The pan is used over a gas burner, electric stove or comes as an electric version with a built-in heating element. The cook pours a thin batter into the molds, adds fillings like diced octopus, green onion, and pickled ginger. Then they use skewers or chopsticks to rotate the batter as it cooks, forming a crispy, golden-brown sphere.
Takoyaki holds a special place in Osaka because it was invented there! It was created in 1935 by a man named Tomekichi Endo. He was inspired by a famous snack from Hyougo Prefecture called akashiyaki, a soft eggier octopus dumpling. He combined characteristics from that dish with another called choboyaki, which was flat and included meats and veggies. The inspiration sparked Endo's creativity and takoyaki was born. Ever since its creation, thousands of people's hunger has been satisfied.
During World War Two, when Japanese individuals were struggling, takoyaki was a cheap street food that many could find to help them through the war and survive with good food. The takoyaki flour used was a cheap ingrediant during that time, making it highly valuable to many during times of need.
