[Osaka] This was a surprise find as I was exploring the lesser-visited lanes around Dotonbori, Osaka. Though I have also seen this at Asakusa at Tokyo.
A moderately long queue, that ‘steam’ coming out from the baked Taiyaki, the look of satisfaction as customers take a bite off… can’t be that wrong.
Taiyaki 鯛焼き which literally means “baked sea bream” is a Japanese fish-shaped pancake that is commonly filled with red bean paste.
You may find other versions with custard, chocolate, cheese, and sweet potato.
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo 鳴門鯛焼本舗 is quite a famous Taiyaki chain which you is located at various parts of Japan from Tokyo (Asakusa, Yoyogi, Shinjuky), Osaka (Tenjinbashi, Nihonbashi), Kyoto (Nakagyo) and Kobe (Kitanagasadori, Chuo Ward).
They use a “Ten-nen” method of making Taiyaki, which means they are baked in individual moulds which require good control of time and fire.
This is contrasted with large iron griddles which is more ‘mass’ in production and quite commonly seen.
The shop offers two signature flavours – Red Bean (200 Yen, SGD2.45) and Sweet Potato (220 Yen, SGD2.70) though there can be seasonal fillings such as Custard.
While there was a line of about 10 people, it cleared relatively fast. Say about 5 to 10 minutes.
One thing for sure, the Red Bean Taiyaki felt very hot on the hands, even though it was within paper bag. Can just imagine having this during cold winter days.
I noticed that the edges were crispy and thin, with light aroma. Please don’t bring them back to the hotel room or something where it would get cold and soggy. Have them there and then.
That moment of bliss when I had the red bean fillings, it was smooth and full, packed till almost the tail of the fish pancake.
Accordingly, the highest grade azuki beans cultivated in Tokachi Hokkaido are used, and cooked with natural water.
There was just something about having higher quality red bean – soft but not yet molten, and not too sweet.
I told myself I must have this again, and got the Sweet Potato on another occasion.
This tasted almost like sweet potato in a pancake, and it had that rich flavour without being overly fibrous. I want to have this again.
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo – Osaka Tenjinbashi
5 Chome-7-1 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, 530-0041, Osaka, Japan
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo – Osaka Nihonbashi
2-1-1 Nambanaka, Naniwa-Ku, Osaka 556-0011, Osaka, Japan
+81 6-6649-1119
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo – Tokyo Asakusa
1 Chome-9-1 Asakusabashi, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0053, Japan
Tel: +81 3 3865 7766
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo – Tokyo Yoyogi
1 Chome-38-6 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan
Opening Hours: 11am – 11pm (Mon – Sun)
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