In the course of my (still ongoing) literature review of anime blogging about Kanon, I finally realized that my search parameters in The Hunt for Taiyaki in London was far too narrow, as I was on the lookout for the hot, freshly made taiyaki from a bakery. No joy, of course. There are plenty of Japanese living in London and plenty of shops that sell Japanese groceries but they don’t sell the type that Ayu eats-and-runs.
Clued in by Hinano’s Taiyaki Chronicles, I switched to searching for the packed type. And found it at (where else?) Japan Centre, Piccadilly.
On actually eating the pastry fishies, there are two major considerations. The first is heating them up. The packaging suggests microwave at 500-600W for 1 minute 20 seconds for one or 2 minutes 10 seconds for two. An alternative method was to stick one into the toaster. The former method really warmed up the red bean guts of the fish but the underside in contact with the plate became a tad soggy due to steam condensation. The latter method produced a pleasantly toasty exterior but the insides weren’t as nicely warm as the nuclearator method. Being the sort of person who wants the best of both worlds, my next experiment will involve nuking one taiyaki first and then toasting it and vice versa for the other. And to use a wire rack for the microwave stage instead of a plate to avoid condensation issues.
The second consideration is the Osaka Question. No, not elevator/escalator. I ate my taiyaki from the head rather than the tail. It just doesn’t feel right to eat it from the tail, even though that’s what I do for steamed fish - the head is the best part that everyone leaves for last to fight over.
And just as Sia reminds me of the goodness of nattou-okra (fermented beans and lady’s fingers) and Mai Tokiha stirs my cravings for ramen and ummm… dairy production, Ayu is now my designated anime patron saint of taiyaki; I even found myself humming ‘Last Regrets’ when I was queuing up to pay for the taiyaki. LOL
It looks soggy, and so not delicious :o
You need to come back to Singapore. Takashimaya’s flooded with taiyaki =/
Haha that looks like the same one that I get at the korean store :D
What I found out that using the oven for about 15 min on 450 degrees gets them just right :D
Lenners, yeah that was the microwaved one. :( The toaster one looked much better.
Tsubaki, it will be great if Umehiko can also cosplay as Ayu with taiyaki at Taka. LOL
Hinano, thanks for the tip! Do you need to turn the taiyaki?
I usually don’t need to. I just leave it be and it seems to cook fine.
Btw does yours only come in a pack of 2? Mine comes in like a pack of 6!
Time to check out my local stores. I’ve found red-bean dangos, but not taiyaki… yet.
Taka has taiyuki? Must TRY!
I haven’t gone to orchard for a while already, the crowd turns me off.
Even though the package may not mention it, turning the taiyaki at about 9 minute mark helps it warm up more evenly.
My wife and my son likes to eat the taiyaki from the tail, for it is crunchy and usually cools faster than other parts. The cooling is important for, as I have posted in Hinano’s blogsite, we make our own taiyaki with the mold we bought, and the batter we mix in our home. Believe me, no way any packaged taiyaki beats freshly homemade taiyaki, muhwahahahahaha!!!!! Cost much cheaper, too!! My son likes the taiyaki without the beans ( just the batter, thank you ). I sometimes put sunflowerseed butter or jam of the day on top of it just for the sake of making it taste different.
Hinano, thanks. Yeah, just packs of two. Just nice for me though. :)
Haesslich, good hunting! I initially only found dorayaki that the store girl cheekily suggested I could try to join up to make a fish. LOL
Impz, I haven’t been to Orchard for a while either. ;) Let me know if the taiyaki at taka (B2?) is any good.
wontaek, yeah - these kinds of things are always better hot and freshly made. Like hot cakes and waffles. Mmmm… waffles.
Zyl: It’s nothing special, really. It’s not too sweet, which is a plus for me. The green tea is a tad bitter, though.
The good ol Japan Center. Used to get all my mags from there 8 years ago. Every time I go back to the UK however I see less and less goods on sale. Are they going to close down soon?
DrmChsr0, ah it’s so nice to be able to have it fresh! Beats frozen anytime, uguu~~
Danny Choo, the variety is quite disappointing - they don’t even stock MEGAMI! :( But I think Japan Centre should be able to survive in the medium term - their restaurant and supermarket is usually quite busy. Less competition too - the Japanese book store and bakery near Oriental City have closed.
Zyl! You must take a holiday here in the New York area…I can lead you to many places that make, not only hot fresh Taiyaki, but also the great goddes Cream Oban…which leaves taiyaki in the dust, as far as I’m concerned. I mean, hot vanilla pudding inside big pancake-y dough impressed with Chinese zodiac characters? Can’t beat that with a stick.
Cheers,
Erica
Hungry for Yuri? Have some Okazu: http://okazu.blogspot.com
Hinano, I’ve tried the oven methods as you suggested and it was sooo much better. Thanks!
Erica, mmmm… cream oban sounds fantabulous!