OK, complete disclosure: I love Octopus Balls. Now, you may want to know why, so let’s take a trip to find out together:
Octopus Balls in Tokyo!
It all began on my first trip to Tokyo, when I had a day to myself to explore.
I wandered through Tokyo’s Asakusa district, filled with small shops – and lots of places to get street food – and came across this incredible food stand: serving up Octopus in many unique ways: you could get it on a stick and of course, they had my first exposure to “Octopus Balls!”
I ate the Octopus on a stick, which was tender and smoky – and of course I had to try a platter of fried Octopus Balls: here’s what they are – chopped up Octopus, vegetables, spices and other Japanese stuff, mixed into a batter that is then deep-fried, then topped with a creamy asian sauce…Wow! I could eat these balls forever!
Of course, not ALL food in Tokyo is for everyone – because I found these for sale as well:
Yes, these are “Almond Fish!” It’s a popular snack in Tokyo, just one of the many unique items I sampled there. You can see more here:
So, I was hooked on Octopus Balls – but what do I do when I’m not in Tokyo?
No worries! Back in LA, I found another place to enjoy Octopus Balls:
Takoyaki! Octopus Balls!
Yes, I found a shop in LA’s Koreatown district that served Octopus Balls as an appetizer…these deep fried Octopus balls came in a delicious mayo with green onions – they were moist, full of great chunks of Octopus, and very filling for an appetizer!
They also served Ramen burgers there as well:
See more of this culinary adventure here:
Finally, a new Ramen shop opened up in Chicago – and guess what they serve?
Miso-Ya Ramen shop in the Streeterville neighborhood has great ramen, delicious fried chicken and yes, Octopus Balls that are served topped with Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)!
So there you go: three different cities, three great Octopus Ball dishes…
These guys are stuffed with a lot more than just Octopus, and here is an easy recipe to make them yourself!
http://www.japanesecooking101.com/takoyaki-recipe/
I plan to make these at home, because there are so many reasons for loving Octopus Balls – no apologies, just a happy smile when I finish eating!
Here are some of my favorite street foods:
Let me know if you’ve had the chance to try these delicious taste treats!
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Look delicious John. we ate octopus regularly in Spain but not eaten prepared this way..
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I had Octopus in Barcelona several times, and yes, nothing like this – I plan to make these and do a step-by-step look at the process, no matter how they turn out!
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Will look forward to the photos… first dive and catch one octopus…
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HA! Well, I might have to skip THAT step!
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Reblogged this on johnrieber and commented:
Here is my next big cooking adventure – to make my version of this Japanese classic –
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Reblogged this on sixdegreesofstoogeration and commented:
Suck on my salty, salty balls! (Hey! Come back! I’m talking about OCTOPUS BALLS!)
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I have eaten octopus in the Mediterranean; fresh caught, and bashed on a rock to tenderise it. (Barbaric to watch…) But I have never had octopus balls. I would try them, if there was anywhere within 150 miles that sold them!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, if you can buy some Octopus anywhere, even in a can, you can make them at home!
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Not sure that would be quite the same, John. I will have to seek out a Japanese restaurant.
Found two! (That really surprised me)
http://www.shikirestaurant.co.uk/
Click to access Soyokaze-Menu.pdf
The second one has octopus balls on the menu! It calls them ball-shaped pancakes with octopus inside.
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Pete, that’s exactly what they are, a pancake type dough stuffed with Octopus…boom!
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