Japan Boat Takoyaki (Iluma @ Bugis)

What do you do when you are waiting for your KOI bubble tea at iluma? Well pop ‘next door’ order takoyaki!

Japan Boat Takoyaki has over 60 years of history in Osaka, Japan. Over the years, they have expanded to China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada and even United States of America.

Look at the crowd! Several people had the same idea, they ordered their KOI and then came over to order takoyaki.

There was an opening promotion, 1 box for $1.60. Sounds like a real bargain considering original price is $2.40. By now, I think the promotion should have ended.

They sell only 2 versions, spicy or non-spicy. We decided to order 1box of non-spicy version to try. I was surprised to find out that there were 20 queue numbers in front of us! While waiting, you can entertain your self watching the  cooks at work.

Look at the picture above, same style. Left hand behind, right hand in front, heads titled down concentrating. Looks professional and disciplined. But I must say, I was shocked to see the amount of oil they use to fill the pans.

After a long long wait of close to 35minutes (longer than KOI), we got our food. Can see that a lot of people were quite irritated by the long wait.

Kudos for the cool and unique design, now I know why its called Japan Boat Takoyaki.

The outer layer of the takoyaki is very crispy while the inside is soft filled with octopus and I have no idea what. I have never eaten any takoyaki that is this crispy. With the fish flakes and their special soy sauce, it was quite delicious.

Full review and photos: http://foodiefc.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/japan-boat-takoyaki-iluma/

This stall is just right beside KOI, and because I was hungry while waiting for KOI, I decided to buy the takoyaki from this stall.

The price: 1 box for $2.40. If you buy 3 boxes or above, he'll charge you $2 for each. If you buy more, he'll throw in some free boxes of takoyaki.

The boss (I think) is very friendly. Trying to recommend us this and that, but well, all businessmen do the same things one right. So he managed to convince the 9 of us into buying takoyaki. -.-

Had to wait quite some time for the takoyaki to be made..

1 box 3 takoyaki. There is some sauce brushed on the takoyaki, topped with mayo and the fish flakes. He also tried to convince us to put wasabi, but.. uhh.. not our liking, so we rejected his offer.

First taste is that the outter layer is very crunchy, almost like fried. It's unlike those sold from takopachi. The sauce is a little sweet and just nice. But the inner layer is quite.. disappointing. It lacks of flavour and taste.

But somewhat, it just makes me want more of it. I think it's the sauce. But i'm not sure..

Variety is very little.. Actually, there's no variety at all. You can only buy octopus takoyaki, and that's it.

The boss claims that he remembers all customers, and will give us special promotion if we go back again. Wonder how true is that.. :/