Described by some as the Japanese version of Thanksgiving and Halloween combined, Obon is the midsummer celebration of life, remembering those who have passed, and to show gratitude for the everyday gifts often taken for granted. While each region may celebrate Obon in its own distinctive way, one thing remains constant: the integral role of food in fostering a sense of togetherness and community.

At the heart of Obon festivities, takoyaki emerges as a culinary delight that encapsulates the spirit of this joyous occasion. Otherwise known as “octopus balls,” takoyaki is a unique creation that tantalizes taste buds with its savory and crispy exterior, revealing a warm and tender surprise within. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a true gastronomic delight and an essential part of the Obon experience.

Origin Of Takoyaki

It’s hard to imagine a Japanese festival without revelers walking the streets with hands full of takoyaki skewers, but it’s a relatively recent innovation. Takoyaki as we know it dates back to Osaka in the 1930s, where it originated as a twist on akashiyaki, an egg-rich dumpling stuffed with chopped octopus. With time, more mix-ins joined the batter, such as konjac, chopped scallions, red pickled ginger, tempura flakes, all manner of seafood, and in more modern renditions, even chunks of cheese.

Takoyaki owes its distinctive taste and texture to its key ingredient, octopus, which is finely chopped and mixed with a batter made of flour, eggs, and dashi broth. Cooked in specially designed takoyaki pans with half-spherical molds, these bite-sized morsels emerge from the hot iron as perfectly golden spheres, creating an ideal contrast of crispy outside and soft yet chewy interior.

How to Make Vegan Takoyaki

If you’re sitting there thinking, “well, that doesn’t sound very vegan-friendly,” you’re right! It may seem like quite a task to remove all the animal products, but it’s a lot easier than you’d think. Shirataki noodles, made from glucomannan, which is fiber that comes from the konjac plant, has a unique bouncy texture that mimics the mouthfeel of cooked octopus surprisingly well. Black salt adds an eggy flavor to the batter, while miso incorporates a subtle umami taste.

For the sake of simplicity, sweet American BBQ sauce is a close dupe for Japanese takoyaki sauce, and a drizzle of creamy mayo is always invited to the party. Each bite encapsulates a harmonious medley of flavors, showcasing the savory batter and fillings, the sweet tanginess of the sauce, and the rich indulgence of the mayo.

Making Takoyaki at Home

There are special takoyaki pans you can buy, made for cooking over a hot grill or open fire, or more user-friendly electric models made for plug-and-play convenience. What I find striking is that few people make the connection between takoyaki and Danish aebleskiver pans. Designed precisely for making round griddled pancakes, they’re ideal for takoyaki, too.

Takoyaki holds a special place in the hearts of those who partake in Obon celebrations. As families and communities gather to honor their loved ones, the act of sharing takoyaki becomes a bonding experience, fostering a sense of togetherness and continuity. The sizzling of the batter as it hits hot takoyaki pans is part of the background music that brings the scene to life, like something out of a movie, but better. Food allows us to recreate that feeling anywhere in the world, which is what makes takoyaki so special, whether you can celebrate Obon in person or at home.

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Yield: Makes 50 - 60 Takoyaki

Vegan Takoyaki

Print

Replace octopus with shirataki noodles to create an incredible vegan version of this beloved street food! Savory little bites of griddled batter turn into hot, delicious pancakes in mere minutes.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Takoyaki:

• 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 Cup Chickpea Flour
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 Teaspoon Kala Namak (Black Salt)
• 4 Ounces (1/2 Package) Shirataki Noodles
• 2 Scallions, Thinly Sliced
• 1 Tablespoon Gari (Pink Pickled Ginger,) Minced
• 1/2 Cup Cremini Mushrooms, Minced
• 1/3 Cup Tenkasu (Tempura Bits) or Crispy Rice Cereal
• 2 Cups Vegetable Stock
• 2 Tablespoons White Miso Paste
• Neutral Oil, to Cook

Toppings:

• 2 Tablespoons BBQ Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Vegan Mayonnaise
• Shredded Nori, to Taste

Instructions

1. To make the takoyaki batter, start by mixing together the all purpose flour, chickpea flour, baking powder, baking soda, and black salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
   
   
2. Thoroughly drain the shirataki noodles and rinse under hot water. Chop them into very short pieces before adding them to the dry mixture, along with the scallions ginger, mushrooms, and tenkasu or rice cereal. Toss gently to coat all the mix-ins with flour, which will help prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
   
   
3. Separately, whisk together the vegetable stock and miso until well incorporated. Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl and fold with a wide spatula to combine. It should be fairly loose, much like pancake batter. Transfer to a pitcher or bowl with a spout to make pouring easier.
   
   
4. If using an electric takoyaki cooker, allow at least 10 minutes for it to preheat. If using a cast iron takoyaki pan, place over medium heat until it reaches about 400 degrees. Brush or spray the cavities very lightly with oil, to coat.
   
   
5. Pour the batter into the pan, bringing it right to the tops of the cavities and even overflowing slightly. It's okay if it's not perfectly neat at this stage. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the bottom of the batter is brown. Use chopsticks to break the pieces apart if there's any overflow connecting them, them poke around the edges to flip them upside down. Now the uncooked tops should be inside the pan.
   
   
6. Cook for another 5 - 6 minutes, until the opposite side is equally golden brown and crisp. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean, without any wet or raw batter clinging to it. Transfer the takoyaki to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.
   
   
7. Drizzle the BBQ sauce on top of the cooked takoyaki, followed by the vegan mayo. Sprinkle with nori, to taste, and serve right away, while hot.
   

Notes

Traditionally, the mix-ins are added as a filling while cooking the individual takoyaki, but I find it easier and better for more even distribution to mix them directly into the main batter.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Eden Foods, Organic, Genmai Miso, 12.1 oz (345 g)
• 
  Miracle Noodle, Organic Spaghetti Style Noodle, 7 oz (200 g)
• 
  gimMe, Sushi Nori, Seaweed Wraps , 0.81 oz (23 g)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

60

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 32Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 79mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.