"Ku-ku" For Piping Hot Takoyaki

So if you didn't already know, I've a thing for takoyaki balls. As I told a friend, if I see them, I have to buy them and eat them. You'd think such an uncontrollable urge would be reserved for sweets or gourmet, specialty foods and not a funky ball of dough and octopus. Well, I never claimed I was "normal."

Today, I got a performance AND fresh takoyaki at the same time at Mitsuwa. I'd been dying for great, fresh-off-the-griddle ones for the longest time and finally did! What reward for the long wait! They were way better than the overcooked (or did it just sit around too long?) ones from the street vendor in London. These were so fresh and authentic, I burned my mouth trying to consume them right off the pan (the way you're "supposed" to eat them)! Interestingly, they were softer on the inside than I though they'd be. Of course, they also tasted much better than the frozen stuff though I've found the JFC brand to be decent. However, it's not like I have too many options in the freezer section. ;P

It was a learning experience watching the pros make the balls as I waited in the long line. In my impatient and hungry wait time, I got greedy. They looked so yummy, I ended up ordering two packs. I thought it was just a 6 pack but it's a 10 pack! That meant I ended up with 20 balls! =O The first ten, I wolfed down burning everything from my lips straight down to my stomach. ;P Then I rested before starting on the 2nd pack. I had 5 and had to rest. Then I had to rest between eating single ones. It came down to 2 left. I forced my mom to eat one and downed the other. Such over indulgence but it was a great indulgence nevertheless! I look forward to the next time these guys come out from Japan to serve these up! Yummy! Apparently, these takoyaki-meisters are from Kukuru Takoyaki a chain or some such from Japan. =9~ It'd be interesting if there were a takoyaki cook-off with different vendors vying for our tastebuds' approval. I'd always wanted something like that with ramen, but that would stray from this topic. The packaging-box containing the takoyakis, chopsticks cover and "tote" bag:

Now that I've watched the preparation of these tasty morsels, I feel ready to tackle my own takoyaki session at home! I'm optimistic and hungry for more. Takoyaki nabe, here I come! Though I wish I had a goat to eat all the yucky stuff I churn out from the kitchen. ;) Behold the beauty: