カントナ
When I visited Odaiba as a commemorative stop, I decided to visit the "Takoyaki Museum". This museum, where famous shops from around the country gather, is a fascinating facility that Takoyaki lovers like myself cannot resist. However, upon entering the museum, it felt more cheaply made than I had expected, and the atmosphere seemed to suggest that I would end up paying a higher price than the norm, making me a bit wary. Despite this negative thinking, I first visited this shop. The plentifully topped green onions looked delicious and left a strong impression on me, which is why I chose the "Half with Green Onions". This dish allows you to enjoy 8 pieces of takoyaki with two different flavors, 4 pieces each. I also ordered a "draft beer" because takoyaki and beer make a perfect combination. The takoyaki cost 800 yen, a price that made me go "Hmm...", but it was a clever pricing strategy that hit a delicate balance, making it an amount I could afford. The beer was 500 yen, which made me think, "That's cheap", perhaps due to the clever pricing. After placing my order, I was handed a buzzer and had to wait for it to vibrate before going to collect my food. The buzzer vibrated after about 3 minutes of sitting down. I hurried to collect my order, only to find that the takoyaki was presented in a red plastic container, a different style from the usual takoyaki presentation. Although I wished the takoyaki were served on a traditional boat-shaped plate, I had to accept the plastic container. The takoyaki was generously topped with green onions, and I eagerly planned how to eat it, especially with the appetizing color of the mayo sauce on top. I carefully used chopsticks to pick up the green onions, considering the soft texture of the takoyaki. When I bit into it, the crispy outer layer, filled with plenty of tempura crumbs, was a pleasant surprise. The takoyaki contained a large amount of tempura crumbs in the batter, creating a contrast between the crispy and soft textures, enhanced by the seafood flavor and the accent of pickled ginger. The savory broth in the batter enveloped all these flavors. The hot and gooey takoyaki, paired with the soothing beer, made for a delightful experience. For the second piece, I bit into it halfway to savor the flavors more thoroughly. The large pieces of octopus showcased authentic flavors, and the creamy, gooey batter had a hint of fragrant sakura shrimp. The takoyaki demonstrated various thoughtful touches, making it easy for even an amateur like me to appreciate. Despite the good quality of the takoyaki, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a bit pricey. However, the pricing that didn't leave me feeling cheated was indeed a result of the "clever pricing" strategy. With these thoughts in mind, I set out to explore the next shop.