Takoyaki
Takoyaki is Osaka's representative fast food that can be bought at a food stall and easily eaten on a street corner. It has a surprisingly short history, and it is said that the number of stores began to increase in the town in the 1950s. At that time, large quantities of octopus were caught in Osaka Bay, so it may be said that this is a typical Osaka food that uses the octopus without wasting it. There are various theories about who invented it, but it is said that its roots lie in ``Choboyaki'' and ``Radio Yaki,'' which were popular from the Taisho to Showa periods.
Choboyaki is a type of takoyaki made by pouring flour dissolved in water onto a copper plate or iron plate with semicircular depressions, reminiscent of today's takoyaki pots, and then adding red ginger, konjac, green onions, and soy sauce before baking. They were probably sold at candy stores and served as treats for children. Taking this as a hint, takoyaki was created by mixing flour with dashi instead of water and adding octopus, and evolved into something that even adults can easily eat.
The taste varies depending on the dough, seasoning, and degree of baking, making it a simple yet profound dish. The style of eating it with sauce, mayonnaise, green seaweed, and bonito flakes is said to have been influenced by postwar okonomiyaki.
I never get tired of watching the guy at the stall wearing a headband turn the balls over with an awl to make them into balls. He uses a toothpick to point at the takoyaki lined up on a bamboo boat and enjoys them piping hot. Takoyaki is said to be delicious when it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
In Osaka, people make takoyaki at home, so much so that it is said to be true, like an urban legend, that every household has one takoyaki maker.
By the way, ``Akashiyaki'', which originated in the neighboring city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, is served with soft takoyaki-like pieces lined up on a wooden plate on a cutting board. It is eaten by dipping it in a soup-like soup stock and is called ``tamagoyaki'' in Akashi.
Other recommended gourmet foods
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paper potThe mysterious paper pot also originated in Osaka. Anyone would be surprised to hear that you can set paper on fire.
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