Umaimonya! Honten

Takoyaki need not come with sauce alone. At Umaimonya! Honten, you can choose ponzu, salt or soy sauce, too. The standard toppings include mayonnaise, aonori seaweed and bonito flakes, with extras such as spring onion, grated daikon with ponzu, and cheese also available. If you want to appreciate the flavour of the batter, salt or soy sauce might be a good place to start. Diners who have tried them report that the freshly cooked takoyaki are soft and fluffy, with a gooey centre, and that salt and soy sauce let the batter’s own flavour come through. One diner who tried them plain also noted the pronounced taste of bonito broth. Try salt or soy sauce first, then switch to ponzu or sauce to explore how the flavour changes.

Portions range from 6 to 24 pieces, making it easy to order a light serving for one or share different flavours with a group. One customer who could not decide on a flavour chose several to take away. Beyond takoyaki, the squid-yaki comes with or without egg, and can be customised with kimchi or cheese. Decide on the egg first, then choose any extras—a handy way to add another flour-based dish to your meal.

The Japanese-style takoyaki broth is another option: it comes with 3 pieces in warm soup. The menu also has a range of small plates, including house-made chashu pork and special offal served with a choice of salt, soy or spicy sauce. A set of 6 takoyaki pieces with a medium draft beer is listed, too, so you can make a meal of it or pair a drink with a few small plates. You can eat in or take food away, and solo diners are welcome. Payment is cash only. Choose your takoyaki flavour, then decide whether to add squid-yaki or small plates and make the meal your own.