Trader Joe’s MINI TAIYAKI, a viral Japanese hit

Trader Joe’s Japanese Mini Taiyaki

PRODUCT OF JAPAN

(NOTE: I’ve read that these have gone VIRAL and can now be hard to find!!!)

“A fish shaped waffle filled with a delicate custard cream, often sold as a street food in Japan”

TAI – red snapper, considered good luck. YAKI – grilled.

Taiyaki are sweet waffles shaped like fish and are hugely popular in Japan. They are always sold at street festivals where you will find taiyaki vendors like this guy making some.

They make them by pouring batter into iron molds shaped like fish. Cooked until they are golden brown, they get something in the middle then are flipped over. They come out golden brown with bit of a crunchy texture outside while Inside the taiyaki, there’s a sweet filling. Usually its ANKO (sweet red bean paste).

Here in Trader Joe’s Mini Taiyaki you find a yummy custard cream in the center.

Here’s what they look like.

As you can see they are pretty cute. And you know Japanese love CUTE (“Kawaii”) things. Trader Joe’s mini taiyaki are a little mini version of the typical Taiyaki which are usually much bigger. 4 times the size? Each of these TJ mini taiyaki is maybe a bite or two.

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/japanese-mini-taiyaki-075997

“Brought to us by an esteemed manufacturer in Japan, these bite-sized, perfectly pisciform Taiyaki are as much a feast for the eyes as they are a pleasure on the palate. Every bite starts with the crisp edge of the wonderfully waffle-y exterior, which quickly gives way to the luxurious consistency of the cool custard cream within.”

To make these Trader Joe’s says bake these in the oven or in an air fryer. They also say you can microwave these but I suggest you don’t, as they won’t get crispy which they need to be to really be enjoyed properly.

I didn’t do either of these. I just cooked them in a pan on the stovetop which works fine and is easy.

I just took a few of them out of the package, and let them sit for 10 minutes or so to defrost a bit. Then I put them in a hot cast iron pan (or use a non stick pan). Let them cook on one side until they get a lightly golden brown in color or when they look nice and crispy, and then flip them once or twice. It took about 6-7 minutes per side, so around 12-15 minutes total to cook them in a pan.

So how do Trader Joe’s TAIYAKI taste? These mini taiyaki are really YUMMY!

Even my (Japanese) wife approved of these and thought Trader Joe’s did a pretty good job with these. We were pleasantly surprised at how good they are. The only thing she said is she wished they gave you two kinds of filling in the bag, some with custard but she wanted some with “anko”, the most traditional filling.

Still the custard filling inside these is very good and satisfying for a sweet treat.

Trader Joe’s new MINI TAIYAKI are quite tasty and worth trying especially if you like Japanese treats. A package is $4.99. It’s not very big, a bit less than 8 ounces. There are just about 8 or 9 of these little fishes inside. Some people are saying save yourself a trip and “buy two”.