Taiyaki 

The term “yaki” means pan-fried or cooked — as seen in words like okonomiyaki, teriyaki, yakiniku, and takoyaki — so taiyaki roughly translates to “pan-fried tai” (despite not containing any actual fish). 

Invented in the early 1900s, these snacks are made by pouring waffle batter into a special iron mold shaped like a tai fish. Once the batter is partially cooked, it is filled with various options – the most common being adzuki sweet red bean paste, but custard, chocolate, and savory fillings are also popular. It is then covered with more batter and cooked until golden brown.  

One variation of taiyaki features an open mouth, making it look like a fluffy ice cream cone and is often filled with ice cream. 

At Uwajimaya, you can find taiyaki molds, pre-made taiyaki, and all the ingredients you need to enjoy taiyaki at home.