Ikebukuro Development Chronicle - When did this place open? It feels like it's been 20 years. This is a popular spot that I've always wanted to visit. Even though it was around 2:00 p.m. on a weekday, there was a line of 5 people at this popular restaurant. I thought of getting something normal, but once I saw the "extremely spicy" option, there was no turning back. "Extremely Spicy" restaurant doesn't hold back with the spicy powder, it's sprinkled generously when you open the box. There's a mix of crunchy and gooey textures, with a strong outer layer that requires some effort to break with chopsticks. Here's a tip from my experience: be careful when breaking the crispy outer layer, as the oil might splash and make your hands greasy. Unfortunately, there's no place to wash your hands in the dining area, so you'll have to use alcohol wipes. I recommend buying a ¥5 takeout bag to avoid getting your clothes or accessories dirty. I personally prefer to keep the bag for its cuteness. Overall, it was delicious and I had a great time.

I went around 2pm and there was a long line, so I decided to leave. When I went back around 5pm, there was only a short wait and I was able to buy my food easily. The eat-in space was also available, so this time slot seems to be a good choice. - Double Mentaiko Cheese Mix: The mentaiko was surprisingly spicy and flavorful. - Tsukimi Regular: This is only available on weekdays. The sauce is sweet with little acidity, making it delicious even for those who don't like sauce. The runny egg makes it even tastier. They also had a cute bakkudan-yaki gachapon in front of the store. Thank you for the meal! ^_^

Always seems to be lined up. This day was a holiday, so as expected, there was a long line. Unlike takoyaki, it's fun and delicious with various ingredients inside. Especially the quail eggs. There are many limited-time and regular menu items, but I like the cheese-filled one the best. I always think, but I would be happy if they increased the eat-in space more.

*Waiting time* I was surprised when a piping hot takoyaki was served within a few minutes on Wednesday at 19:30. *Order & Price* Ordered negi-shio-mayo & double mentaiko for 490 yen. *Atmosphere of the shop* It is located next to a gachapon shop. There is seating available, but it is simple with about 5 small round stools and narrow boards. *Service* PayPay is accepted. *Impressions* I had been curious about this place for a while and decided to purchase it due to a 20% PayPay bonus campaign. Upon tasting it, I found a small octopus, sausage, corn, quail egg, and large cabbage cuts inside. It felt more like a creamy okonomiyaki than takoyaki due to the large cabbage. The most memorable aspect was the intensity of the mayonnaise flavor. While mayo lovers may appreciate it, I personally felt it was a bit overpowering and would prefer it to be more subtle, maybe even self-serve. *Expectations* Despite being just one piece, it was quite filling with 200g. Since it's takoyaki, I thought it would be nice to have some good octopus inside.

Bakudan Yaki Honpo, it's a hangover cure meal. I went to Ikebukuro after a long time, and to my surprise, I found Bakudan Yaki Honpo on the 1st floor of Santorope in front of Tokyu Hands! This place used to be an ATM corner of some bank, I think. Originally, Bakudan Yaki was located in a corner of SEGA's game center GIGO, and even after GIGO disappeared, it remained in the same place. But now they have their own shop, which is great! So I decided to buy one as a commemoration. You buy it outside, although there is an eat-in space with a lot of gacha gacha machines. I ordered the Cheese Mix. I ordered the Cheese Mix, and it was like a big takoyaki covered in bonito flakes that you can't see the inside of anymore. It has a unique flavor with strong dashi, and the inside is completely soft and gooey. It's not like a normal takoyaki at all, with various ingredients like quail eggs and sausages inside. It's a mysterious food that resembles takoyaki but is not quite like it. It tastes delicious with sauce and bonito flakes. Overall, it was a nostalgic and tasty experience. This place has become a prominent spot in Ikebukuro, both in name and reality! I look forward to going back again.

It was raining, so I couldn't go back from the gachapon area and had to walk around with an umbrella to buy something. It's a bit of a hassle, I think it would be more prosperous if you could buy from the gachapon area! With just a little effort, whether to buy or not can be decided! In addition to takoyaki, there are other things like mochi, sausages, and corn! It was fun to eat with children! Also, it seems you can eat inside the game center. Next to it.

I always noticed it when I passed by! The teriyaki flavor is always a hit! The cheese on top is so melty and delicious. Not just octopus, but various ingredients are mixed in, making it fun to eat! The sauce is creamy and smooth like white stew, and it's so tasty!

It was so nostalgic that I ended up eating it. It seems to have originated in my hometown, and I used to eat it a lot in my late teens. It was not just delicious, but it had a nostalgic taste.

First visit. Discovered on the way to the hotel in Ikebukuro, where I don't usually stay. Attracted by the name, flashy sign, and original song, I decided to revisit after checking in. I couldn't decide which flavor to choose, so I ordered the Bomb Yaki 4-flavor assortment. - Tanuki Regular - Negi Salt Mayo - Double Mentaiko Cheese - Oni Spicy When I asked if I could take photos, they happily agreed (^O^) When I asked about drinks, they said they only had tapioca milk tea, so I had to buy it from the vending machine next to the store (^◇^;) The Bomb Yaki with 10 different ingredients was a fun texture experience. It's like a giant takoyaki. As for the taste: - Tanuki Regular: Plenty of tempura crumbs for a fun texture. Sauce and mayonnaise. - Negi Salt Mayo: Refreshing and might be the most delicious? - Double Mentaiko Cheese: Quite a strong flavor. A snack-like feeling of cheesy goodness. - Oni Spicy: Chokingly spicy. Too spicy, haha. Couldn't quite taste it, haha. Overall, it was a fun experience at the Bomb Yaki shop ♫ The last photo is of a Bomb Yaki gachapon in an unrelated gachapon corner, haha. It was delicious and fun (^O^) It seems they also have one in Osaka, so I'll visit again! Thank you for the meal ♫

Ikebukuro's giant takoyaki. It's a huge takoyaki with a creamy filling. It's packed with quail eggs, sausages, corn, octopus, clams, and more. There are various flavors, but this time I had the normal one. Topped with plenty of sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes! It was just right for a light snack. The BGM playing while waiting is fun (laughs). Thank you for the meal! In Ikebukuro fashion, they also have collaborations with anime characters.

Bakudan Yaki Honpo's Ikebukuro store collaborated with the VTuber group "Hololive" until October 1st. Initially, there were long lines for the collaboration. When I visited on a weekday afternoon, there were only a few customers ahead of me. By the time I made my purchase, there were a few people lining up behind me. I bought the "Botan no Poipoi Ooba Bakudan Yaki." I requested it to go, and they gave me disposable chopsticks and a plastic bag as a service. The bombshell yaki came in a collaboration package, and when I opened it, it had a strong scent of fresh Ooba (perilla) leaves. Before tasting it, I thought it would be like a large takoyaki, but it was actually full of ingredients and more similar to okonomiyaki. Inside, there were ten different ingredients such as squid, clams, and quail eggs. I waited about 30 minutes before eating it, but the inside was still hot. There seemed to be an eat-in space inside the store, but I forgot to confirm if it was available as food samples were displayed there.

There is an eating space in the corner of the second floor game center. It's recommended to bring a water bottle since there is no water available. The portions are quite generous and packed with ingredients, so it's okay to take leftovers home. It's enjoyable even if you don't win the top prize, as you can still receive character goods from your favorite series and have a fun time eating with friends. I will definitely visit again.