Before taiyaki took its shape, taiyaki was first imagawayaki, a warm round-shaped cake that is filled with sweet red bean paste.ĭuring the Meiji-era (1868 – 1912), tai (sea bream) was considered a highly prized fish and only eaten for special celebrations. You can trace its origin back to the Edo Period over 300 years ago. Tai means “sea bream” and yaki means “grilled/baked”.

History of Taiyaki: Why is Taiyaki Shaped Like a Fish? Each taiyaki cone is crafted to fill your Instagram feeds. You can customize your ice cream flavor-from matcha and black sesame swirl to chocolate-and finish with red bean filling, a wafer stick, and mini mochi. In the US, you can find Taiyaki NY, a specialty shop with a few locations in New York and a few other places that serve taiyaki as handheld ice cream cones and topped with soft-serve ice cream. In Tokyo, there is croissant taiyaki, where they combine croissant dough with tasty fillings. Most recently, trendy shops across the world have reimagined this traditional treat. In Japan, you can also find taiyaki shops that specialize in making pastries. It is a quintessential food at Japanese street fairs and festivals and is made in a fish-shaped iron mold resembling tai (red sea bream). More Japanese Street Snacks You’ll LoveĮasily recognizable by its whimsical fish-shaped, taiyaki (鯛焼き) is a waffle-style cake/snack filled with sweet red bean paste ( anko), and sometimes with other fillings such as custard, chocolate, Nutella, or cheese.History of Taiyaki: Why is Taiyaki Shaped Like a Fish?.

Red bean paste fish ice cream