Fish-shaped pastry facts for kids
A tasty pastry shaped like a fish!
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| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Main ingredients | Red bean paste |
| Variations | Taiyaki, bungeoppang |
Fish-shaped pastry is a yummy treat from Japan. It's a type of pastry shaped like a fish, usually a bream or Asian carp. The most famous one is called Taiyaki.
These pastries are often filled with sweet red bean paste. But you can also find them with other delicious fillings like custard or chocolate.
This special pastry came from another Japanese treat called Imagawayaki. Fish-shaped pastries are also very popular in other countries in East Asia. For example, in South Korea, it's known as bungeoppang.
Contents
What is Taiyaki?
Taiyaki is a popular Japanese cake that looks like a fish. The name "Taiyaki" comes from "tai," which is the Japanese word for bream (a type of fish), and "yaki," which means baked or grilled.
How is Taiyaki Made?
Taiyaki is made using a special waffle-like batter. This batter is poured into fish-shaped molds. Then, a filling is added, usually sweet red bean paste. After that, more batter is poured on top, and the mold is closed. The pastry is cooked until it's golden brown and crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.
Popular Fillings
While red bean paste is the classic filling, many other options are popular today:
- Custard: A creamy, sweet filling.
- Chocolate: Melted chocolate, a favorite for many kids!
- Cheese: A savory option for those who prefer less sweetness.
- Sweet potato: A soft, sweet paste made from sweet potatoes.
Where Can You Find Taiyaki?
You can often find Taiyaki sold by street vendors at festivals, in supermarkets, and at special Taiyaki shops across Japan. It's a popular snack, especially during cooler weather.
History of Fish-Shaped Pastries
The idea for Taiyaki came from a similar round pastry called Imagawayaki. Imagawayaki has been around since the Edo period (1603-1868) in Japan.
Taiyaki itself first appeared in Japan around 1908. It was created in Tokyo. The fish shape was chosen because "tai" (bream) is considered a lucky fish in Japan. It was also a more expensive fish, so making a pastry shaped like it made it feel special and fancy for everyone to enjoy.
Fish-Shaped Pastries Around Asia
Fish-shaped pastries are not just popular in Japan. Other countries have their own versions:
Bungeoppang in South Korea
In South Korea, a very similar pastry is called Bungeoppang. "Bungeo" means carp (another type of fish), and "ppang" means bread. It's made in the same way as Taiyaki, using fish-shaped molds and often filled with red bean paste. You can find Bungeoppang sold by street vendors all over South Korea, especially in winter.
Images for kids
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A bream, the fish that inspired the shape of Taiyaki.
See also
In Spanish: Taiyaki para niños
 | Delilah Pierce |
 | Gordon Parks |
 | Augusta Savage |
 | Charles Ethan Porter |
