Note: our first version of this post about where to find taiyaki in Seattle (and surrounding areas) was written a while back and there have been some changes to the places listed in the original post.
Below, you’ll find a map photo. Clicking here or on the map will bring you to the interactive map with taiyaki places in this post we’re aware of along with any related markers posted by visitors ((We are using map photos on posts to improve page loading times and reduce Google map loads to when necessary)). If you’d like to add a Seattle-area taiyaki place that we didn’t add, you can do so here if you’re logged in.
Do you know of any local taiyaki places that aren’t mentioned here or have you been to one of these you’d especially recommend? Feel free to leave a comment.Taiyaki, if you’re not already hooked on them, are filled (traditionally with bean paste, now with all sorts of delicious goodies), fish-shaped waffles. Originating in Japan, they’re now becoming more popular in the United States. My daughter, an aficionado of Japanese sweets, introduced me to them a few years ago. However, when our go-to taiyaki stop (Tako Kyuuban at Uwajimaya) closed unexpectedly, we had to search out where to find taiyaki in Seattle.
Where to Find Taiyaki in Seattle (and Surrounding Areas)
Here are five places we found, in or near Seattle, to get our Taiyaki fix.
Most Variety AND Most Creative: Bean Fish (no longer a food truck…now in Uwajimaya)
BeanFish used to be a food truck (pictured above). Now, they have a location in the restaurant court at Uwajimaya Village on Weller St. in Seattle — and even more varieties of taiyaki!
Most of the taiyaki places I’ve come across have a few choices of sweet fillings. However, BeanFish has both savory and sweet fillings in their fishies. My daughter had one filled with s’mores while I went straight for the “Crackyaki.”
Best Brick-and-Mortar: T-Town Cafe
Somewhere in the timeline of Taiyaki evolution, someone made the obvious leap of “Hey, fishes have mouths…let’s stuff them with ice cream.” And taiyaki ice cream was born.
T-Town Cafe in Tacoma (OK a bit out of Seattle proper but worth the drive) is my favorite place for taiyaki ice cream, chiefly because it’s a brick-and-mortar and you don’t need to guess about when they’ll be open next.
We opted for our fish upside down, which doesn’t make for as awesome photos but does make for less mess. My pick: Nutella filling, matcha ice cream, with Pocky and sprinkles. Mmmmm.
Address: 8515 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood, Washington 98499
Matcha Man
Matcha Man is another taiyaki place that used to be “nomadic” — they’d announce a pop-up now and then on Instagram. They now have a location at 6014 12th Ave S in Seattle so you can more regularly satisfy your cravings for Taiyaki ice cream.
Basic But Cheap: Boo-Han Market
The Boo-Han Market is a Korean grocer in Edmonds. They have a food counter near the front of the store which sells “Bung-eoppang,” which is, apparently, the Korean work for taiyaki.
These are basic taiyaki — no Nutella filling or ice cream here! They’re filled with the traditional sweetened bean paste, but only cost $1.00 each, considerably less expensive than their fancier gourmet cousins.
A word of warning: the food counter here is closed on Monday, so if you’re looking to begin your week with bean-filled fish here, you’re out of luck.
Address: 22618 Hwy 99, Edmonds, WA 98026
Next Time: Snowy Village
Snowy Village, in the University District, is closed Mondays. So I peered through the window, like the woman in the old Mervyn’s commercials: Open! Open!” And if you know what I mean, you’re as old as me.
Anyway, I didn’t get to sample their Taiyaki, just peer longingly at the menu, which appears to have something called “French Taiyaki.” Assuming that’s like “croissant taiyaki,” I bet it’s yummy. Just a few flavors here: plain, Nutella, red bean, bacon, and cheese, or just cheese.
Address: 5264 University Way NE, Seattle, Washington 98105
And I leave you with this: A magical, Magikarp-shaped Taiyaki, which, unfortunately, I found on the streets of Tokyo. Someone in Seattle really needs to get this Taiyaki maker!
