Tokyo Belly: たい焼き

Showing posts with label たい焼き. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

NAKANO: Fure-Tei... Japanese pancake/donut style junk food for the kids.

Before wandering to the wonderful world of small shops and a cool variety of tiny restaurant/bars that is Nakano you will notice Fure-Tei at the entrance of the Shotengai (open shopping mall/street). I've always seen a line at this spot even during the few times I've visited Nakano.

Seems a few popular stars have stopped by for some sweets.

They have the traditional red bean filling but beyond that there is chocolate, custard creme, apple, mayo sausage, creme cheese etc... It was definitely geared towards a younger crowd.

I went for the limited special Chocolate Cream filling for 120yen.

And there it is... stamped with a heart... Perhaps because it was White Day today.

Hmm... It won't impress you as my favorite Imakawa-Yaki Shop in Azabu Juban that beats this hands down in both flavor and texture but I guess its something kids would enjoy. The batter was as soft as a pancake and the chocolate filling as creamy as pudding.

I won't be back but it just caught my eye and had to give it a try.

Shop: Fure-Tei

Shop Website: http://www.heart-beat-nakano.com/shop/s48/48084.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131902/13050583/

Address J: 東京都中野区中野5-63-3

Address E: Tokyo, Nakano-ku, Nakano 5-63-3
MAP:

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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

YOTSUYA: Taiyaki Wakaba... about a 15minute wait for traditional sweet azuki Taiyaki's

After shopping at my favorite Monday supermarket Maruei for 105yen vegetable/chicken specials I noticed a line down the street from the market.

Taiyaki Wakaba... like was about 10 deep and most customers from salarymen to older oba-chans were ordering 15+ fish taiyaki's.

Outside you can pickup some sweet red azuki bean paste seems to be filled with lots of vitamins.

2 guys make the fish shaped Taiyaki's with individual metal holders, a little old lady cuts the burnt outsides with scissors and one older guy handles the register. There are 2 types of Taiyaki shops in Japan... HIIRAGI TAIYAKI in Ebisu that uses a large pan with multiple fish impressions and those that use one metal gear to make them individually... think the latter is more of a traditional style.

Seating in the interior.

And there it is... each only 140yen.

The outside dough has a very nice chewy texture. The beans are unusually sweet compared to other Taiyaki shops in Tokyo... so I highly suggest...

...having a seat inside and pouring a little cup of free...

...Japanese green tea! Was a perfect fit that balanced out the very sweet beans.

Had a second cup of Green Tea~.

If you are in Yotsuya give this little place a try. It seems to have been around for quite some time and a little piece of Japanese history for only 140yen.

Looks like we are getting some brand new green grass at Yotsuya Station...

Shop: Taiyaki Wakaba

Very Old Skool Shop Website: http://www.246.ne.jp/~i-ozawa/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13000848/

Address J: 東京都新宿区若葉1-10 小沢ビル１Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Wakaba 1-10
MAP: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13000848/dtlmap/

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

AZABU JUBAN: Tsukishima-Ya Imakawa-Yaki Japanese azuki bean pancake style donuts~.

When I think about Japanese treats Mochi always comes to mind... hmm. Anyways there is an amazing little shop in Azabu Juban that serves round Taiyaki (is this the correct term for a round one?) or at this shop they are called Imakawa-Yaki. Filled with just enough azuki bean paste but whats really special about this Taiyaki is whats around the beans. The texture is kinda like a very thick pancake with a chewy outside and thick/moist inside... detect a hint of brown sugar in there thats unique to this shop. I eat Taiyaki on a weekly basis but this is absolutely the best.

If you don't speak Japanese just use your fingers to signal 1 or 2... he'll know you want the basic Imakawa-Yaki... but there are other fillings too (Cheese, custard cream) you can give you Japanese a try when ordering. Only 130yen a piece... give it a go.