Recently, we shared The touching story behind TaiyakiJapan’s beloved fish-shaped snack. imitate this The fish (sea bream), symbolizes good luck and prosperity in Japanese culture and continues to stand the test of time. While Naniwaya Sohonten in Azabu-juban was the first to sell red bean paste pancakes in the late Meiji period and remains the most famous specialty store today, there are many other taiyaki restaurants in Tokyo worth visiting.
Listed below are some of our favorite taiyaki restaurants in Tokyo. Keep in mind that some of these may require long queues. Also, be sure to bring cash as some may not accept credit card payments.
The Big Three of Tokyo Taiyaki
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As the originator of Taiyaki, Naniwa main store It is one of the most precious places in Azabu Juban. The shop’s first owner Seijiro Kobe modeled the now-famous snack on Imagawa ware From the Meiji period (a thick round pancake filled with red bean paste filling). While this famous shop often has long lines, its signature crispy and slightly sweet taiyaki makes the wait well worth it. Adzuki beans from Hokkaido are slow-cooked for eight hours to form a smooth, aromatic paste. This is the perfect warm treat to enjoy while window shopping.
Taiyaki Wakaba
Located near Shinjuku-dori Yotsuya Station. Taiyaki Wakaba Since 1953, this shop has been famous for its salty bean paste taiyaki. To achieve an addictive balance between sweet and salty, the shop cooks the bean paste the day before and then lets it sit overnight. Another satisfying feature of Wakaba Taiyaki is the bean paste that completely coats the tail. The best time to visit is in the morning, around 10 a.m.
Yanagiya Taiyaki
Founded in 1916, Willow House Located in Ningyocho, a famous entertainment district in the Edo period. The area has many historic restaurants and dessert shops. Yanagiya is committed to hand-making the red bean paste every morning and using it the same day to ensure a fresh red bean flavor. About 100 kilograms of red beans can be used to make about 1,500 taiyaki every day. The store is sold out every day. The owner personally selects coffee beans in Hokkaido every year. You can enjoy Yanagiya’s taiyaki on a bench in the street where the store is located.
Best Taiyaki in Asakusa
Asakusa Taiyaki Raku
If you’re a taiyaki lover or just looking for a fun activity, head to Asakusa and try making your own snack. Asakusa Taiyaki Rakuin addition to this reservation-based DIY experienceoffers Taiyaki with various fillings such as custard, matcha, spicy keema curry, etc. You can also enjoy seasonal flavors, including cherry blossom taiyaki in spring and chestnut taiyaki in autumn. The cafe has a tatami seating area for those who want to sit down and relax while enjoying taiyaki or shaved ice.
Taiyaki Sharaku
famous for Tiannian (Natural) Taiyaki, Sharaku Bake the taiyaki individually in an iron mold. The skin of the taiyaki is crispy and thin, and it is wrapped with red beans from Hokkaido from beginning to end. This shop is proud to say that it only has one type of classic Taiyaki, Adzuki beans (red bean) filling because it is confident in its quality. If you want a cold drink, the store sells a variety of milkshakes made with sweet red beans and other ingredients. soy Niigata’s (roasted soybean flour) and Uji’s matcha.
Best Taiyaki in Meguro
Matsuzaka Taiyaki
Matsuzaka Taiyaki It is a hidden gem among the architecture of Meguro Matsuzakayama. It comes in two delicious flavors: apricot red bean and apple panna cotta. The fruity ingredients add an unexpected but pleasantly tart flavor to the standard sweet filling. The closest station to the store is the New Line station, but it’s within walking distance from Shibuya Station. It’s across the street from the store drunkis a Japanese restaurant featured in the hit Netflix series lonely gourmet. Keep in mind that there are many slopes in the area, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk there.
Best Taiyaki in Kichijoji
Four
Located in quiet neighborhood Kichijoji In Harmonica Yokocho, Four Taiyaki has a unique cooking method; brown sugar is used in the filling and skin, and every bite is full of rich sweetness. The thick, chewy crispy crust is so popular that the store’s taiyaki now features a rectangular border with buns that form the shape of the fish. Amane’s Taiyaki can still be enjoyed after being grilled for several hours, hence the name Tai’an (fish snacks). These are the perfect treat to enjoy while strolling through Inokashira Park.
Best Taiyaki in Ebisu
Taiyaki Hiiragi
Located at Ebisu (Main store) and Meguro (Kimonya Park Pass and Gakugei University), Taiyaki Hiiragi is famous for its exquisite dough. It uses a blend of more than 10 flours. The shop is also known for its delicious homemade bean paste, which is sold on the premises. Customers use homemade bean paste to make it Good (Sweet red bean soup with mochi) and Ogura Toast (thick toast topped with red bean paste). There are often long lines, and the store often sells out of bean paste by 6pm, so go early.
Best Taiyaki in Kyodo and Setagaya Ward
Oguraan
Easily accessible by taking the Odakyu Line, Oguraan It is a popular local attraction worth visiting. In addition to Taiyaki, they also sell Taiyaki, Takoyaki, soft-serve ice cream, etc. The best thing about this store is that it has over 70 flavors of fillings that change every day. These aren’t standard adaptations of Taiyaki; Ogura-an offers innovative flavors like Oreo and Cream, Salted Caramel Custard, Strawberry Cheesecake, Fangzi tea White chocolate and more. If you want to eat inside, there are seats in the store.
Best Taiyaki in Ikebukuro
Shinjuku Tsubaki store
Shinjuku Tsubakian, which has branches in Ikebukuro and Daikanyama, is unique in that it offers two types of taiyaki dough. Like the division between waffles or sugar ice cream cones, taiyaki lovers’ preferences for thick or thin taiyaki textures tend to be fixed. The store solves this problem by catering to both tastes. Thick taiyaki is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, while thin taiyaki is crispy all over. Tsubakian also offers weekly flavors of strawberry custard or sweet potato and adorable mini air-fried taiyaki in batches of four.
Best Taiyaki in Nezu
Nezu Taiyaki
Only 5 minutes away from Nezu Station, Nezu Taiyaki A retro staple in the peaceful Nezu traditional neighborhood. If you’re visiting Nezu Shrine, stop by this charming family-run shop for afternoon tea. Don’t let the unassuming appearance fool you; the store usually closes between 12:30pm and 2pm as the day’s supplies sell out quickly. Nezu no Taiyaki was founded in the late 1950s and is now run by second-generation owner Nobuo Hayashi, who makes Taiyaki by hand using a single mold. The store sometimes has irregular opening hours, so please check its opening hours X pages for updates.
Honorable Mention
Naruto Taiyaki Honpo
from Osaka, Naruto Taiyaki Honpo have Place It’s available all over the country, so you’ve probably tried this shop’s taiyaki. Locations in Tokyo include Asakusa Shinnakamise, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shimokitazawa, and more. The shop’s widespread success illustrates the timeless appeal of taiyaki. Naruto features classic red bean filling, sweet potato filling (from Naruto City) and premium custard flavors.