Nah…don’t worry, this isn’t another post from my travels in Japan. In fact, this is about a little market stall selling snacky Japanese pancakes in our very own Melbourne! Just to refresh your memory, imagawayaki are small Japanese pancakes stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as red bean paste or custard. You can read about my imagawayaki love in Japan here.
I first heard about JS Taikayaki at the Mornington Racecourse Market over at Tori Eats. After tweeting my excitement, I recruited the likes of @ElegantGourmand and @essjayeff from essjayeats into a trip to check it out. As a side note, I was quite impressed with the market at Mornington. It was part craft market, part farmers market, part foodie market. Lots of interesting things to tempt the wallet (and waistline).
Anyway, here is the imagawayaki maker, doing things a little differently to what I saw in Japan. Yes, he is using a piping bag! But with a selection of both sweet and savoury imagawayaki, there is surely something to satisfy. Personally, the thought of a tuna imagawayaki just does my head in, so I’m pleased to report there is a good variety of the sweet stuff.
ElegantGourmand and I couldn’t resist the green tea and red bean imagawayaki, and @essjayeff chose strawberries and cream. Here they are in their little baggie, hot and crunchy from the grill.
And here is the drool shot. A fragrant maccha batter stuffed with honest-to-goodness sweetened red bean paste. Oishisoo!
OMG OMG OMG I can’t believe fresh taiyaki can be found in Melbourne. If only it was a bit closer. Any idea whether this van makes appearances anywhere else?
Jetsetting Joyce
Wow! They look absolutely delicious
Do you think they will be at the Flemington Market since its part of the Craft Market Australia too? http://www.craftmarkets.com.au/flemington.asp
I sooooo wanted to try these at the Flemington market but there were too many people in my way… plus i had about 1 kg of cupcakes in my hands
alas, it’s a MUST for next time!
Mmmm… is Taikayaki different to Takayaki?
I had these pancake things at Kyoto train station and I wasn’t such a fan.
However, the Takayaki that I had in Shibuya (Crispy fried sandwich), which is more like a waffle with a filling, was absolutely delicious!
I’ve never seen these before, but they look delicious..wonder if I can track some down here in Sydney-town?
Hi Joyce – well, Iron Chef Shellie (see above) says they are also at Flemington Markets! I’ve never been, so can’t verify that. But I think a trip to the next market is in order
Hey Anna – uh huh, they so are. You can’t beat squidgy red bean paste, or custard…or both!
Hiya Felicia- see comment from Iron Chef Shellie below you. I think the answer is YES!
G’day Iron Chef Shellie – oh, you are so very good for letting us know they are also at Flemington. But pray tell, 1kg of cupcakes?!!?
Hey Adski – they are same but different. The only difference is really the shape. I’ve had fish taiyaki that are softer, and ones that are crispy. I guess the thing is you need to eat them hot off the grill
Do you have a photo of the Shibuya one?
Hey Reemski – ask and your wish will come true
Yes! I tried one of these in Kyoto – here is a link to pic of the production line… filled with chestnuts…
http://www.kitka.com.au/japan/images/taikayaki.jpg
Hey Mellie, Haven’t gone through my photos yet, but here’s some photos of that same place on flickr http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=taiyaki+shibuya&m=text
I don’t think I need the taiyaki pan. I can just hop over to Flemington! Or make s trip to Mornington farmers. Never been.
I’ve asked some japanese friends and they suggested that this is more of a Dorayaki than a Taiyaki. Dorayaki is more of 2 japanese pancakes with red bean paste between…whereas Taiyaki is apparently always a crispy waffle/jaffle like sandwich shaped like a fish…. Mmmm….
Ok… my morning at work has been well spent. I have solved the mystery! These little gems are actually called Imagawayaki!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagawayaki
Here’s the Taiyaki place I went to http://www.the-taiyaki.com/
Sorry, I’ll stop boring everybody with my Taiyaki posts now.
What a find!! Must check out at Flemington one day.
OMG! Where is this? I have to go see this. I love Japanese Pancakes! I miss Japanese Pancakes! Must find this… Thanks!
Hey there Kitka – oooh yu,. Chestnuts are one of my all time favourite flavours. Those taiyaki would be awesome!
Hi Penny – aww, where is your kitchenalia spirit to accumulate unnecessary kitchen gadgets?!?
But you’re right – it’s a heck of a lot easier to get someone else to do it for you.
Hi Mc Baklover – me too, especially as it’s so close!
Hey Megan – you’ll find these Japanese pancakes at Flemington and Mornington markets.
And finally…Mr.Adski – good research skills! I actually looked back at my old post and realised I originally called them imagawayaki, as yes, taiyaki are most definitely fish-shaped. Mmm…either way, they are just so so good.
*food orgasm***
OMG OMG OMG…. *DROOLLLSSSSS* OMG OMG OMG
That looks fabulous, I am so going there in August!
Sweet!! I love these Japanese pancakes! Another plus to be at Melbourne!!
These look amazing! I have always planned to get to these markets when I’m down on the peninsula but never manage to get out of bed in time! Now I have an extra incentive I think I’ll make it
i have tasted this already! it’s a great quick breakfast or snack and goes very well with brewed coffee!
I’ve seen savoury versions before and tuna with corn and cheese doesn’t sound too bad – think of it like a toasted sandwich!
Ooh, it’s been awhile since I visited the craft markets down at flemington or mornington. Nice to see this addition! Time I head back then. I always do love the visits to the craft market. =)