In Japan, there is a fish-shaped waffle called “Taiyaki”.
It is made by baking batter containing flour, sugar and baking soda. The batter is poured into a fish-shaped mold on each side, and the filling is then put in between. The most common filling is sweet red bean paste. It is crunchy outside and chewy inside.
Taiyaki, which is now loved by all ages, has been loved for over 100 years.
Today we are going to show you a simple Taiyaki recipe.
A Must Item - Taiyaki Waffle Iron
In Japan, we have similar sweets to Taiyaki, such as Takoyaki and Imagawayaki. Taiyaki waffle iron, which is a fish-shaped mold, is a must item for making Taiyaki.
This time we used a cast iron mold. Cast iron has high intensity and conducts heat evenly. The one we used is user-friendly with an appropriate size for home use.
How to Make Taiyaki
Let’s make Taiyaki now!
Ingredients (for 4-5 pieces)
- (A)100g of flour
- (A)50cc of milk
- (A)80cc of water
- (A)1 tsp of sugar
- (A)1 tsp of baking soda
- (A) a pinch of salt
- Approx. 200g of red bean paste
Steps
1. Make the batter
Mix the ingredients marked with (A) above to make batter. It’s important to sift flour into a bowl first and add water and milk little by little. If you prefer it being crunchier with light texture, be careful not to knead the batter and fold the flour in a cutting motion using a whisk.
2. Divide the filling into portions
Divide the filling and shape each portion thin enough to fit in a fish-shaped waffle. Most people like Taiyaki with full of filling, but you can decide the amount.
3. Pour the batter into the mold
Apply a thin layer of oil to the mold, and pour the batter from the tail side so that the batter spreads to every corner.
4. Put the filling
Put the portions of filling in the middle of each waffle.
5. Add the batter to cover the filling
Add the batter to cover the filling and then close the waffle iron to bake it over middle heat for 5 minutes or so.
Cut the margin around the waffle to shape it beautifully.
Enjoy Making Taiyaki at Home with a Quick and Easy Recipe!
Taiyaki is a must snack for Japanese traditional temple festivals or events. Taiyaki imitates the shape of "Tai" (sea bream) , which is believed to bring a good luck as there is a blessing word "Omede-Tai" in Japan. This is why "Tai" is often eaten in celebrations and happy events.
How about having Taiyaki on celebrations or birthdays of your favorite people or when inviting guests on the Chinese New Year?
