I walked along Amazake Yokocho and noticed that Yanagiya (柳屋) didn’t have a long line of people waiting. So, I decided to join the queue. Yanagiya is known as one of the top three taiyaki shops in Tokyo. It had been a long time since I last tried their taiyaki, and once again, I was blown away by how good it was.
There were about 12 people in line, and I waited for roughly 20 minutes. Yanagiya takes time to bake their taiyaki because they prepare each one individually. (If you want something faster, their ogura ice monaka is ready to go)
The shop only offers two items: taiyaki and ogura ice monaka, both priced at 180 yen. Given the wait time, I assumed most customers would buy in bulk—maybe 10 pieces or more. Surprisingly, many ordered just 1 or 2 pieces. I bought 3: two for myself and one for a friend.
Yanagiya has been serving taiyaki since 1916, making it a truly long-established shop.
Here’s one of their taiyaki. I ate one immediately in front of the shop. The freshly baked taiyaki had a delightfully crispy skin, which is something you can only experience right after it’s made. It’s very different from reheating it in an oven or microwave, which makes the skin softer and slightly sticky.
Both freshly baked and reheated taiyaki are delicious, but the fresh version has a distinct charm. The thin, crispy skin pairs perfectly with the subtly sweet red bean paste inside. Even if you’re not a fan of overly sweet desserts, you might enjoy this.
One of the perks of visiting Yanagiya in person is being able to enjoy the taiyaki fresh out of the mold. This is why many customers who buy in bulk also get an extra piece to eat right away before leaving.
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Name Yanagiya (柳屋)
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