Naniwa-ya

The taiyaki have a thin, crisp, fragrant crust, with moderately sweet whole red bean paste filling them right to the edges. Made fresh at 浪花家, these small cakes have a generous presence of bean paste, paired with a light, delicate bite from the crust. Bite into one while it is still hot, and the fragrant warmth of the dough meets the gentle sweetness of the red beans.

The appeal extends beyond sweets: rice dishes are also lined up at the shopfront. A particular favorite is the chameshi rice ball, whose simple flavor can have you reaching for more than one. Other choices include rice balls filled with salmon, grilled tarako, kombu or leaf togarashi, as well as inari sushi with sweet-simmered fried tofu and kanpyo rolls. Some items may be in short supply by mid-afternoon.

Just by Kanegafuchi Station on the Tobu Line, the shop has goldfish bowls and water lily bowls inside, along with eat-in seats where you can settle in and enjoy a taiyaki. Whether you are after a sweet snack or an unpretentious everyday bite, you can take taiyaki and rice balls together to enjoy later.