Kagoshima’s Taiyaki Shoten offers savory taiyaki, including ‘Okonomiyaki Taiyaki’

The exterior of Taiyaki Shoten

Two months have passed since Taiyaki Shoten (Phone: 099-204-0193), specializing in taiyaki, opened near the Taniyama Station in Kagoshima City. Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake commonly sold as street food.

The store opened for business on September 1. Hiroto Imamura, the owner of the Aji no Yokozuna, an izakaya in Taniyama, established the store. Last October, Imamura started offering taiyaki from a food truck installed in the parking lot of the izakaya. As his business became well known, his food truck became too small to operate from, and he decided to open a store.

Although it mainly caters to takeout customers, the store has a counter with three seats and a toaster for “those who want to enjoy piping hot taiyaki.”

The characteristic of the store is that it also offers savory items such as Okonomiyaki Taiyaki and Seafood Okonomiyaki Taiyaki (both 260 yen), which he says was inspired by the popularity of okonomiyaki at service areas on expressways in the Kanto region. Since his izakaya serves okonomiyaki, he says, “We incorporated the expertise we gained from the experience into our taiyaki.”

In addition to the standard fillings, such as sweet adzuki bean and white bean paste, custard and chocolate (195 yen) are also available. The store also offers a monthly special sweet paste filling, and in November, Autumn Sweet Potato Anko will be available in limited quantities. The store’s taiyaki is known as “fluffy thick.”

Imamura says, “I want to promote Okonomiyaki Taiyaki as a B-grade gourmet food in Taniyama. Please give them a try when you come to Taniyama.”

Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. In early or mid-November, the hours will be changed to 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays.