One of the most popular traditional desserts in Japan is a really cute little fish cake known as a taiyaki! Don't be fooled by its fishy exterior: taiyaki is only shaped to look like a fish, but it's filled with a yummy red bean curry paste. (Asahi) The name "taiyaki" literally translates to "baked sea bream", despite there being no fish in the treat. (Asahi) Taiyaki stands are a common sight in winter, as many people like to warm up with a hot, sweet treat! (Asahi)
Taiyaki was first baked a little over a century ago, and the recipe remains generally unchanged (but still extremely popular) today. (Asahi) While it was first sold in the Edo period, its first big rise in popularity came in 1976, when the kids' song Swim Tayaki-Kun became a hit, ultimately rising to become the top song in Japan, selling over 4.5 million records. (Asahi)
The pastry itself is very similar in taste, texture, and cooking procedure to a pancake, while the paste is merely red beans and sugar mashed up into a paste. (Asahi)
Links:
Taiyaki
Swim, Tayaki-Kun
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| Taiyaki filled with ice cream- there is actually a God, and He is benevolent |
Thank you for posting this; I have never had the pastry in question, but I am all about that red bean paste. Definitely a highlight when you are out for dim sum and get the fried rice balls with that as the center filling. Love love love.
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