonbori.
Review: The takoyaki was more doughy and soft. There was a slightly burnt flavour on the outside and it was not as crispy so to contrast the softness. The takoyaki held its shape well with chopsticks. Flavours were a little bland and dry. The octopus was firm and chewable. The balls were really big though. They’re the only store opened at 9AM (yes, I eat very early π).
Location: π 1 Chome-5-10 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Cost: 400 yen for 5
βRating: 6.9 out of 10 β (bit pricey)
Review: The takoyaki was more doughy and soft. There was a slightly burnt flavour on the outside and it was not as crispy so to contrast the softness. The takoyaki held its shape well with chopsticks. Flavours were a little bland and dry. The octopus was firm and chewable. The balls were really big though. They’re the only store opened at 9AM (yes, I eat very early π).
Location: π 1 Chome-5-10 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Cost: 400 yen for 5
βRating: 6.9 out of 10 β (bit pricey)
GINDACOβ ιγ γ γγηΌγ
Gindaco is a famous, country-wide franchise of takoyaki. The costs are 500 yen for 6 standard takoyaki and 580 yen for 6 takoyaki with onion. The outside layer was moderately thicker with a grilled taste. The inside was soft, with a smaller serving of octopus. It was not as smooth to swallow and required chewing. The sauce was slightly overpowering.
Gindaco has the same menu but different stores may have slightly different tastes due to the chefs. The Okayama store was the above description, whereas the Shinjuku store was a lot more creamy.
Location: π Multiple locations around Japan
Costβ: 500 yen for 6 standard, 580 yen for 6 takoyaki with onion
Ratingβ: 8.5 out of 10 β (for accessibility)
I hope you enjoyed the read π
Gindaco has the same menu but different stores may have slightly different tastes due to the chefs. The Okayama store was the above description, whereas the Shinjuku store was a lot more creamy.
Location: π Multiple locations around Japan
Costβ: 500 yen for 6 standard, 580 yen for 6 takoyaki with onion
Ratingβ: 8.5 out of 10 β (for accessibility)
I hope you enjoyed the read π
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