Takoyaki Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Takoyaki
A boat of takoyaki
Course	Snack or Appetizer
Place of origin	Japan
Region or state	Osaka
Main ingredients	Batter, octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, green onion, takoyaki sauce (with mayonnaise), green laver (aonori)
Variations	Taiwanese cuisine

Ready-to-eat takoyaki.

Takoyaki (which means "fried octopus") is a super popular ball-shaped Japanese snack. Imagine a savory pancake, but shaped like a ball! It's cooked in a special pan with round holes.

This yummy treat is a specialty from the cities of Osaka and Kyoto in Japan. People there often eat Takoyaki as a quick snack.

Many families in Osaka and Kyoto even have their own special Takoyaki cooker at home because they love to make and eat it so often!

The Story of Takoyaki
How to Make Takoyaki
Takoyaki in Space
Images for kids
See also

The Story of Takoyaki

Takoyaki was first made in Osaka, Japan, way back in 1935. A person named Tomekichi Endo invented this tasty snack.

It's usually made with a mix of flour and small pieces of cooked octopus.

How to Make Takoyaki

A takoyaki pan.

Making Takoyaki is a fun process! Here are the steps:

First, you mix flour, egg, and water to create a special batter. It's important that this batter is not too thick or too watery.
Next, you pour the batter into the round holes of a takoyaki pan.
Then, you add a small piece of cooked octopus into each hole. You also add pickled ginger and tenkasu (which are crunchy bits of deep-fried flour dough).
As the batter cooks, you use a special pick to turn the dough. This helps it form into a perfect ball shape.
Finally, once the Takoyaki balls are cooked, you top them with delicious takoyaki sauce. You also add katsuobushi (thin flakes of dried fish) and aonori (green seaweed powder).