IT is with no doubt that Cebuanos love Japanese dishes! Cebuanos were delighted as Osaka Takoyaki opened in SM City Cebu last March 10.
Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion. Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi). There are many variations to the takoyaki recipe, for example, ponzu (soy sauce with dashi and citrus vinegar), goma-dare (sesame-and-vinegar sauce) or vinegared dashi.
Takoyaki was first popularized in Osaka, where a street vendor named Tomekichi Endo is credited with its invention in 1935. Takoyaki was inspired by akashiyaki, a small round dumpling from the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture made of an egg-rich batter and octopus. Takoyaki was initially popular in the Kansai region, and later spread to the Kanto region and other areas of Japan.
The branch in SM City Cebu comes with fully furnished minimalist interiors, giving comfort and convenience to customers. Cebuanos can try a wide variety of takoyaki that are definitely a must-try.
Osaka Takoyaki is located on the third level, main mall of SM City Cebu. Also visit its branches in SM City Consolacion and SM Seaside City Cebu. (PR)