Tomekichi Endo: The Untold Story of a Japanese Pioneer
Tomekichi Endo is said to be the inventor of takoyaki, when he was selling choboyaki from his street side shop. He experimented with different flavors, and at the time octopus was very cheap and readily available and so he ultimately came up with putting boiled octopus inside the batter balls.
The success allowed him to open his shop Aizuya and the balls became Osaka’s mascot.
Let’s look at the life of this amazing man and how he came to create one of the most popular street foods in Japan.
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Meet the Japanese Inventor of the Popular Street Food Item, Tomekichi Endo
Tomekichi Endo is a Japanese street vendor who is credited with the invention of the popular traditional dish called Takoyaki. He was born in Hyōgo in 1901 and initially worked as a vendor selling choboyaki, a rectangular griddle cake inspired by the Yorkshire pudding. However, Endo wanted to create a new food item that was easy to eat on the go and could be enjoyed during the hot summer months.
The Invention of Takoyaki
Endo’s experiment with different ingredients and cooking processes led to the creation of Takoyaki. He used a small cast iron pan with hemispherical molds to cook the batter evenly, resulting in a ball-shaped food item that resembled a bubble wrap or Lego dumpling. The heating process involved turning the Takoyaki balls using a skewer until they were evenly cooked. The base of the Takoyaki was uncooked, which made it easy to pull apart and eat.
The Process of Making Takoyaki
To make Takoyaki, the batter is poured into the hemispherical molds of a Takoyaki pan (best takoyaki pans reviewed here), which is typically electric or heavy cast iron. Small pieces of cooked octopus are then added to the center of each mold, along with other ingredients like green onions, ginger, and tempura scraps. The Takoyaki balls are then turned using a skewer until they are evenly cooked and coated with Takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise to facilitate the pulling apart and eating process.
The Legacy of Tomekichi Endo
Endo’s invention of Takoyaki has heavily influenced Japanese street food culture and is now a beloved dish around the world. His initial experiment with combining different ingredients and cooking processes has resulted in a food item that is easy to eat on the go and pairs great with cold beer. The Takoyaki pan has also been incorporated into home cooking, with stovetop versions resembling the commercial electric or heavy cast iron pans used by street vendors. It is believed that Endo’s invention of Takoyaki has also heavily inspired other street food vendors to experiment with new food items and cooking processes.
The Delicious History of Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a traditional Japanese dish that has been around for centuries. It is a small, round, and simple dish that is made by cooking batter with octopus fillings and toppings. The dish is famous for its delicious taste and is popular all over Japan.
The Best Known Street Food
Takoyaki quickly became a staple in the Osaka region and was recognized as one of the best-known street foods in Japan. Endo opened his own store called Aizuya, which became famous for its delicious takoyaki. Today, there are many stores in Osaka that specialize in takoyaki, including Shin and Umeda.
The Gourmet Takoyaki
Takoyaki is not just limited to street food. It is also served in restaurants and is considered a gourmet dish. The dish is often topped with green onions and served with a variety of sauces. Takoyaki can also be found in supermarkets and convenience stores all over Japan.
Conclusion
Endo was a Japanese street vendor who invented the popular street food dish called Takoyaki. He was the first to experiment with different ingredients and cooking processes to create a new food item that was easy to eat and enjoyed hot summer months.
Takoyaki has become a popular street food in Japan and a favorite dish for cold beer.
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.