Imagawayaki (今川焼き) 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 vanillacustard, different fruit custards and preserves, curry, different meat and vegetable fillings, potato and mayonnaise.[3][4]Imagawayaki are similar to dorayaki, but the latter are two separate pancakes sandwiched around the filling after cooking, and are often served cold.
Imagawayaki were first sold near the Kanda's Imagawabashi Bridge during the An'ei era (1772–1781) of the Edo period (1603–1867). The name imagawayaki originates from this time.
Various names
Imagawayaki 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.
Ōban-yaki (大判焼き) – It was named in 1960 by a confectionery equipment manufacturer in Matsuyama, and currently the most widespread name outside of Kantō region.[5]
Kaiten-yaki (回転焼き) or Kaiten manjū (回転饅頭) – Kansai and Kyūshū region. kaiten (回転) means "rotation," i.e., derived from the process to bake it.
Koban-yaki (小判焼き)
Taiko-yaki (太鼓焼き) or Taiko manjū (太鼓饅頭) - western Japan especially Kansai and Kyūshū region
Gishi-yaki (義士焼き) - Named after gishi (義士, loyal retainer), the Forty-seven rōnin.
Hōraku manjū (蜂楽饅頭) - Produced by Hōraku manjū Ltd. in Kumamoto Prefecture. It features the use of honey.
Historical and inactive
Fukkō-yaki (復興焼き, "revival yaki") – in the song on the occasion of the revival after the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923, is mentioned that imagawayaki was renamed fukkōyaki.[8]
Fictitious
Baked Mochocho (ベイクドモチョチョ) – 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
Imagawayaki 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 (Chinese: 車輪餅; pinyin: chēlún bǐng).[10][11] However, some of the older generation may directly use the Japanese term taiko manjū (太鼓饅頭).[12]
South Korea
Imagawayaki are known as 오방떡 (obang tteok) or 홍두병 (紅豆餅/hongdu byeong) in South Korea.
Malaysia
Imagawayaki are known as tokiwado in Malaysia.
Philippines
The Filipino counterpart, locally known as "Japanese cakes", are similar to imagawayaki 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]
^Nobusuke Kishie (2022-06-29). "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!" [Differences in the way things are called in different places, all over Japan, various dialect. First. Explore the different ways of calling Imagawayaki!] (in Japanese). Hituzi Syobo. Retrieved 2024-07-28.