Taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries with a sweet filling) is one of Japan’s most iconic street foods, making it perfect both as a gift and for eating on the go.
When enjoyed fresh off the griddle, the outer crust is delightfully chewy and hot, while the inside is almost bursting with anko (sweet red bean paste).
Just one bite brings instant joy and a blissful flavor experience!
Taiyaki at Taiyaki Kanda Daruma
With several locations centered around Tokyo, “Taiyaki Kanda Daruma” is a taiyaki specialty shop that prides itself on serving its taiyaki fresh and hot.
Each taiyaki is made to order, reflecting the shop’s desire to serve it at its absolute best.
Taiyaki Kanda Daruma is perfect as gifts and on-the-go snacking
The fact that it’s freshly basked is what makes Taiyaki Kanda Daruma’s taiyaki especially delicious.
They pour batter made from domestic wheat flour and eggs into a fish-shaped molded griddle, then add their house-made red bean paste.
More batter is poured over the red bean paste, and after about three minutes of cooking, a golden-brown taiyaki is revealed when the griddle is opened.
Popular on both weekdays and weekend, Taiyaki Kanda Daruma’s six-taiyaki griddle is running constantly.
This compact, takeout-focused shop is brimming with the sweet scent of baked treats.
The freshly made taiyaki is generously filled in the belly with red bean paste, making it a satisfying snack.
The bean paste, cooked over direct heat every day, is a tsubuan (chunky red bean paste) and has a mildly sweet flavor.
That’s why, even though each taiyaki is generously filled with bean paste, the sweetness isn’t overwhelming. With its moist and smooth texture, you’ll find yourself reaching for one, then another.
“たいたき（つぶあん）,” Taiyaki (Red Bean Paste) 280 JPY (tax included)
The batter is made with domestic flour and eggs, giving it a chewy and soft mouthfeel.
The freshly baked crust is especially exceptional—crisp on the surface with a satisfying chew when you bite into it. They only start baking after receiving an order, likely because they want visitors to experience it at its best.
Take one taste and you’ll instantly understand why Taiyaki Kanda Daruma insists on serving their taiyaki fresh.
“たいたき（クリーム）,” Taiyaki (Custard Paste) 300 JPY (tax included)
In addition to red bean paste, Taiyaki Kanda Daruma also offers a version filled with custard cream. This brings a different kind of sweetness with a wonderful vanilla aroma.
The balance between the freshly baked fragrant dough and the smooth, rich custard cream is exquisite, becoming more addictive with each bite.
Sets of five are available starting from 1,390 JPY (tax included)
Don’t miss the Karintō Manjū! A surprisingly crispy texture
Karintō Manjū is another signature treat at the shop. These are manju (traditional Japanese sweet buns) fused with karinto (a deep-fried brown sugar snack).
Despite their small, bite-sized appearance, they’re packed with a variety of appealing and delicious qualities.
“かりんとうまんじゅう,” Karinto Manju 150 JPY (tax included)
The first thing you’ll notice is the texture. Though deep-fried, the dough is incredibly light and crispy—so delicate that the surface cracks with just a light touch, and it has an equally crispy mouthfeel.
As you enjoy this new sensory experience, the aroma of brown sugar kneaded into the dough begins to bloom.
“かりんとうまんじゅう（つぶあん）,” Karinto Manju (Red Bean Paste)
Complementing the rich, sweet dough are two types of house-made bean paste: one made from red beans and another from sweet potatoes.
The “Red Bean Paste” flavor, made with tsubuan, gains even more richness when paired with the brown sugar dough.
On the other hand, the “Sweet Potato Paste” variety has an elegant sweetness, with the rich natural flavor of sweet potato spreading across your palate—both are equally delicious.
At just 150 JPY (tax included) each, why not try both and compare?
Karinto Manju: (left) Red Bean Paste and (right) Sweet Potato Paste
“Ichigo Daifuku”: strawberry delights with a tart twist
Even after filling up on the traditional Japanese sweets from Taiyaki Kanda Daruma, there’s still room for their “Ichigo Daifuku” (strawberry-filled soft rice cakes)—a perfectly petite treat that’s easy to enjoy as a little something extra.
“いちご大福,” Ichigo Daifuku 320 JPY (tax included)
A bright red strawberry is nestled inside a daifuku wrapped with white bean paste. The shop uses the “Apollo Berry” variety, known for its good balance of sweetness and tartness.
This strawberry’s refreshing tang enhances the sweetness of the white bean paste, allowing both flavors to shine.
The Apollo Berry varietal also has a satisfyingly firm texture, making a nice contrast with the soft, stretchy mochi. It’s a delightful bite—even after a full meal.
All treats at Taiyaki Kanda Daruma can be purchased individually, and gift sets are also available.
At the Ginza branch, located just a few minutes’ walk from Shinbashi Station, many customers stop by in the evening to pick up taiyaki gift sets to take home or to friends and coworkers.
Exterior of Taiyaki Kanda Daruma’s Ginza branch
It’s not just something you’ll want to enjoy on your own—Taiyaki Kanda Daruma’s taiyaki has a special charm that makes you want to share it with someone else, too.
Information
| Store name> | たいやき 神田達磨 銀座店 Taiyaki Kanda Daruma Ginza |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-13-5 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| アクセス |
Shimbashi Station 2-minute walk from Shimbashi Station Ginza Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-3573-6888 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 12:00-22:30 |
| Closed | Monday |
| Seating | Take-out only |
| Smoking | No smoking |
| Official website | https://taiyaki.root-s.com/ |
| Official website |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of April 2025.
