Imagawayaki (今川焼き)
Today’s photo is from the basement of a department store in Shibuya. This man is making imagawayaki which is basically a thick pancake filled with bean paste or custard. The picture on the right is of taiyaki, a variation which makes imagawayaki look like a fish.
Imagawayaki have been sold in Japan for over 230 years. I had my first one from a street vendor in Kofu over 22 years ago and can still remember the happiness biting into a hot one filled with custard brought on a cold winter day.
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Aaaah! We at those several times at the Keio Department Store foodhall on our trip to Tokyo last November. Simply the best thing I have ever eaten. People were laughing because we couldn’t even wait to get outside before unwrapping them. Glad to know what they are called. Your blog was very helpful, by the way, in our trip planning to sort out what sites we wanted to see. Keep up the excellent work!
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
its wow
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:45 pm
WOW! i’d like to eat that.
i believe they call it japanese cake here. ^_^
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:01 pm
That is yummy! I have enjoyed the bean paste sweets in Japan and also Korea. Delightful! You captured a very excellent scene of part of the process of creating these wonderful sweets!