Takoyaki is a famous specialty of Osaka, while Akashiyaki is a traditional dish from neighboring Hyogo Prefecture. In fact, Akashiyaki is said to be the origin of takoyaki, with the modern version of takoyaki taking shape around the early Showa period (1920s). Did you also know that besides takoyaki and Akashiyaki, there is another local variation called "Kobe Takoyaki"?
In this article, we’ll explain the characteristics and differences between takoyaki, Akashiyaki, and Kobe takoyaki. Plus, we’ll introduce some great spots near Shin-Kobe Station and Kobe Sannomiya Station where you can try Kobe takoyaki, along with a firsthand report from a FUN! JAPAN editor who actually tasted them!
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What Are Takoyaki, Akashiyaki, and Kobe Takoyaki? How Do They Differ?
At first glance, they all look similar as round, ball-shaped foods, but their ingredients and ways of eating are quite different.
What Is Takoyaki?
The main ingredient in takoyaki is wheat flour, and its batter has a lower water content, making it thicker. While the ingredients may vary depending on the shop, the most common fillings include octopus, green onions, and pickled ginger. Once cooked, takoyaki is usually topped with sauce and mayonnaise, then sprinkled with bonito flakes and aonori (green seaweed).
In recent years, many variations have emerged, including takoyaki seasoned with salt or ponzu instead of sauce, as well as those stuffed with cheese and other unique fillings.
What Is Akashiyaki?
Akashiyaki, also known as "Tamago-yaki" (literally "egg-yaki"), is mainly made with eggs, resulting in a batter with a high water content. This makes Akashiyaki much softer than takoyaki, with a flatter shape when cooked. There are various theories about how it came to be called Akashiyaki, but one reason octopus became a key ingredient is that the city of Akashi is known for its abundant octopus catch.
The biggest difference from takoyaki is how it’s eaten—Akashiyaki is dipped in dashi broth before being enjoyed. The broth, made from bonito and kelp, has a light and delicate flavor. Sometimes, mitsuba (Japanese parsley) is added as a garnish, giving it a refreshing taste.
What is Kobe Takoyaki?
Kobe takoyaki is essentially the same as Akashiyaki, also known as "Tamago-yaki." In Kobe, many shops actually refer to this dish as "takoyaki." Just like Akashiyaki, it is eaten by dipping it in dashi broth, but what makes it unique is that it is also topped with sauce. In dine-in restaurants, sauce is often placed on the table, allowing customers to add it themselves. For takeout, it is typically served with both dashi broth and sauce.
Interestingly, "Kobe Takoyaki" is not an officially recognized term. When we contacted the Kobe Tourism Bureau, they confirmed that it is not being promoted as a local specialty under this name.
When we asked locals, one theory they shared was that since Kobe is located between Akashi and Osaka, the dish naturally evolved by combining elements from both regions.
Where to Eat Delicious "Kobe Takoyaki" Near Sannomiya & Shin-Kobe Station
According to locals, many shops serving "Kobe Takoyaki"—takoyaki-style tamago-yaki eaten with both dashi broth and sauce—were once found in Nagata, an area slightly away from Sannomiya. However, many of these shops have since closed.
So, here are three carefully selected places near Shin-Kobe Station and Sannomiya Station (Kobe-Sannomiya Station) where you can still enjoy Kobe takoyaki today.
Takoyaki Tachibana
Founded in 1956, "Takoyaki Tachibana" is a well-known takoyaki specialty shop in Kobe, with multiple locations around Sannomiya Station.
Their takoyaki is made with plenty of eggs, resulting in a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and is eaten Akashiyaki-style by dipping it in dashi broth. For dine-in customers, sauce is provided on the table, so you can add it as you like.
The takoyaki is so soft that it almost falls apart when lifted! Each serving consists of 10 pieces with large chunks of octopus inside. The combination of the delicate dashi flavor and fluffy texture makes it incredibly easy to eat, and some people even finish two or three servings by themselves!
For takeout, the set includes dashi broth, sauce, and shiso leaves as a garnish, allowing you to enjoy it just like in the store. If you need to reheat it, you can warm it in the microwave or steam-fry the takoyaki in a pan while reheating the dashi to recreate the freshly made taste.
Takoyaki Tachibana San Plaza Branch
"Takoyaki Souvenir Box (with Dashi)" - 10 pieces per serving ¥700
Address: San Plaza B1F, 1-8-1 Sannomiya-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM (closes when sold out)
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station, about a 4-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station
- Takeout & Dine-in Info: Both takeout and dine-in available
https://3nomiya.net/shops/tachibana.html
https://tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280101/28018598/
Kobe Takoyaki Tenchijin
One shop that explicitly advertises "Kobe Takoyaki" is Kobe Takoyaki Tenchijin. Their takoyaki are bite-sized, with 14 pieces per serving. Though they are still fluffy and soft, their smaller size makes them firmer when picked up with chopsticks.
There seems to be a specific way to enjoy Kobe Takoyaki, as a guide was posted in the shop and also included with takeout orders. The instructions read:
"How to Enjoy Kobe Takoyaki"
- First, eat one as is, without any sauce.
- Next, try it with sauce.
- Finally, pour the dashi broth into the bowl and enjoy.
The takoyaki themselves are well-seasoned, offering a delicious balance of rich, toasty flavors and soft tamago-yaki texture whether eaten plain or with sauce. At the end, pouring dashi broth over them gives a light, refreshing finish. The 14-piece serving makes it easy to enjoy this transformation of flavors, and the remaining dashi is so good you might want to drink it straight! Some people even break up the takoyaki in the broth to eat it like a soup.
For takeout, the set includes dashi broth and sauce. Interestingly, the shop also sells just the dashi broth separately for ¥100, likely due to its dedicated fans.
A small shop with around six counter seats, it’s run by a single friendly woman. Surprisingly, many of the customers were young women.
Kobe Takoyaki Tenchijin
"Kobe Takoyaki" - 14 pieces per serving ¥600 (includes dashi & sauce)
Address: B1F, Center Plaza West Wing, 2-11-1 Sannomiya-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
- Business Hours: 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closes when sold out)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Access: About a 1-minute walk from Kyukyoryuchi-Daimarumae Station (Kobe City Subway), a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya Station, a 4-minute walk from JR Motomachi Station, and a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Motomachi Station
- Takeout & Dine-in Info: Both takeout and dine-in available
https://tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280101/28059450/
Kitano Takohei
Located slightly outside Kitano Ijinkan Street in a quiet residential area, Kitano Takohei is a local favorite that feels more like a casual eatery than a specialty takoyaki shop. Since it’s situated between Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya stations, it’s an excellent stop while exploring the Kitano area.
Their takoyaki are large and incredibly soft, almost melting apart when lifted from the dashi broth. The octopus pieces are generously sized, providing a satisfying bite. When ordering takeout, you can request for the Akashiyaki-style takoyaki to come with sauce as well.
One standout feature of this shop is its wide variety of menu options. In addition to dashi-dipped Akashiyaki, they offer takoyaki with different flavors such as sauce, soy sauce, negi soy sauce, plum shiso, curry, pizza cheese, and mentaiko mayo—eight types in total!
Another specialty here is the "Takoyaki Udon," which includes takoyaki in a bowl of udon noodles. Interestingly, the broth for the udon and the broth for Akashiyaki-style takoyaki are different, making for an interesting taste comparison.
For takeout, you can order from the counter facing the street. The cheerful staff will greet you with a warm welcome!
Kitano Takohei
"Takoyaki (Large, 8 pieces)" - Soy Sauce Flavor, 8 pieces per serving ¥550 (includes dashi & sauce)
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from Kobe City Subway Sannomiya Station, about a 10-minute walk from JR Shin-Kobe Station
- Takeout & Dine-in Info: Both takeout and dine-in available
https://www.instagram.com/takohey2000/
Try Different Styles of Kobe Takoyaki!
As a fusion of Akashiyaki and Osaka-style takoyaki, Kobe Takoyaki is a unique delicacy you can only find in the area. Be sure to give it a try when visiting Kobe!
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