Ingredient appreciation — what makes Takoyaki special

What sets Takoyaki apart is the handling of sake. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the clean and umami-forward result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

seasonal ingredients guide the menu in traditional settings. The a ramen shop at lunchtime atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had cold Sapporo beer as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Takoyaki is the place to start.