Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Sonezaki

eenomsiki

What is different about Japanese fish-shaped bun shops? In Japan, the home of the fish-shaped bun, its status appears slightly different from that in Korea. In Korea, street stalls selling fish-shaped buns briefly appear each winter, but in Japan, fish-shaped bun shops are established stores that seem responsible for providing snacks to citizens all year round. The fish-shaped bun, known as 'Taiyaki' in Japan, translates to a 'Sea Bream Bun' in Korea, where sea bream is familiar as sashimi. Not being a carp but a sea bream seems to elevate the food's status slightly, and indeed, Taiyaki, priced around 200 yen each, adopts a premiumization strategy among street foods. The hygienic environment as much as the high price, the quality of the batter, and the filling is quite good, and various variations can be found like at dessert cafes. The red bean paste of this place's Taiyaki was impressive from the first bite, and looking into it, there was a reason in the ingredients. Emphasizing 'natural Taiyaki,' the menu is divided into four major options: the red bean paste is made with high-quality beans sourced from Hokkaido, sweet potato paste also generously uses selected local ingredients, and custard cream uses Madagascar vanilla beans, making it popular as a dessert. All these fish-shaped buns are baked over direct fire for a short time, adding a crisp texture while preserving the aroma of the filling, fitting the taste of not only locals but also Koreans. While Taiyaki itself provides enough reason to visit, comparing it with Korean fish-shaped bun culture also adds enjoyment. If you plan to visit Japan, not just Osaka, we recommend stopping by a Taiyaki shop.