A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Takoyaki
Pronounce takoyaki like 'tah-koh-YAH-kee' to order these popular Japanese octopus balls.
takoyaki
tah-koh-YAH-kee
/tɑ.koʊˈjɑ.ki/ · ta · ko · ya · ki
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a popular dish to make at home or find at food festivals.
Where the word comes from
The name comes directly from Japanese: 'tako' means octopus, and 'yaki' means grilled or fried.
Common ways people get it wrong
- TAH-ko-yak-ee The stress is on the third syllable, 'YAH', not the last one. Think of it as ta-ko-YAH-kee.
- tah-KOY-ah-kee The 'o' in the second syllable is short, like in 'cot', not a long 'oy' sound. Keep it simple: tah-koh-YAH-kee.
Frequently asked
What is takoyaki?
Takoyaki are savory, ball-shaped snacks made from a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan. They are typically filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onion.
How is takoyaki pronounced in Japanese?
The Japanese pronunciation is very similar to the English respelling 'tah-koh-YAH-kee'. The vowels are generally pure and short, with the emphasis on the 'YAH' syllable.
What are the common toppings for takoyaki?
Common toppings include a savory sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce), Japanese mayonnaise, dried seaweed flakes (aonori), and dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi).
