Popular Yatai Foods: Takoyaki
Takoyaki food stalls are part of Japanese festivals at temples and shrines
Takoyaki is among the most popular savoury foods from yatai food stalls.
When there is a festival at a temple or shrine you will always find yatai there. Vendors sometimes also set up near train stations. Watch the food being prepared. The pieces are turned quickly to give them their round shape.
Takoyaki are the perfect food for burning your tongue. They are small balls of hot batter containing a piece of tako - octopus. Recipes vary, but often there is also spring onion, pieces of fried tempura batter, pickled red ginger, and tiny dried shrimp inside. You will get 7-10 pieces in one serving, topped with a rich brown sauce, mayonnaise, aonori, and bonito flakes (katsuobushi). You might also get extra onion.
Be careful when you try the first one. It is usually still too hot, but so yummy.
Takoyaki are typical for Osaka. If you are there, you will see many takoyaki shops. In other regions a good place to eat takoyaki and maybe also have a drink are the shops and bars of the big takoyaki chain Gindaco.
http://www.gindaco.com
David
Germany
