I Heart Takoyaki (a.k.a Octopus Balls)

Everytime I go to SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) I never missed going to the nearest Takoyaki shop to grab a six piece order.

The crew that serves at the stores knows me already since I am one of their regular customers.

Some people do not like the taste of Takoyaki. I guess I do not know as well as to why do I like it so much? But the first time was really a weird feeling.

What is it made of by the way?

Tako means octopus in Japanese, and takoyaki are known as octopus balls. Takoyaki venders are very popular in Japan. To make takoyaki, a grill pan for takoyaki is used. The pan has many small cups to pour the batter.

here is a recipe as well

Ingredients:

* 1 2/3 cup flour
* 2 1/2 cup dashi soup
* 2 eggs
* 1/2 lb. boiled octopus, cut into bite-size pieces
* 1/4 cup chopped green onion
* 1/4 cup dried sakura ebi (red shrimp)
* 1/4 cup chopped pickled red ginger
* *For toppings:
* fried bonito flakes
* aonori (green dried seaweed)
* Worcestershire sauce or takoyaki sauce
* mayonnaise

Preparation:
Mix flour, dashi soup, and eggs in a bowl to make batter. Thickness of the batter should be like potage soup. Put oil inside cups of a takoyaki grill pan. Pour batter into the cups to the full. Put octopus, red ginger, and green onion in each hole. Grill takoyaki balls, turning with a pick. When takoyaki become rounds and brown, remove them from the pan and place in a plate. Put sauce and mayonnaise on takoyaki and sprinkle bonito flakes and aonori on the top.
*makes 4 servings