Everyone, when you think of takoyaki, which shop comes to mind? Recently, it might be “Gindaco“, or the recently popular “Ajiman” with their Takopon, maybe?

Yes, it’s Ryogokuya’s “Mayotako“. This time, I, who have been eating Ryogokuya’s takoyaki for over 50 years, would like to introduce Ryogokuya’s “Mayotako”.

Yamagata’s soul takoyaki is “Mayotako”

Currently, Ryogokuya, which sells ‘Mayotako,’ has two stores: the Kotobuki-cho store in Yamagata City (near Yamagata Sixth Junior High School) and the Tendo Minami-cho store in Tendo City. At one time, there were also stores in Suzuran Street in front of Yamagata Station and in the basement of the now-defunct Onuma Department Store.

The one I was most familiar with and liked the best was the store in the basement of Onuma Department Store, and the thing I regretted most when the department store disappeared was that I could no longer eat Ryogokuya’s takoyaki and wild vegetable rice balls.

At that time, it was still an era when people went out to Nanokamachi for special shopping trips. Come to think of it, that store had already been there 50 years ago, and I used to satisfy my young appetite by sitting in the eat-in area in front of the store and devouring one Mayotako and one skewer of takoyaki.

In my memory, I felt like Mayotako had always existed from the beginning. However, when I looked into it while writing this article, I found out that Mayotako was born in 1986 (Showa 61). The great star of the Yamagata takoyaki scene is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The place we visited this time is ‘Takoyaki House Ryogokuya Tendo Minamimachi Branch’

Even now, I still visit both stores and enjoy the Mayo Taco, but it seems to me that the Mayo Taco at the Tendo Minamimachi store is the closest in taste to the one I loved at the Onuma Department Store basement that I remember, so personally, it is my favorite store.

When you open the door, there is a counter directly in front of the shop, where you place your order while looking at the menu.

Sometimes you can see people eating in the eat-in corner of the store, but basically, it seems that there are more takeout customers.

Take your usual Mayo Taco to go

This time, I also bought a box of ‘Mayo Tako’ for takeout. One box contains 8 takoyaki, sauce, and 2 toothpicks.
So good~ This is definitely it.

Of course, Kansai-style takoyaki with a gooey inside and crispy outside is delicious too.
But Mayo Tako has larger pieces of octopus, and while keeping the texture of the batter that feels like you’re eating flour-based food, the flavor and oiliness of the mayonnaise combine with the sweet and spicy sauce, spreading throughout your mouth.

Oh no! Writing this article is making me want to eat it (lol).

Let’s try the limited-time “Honey Mayo” this time.

Ways to Enjoy That Are Unique to the Kotobuki-cho Store

Each store has its own limited menu, but the most recommended feature of the Sumiyoshi-cho store’s limited menu is that you can order and eat even just one skewer. It’s for eat-in only, and it may be unavailable during the year-end and New Year holidays, but as someone who grew up with the system of the Onuma Department Store basement shop, I am truly delighted.

Mayo Tako is still tasty even when it’s a little cold, but sometimes I feel it’s even better after the mayonnaise has slightly soaked into the batter rather than just freshly made.

That said, takoyaki is, after all, best when piping hot right off the grill.

So honestly, even when ordering skewers, I would be happy if they could give us freshly cooked ones instead of taking them from the warm stock. I know it’s a selfish request, but President, please!

Summary

Ryogokuya’s “Mayotako” is a snack that my son always requests whenever he returns to Yamagata. When bringing it home as a souvenir, you have to decide in advance how many each person gets, or it turns into a scramble. (laughs)

Do you all have a favorite takoyaki shop?

Here is the store information for Takoyaki House Ryogokuya Tendo Minamimachi branch