Japanese Takoyaki with Pickled Ginger and Bonito Flakes

Name: Japanese Takoyaki with Pickled Ginger and Bonito Flakes
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Snack
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1 3/4 cups dashi stock; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup cooked octopus, diced; 2 tbsp pickled ginger, finely chopped; 2 tbsp green onion, finely chopped; Takoyaki sauce, to taste; Mayonnaise, to taste; 1/4 cup bonito flakes; 2 tbsp aonori (dried seaweed powder)

Savory Japanese Street Food Balls

A popular Japanese street food, Takoyaki are savory puff batter balls filled with octopus, and topped with pickled ginger and seasonings.

1 h 15 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Takoyaki Batter

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 3/4 cups dashi stock

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

For the Fillings

1/2 cup cooked octopus, diced

2 tbsp pickled ginger, finely chopped

2 tbsp green onion, finely chopped

For the Toppings

Takoyaki sauce, to taste

Mayonnaise, to taste

1/4 cup bonito flakes

2 tbsp aonori (dried seaweed powder)

Preparation

Preparing the Batter

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine flour and dashi stock slowly while whisking to prevent lumps.

Add Wet Ingredients

Add in the beaten eggs, soy sauce, and salt. Mix until smooth.

Rest the Batter

Let the batter rest for 15 minutes to thicken slightly.

Preparing the Fillings

Dice Octopus

Dice the cooked octopus into small, uniform pieces.

Chop Ginger and Onions

Chop the pickled ginger and green onions, setting each aside.

Prepare the Pan

Prepare the takoyaki pan by oiling each compartment lightly.

Cooking Process

Cooking Takoyaki

Heat the takoyaki pan on medium heat and pour the batter into the compartments filling them halfway. Add octopus, ginger, and green onions, then top up with more batter.

Turning the Takoyaki

Use a skewer or chopsticks to turn the balls carefully, cooking until golden brown and crisp.

Serving Preparation

Once cooked, remove from heat and arrange on a serving platter.

Plating & Serving