Located in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, Tanota Takoyaki is where you can find made-to-order takoyaki – a popular Japanese snack that originated from Osaka, Japan.
For the uninitiated, takoyaki is a savory ball-shaped treat made from a batter of flour and dashi, filled with tender octopus pieces and garnished with a variety of toppings.
The owner of Tanota, who is originally from Osaka, had learned the art of making takoyaki at a top takoyaki restaurants in Osaka.
The heart of takoyaki lies in its succulent octopus filling. Tanota Takoyaki uses high-quality octopus, cooked to perfection within the tender batter, creating a delightful contrast of textures.
The delicious batter that they use features multiple ingredients including chicken broth and over 10 different kinds of fruit and vegetables combined with konbu (seaweed) and bonito broth.
The takoyaki options they offer include Original; Jalapeno; Ponzu; Wasabi; Mentaiko (special caviar sauce) and more.
Tanota Takoyaki has a walk-up window for to-go orders but you can also do dine-in and order inside the restaurant.
You can also watch the cooking process through the window as if it was prepared at a food stall in Osaka. We watched as the chef created each takoyaki ball with precision, ensuring that they are cooked to a golden brown hue and then finished off with a symphony of toppings.
We had the Original takoyaki and it was delicious. It had a nice, puffy shell; creamy and soft inside with piping hot, tender octopus; and an umami-rich takoyaki sauce which came together to create a bold flavor.
I enjoyed it and would recommend giving them a try. Tanota Takoyaki is located at 350 1st St, Los Angeles, CA.
