Last update September 9, 2025

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Japanese Food - Tai Yaki -

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Tai Yaki たいやき Fish-Shaped Pancake Comprising two words, “Tai” (sea bream) and “Yaki” (baking), it may sound like a baked fish item. But it’s actually a pancake in the shape of a sea bream with a sweet ingredient inside. I’m not sure why it takes the shape of a sea bream (or fish), probably because the inventor thought it cool if there was a fish version of Imagawa Yaki (which is assumed to be its roots). So, here’s how it’s made. Bake wheat batter in a pair of fish-shaped iron moulds (for both sides of a fish) with the filling ingredient on top of the batter in either mould. Then, place both moulds together to complete the fish shape. As for the filling, there are other ingredients such as chocolate and pastry cream, in addition to An, the traditional one. A new species of Tai Yaki is also available recently. Called “Shiro Tai Yaki”, it’s a white cake with a soft and Mochi-like texture, and most importantly, it can be eaten deliciously even after it becomes cold. A typical Tai Yaki product. Frozen food Tai Yaki microwaved for eating. A typical Tai Yaki product. Frozen food Tai Yaki microwaved for eating.

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