Takoyaki’s English translation, “octopus balls,” doesn’t do justice to the beloved cheap eat. Osakans tend to buy these round not-quite-dumplings from a yatai, or street food cart.

This version of “octopus balls” is totally unique to Tsukiji Gindaco, a takoyaki chain restaurant, and comes with eel as well as octopus. But if you were to ask… Eel-topped takoyaki is delicious in ...

Forty Years in the Birthplace of Takoyaki. From okonomiyaki to yakisoba, takoyaki to gyoza, even udon and ramen . . . To the people of Naniwa, an old name for the Osaka region, these wheat-flour ...