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Close-up of delicious octopus balls served with dipping sauce and toppings.

Octopus Balls

Enjoy these crispy and soft octopus balls, or Takoyaki, a popular Japanese street food, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the batter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Best for a smooth batter
  • 1.5 cups dashi stock Make sure it's warm
  • 1 large egg Room temperature preferred
For the filling
  • 0.5 cup cooked octopus, diced Use fresh or high-quality canned octopus
  • 0.25 cup green onions, chopped Adds a fresh flavor
  • 0.25 cup pickled ginger, chopped For a tangy taste
  • 0.25 cup tempura scraps (tenkasu) For added crunch
For serving
  • Soy sauce, to taste Optional
  • Takoyaki sauce, for serving A sweet and savory sauce
  • Japanese mayo, for serving For a creamy texture
  • Bonito flakes, for garnish Adds umami flavor
  • Aonori (seaweed flakes), for garnish Traditional topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, mix the flour, dashi stock, and egg until smooth.
  2. Preheat a takoyaki pan over medium heat and grease it with oil.
Cooking
  1. Pour the batter into the molds, filling each about halfway.
  2. Add a piece of octopus, green onions, pickled ginger, and tenkasu into each mold.
  3. When the edges start to cook, use a skewer to flip the balls around to cook evenly for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Continue to rotate until they are golden brown all around.
Serving
  1. Serve hot with takoyaki sauce, mayo, bonito flakes, and aonori.

Notes

Make sure to mix the batter well to avoid lumps. Use a non-stick takoyaki pan for easier cooking and flipping. Customize your filling with ingredients like cheese, shrimp, or vegetables if desired.