Recipe: Taiyaki

Japanese Filled Waffles

Taiyaki, a delightful Japanese fish-shaped waffle filled with sweet red bean paste, embodies good luck and prosperity.  Found at the Kabuki-za, street vendors, and of course, at depachikas.  Try making it at home to experience a Taste of Tokyo.

Ingredients:

Batter

• 1¼ cup of flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 3 Tbsp sugar

• 1 large egg

• ¾ cup whole milk

Filling

• 8 Tbsp sweet red bean paste (anko)

For the Waffle Iron

• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

Prepare the Batter

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Add the egg and whole milk. Mix until the batter is smooth.

For optimal results, I recommend preparing the batter the night before. Cover and let rest in the fridge overnight. This allows the gluten to relax and the flour to fully absorb the liquid, resulting in a smoother batter.

Preheat Your Taiyaki Waffle Iron

Brush the taiyaki waffle iron with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.

Please refer to your specific waffle iron’s instructions for preheating and usage.

Fill the Mold

Pour the batter into the mold, filling it just over 50%. Place 1 tablespoon of sweet red bean paste in the center of the mold. Cover the filling with additional batter.

Cook the Waffles

Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffles are golden brown

Cooking time may vary depending on your waffle iron, check for doneness according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Serve

Enjoy your taiyaki waffles warm or at room temperature. They are best served fresh.

Notes

Alternative Fillings: Feel free to get creative with the fillings! Apart from the traditional sweet red bean paste (anko), you can try Nutella, vanilla custard, or any filling that suits your taste preferences.

•  Making Ahead: The batter can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Resting the batter (a minimum of 20 minutes) is crucial for developing the texture and flavor of the waffles.

•  Serving Suggestions: These waffles are versatile and can be served as a breakfast treat, dessert, or snack. Pair them with a cup of green tea for an authentic experience.

Enjoy creating these delightful taiyaki waffles and experiment with different fillings to discover your favorite combinations!

Links to buy ingredients

Some of these ingredients might be hard to find, so I’ve included some links to Amazon. You can click directly on the links below to buy them.

• Taiyaki Maker - Stove Top

• Taiyaki Maker - Electric

• Sweet Red Bean Paste -- Anko - Chunky

• Sweet Red Bean Paste -- Anko - Smooth

Please note that this post includes 4 affiliate links to Amazon. I've carefully selected these products because they're the same ones I trust and use in my own kitchen. When you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Ittadakimatsu!