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You are here: Home / Sweets & Breads / Taiyaki Japanese fish shaped waffle

February 13, 2018 By Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles 24 Comments

Taiyaki Japanese fish shaped waffle

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I shared this Taiyaki recipe for the first time last year for The Children’s day celebration. Since I had some sweet azuki bean paste left over from my anmitsu post, I decided to update the taiyaki recipe. The Children’s day is celebrated on the 5th of May to wish the healthy growth of the children in the family.

Taiyaki

Usually we celebrate the day with “Kashiwa Mochi” (rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves) and “Chimaki” (rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves). I wanted to make Kashiwa mochi but oak leaves are not available in Australia, so I decided to make Taiyaki instead. Because Taiyaki kind of resembles the Koi nobori (carp shaped streamers) that families raise up outside the house to wish the success for lives of the boys in the family.

Three taiyaki fish waffle served on an oval plate with a Japanese steel kettle and a cup of green tea

This is also my father’s favourite snack. There is always a food stall at the supermarkets’ or at the shopping centre entrance and also at every service station. My father gets into trouble by my mum because whenever we go to the shops, he keeps buying them even though he already has stock of Taiyaki in the freezer. He loves Taiyaki that much.

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a little bit like a waffle filled with sweet Azuki bean paste. It is said that a good taiyaki is one that has a thin crispy waffle outside and is completely filled with An (the sweet red bean paste) from head to tail. Some people are not big fans of sweet red bean paste, if you are one of those people,  the”An” can be replaced with custard cream or Nutella.

Taiyaki

I am also aware that many people do not have this special fish shaped pan to specifically make Taiyakis. I certainly did not have one and could not buy it in Australia so I bought it online and got it sent to Australia from Japan. You can get Taiyakipan on line.

three Taiyaki on an oval plate and one is break into half

I usually make 6 to 12 taiyaki and freeze them. Taiyaki needs to be wrapped individually with cling wrap then in a ziplock bag. It can be kept for a couple days in the fridge and two months in the freezer. I used commercially made azuki bean paste this time but they are a little too soft to handle. It is better to make my own azuki bean paste because you can control the texture thickness.

a taiyaki broke into half showing azuki bean paste in side

If you liked my recipe for Taiyaki, please rate it and leave a comment below. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Youtube, Pinterest, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest happenings on Chopstick Chronicles. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ChopstickChronicles so I can see your wonderful creations!

Three Taiyaki Japanese fish shaped waffle on baking paper with a cup of tea

Taiyaki

Japanese street food sweets at home
4.88 from 16 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: fish shaped waffle, Japanese fish shaped waffle, taiyaki, taiyaki recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: 133kcal
Author: Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles

Ingredients

  • 240 g sweet red bean paste (An)

Taiyaki Batter

  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1 1/2 tbs sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Divide the An to 6 x 40g each and shape them into a 10cm long cylinder with cling wrap and set aside.
  • Sift the flour and baking powder in a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
  • Mix all the wet ingredients together and pour it into the well of flour.
  • Combine them but try not to overmix.
  • Place some cling wrap over the bowl and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to rest the batter.
  • Heat the taiyaki pan over low-medium heat and pour about 2 tbs batter on on side of the pan. Pour the batter from the top edge so that the batter will dribble down to the bottom of the pan.
  • Place a roll of sweet red bean paste in the centre and pour more batter (about 2 tbs) over the paste. 
  • Press the pan and cook each side for 3-5 minutes over low heat.
  • When both sides have cooked, remove the Taiyaki carefully.
  • Repeat the above process for the remaining batter and An.

Video

Notes

You can use ready-made tinned red bean paste if you prefer.
Be careful when you remove the taiyaki because it is very hot. I used gloves called 'gunte'. They are a bit like gardener's gloves but made of thick cotton.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 218mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1.2% | Calcium: 9.5% | Iron: 6.8%
Tried this recipe?Mention @chopstickchronicles or tag #chopstickchronicles!

Filed Under: Sweets & Breads Tagged With: #Fish shaped waffle, #taiyaki, sweets

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nathacha says

    February 14, 2018 at 8:54 AM

    Hello Shihoko,
    Does this pan works on an electric top stove or should it be gas stove only ?
    Thanks for every thing…

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      February 17, 2018 at 7:38 AM

      Hi Nathacha, I have used on an electric top stove to but it does not contribute heat evenly well and was difficult to control the temperature too. I recommend to use it on gas stove.

      Reply
      • Nathacha says

        February 18, 2018 at 3:49 AM

        Hi Shihoko,
        I thought so too, I’ll buy a small propane camping stove !
        Many thanks

        Reply
  2. Domi says

    February 14, 2018 at 4:00 PM

    I love taiyaki do much! I cant wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe 😊😊😊!

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      February 16, 2018 at 7:46 PM

      Hi Domi, you are welcome 😀

      Reply
  3. Pablo Villagra says

    February 22, 2018 at 3:34 AM

    Every recipe is so creative.

    Every blog entry is another new creation. Very good work!

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      February 22, 2018 at 5:52 AM

      Thank you Pablo 😀

      Reply
  4. Anne C says

    February 22, 2018 at 4:53 AM

    Hi Shihoko, –
    I saw the fish mold before I knew what you cook in it and just had to get it anyway to make Hush Puppies for my grandkids when I make gumbo or fry fish, it works with the cornmeal batter really well. Thanks for the TRUE recipe that goes with it, we’ll try it this weekend! (Southwest Louisiana, cajun country)

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      February 22, 2018 at 5:52 AM

      Ohhhh Thank you Anne 😀 I should try other ingredients too, thank you for the idea.

      Reply
  5. pablo says

    March 18, 2018 at 5:53 AM

    wonderful so creative!

    Reply
    • Chopstick Chronicles says

      March 18, 2018 at 7:35 AM

      thank you very much 🙂

      Reply
    • Chopstick Chronicles says

      March 18, 2018 at 7:36 AM

      thank you very much! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Robin Gagnon says

    May 13, 2018 at 9:14 AM

    These are absolutely gorgeous and so fun!

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      May 13, 2018 at 6:35 PM

      Thank you Robin 😀

      Reply
  7. Kristen says

    May 13, 2018 at 9:47 AM

    The story behind these pancakes is so sweet. You break down the instructions perfectly. Thank you

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      May 13, 2018 at 6:35 PM

      Thank you Kristen 😀

      Reply
  8. Marialu says

    October 22, 2018 at 10:28 PM

    I will use guava paste and custard ! Can’t wait to try them.

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      October 22, 2018 at 10:36 PM

      Hi Marialu, that is very creative! Let me know how your Taiyaki turned out 😀

      Reply
  9. Alma says

    November 10, 2018 at 5:26 AM

    Hi, your recipe is the best I’ve come across. Thank you very much! Im wondering: my taiyaki seem to be crispy when I take them off, but by the time I’ve finished making them all, the first ones are all soft. Iam checking on them a lot to make sure they don’t burn. Is that why? Do you have a trick?

    Xx

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      November 10, 2018 at 5:56 AM

      Hi Alma, I am glad to know that you like it. In regard to get Taiyaki soten, it is normal 😀 it is because you are doing everything right. Even bue them from the shop in Japan, it gets soft.

      Reply
  10. Kurumj Alice says

    February 2, 2019 at 6:36 PM

    Hai shihoko..
    Why when I cook taiyaki does it always become immature if I cook it for a long time, it will burn, but the dough is still not cooked?…. Please give me advice

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      February 2, 2019 at 9:55 PM

      Hi Kurumj it may be because the temperature of your pan too high? Try cook it on low and cook it longer

      Reply
  11. Leisl says

    February 13, 2019 at 12:18 AM

    Hello shihoko
    Sorry to bother you but could you tell me if the taiyaki pan should be greased before pouring the mixture in?
    Thankyou very much for posting this! Been wanting to make these since forever and you explain everything so simply and so well. I’ve already learnt so much. Definite fan! 😊

    Reply
    • Shihoko | Chopstick Chronicles says

      February 13, 2019 at 9:31 PM

      Hi Leisl, Thank you for your comment and 5 stars ratings. I did not use oil because if the pan is too oily, the batter will run to the bottom of the pan so better not to use oil.

      Reply

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