Taiyaki & Softserve
Taiyaki in Bangalore: Discover Japan's Iconic Street Dessert in Indiranagar
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Team Bungeo
Quick Answer: Where Can You Get Taiyaki in Bangalore?
You can get fresh taiyaki in Bangalore at Bungeo, a taiyaki and soft-serve cafe in Indiranagar 2nd Stage that calls itself Bengaluru's first taiyaki bar. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped Japanese cake, crisp outside and soft inside, filled with red bean, custard, Nutella or other fillings.
What it is: A Japanese street dessert baked in a fish-shaped mould
Does it have fish? No. The shape is fish, the taste is dessert
Popular fillings: Red bean (anko), custard, Nutella, taro, chilli cheese
Best way to have it: Warm, straight off the mould, or as a soft-serve taiyaki cone
Where: Indiranagar, one of the city's busiest cafe areas
What Is Taiyaki?
Taiyaki is a Japanese cake shaped like a fish, made by pouring batter into a fish-shaped mould and adding a sweet filling. The name comes from tai (sea bream) and yaki (grilled or baked).
The sea bream is a lucky fish in Japan. The word tai links to medetai, which means a happy or joyful event, and sea bream was once served at weddings and festivals. A small fish-shaped cake let ordinary people enjoy that sense of luck for very little money.
Despite the shape, taiyaki in Bengaluru or Tokyo has no seafood in it at all. Think of it as a filled pancake or waffle that just happens to look like a fish.
Where Did Taiyaki Come From?
Taiyaki is widely credited to Naniwaya Sohonten in Tokyo, a business founded in 1909 during Japan's Meiji era. Its shop in the Azabu-Juban neighbourhood has been there since around 1948 and still sells taiyaki today.
According to the shop's fourth-generation owner, quoted by Nippon.com and the Japanese government's Highlighting Japan magazine, the founders first sold round imagawayaki cakes. They tried other shapes, like turtles and airships, which did not sell. The sea bream shape became a hit, and the business grew to about 150 outlets across Tokyo.
One honest note: food historians point out that a Tokyo newspaper from 1911 mentions a taiyaki seller who had been in business for five years. So Naniwaya is the oldest surviving taiyaki shop, but the snack may be a little older than 1909.
How Is Taiyaki Made?
Taiyaki is made by pouring a light batter into a hot, fish-shaped iron mould, adding a spoon of filling, covering it with more batter and closing the mould. It cooks in a few minutes until golden and crisp.
The batter is similar to pancake or waffle batter, usually flour, sugar, milk, baking powder and often egg. Traditional Tokyo shops like Naniwaya still use single moulds on long tongs, turning each fish over an open flame. Most modern cafes use larger griddles that bake several fish at once.
Taste and Texture
Fresh taiyaki in Indiranagar or anywhere else is crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy inside, with a warm, gooey filling. The edges, especially the fins and tail, get the crunchiest.
It is best eaten within a few minutes of coming off the mould. As it cools, steam from the filling softens the crust.
Popular Taiyaki Fillings
The classic filling, in Japan and for most taiyaki in Bangalore, is anko, a sweet red bean paste made from azuki beans. Custard is the next most popular, followed by modern fillings like chocolate, Nutella and matcha.
Filling | Taste | Good for |
|---|---|---|
Anko (red bean) | Earthy, mildly sweet | Trying the traditional version |
Custard | Creamy, vanilla-sweet | First-timers and kids |
Nutella / chocolate | Rich, nutty, very sweet | Chocolate lovers |
Matcha | Slightly bitter green tea | Less-sweet dessert fans |
Taro / ube | Nutty, vanilla-like, purple | Something new |
Savoury (cheese, chilli cheese) | Salty, melty | A snack instead of dessert |
If you are trying taiyaki in Bangalore for the first time, order one classic red bean and one custard or Nutella. You get to taste the original and a crowd favourite side by side.
What Is a Soft-Serve Taiyaki Cone?
A soft-serve taiyaki cone is a taiyaki baked with an open mouth and filled with soft-serve ice cream, like a fish swallowing a swirl. It took off in New York and across Asia in the 2010s, and you can now find taiyaki in Bengaluru served this way.
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The warm, crisp cake and the cold, creamy ice cream make a fun contrast. It is also very photogenic, which is a big part of why it spreads so fast on Instagram.
In Indiranagar, Bungeo serves this style in two forms on its menu: the "Open Taiyaki" and the "Upside Down Taiyaki", with soft-serve flavours that change every two weeks, according to the cafe's website.
Why Is Taiyaki Trending in Bangalore?
Taiyaki in Bangalore is trending because the city loves trying new global food, especially Japanese and Korean dishes, and taiyaki is fun, affordable and easy to share on social media.
A few reasons explain the rise of taiyaki in Bengaluru:
K-culture and anime fans: Bengaluru has a big young crowd that follows K-dramas, anime and Asian food trends
The Instagram factor: A fish-shaped dessert with ice cream coming out of its mouth is made for photos
Cafe culture: Bangalore's cafe scene is always looking for the next new dessert, and Japanese desserts in Bangalore are having a moment
Easy to eat: It is a hand-held snack, perfect for walking around a busy street
Food media has also noticed taiyaki in Bengaluru. In June 2026, Curly Tales covered Bungeo as Bengaluru's first dedicated Japanese taiyaki bar.
Taiyaki in Indiranagar: Why This Area?
Indiranagar is the natural home for taiyaki in Bangalore because it is one of the city's busiest areas for cafes, dessert shops and Asian restaurants. 100 Feet Road and 12th Main are packed with places to eat, and the side streets keep adding new ones.
The area already has many Japanese and Korean restaurants, so taiyaki in Indiranagar fits right in. It is also well connected by the Purple Line of Namma Metro, with Indiranagar metro station close to 100 Feet Road.
Verified Taiyaki Spot: Bungeo, Indiranagar
Bungeo is a taiyaki and soft-serve cafe at No. 1333, Ground Floor, Paramahansa Yogananda Road, Link Road 4, Indiranagar 2nd Stage, Bengaluru. Its website says it opens every day from 12 noon to 11 pm (check before you go, as timings can change).
What the cafe lists, based on its website and menu:
Taiyaki pressed to order, sold as 1 piece or 3 pieces
Fillings like custard, taro, red bean, Nutella and chilli cheese
Open Taiyaki and Upside Down Taiyaki with soft-serve
Soft-serve flavours that rotate every two weeks
A wider Japanese-Korean menu with ramen, bao, rice bowls and bubble tea
The founders, Gandhi and Ramya, started Bungeo in December 2024 from a small neighbourhood store before moving to Indiranagar, according to the cafe's "Our Story" page.
For current prices, check the cafe's menu on Swiggy, Zomato or at the counter, as prices change.
Is Taiyaki Vegetarian or Eggless?
Taiyaki in Bangalore is vegetarian, since it has no fish or meat. However, traditional taiyaki batter often contains egg, so it is not always eggless.
At Bungeo, the taiyaki and soft-serve items are marked "Veg" on the online menu. If you avoid eggs, ask the staff whether the batter is eggless before ordering, since a "veg" label does not always mean egg-free.
Fillings matter too. Nutella contains hazelnuts and milk, and custard usually contains egg and milk. For eggless or vegan diners, red bean paste is the simplest, most plant-based option.
How to Eat Taiyaki: Head or Tail First?
There is no right way, but in Japan, asking whether someone eats taiyaki head first or tail first is a popular, playful debate. Some say your choice reveals your personality.
Head-first eaters say the head has the most filling, so you start with the best part. Tail-first eaters say the crunchy tail is a nice "starter" before the filling. Others split it down the middle.
The only real rule for taiyaki in Indiranagar: eat it warm. A fresh taiyaki in Bangalore heat should be eaten within a few minutes, before the crust softens.
Taiyaki vs Waffle vs Bungeo-ppang
Taiyaki is softer and filled, while a waffle is crisp and usually topped. Bungeo-ppang is Korea's version of taiyaki, with a similar fish shape and red bean filling.
Taiyaki | Bungeo-ppang | Belgian waffle | |
|---|---|---|---|
Origin | Japan | Korea | Belgium |
Shape | Sea bream fish | Carp fish (bungeo) | Grid pattern |
Filling | Inside (red bean, custard) | Inside (mostly red bean) | Usually topped, not filled |
Texture | Crisp shell, soft cake | Thinner, crispier shell | Crisp outside, airy inside |
Typical setting | Street stall, festival | Winter street snack | Cafe, dessert shop |
Bungeo-ppang came to Korea from Japanese taiyaki in the early 20th century. Fun fact: the name "Bungeo" for the Indiranagar cafe comes from this Korean word for carp.
Best Time to Visit for Taiyaki in Indiranagar
The best time to enjoy taiyaki in Indiranagar is on a weekday afternoon or early evening, when cafes are quieter and the taiyaki comes off the mould without a long wait.
Weekend evenings for taiyaki in Indiranagar and on 100 Feet Road get busy. Local reviews of Bungeo mention a wait on weekends and say weekday evenings are calmer.
Bangalore's pleasant weather makes taiyaki in Bangalore a treat year-round. A warm taiyaki is perfect on rainy monsoon evenings, and a soft-serve taiyaki cone is great on hot afternoons between March and May.
Tips for Your First Taiyaki in Bangalore
Eat it fresh, try a classic filling first and pair it with a drink. These simple tips make your first taiyaki in Indiranagar worth it.
Watch it being made: Freshly pressed taiyaki has the best crunch
Order a mix: One sweet, one savoury, or one classic and one modern
Pair it right: Matcha or a milk tea balances the sweetness
Share it: A 3-piece order is easy to split with friends
Search smart: Look up "taiyaki near me" or "fish shaped waffle Bangalore" on Google Maps, and check recent photos and reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find taiyaki in Bangalore?
Bungeo, the go-to spot for taiyaki in Indiranagar 2nd Stage, is a dedicated taiyaki and soft-serve cafe and describes itself as Bengaluru's first taiyaki bar. Search "taiyaki near me" on maps apps for any new spots.
What is taiyaki made of?
Taiyaki is made of a pancake-like batter (flour, sugar, milk, often egg) baked in a fish-shaped mould with a filling, usually sweet red bean paste or custard.
Does taiyaki contain fish?
No. Taiyaki only looks like a fish. It is a sweet cake with no seafood.
Is taiyaki eggless?
Not always. Traditional batter often uses egg. Ask the cafe if you need an eggless option.
What is the difference between taiyaki and bungeo-ppang?
Taiyaki is Japanese and shaped like a sea bream. Bungeo-ppang is the Korean version, shaped like a carp, with a thinner, crispier shell.
Is taiyaki in Bangalore expensive?
Prices depend on the cafe and filling. Check the latest menu on Swiggy, Zomato or at the counter, as prices change.
Who invented taiyaki?
Naniwaya Sohonten in Tokyo is widely credited, with its business dating to 1909. Its Azabu-Juban shop has been open since around 1948.
Should you eat taiyaki head or tail first?
Either is fine. It is a fun debate in Japan. Head-first gets you to the filling faster, while tail-first starts with the crunchy edge.
Are there other Japanese desserts in Bangalore?
Yes. Many Japanese and Asian cafes in Indiranagar and around Bangalore serve matcha desserts, mochi and soft-serve. Check menus as offerings change often.
Final Word
Taiyaki in Bangalore is a small, warm, fish-shaped way to taste a Japanese tradition that has been loved for over a century. Head to Indiranagar, order your taiyaki in Indiranagar fresh from the mould, and decide for yourself: head first or tail first?
