Ever been to an omatsuri (Japanese festival)? Had your fill at a yatai (food stall) yet? Japanese street food reminds us to kick back, come together and celebrate life. So let’s take a look at a few street food favorites and see what the fuss is all about.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki aka octopus balls are little round balls of fried batter mixed with ingredients like green onions, ginger, and octopus. A quintessential Japanese street food, takoyaki originated in Osaka in the early 1900s and emerged into one of the most popular snacks at summer festivals. The contrast of crisp on the outside and fluffy and slightly gooey on the inside is what makes takoyaki so distinct, so it’s definitely best enjoyed while still piping hot. And let’s not forget about toppings. This comfort food wouldn’t be complete without a drizzle of Japanese mayonnaise, bonito flakes, seaweed, and most important, the signature takoyaki sauce (a sweet sauce reminiscent of Worcestershire sauce). Can’t get to a Japanese festival? You could live in the boonies and still get your fill of takoyaki thanks to DIY takoyaki makers. In fact, “takoyaki house parties” are a common occurrence in Japan, and it’s a popular activity that brings friends and family together in festivity. However you enjoy your takoyaki, don’t forget to wash it down with a bottle of Juroku Cha! The tea adds a refreshing contrast to the steamy and slightly fried texture of takoyaki.
Yakisoba
Another famous dish of the “yaki” family, yakisoba is a stir-fry noodle dish seasoned with salt, soy sauce, or yakisoba sauce. It is said that yakisoba originated in Japan after World War II and was inspired by Chinese chow mein. It is made by stir-frying noodles with ingredients like meat, vegetables, and seafood. Since it’s cost effective and super easy to make, the dish is particularly popular with the younger generation, with spin-offs like yakisoba bread and yakisoba omelettes proving to be go-to comfort foods. It’s no surprise that Juroku Cha is a worthy companion of yakisoba, with an uplifting toasted flavor that lightens up the entire meal.
Okonomiyaki
Often known as the Japanese pancake, okonomiyaki is a savory pan-fried dish made of batter and a mishmash of ingredients. The fun part of okonomiyaki is that, even if you eat it at a restaurant, the recipe is all up to you - you get to decide exactly what ingredients go in your pancake. Since okonomi means “your preference” and yaki means “grilled,” okonomiyaki can be loosely translated as “what you want, grilled.” Common ingredients are cabbage, meat and seafood, with okonomiyaki sauce, seaweed flakes, bonito flakes, mayonnaise, and ginger as popular toppings. We should also mention that there are two very different variations of okonomiyaki, Osaka style and Hiroshima style. Osaka style uses thicker dough much like a fluffy pancake, while Hiroshima style uses thinner dough and always includes a layer of yakisoba. Both variations pair excellently with Juroku Cha, and the tea refreshes the palate between bites of the caramelized taste and crisp texture.
Can’t wait to pair your Juroku Cha with Japanese street food? You can find it on Amazon.
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