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Takoyaki - Octopus Balls

A street-food treat from Osaka: hot little balls with a crispy skin and a soft centre. You'll need a special takoyaki pan.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 300 ml dashi broth
  • 1 egg
  • Cooked octopus, cut into cubes
  • Spring onion, pickled ginger (beni shoga)
  • Takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, nori

Method

  1. Mix the flour, dashi and egg into a thin batter.
  2. Heat and oil the takoyaki pan, pour in the batter and drop a piece of octopus, some spring onion and ginger into each hollow.
  3. Once the bottoms set, turn the balls 90° with a skewer, topping up with batter until they form spheres.
  4. Keep turning until they are evenly browned and round.
  5. Drizzle with sauce and mayonnaise, and sprinkle with bonito and nori. Careful - they are hot inside!
💡 Paweł’s tip: Don't rush the turning - wait until the bottom has set, otherwise the balls will fall apart.

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