Sunday, June 25, 2006

Maybe someday I'll own a takoyaki restaurant franchise

Looks like a company is trying to bring Japanese "fast food" to America.

With already over 350 takeout stores in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Sase's Gindaco chain is one of a barrage of fast-food companies bringing lowbrow Japanese chow to overseas markets. Its first U.S. store is scheduled to open in Los Angeles in 2007, and it hopes to open 20 stores in California by 2010.
I sincerely hope they don't do this:

To woo octopus skeptics, U.S. stores may feature additional entertainment, says Yohei Miki, who heads the company's overseas operations.

"We're thinking of getting our cooks to chop the spring onions using Japanese swords," Miki chuckled. "You know the Americans, they love attractions."
Sure, those hibachi steakhouses are interesting the first few times, but I think just watching people make takoyaki the real way would be cool enough. I'd rather have a more authentic experience, myself.

4 comments:

Shafa said...

I'll pass, thanks.

Heather Meadows said...

But octopus is awesome, man!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, concerning octopus and how "awesome" it is, I'm probably JUST on the side of the fence that says "yes." However, the fact that I will eat it occasionally, would most likely become null and void when it's the "value combo" on the fast food board. The idea of octopus nuggets, buffalo conch strips, or some other form of flash fried seafood waiting for me under a heat lamp, or perhaps in a half cooled holding bin --depending on what it's supposed to be-- does NOT impress me; quite the opposite, actually.

Heather Meadows said...

And yet you love Captain D's?

:P

I will admit to never having takoyaki myself. However, I can tell you how it is made. Better yet, I'll let Amy Nakazawa tell you, because she rules.

Here's a post about fast food takoyaki. And here is a step-by-step description of homemade takoyaki, with pictures!