Skip to main content

TaiYaki: a waffle sandwich dessert in Japan

making taiyaki

Tai means sea bream and Yaki means baked or grilled in English. This Japanese dessert is shaped like a fish and baked to perfect crispness on the outside. The inside is steaming hot and sweet. Taiyaki have been around since the early 1900's. Traditionally, they are filled with a sweet red azuki bean paste, but varied fillings are available. I prefer the custard filling. You can smell the freshly baked dessert a block away.

One of my student's asked me which part I eat first: the head or the tail. What an interesting question! I realised I always eat the head first because I want both the custard and the waffle. The tail part has more waffle than filling. What would your choice be for a filling: azuki red bean paste or custard? And which side would you eat first?

Subtle shadows on bolts of the taiyaki equipment, inside the taiyaki molds and under the cook's hand.

taiyaki 3

Visit Hey Harriet's blog to see more shadow shots all over the world!

Comments

readingsully2 said…
What a neat dessert,Gallery. It is a bit ironic because one of my favorite things is a whole wheat waffle with a mashed banana sandwiched in between. LOL
PJ said…
I was never wild about the adzuki paste but my tastes have changed over the years. Still, custard sounds lovely. Yummy shodows for this week, Juana.
Sylvia K said…
What great shadow shots! And different! These are definitely yummy shadows! Happy SSS! Have a great weekend!
A Wild Thing said…
It would be head first for me too and must have custard...what a cute little fish mold, leave it to the Japanese to come up with such a SWEET design...yummm...cool shots!
Chubby Chieque said…
Ohayo gozai masu, overthere...

Thanks for appreciating my Godzilla §:-))

Sometimes, it just come along my way those simple & crazy shadows.

I love yours too. Onaka ga suita. Is this right? He he... just trying.

Hug on SSS...
We'd try the bean filling....but we know we'd love the custard!!
We're with you - the head would be first to get that custard!!
Enjoy your weekend!
Marlene said…
Definitely Custard and Definitely head first. What a neat dessert and what great pictures.
Poetic Artist said…
What a wonderful looking dessert.
Custard and the photos are great.
Thanks, for another reason to visit Japan..
Katelen
Hey Harriet said…
Very sweet shadows shots! I'd eat the head first and would prefer the custard filling. Although I do like red bean paste also. Maybe I could be a piggy and have one of each? :)
Dianne said…
I'm fascinated by the giant bolts! I'm odd I know but little details always delight me
Raven said…
I love learning about things that are new to me. These sound yummy. Cool shots.
Catherine said…
great movement and cooking shots..
ZenDotStudio said…
great shots, great story but something in me wants to see that finished waffle all crispy and fishy looking on the outside.

I vote for biting the poor little fishy's head off and gobbling down the custard. Yum, I'm hungry just thinking about it. What fun!
I would choose custard and eat the head first. These are fascinating shots and information.
whizkid said…
yum shots...making me a wee bit hungry too. If i ever get to eat it, its going to be head first!

:)
GalleryJuana said…
He...He... it looks like we're all custard fans and going at it head first! I am surprised to find out that some of you have tried azuki bean paste.

hey Harriet, you could have both and I wouldn't consider it being piggish:)
Always fun to see what is going on over there.
Beautiful shadow shot. Not only beautiful, but sounds mighty tasty. I think I would like the custard the best. Happy SSS.
Amalou said…
What lovely photos. So appetising too. Hmmm.. now what's for my dinner?
Dorte said…
Very interesting set of shots ...
Unknown said…
such interesting things over there!

hmmm..i'd probably go for the tail first, cause i tend to like more of the..i guess "shell" than filling in desserts like that.

cool shadow.
Chris Stone said…
That sounds great!
Anonymous said…
Oooo I want red bean paste waffles!
Robert said…
This is cool, I loved this thing!
Dave said…
Thanks for this post, I came to know about a lot of things!
Robb said…
Cool! I liked it.
Robert Joe said…
Thanks for the post, I appreciate you posting it here.

Popular posts from this blog

bird watching and staying home for the summer

Usually summer means several bicycle-camping trips, but with COVID19 still around, we are staying home. In the meantime, I have been pretty productive with my 100 Self Portraits project. Watching the birds that come to the bird feeders has been my daily dose of joy. fledgling House Finch  Chestnut- backed Chickadee Dark-Eyed Oregon Junco Usually summer means several bicycle-camping trips, but with COVID19 still around, we are staying home. In the meantime, I have been pretty productive with my 100 Self Portraits project. Watching the birds that come to the bird feeders has been my daily dose of joy. View my art blog here: https://www.juanaalmaguer.com I have my art works available here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/galleryjuana

Blue-eyed Siamese Cat flies to Japan

Today was filled with my art and time with Sputnik. She was bathing herself which gave me the chance to catch a photo of her. I actually adopted Sputnik as a kitten in 1998 when I was living in Mexico. She made the long trip with me to Japan on July 25, 2004. It took me about 6 months to plan the logistics of bringing her from Mexico to Japan. Since I had to fly via the U.S. on Mexicana Airlines and Korean Airlines, that meant 4 countries and two airlines would need to approve her transport. There were many details to keep track of for each country and airline. After 6 months of stressful planning, 16 hours of two airline flights and layovers, She made it to Japan safely! Korean Air allowed her to fly with me as my carry-on luggage, which was a relief for me. No worrying about whether she was scared or left at the Los Angeles airport! I didn't give her any tranquilizer to sedate her. Yet, she was quiet the entire flight and went unnoticed by other passengers. I h

Cat Drawing, Sunday Sketches

Sputnik, February 05, 2011, pencil on paper While Sputnik was getting ready to curl up on her bed, I drew this quick sketch of her. To view more sketches, hop over to Sophia's blog .