From *tako*, meaning octopus, and *yaki*, meaning grilled, *takoyaki* are a savory seafood dumpling hailing from Osaka, Japan.


Crispy Takoyaki Recipe: 4 Tips for Making Takoyaki 

*Takoyaki* is a round, fried Japanese street food filled with pieces of grilled octopus. *Takoyaki* balls are made from a batter of wheat flour and [dashi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained) stock, similar to [okonomiyaki](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/okonomiyaki-recipe), and cooked in a custom cast-iron pan that gives them their signature shape. Each ball contains a piece or two of cooked octopus, crunchy tempura scraps (*tenkasu*), green onions, and *beni shoga* (pickled red ginger). 

Traditional *takoyaki* are served either on a skewer or piled into a takeaway container, with various toppings and garnishes, including *aonori* (dried, powdered <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"seaweed","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>seaweed</a>), *katsuobushi* (dried bonito flakes), Japanese mayonnaise, and a salty-sweet takoyaki sauce.

Making a good batch of *takoyaki* takes practice, and before long, you will develop a technique that works for you. In the meantime: 

1. __Use the right pan__. Using a *takoyaki* pan can help you achieve perfectly round octopus balls. (If you can’t find a cast-iron *takoyaki* pan, a cake pop maker or pan intended for Danish *aebleskiver* will also give you that perfect ball shape.) Electric *takoyaki* makers, like waffle irons, are also popular. 
2. __Use enough oil__. Incorporating enough fat is crucial to a golden, crispy crust. Coat all of the pan’s wells with oil: There should be a small pool of oil at the bottom of each well. That way, when the batter hits the hot pan, it will push the oil up the sides of the well for an even fry. 
3. __Use pre-cooked octopus__. You can prepare and boil fresh octopus for a batch of *takoyaki*, or you can save some time and purchase pre-cooked octopus, which you can find in most Asian grocery stores. 
4. __Use the right sauce__. Like *okonomiyaki* sauce, you can find pre-made *takoyaki* sauce in most Asian grocery stores or online (often by the same brand). If you’re having trouble finding it, salty-sweet *tonkatsu* sauce is a close substitute—as is a homemade mixture of [Worcestershire sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe) with a bit of ketchup. The goal is a sauce with rich [umami](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking) flavor to highlight the octopus and dashi in the dumplings and bright enough to complement all that fried dough. 

From *tako*, meaning octopus, and *yaki*, meaning grilled, *takoyaki* are a savory seafood dumpling hailing from Osaka, Japan.

Takoyaki is a round, fried Japanese street food filled with pieces of grilled octopus. Takoyaki balls are made from a batter of wheat flour and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained","linkCopy":"dashi","category":null}'>dashi</a> stock, similar to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/okonomiyaki-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/okonomiyaki-recipe","linkCopy":"okonomiyaki","category":null}'>okonomiyaki</a>, and cooked in a custom cast-iron pan that gives them their signature shape. Each ball contains a piece or two of cooked octopus, crunchy tempura scraps (tenkasu), green onions, and beni shoga (pickled red ginger). Traditional takoyaki are served either on a skewer or piled into a takeaway container, with various toppings and garnishes, including aonori (dried, powdered <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"seaweed","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>seaweed</a>), katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), Japanese mayonnaise, and a salty-sweet takoyaki sauce.

What Is Takoyaki?

Making a good batch of takoyaki takes practice, and before long, you will develop a technique that works for you. In the meantime: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use the right pan. Using a takoyaki pan can help you achieve perfectly round octopus balls. (If you can’t find a cast-iron takoyaki pan, a cake pop maker or pan intended for Danish aebleskiver will also give you that perfect ball shape.) Electric takoyaki makers, like waffle irons, are also popular. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Use enough oil. Incorporating enough fat is crucial to a golden, crispy crust. Coat all of the pan’s wells with oil: There should be a small pool of oil at the bottom of each well. That way, when the batter hits the hot pan, it will push the oil up the sides of the well for an even fry. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Use pre-cooked octopus. You can prepare and boil fresh octopus for a batch of takoyaki, or you can save some time and purchase pre-cooked octopus, which you can find in most Asian grocery stores. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Use the right sauce. Like okonomiyaki sauce, you can find pre-made takoyaki sauce in most Asian grocery stores or online (often by the same brand). If you’re having trouble finding it, salty-sweet tonkatsu sauce is a close substitute—as is a homemade mixture of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"Worcestershire sauce","category":null}'>Worcestershire sauce</a> with a bit of ketchup. The goal is a sauce with rich <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking","linkCopy":"umami","category":null}'>umami</a> flavor to highlight the octopus and dashi in the dumplings and bright enough to complement all that fried dough. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Takoyaki

Crispy Takoyaki Recipe

From tako, meaning octopus, and yaki, meaning grilled, takoyaki are a savory seafood dumpling hailing from Osaka, Japan.

From tako, meaning octopus, and yaki, meaning grilled, takoyaki are a savory seafood dumpling hailing from Osaka, Japan.
