たこ焼きマップTakoyaki Journey When you hear about the seasoning of takoyaki, what comes to mind first? Many people are likely to answer ‘sauce.’ However, during the creation of a takoyaki map, I had the opportunity to interview numerous takoyaki vendors and it became apparent that, aside from sauce, each shop takes pride in various seasonings.
In this column, I will summarize the different seasonings for takoyaki, including the famous sauce. Please read on to discover more!
Sauce
Of course, the classic choice is sauce. Its perfect compatibility with not only takoyaki but also other flour-based dishes like okonomiyaki is unquestionable. However, even though we say ‘sauce,’ there are differences between each shop. Here, I would like to highlight Tako Yasu ‘Original Sauce’ and Bianca’s Ribbon ‘Oyster Sauce.’
Tako Yasu’s ‘Original Sauce’ is mentioned in the takoyaki map article, and it’s a product of dedicated efforts, developed with strong commitment over a year and a half in collaboration with a sauce-making company! Tako Yasu’s takoyaki is delightfully crispy, preserving the inherent deliciousness of takoyaki without overpowering it, offering a perfect and subtle flavor. You can easily devour eight generously-sized takoyaki balls✨this Original Sauce is available for purchase at the store (500Yen per bottle). If you’re curious, I highly recommend visiting Tako Yasu. It’s also a great idea to use this Original Sauce when making takoyaki at home.
Next up, Bianca’s Ribbon ‘Doro Sauce’ is true to its name, featuring a distinctive thick and gooey texture. Its color is richer compared to regular sauce, and as expected, the taste is also on the intense side! I visited during lunchtime and had takoyaki from Bianca’s Ribbon with this oyster sauce. satisfaction overload, to say the least.
Even from the photos, you can feel the ‘gooey’ texture✨
Please take a look at Bianca’s Ribbon homepage!
Salt
You can enjoy this at MOKUBA, Kirakudo, and Bianca’s Ribbon. Having takoyaki seasoned only with salt not only makes it light and easy to eat, but it also allows you to appreciate the texture of the octopus and the authentic flavor of flour-based dishes more than when seasoned with sauce. Personally, I think it would also make a great snack to accompany booze.
Ponzu
You can enjoy this at MOKUBA, Bianca no Ribbon, Kirakudo, and Tako Yasu. you can enjoy takoyaki with ponzu sauce. Similar to salt, ponzu sauce makes the takoyaki light and easy to eat. For those who enjoy a ‘Japanese-style’ flavor, I recommend trying it with ponzu sauce rather than salt. The aftertaste is so refreshing, making it very palatable! Additionally, many takoyaki shops offer the option of choosing ponzu sauce, so it might be interesting to compare between sauce and ponzu.
Summary
We’ve summarized toppings for takoyaki with sauce, salt, and ponzu sauce. Especially with sauce, many shops have their unique touches, allowing you to appreciate the differences between each establishment.
In addition to these seasonings, you may also find options like enjoying them plain or with toppings like green onions, and these variations can vary from shop to shop as well. When enjoying takoyaki at home, you can enhance your takoyaki experience with these seasonings! Please give them a try.
↓Japanese Ver.
