Odaiba Takoyaki Museum
🐙 Octopus Balls Food Court in Tokyo
Odaiba Takoyaki Museum is a food court specializing in pan-fried octopus balls, located at the 4F floor of Decks Tokyo shopping mall in Odaiba. This dining hall located in the Japanese capital gathers 5 popular takoyaki brands of Osaka, the birth city of this affordable and typical street food in Japan.
No need to travel to Osaka anymore to enjoy Japan’s best takoyaki. Since 2018, Odaiba, the entertainment island located in the Tokyo Bay, is home to a delicious place for octopus balls amateurs, called in English Odaiba Takoyaki Museum. It is actually a food court hosting 5 takoyaki shops that are popular in Osaka and in the Kansai area, namely:
- Kukuru (くくる), a long-established brand whose main shop is located in Dotonbori;
- Aizuya (会津屋) founded in 1933;
- Imo Tako (芋蛸);
- Akaoni (赤鬼) with a "red oni demon" mascot at the storefront; and,
- Yamachan (やまちゃん) whose main shop is located at the foot of Abeno Harukas.
The place is open to every one: single travelers, couples, families or groups, as the food court has 180 seats, and some of its tables have a view on the seaside. Diners use a vending machine to order their takoyaki. Payment is in cash only and the food tray is to pick up when ready in exchange for the order ticket.
Various types of takoyaki in a single plate
While all of Odaiba Takoyaki Museum’s shops only serve pan-fried octopus balls, they all use distinct recipes, varying by cooking broth or available sauces and toppings.
Naturally, you’ll find the traditional octopus balls recipe with:
- A coating of Worcestershire sauce (or similar sauce), and mayonnaise; and,
- Sprinkles of nori seaweed, negi green onion and katsuobushi dried bonito flakes.
Original flavors are also available, such as takoyaki covered in melted cheese, grated yam (toro-tama), ponzu sauce, or a soft-boiled egg, and even garnished with meat (such as beef tongue) instead of seafood. The dish can be paired with a cold drink, like a Japanese beer 🍺, a green tea or a soda.
An ice cream shop Yogorino can also be found in the food court, to end the meal on a sugary note, as well as a claw machines (UFO catchers) area for additional fun.