Naniwaya Sōhonten

Author: Richard Perkins
Photos/Videos Taken: 2021/04/01
Address: 1-8-14 Azabujuban, Minato-ku,
Tokyo,【106-0045】

In Japan, they have what is referred to as 和菓子 (wagashi). Wagashi are Japanese-style confections. One of those confections is what's known as 鯛焼き (taiyaki). Taiyaki is a confection in the shape of a 鯛 (tai), or sea bream, which is a celebratory fish in Japan said to bring about good luck. The pastry of this confection is like that of a waffle as it’s made from flour. The inside is filled with 餡子 (anko), which is a sweet bean paste made from 小豆 (azuki) beans. Other than anko, you will also find many shops selling taiyaki with custard inside as well, but taiyaki are usually (and more commonly) prepared using anko.

Taiyaki was first said to be made in the year 1909 at 浪花家総本店 (naniwaya sōhonten). Founded by Seijiro Kanbei, he decided to go with a pastry in the shape of a sea bream because as it is a celebratory fish it will bring about good luck. Also because it’s a high-quality fish that most don’t get to eat very often.

Naniwaya Sōhonten is a shop that specializes in taiyaki in Azabu-juban in the Minato ward of Tokyo, but now serves dishes such as 焼きそば (yakisoba), a Japanese-style chow mien, and かき氷 (kakigōri), or shaved ice. The taiyaki sold here is said to be one of the three best taiyaki in Tokyo. The other two are 柳屋 (yanagiya) in the Chūō ward of Tokyo, and たいやきわかば (taiyaki wakaba) in the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo.

Unfortunately, no photos or videos are allowed to be taken inside the shop itself.