Takoyanen

it get’s an extra star for having something most place don’t but the tako yaki are always undercooked and runny. This doesn’t seem like a hard problem to fix but I’ve had it more than once and it’s always like this.

So wow, bad reviews. I do like this place but I can’t compare this to any other local place… maybe I would get to compare it to the Cherry Blossom Takoyaki balls but I’m never patient enough to wait in those massive lines.
anyways, we go to the ferry building, eat lunch and maybe around 115 we decide to order some balls and head back. There was no line. However we are waiting around for maybe 10min for our order. It’s $ 4 for 6 pieces. I read some of the other reviews who say they got $ 5 for 8 pieces. sucks.
So I’m waiting, the weather’s nice. I notice that 10% of sales will go to the Japanese Red Cross. So that makes me feel good.
Finally we get our tako balls and the lady warns me that they are hot. I asked for 2 toothpicks, noting there are forks but felt toothpicks would be less of an environmental impact. We walk back to the office (about a good 10 – 15 min walk) so these hot little balls could cool down. Finally I get to try one and they are really yummy… but of course not as yummy as the ones I had in Kyoto. But hey, that’s Japan so I can’t really compare. They were probably more expensive as the exchange rate was not to my favor. There wasn’t a lot of tako in there but it did taste good. the people were nice and I’ll be back. In fact I’ll going to try every booth there on T/​Th and afterwards take an order of these takoyaki balls back to the office.
yummmmmmmm.
Oh btw, I’m part Japanese if that means anything. But I probably eat more Mexican food than anything. And I love to eat. I feel I will gain a lot of weight after discover the Ferry building and it’s wide range of food stands.

I should’ve looked more closely at some of the other reviews before I walked into line for this place. For a takoyaki stand which I figured out from my limited japanese fluency meant octopus I thought there wouild be more… well just that… there would be more octopus in it. I don’t mind buying something like this as a snack but I wonder about the freshness since it smelled kinda funny. By the way they are giving some of the proceeds to the Japan relief fund. I’ve learned my lesson and I think I’ll toss my money at another stand while donating to the relief fund directly next time.

I hate to jump on the «2 star» bandwagon here. but one would expect the takoyaki to be a lot better for a place that ONLY sells takoyaki. The balls were cold, soggy and had way too much mayo on them. Pass.

I didn’t like it.
I was excited to see a takoyaki stand because I’m a huge fan, but this was just disappointing.
Apparently, this is for charity. Maybe that’s why they’re not very good (because they wouldn’t be able to survive on their own?).

Sorry to say that on the 2^nd week, food quality was worse that the first week.
I know that this is for charity, but they should at least have some pride in trying to make decent takoyaki. A co-​worker shared an order of this week’s batch because I didn’t have time to go out that day. It was disappointing, the balls were more runny than before, and they skimped on the octopus bits (before, I got a few bits, now it was just one bit per ball and not as good).
My guess is that maybe they realized that $ 5 didn’t cover all their expenses, and now they’re trying to stretch the ingredients. But by thinning the batter that also reduced flavor. That just leaves a bad impression.
Deducted –2 stars, for poor quality and skimping on octopus meat. Also for ignoring my first advice to provide forks.
Hey Delica,
Here are a few more tips: If cost is a problem, reduce the order to 6 balls for the same price. But find a way to improve quality, and increase the amount of octopus meat. Also your batter was too runny. Please consider that when u don’t make a quality product your reputation is affected. I don’t know why I even bother since u clearly don’t take customer feedback seriously.

I wanted to try Takoyanen from the Delicia people. They have a stand outside at the Ferry Bldg Farmers’ Market on Thurs from 10a-​2p.
Only thing they sell are the takoyaki (octopus balls) 8 for $ 5 & individual size Ito En tea bottles $ 2.25. Don’t eat them right away because they are hot. I looked around for a table & took a bunch of pics before starting & still too hot. They grill them, then they put a shoyu glaze, sprinkle of green onions, mayo, & bonito flakes.
I thought they needed to be cooked more. Too mushy & not much octopus in them. The toothpicks don’t help pick them up since it’s just a goopy mess. Like the other reviewers forks or chopsticks would be better.
It’s all about the timing here too. I got the last of a batch they just made. If they run out, then you have to wait 15 min to get your order. Tried it, probably won’t get again.
Hrs:
10−2pm during Thurs Ferry Bldg Farmers’ Mkt
May-​Aug

Takoyanen has just takoyaki (8/​$ 5) on their menu. it is cooked in plain view in cast iron grooves. liquid waffle like batter is poured into these grooves. octopus bits and green onions are added. the ‘pussy balls are pricked and turned to cook them evenly
3 stars cuz i didn’t get enough (octo) pussy. just a couple (at most) chewy bits. rest was liquid batter. not to mention the toppings of mayo, bonito shavings, soyu glaze and aonori seaweed.
it was difficult to eat the takoyaki with the toothpicks given. the yaki kept falling apart. i used the toothpicks like chopsticks and shoveled the takoyaki into my mouth. (a cultural reflex).
warning! don’t stick your tongue into the ‘pussy balls. your tongue will get burnt. the center is hot liquid. be careful.
10% of the sale proceeds goes to japan relief so it’s not a complete wash. thurs. ferry builing, 10 – 2 for a limited time only.
25 minutes wait…