Takoyaki（たこ焼き）
Takoyaki is a representative Japanese "B-kyu gourmet" (a term for affordable and delicious casual food), made by grilling a flour-based batter with octopus inside. It is especially well-known as the soul food of Osaka.
Features of Takoyaki
Round Shape: Takoyaki are cooked in a special griddle with hemispherical molds. They are turned and rotated, creating a perfectly round ball.
Ingredients: The main ingredients are chopped octopus, tenkasu (tempura scraps), pickled red ginger, and green onions.
Flavor: The batter is rich with dashi (Japanese soup stock), and the takoyaki has a unique texture that is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
How to Eat
Freshly grilled takoyaki are typically served in a small boat-shaped dish or a tray. They are usually topped with a special takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, green laver, and bonito flakes. Some shops offer different styles, such as one with a soy sauce and ponzu (citrus-based) sauce, similar to akashiyaki, or a "su-yaki" (plain grilled) version where you can enjoy the flavor of the batter itself.
History
The roots of takoyaki are said to be in "radio-yaki" and "akashiyaki," which were popular in Osaka during the Meiji period. The takoyaki we know today originated in 1935, when a shop called "Aizuya" in Osaka began selling a version of radio-yaki that included octopus and egg.
Today, takoyaki can be easily found at street stalls, specialty shops, and supermarkets all over Japan, and they are also gaining popularity overseas as a Japanese street food.
Aizuya (The original Takoyaki restaurant)
Aizuya, the shop credited with inventing takoyaki, has several locations, primarily in Osaka, but also in other parts of Japan. Their website and various travel guides list the following main branches:
Osaka Locations:
Main Store (Honten): Located in the Tamade area of Nishinari-ku. This is the original and most famous branch.
Namba Area Branches: They have multiple locations in and around the bustling Namba district, including:
NAMBA Nannan: An underground shopping arcade near Namba Station.
Namba Walk: Another underground shopping area.
Universal CityWalk Osaka: Located near Universal Studios Japan.
Tempozan Marketplace: Situated inside the marketplace near Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
Umeda Area Branches:
Umeda HEP NAVIO: A branch located in the HEP NAVIO shopping complex.
KITTE Osaka: A branch located in KITTE Osaka.
Other Osaka Locations:
LaLaport EXPOCITY
Tennoji Mio
Tenkachaya
Other Regions (Tokyo and Aichi):
Odaiba, Tokyo: Aizuya has a branch in the Odaiba Takoyaki Museum, located inside DECKS Tokyo Beach.
Anjo, Aichi: A branch in LaLaport Anjo.
These locations are often featured in travel guides and are well-known spots to try the original, sauce-less takoyaki that Aizuya is famous for.
B-kyu Gourmet （B-Class Gourmet・B級グルメ）
B-kyu Gourmet is a term for food that is not high-class but is known for being affordable, common, and delicious.
The "B-kyu" (B-class) part of the name originally comes from "B-movies," which are low-budget films. The term does not imply poor quality at all; in fact, the greatest appeal of B-kyu Gourmet is that you get more satisfaction than you pay for.
Main Characteristics of B-kyu Gourmet
Affordability: These dishes often use common ingredients and are easy to prepare, without the need for expensive, high-end foods.
Accessibility: They are dishes that have been enjoyed for a long time in homes and local communities, a part of daily life.
Regionality: Many B-kyu Gourmet dishes are regional specialties that highlight local ingredients and food culture, often serving as a key part of regional revitalization efforts.
Examples of B-kyu Gourmet
While popular foods like takoyaki, ramen, okonomiyaki, and curry rice are classic examples of B-kyu Gourmet, some particularly well-known regional examples include:
Fujinomiya Yakisoba (Shizuoka Prefecture): Known for its unique, chewy noodles and for being finished with a sprinkle of fish powder.
Yokote Yakisoba (Akita Prefecture): Characterized by thick, straight noodles and being topped with a soft-boiled fried egg.
Sasebo Burger (Nagasaki Prefecture): A general term for a variety of full-sized, custom-made hamburgers.
B-1 Grand Prix: This is a famous festival for "local B-kyu Gourmet," where many dishes from all over Japan are featured.
In recent years, B-kyu Gourmet has gained attention not just as "cheap and delicious food" but also as a significant element that contributes to regional revitalization and tourism promotion.