SEISEKI SAKURAGAOKA: Takao-san Tengu-Yaki... the most AMAZING full black bean pancake thingy!!

I love these taiyaki things with azuki bean paste but this is on another level.  This one is filled with sweet black bean paste and full round black beans!  SOOOO YUM!!!

If you are ever lucky enough to run into this at a department store pop-up shop please buy one!

Only 140yen and soooo worth it!

Shop: Takaosan Tenguyaki

Website: http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/miyage/detail.php?q=miyage49f68eecef1c7

Keio Shopping Center:  http://www.keio-sc.jp/index.html

Address J: 東京都多摩市関戸1-10-1 京王聖蹟桜ヶ丘ショッピングセンター

Address E: Tokyo, Tama-shi, Sekido 1-10-1
MAP:  https://goo.gl/maps/fKhdhE31ifn

天狗焼, てんぐやき, 聖蹟桜ヶ丘, Japan, Japanese, foodie, sony rx100, yelp, tokyobelly, sweets, candy Tokyo,

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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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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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.

Chewy and almost cakey inside.

The owner and chef. 

Shop: Tsukishima-Ya

Shop J: 今川焼 月島家

Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130702/13007203/

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Azabu Juban 2-3-1 (Across from Starbucks).

Address J: 東京都港区麻布十番2-3-1

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/d12nJnhNf9bVSVpf7

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月島家 つきしまや, 和菓子、たい焼き・大判焼き、おにぎり, 麻布十番駅, Japan, Japanese,foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, sweets, pancake, azabu juban, 

EBISU: HIIRAGI Taiyaki (Azuki Bean treat)

If you are craving a non-convini treat then Taiyaki is a must. I'd have to say its like a chewy flat waffle with a sweet bean filling. HIIRAGI is always a favorite but the azuki beans are a bit sweeter than most. 137yen for 1 piece. Quietly eating my Taiyaki when a group of older ladies started ordering quite a few... seems they saw the shop on a TV show... you can hear them ordering on the video.

Shop: Hiragi Taiyaki
Location: JR Ebisu Station
Address J: 東京都渋谷区恵比寿1-4-1

Address E: Tokyo-To, Shibiya-Ku Ebisu 1-4-1.

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130302/13026096/
MAP:

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