Imagawayaki Explained

Country:	Japan
Region:	Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines
Course:	Snack
Served:	Hot
Main Ingredient:	Batter, sweet azuki bean paste

is a wagashi^{[1] [2]} (Japanese dessert) often found at Japanese festivals as well as outside Japan, in countries such as Taiwan and South Korea. It is made of batter in a special pan (similar to a waffle iron but without the honeycomb pattern), and filled with sweet azuki bean paste, although it is becoming increasingly popular to use a wider variety of fillings such as vanilla custard, different fruit custards and preserves, curry, different meat and vegetable fillings, potato and mayonnaise.^{[3] [4]} are similar to, but the latter are two separate pancakes sandwiched around the filling after cooking, and are often served cold.

were first sold near the Kanda's Imagawabashi Bridge during the An'ei era (1772–1781) of the Edo period (1603–1867). The name originates from this time.

Various names

have been known by various names throughout different eras. Names also vary regionally, and some varieties sold only in certain stores have their own names.

• – It was named in 1960 by a confectionery equipment manufacturer in Matsuyama, and currently the most widespread name outside of Kantō region.^[5]
• or – Kansai and Kyūshū region. means "rotation," i.e., derived from the process to bake it.
  • or - western Japan especially Kansai and Kyūshū region
• - Named after, the Forty-seven rōnin.
  • • • • - Hiroshima Prefecture
• or - Okayama Prefecture
• – some of northern Tōhoku region and Hokkaidō, and different from the of Nagano Prefecture.

By store or company

• – Produced by Gozasōrō Inc, established in 1950 in Himeji. It means "thank you for the purchase" in an archaic style.^[6]
• – Produced by Sawai Honpo Inc in Ehime Prefecture. It originates in Higiri jizō near the Matsuyama Station.^[7]
• – Produced by the Fuji Ice shop in Nagano Prefecture.
• - Produced by Ajiman Co., Ltd. in Yamagata Prefecture.
• - Produced by Hōraku manjū Ltd. in Kumamoto Prefecture. It features the use of honey.

Historical and inactive

• – in the song on the occasion of the revival after the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923, is mentioned that was renamed .^[8]

Fictitious

• – a coined name by an anonymous poster from the Japanese message board Futaba Channel in June 2021 that has since become an Internet meme. ^[9]

Taiwan

were introduced to Taiwan during the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan and are now a traditional snack in Taiwan. They are commonly called wheelcakes .^{[10] [11]} However, some of the older generation may directly use the Japanese term .^[12]

South Korea

are known as Korean: 오방떡 or Korean: 홍두병 (Korean: 紅豆餅/) in South Korea.

Malaysia

are known as tokiwado in Malaysia.

Philippines

The Filipino counterpart, locally known as "Japanese cakes", are similar to but of a smaller serving size and are usually filled with cheese slices. This inexpensive snack is commonly found sold on special tricycle carts that have a built-in custom-made circular cooking mold. Other fillings are also available with sweet (strawberry, chocolate) and savory (ham and cheese) fillings.^[13]

See also

• Egg waffle
• (Chinese: 雞蛋糕) – egg sponge cake

External links

• "Between Kaiten'yaki, Ōban'yaki and Imagawayaki" by Tsutomu Kushima. He is an investigator of the popular culture of Shōwa period.
• Nijyūyaki Jōhō
• Gozasōrō Inc.

Notes and References

1. Web site: http://style.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFE2604E_Q4A310C1000000?channel=DF260120166498&style=1. https://web.archive.org/web/20170622014505/http://style.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFE2604E_Q4A310C1000000?channel=DF260120166498&style=1. ja:今川焼き　生地や中身にこだわり、飽きない和菓子. ja. Nikkei. 24 April 2014. 22 June 2017. 24 February 2024.
2. Web site: https://www.tokai-tv.com/tokainews/feature/article_20220529_18801. https://web.archive.org/web/20230605072915/https://www.tokai-tv.com/tokainews/feature/article_20220529_18801. ja:関東は今川焼、関西は大判焼き等・・・生地に餡入れて焼き上げたアレ 全国に100以上名前あった. ja. Tokai Television. 29 May 2022. 5 June 2023. 24 February 2024.
3. Web site: Japanese Pastry aka Imagawa-Yaki Tasting at Fulfilled - CATERING ONLY . May 5, 2009 . Pleasure Palate . December 31, 2020.
4. Web site: Nichirei Custard Cream Imagawayaki . October 12, 2010 . Japanese Snack Reviews . December 31, 2020.
5. Web site: 場所によるものの呼び方の違い、日本列島あちこち、方言アレコレ第1回「今川焼き」の呼び方、その違いを探る! . Nobusuke Kishie . Hituzi Syobo . 2022-06-29 . 2024-07-28 . ja . Differences in the way things are called in different places, all over Japan, various dialect. First. Explore the different ways of calling Imagawayaki!.
6. [Kobe Shimbun]
7. Ehime Shimbun, March 5th, 2005.
8. Satsuki Soeda and Hakurui Shibuya, "Fukkou bushi" [復興節], 1923. JASRAC 074-0605-3.
9. https://twitter.com/toren_chi/status/1472071396922892291?s=20
10. Web site: Rebranded as ‘UFO cakes' Taiwanese delicacy is cherished by Vietnamese . 30 January 2023 . . 22 June 2023.
11. Web site: We come in pieces: 'Taiwanese UFO pancake' lands in Vietnam . 21 January 2023 . Focus Taiwan . 22 June 2023.
12. Web site: Catmint Wheel Cake . 7 October 2016 . eatingintranslation.com . 22 June 2023.
13. Web site: Japanese Cake (Pinoy-Style) Recipe . September 26, 2017 . Panlasang Pinoy Recipes . December 31, 2020.