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Otafuku
Do you ever eat something and then realize it is pretty good, but wish you would like it more? That is kind of how I felt with the food from Otafuku. It was like, this tasted pretty good, but it did not blow my mind... and I walk by this all the time, it is cheap, if it blew my mind, I would be able to eat this all the time! In case you are not familiar with this little hole-in-the-wall, they serve two main things: takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Yea, those Japaneese translations do not mean anything to me either. Basically the former is a fried batter with octopus and the latter is something like a savory pancake.
You can buy the takoyaki balls separate from the okonomiyaki pancake but why do that? You cannot possibly eat all of that. They also have fried soba noodles here, but I opted for the more exotic things that I could not pronounce. Side note - do you like doing that too? When you are at a restaurant, do you avoid things like chicken, and instead go for that weird thing on the menu that you would never make at home? I do! Ok back to the food... I got 'combo B' which means okonomiyaki and takoyaki together. Just think of it like a marriage between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - beautiful and beautiful. Except instead of beautiful, it is round fried deliciousness and flat pancakey deliciousness. You also have to tell me what you want inside the takoyaki balls and I picked octopus because that sounded better than cheese.
For both items, they put this soy based sauce on top, some mayo (but they ask before putting that on there), and bonito flakes. On to the taste... a takoyaki is really soft. You figure that if it is fried, it would have texture... but it really does not have any texture other than soft. The bits of octopus offered some texture but for the most part it was just one-dimensional in terms of texture. It is really difficult to compare this to anything else out there, or why I kept eating it... but these things have a unique taste of their own. And like I said earlier, it is good, but not exceptional.
The okonomiyaki kind of falls into the same category as the takoyaki, except this is round and flat. They did a great job of creating a crisp outer exterior on the pancake and it was good texturally. (I like texture contrast in my food...) I had the pork version of okonomiyaki but I could not discern any porky attributes to the pancake. Either way, it was still fun to eat.
If you go, I recommend getting the combo to try out both. And bring a friend because it is a lot of carbs and it fills you up really fast (in a good way.)
Seeing as this is my first year blogging, I wonder if it will be more difficult to blog in the summer. I figure that the weather will be nice and I will want to just enjoy the weather and not take pictures of my food. Oh what am I talking about, of course I want to take pictures of my food. What do y'all like to do in the summer? Any favorite summer-time foods?
Otafuku
Address: 236 E. 9th St. New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-353-8503
Map
Like what you've read today? Subscribe to my RSS and never miss a post!Posted by Danny on May 22 2008 at 5:57 pm
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4 words for your as far as summer love goes:
RED HOOK BALL FIELDS
Here's my flickr pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14971245@N02/sets/72157602400572750/
NYC Food Guy on May 22 2008 at 6:56 pm
Isn't the whole point of going to a restaurant to eat things you wouldn't normally eat at home? No? Well, maybe it's just me.
I loooooove takoyaki! And okonomiyaki, but I can make that at home. :P
Su-Lin on May 22 2008 at 7:06 pm
Did i ever tell you how much i like your pics?
Favorite summer foods : salad nicoise and beef carpaccio with basil dressing!
Deli on May 22 2008 at 9:28 pm
I love Japanese food, and wanted to try takoyaki for the longest time. I took a visit to this place last year and to my disappointment, if you go there when its crowded, sure your going to wait in the cold (or heat since its summer now). I waited so long because the inside was so cramped but only to find out I had make a reserve order? or be on the line...even though they told me the tako wouldnt be ready for another 15 minutes. Damn I hated my experience >_> I also dropped something very previous there as well but anyway, the takoyaki here wasnt bad but wasnt fantastic. I agree I thought it would be more wow instead of just ok. My japanese friend made takoyaki for a party once, they were delious though =3
Photos are wonderful though ^^
Kumi on May 23 2008 at 1:34 am
I think the texture is kinda like an under cooked pancake ball, which is mushy and runny inside. I was kind of disappointed because I was expecting a denser with more mouthfeel takoyaki. I don't think I'll have it again, it just didnt appeal to me. The concept is great, but I would've preferred something more cake like lols
wonders on May 23 2008 at 12:15 pm
Lawrence,
Oooooh, good call! Maybe we should hit that up instead. The wait there must be shorter and at least you know they will be there every weekend once they open.
Su-Lin,
Yes, you are right! At least you agree with me ;) You know how to make takoyaki at home?!? That is amazing!
Deli,
Thank you :) You know, I have never tried beef carpaccio... have to put that on my list.
Kumi,
Oh wow, you are right about waiting outside... the store is super tiny and cramped and you basically have to eat outside of the store. I only waited behind two other people in line and it was not bad at all. Perhaps the wait changed your appetite?
Wonders,
Yea it was mushy on the inside. I just have no idea what takoyaki is supposed to taste like... do you know other places that have it?
Danny on May 27 2008 at 12:10 am