Taiyaki (鯛焼き) is a traditional Japanese sweet (wagashi) that has the shape of a sea bream.
Its main ingredients are wheat flour, sugar and red bean paste.
In case you were wondering, the filling doesn’t contain fish.
So why does it have the shape of a sea bream?
Because it is considered lucky. The sea bream is also a celebratory fish in Japan.
While the exact origin isn’t precisely known, this waffle-style sweet is mentioned in writings from the Meiji period (1868-1912).
But it’s just an adaptation of the imagawayaki (今川焼き) that comes from the Edo period (1603-1868).
Basically, their shape is the only difference.
Nowadays, taiyaki can contain other fillings such as ice cream, chocolate, cream, and caramel.
While obviously popular in Japan, it’s now found in many countries all over the world.
