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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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!
Japanese street food sweets at home
- 240 g sweet red bean paste (An)
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 1/2 tbs sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 large egg
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Divide the An to 6 x 40g each and shape them into a 10cm long cylinder with cling wrap and set aside.
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Sift the flour and baking powder in a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
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Mix all the wet ingredients together and pour it into the well of flour.
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Combine them but try not to overmix.
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Place some cling wrap over the bowl and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to rest the batter.
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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.
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Place a roll of sweet red bean paste in the centre and pour more batter (about 2 tbs) over the paste.
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Press the pan and cook each side for 3-5 minutes over low heat.
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When both sides have cooked, remove the Taiyaki carefully.
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Repeat the above process for the remaining batter and An.
Recipe Video
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.
Hello Shihoko,
Does this pan works on an electric top stove or should it be gas stove only ?
Thanks for every thing…
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.
Hi Shihoko,
I thought so too, I’ll buy a small propane camping stove !
Many thanks
I love taiyaki do much! I cant wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe 😊😊😊!
Hi Domi, you are welcome 😀
Every recipe is so creative.
Every blog entry is another new creation. Very good work!
Thank you Pablo 😀
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)
Ohhhh Thank you Anne 😀 I should try other ingredients too, thank you for the idea.
wonderful so creative!
thank you very much 🙂
thank you very much! 🙂
These are absolutely gorgeous and so fun!
Thank you Robin 😀
The story behind these pancakes is so sweet. You break down the instructions perfectly. Thank you
Thank you Kristen 😀
I will use guava paste and custard ! Can’t wait to try them.
Hi Marialu, that is very creative! Let me know how your Taiyaki turned out 😀