This time, I visited "Taiyaki Wakaba," located about a 4-minute walk from Yotsuya Station. This place is known as one of the three great taiyaki shops, and I tried their taiyaki. The taiyaki here is baked one by one in a natural way, showcasing the experience and skill of the craftsmen. The crispy and fragrant skin was delicious, with a perfect texture that was both crispy and chewy. The filling was generously packed from head to tail, with a rich flavor that left a strong impression. The red bean paste is homemade, made from Hokkaido-grown azuki beans that are cooked to perfection, adding a hint of saltiness that enhances the sweetness. The exquisite sweetness and umami of this red bean paste is elegant and unique to Wakaba, making it addictive and worth a visit for just the paste alone. Even for those who may not notice a big difference in taiyaki taste, there are no disappointments here. Whether you're someone who can appreciate the subtle variations, or someone who just loves good food, this taiyaki is a must-try with its distinct flavors. This popular and historical shop lives up to its reputation, offering outstanding taiyaki and red bean paste that make it a truly remarkable spot worth visiting. 【Menu Tried】 Taiyaki 210 yen

On September 25, 2023, at 1:38 PM, just about 30 minutes after having a traditional katsudon in Yotsuya, I decided to visit this place called "Taiyaki Wakaba" for dessert. Even though it was a Monday, there were about 10 people in line. They only had taiyaki, but I also saw they started offering dango, so I couldn't resist and ordered some mitarashi dango as well. The taiyaki (1 piece) was ¥210 (tax included) and the mitarashi dango (3 pieces) was ¥480 (tax included). Since you can eat inside the store, I enjoyed one taiyaki and one mitarashi dango. In my opinion, the top three taiyaki places in Tokyo are Yuyake in Ningyocho, Naniwaya in Azabu Juban, and Wakaba in Yotsuya. I've tried them all, and my personal ranking is Yuyake, Wakaba, and Naniwaya in that order. The mitarashi dango was okay. I apologize for leaving a bit of a mess behind. Thank you for the meal! Foodpilot rating: 3.79, Number of reviews: 1837. Top 100 Restaurants in 2023 as of September 2023.

The skin is thin and crispy, with plenty of sweet red bean paste all the way to the end, making it very delicious. It's hot, so be careful of burns, but that's also a good point. It's valuable to see each one being handmade. Dumplings are also a specialty, it seems.

The crispy texture and the grainy texture of the red bean inside were great. The sweet red bean paste was packed inside and had a good volume, but felt like you could eat as many as you wanted. I wasn't a fan of traditional Japanese sweets, but once I tried it, I was convinced of its deliciousness. They also serve shaved ice and skewered dumplings. I will definitely go back!

I have been to this long-standing traditional Japanese sweet shop that sells "taiyaki" at least 50 times. Taiyaki Wakaba (Shinjuku, Tokyo) Taiyaki costs 210 yen. Instagram: tsukasan777, Twitter: tsukasan2010.

It was a long-awaited visit to Taiyaki Wakaba. The crust was crispy and the red bean paste was refreshing. I had a freshly made one in the store. I devoured it in no time. It was worth the 20-minute wait! Ever since I saw it in the red bean paste feature on Blue Savis, I've wanted to come to this shop. A must-try for red bean paste lovers.

I'm sorry for the consecutive comments. After having delicious grilled fish earlier, I indulged in a hot taiyaki afterward, a luxurious treat. It's been about 3 months since my last visit. I paid 210 yen for one taiyaki. Last time, the store was crowded so I ate outside, but this time I enjoyed it inside the shop. It was delicious! The red bean paste was packed all the way to the tail. I heard in the past that the tail is just dough and you save the sweetness for last in your mouth, but nowadays every store fills the tail with red bean paste. Long live taiyaki!

I visited around 4 o'clock. There was a line but I was able to buy quickly. The store had 3 tables for 4 people and 1 table for 2 people. It was cool inside due to the air conditioning. The sweet red bean paste tasted luxurious. It had a hint of saltiness and a slight sweetness, with a strong red bean flavor, which I thought was different from the taiyaki I had eaten before. During my meal, customers were constantly coming in and buying taiyaki. It seems to be a popular shop.

Wakaba's taiyaki. It's not that big, but it's dense and heavy, with plenty of red bean paste inside. They offer it freshly baked, but I take it home and end up eating it cold, so I warm it up in the microwave and then toast it. This makes the skin crispy and crunchy. The red bean paste is traditional and a bit too sweet for some, but I like it. It's filled all the way from head to tail, giving it a satisfying bite. It was late afternoon, but there was still a line. Green tea and taiyaki is a classic combo, but I prefer pairing it with coffee lately. Thank you for the meal.

Afternoon snack after lunch on 09/13: Taiyaki Wakaba - 1 piece for 210 yen. Paid in cash. Excellent customer service, quick service, delicious taste, good portion size, great value for money. Taiyaki with plenty of red bean paste from head to tail, truly delicious.

I received a rare gift of taiyaki from a visitor. It was still warm, so I enjoyed it in the evening while working on my computer. It was a nice little break and I am grateful. The taiyaki were individually baked and filled with plenty of sweet red bean paste. They were very delicious.

After visiting Mizumi-an, I stopped by Wakaba-san since it was close by. Surprisingly, it was my first time at Wakaba-san and I went around 1:30 PM on a weekday, and I was able to buy without waiting. I bought 3 taiyaki for 210 yen each. The skin was crispy, but for me, the red bean filling was quite salty. The saltiness was strong to the point where I didn't really enjoy it. I think it's a matter of personal preference. I preferred the taiyaki from Hiiragi-san in Nezu. Maybe it tastes different when eaten outside?

- Thin and crispy crust - The red bean paste is packed all the way to the tail with exquisite sweetness - Moist and delicious - Old-fashioned interior and exterior - Cool and comfortable air conditioning - Wooden cash tray with hollowed-out design - Truly heartfelt taiyaki for 210 yen, the best value for money

I visited a famous shop during the weeknight and was able to enter without waiting. I purchased one taiyaki, which was filled with plenty of sweet red bean paste right to the tip of the tail. It tasted good, but nothing particularly stood out. Thank you for the meal!

One of the top three natural taiyaki in Tokyo. The one that is most familiar to me is Wakaba. I decided to line up for it while in Yotsuya. It's scorching outside, but people still line up. The taiyaki here has a crunchy texture with a strong red bean paste flavor and less moisture, perfect for summer. The crust is crispy and the balance between the firmness of the red bean paste and the crispiness of the crust is just right for eating by hand. It's great to reheat in the toaster with butter. If eating on the spot, Yuyake in Ningyocho with its fresh red bean paste stands out, but for takeout, I prefer Wakaba. I always buy a bit more for eating on the spot and takeout. As for the third member of the top three, Namikoya in Azabu Juban has a thin, crispy crust with a strong aroma. It doesn't keep well for takeout, so I recommend eating it on the spot. After all, for gifts or souvenirs, I think Wakaba is the best choice. It's been a while, but it's still delicious. A simple snack, yet the summer queues make sense for its taste.

◆At the time of the visit, the information on Tabelog (restaurant review site) was 3.79. This place is ranked as the number one taiyaki (fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste) shop in Japan. You can make reservations starting from 20 pieces, although it is not clear. It is recommended to make a reservation because without one, you will have to wait in line for a long time. It seems that reserved orders are prioritized. ◆About the shop: At the time of the visit, this place was ranked as the top taiyaki shop in Japan on Tabelog. It is considered one of the Tokyo Taiyaki Three Greats. The shop is known for making each taiyaki by hand with great care. It has become a popular shop, with lines forming even on weekdays during the day. It also sells anko (sweet red bean paste) separately, as shown in the photo. ◆Impressions: When I arrived at the shop around 3 pm on a weekday, there were about 12 people ahead of me. I thought I would be able to buy one in about 10-15 minutes, but the line did not move at all. Why? Although the taiyaki is meticulously made one by one, it is made at a fierce speed, and I wondered if they could move a bit faster. I realized towards the end that this was because many people had ordered 20 taiyaki at once. I ended up waiting standing for about 40 minutes before finally being able to buy and eat inside the shop. The taiyaki itself was very fragrant from the skin, and I felt the determination of the craftsman. The anko was also delicious. It is even more delicious to eat it together with the tea provided inside the shop, and the freshly made ones are definitely the best. The price has been raised a few times since 2022, and I felt it was a bit expensive compared to other shops in Tokyo. In any case, I recommend visiting with plenty of time. It seems like entering the shop as soon as it opens is a good idea. ◆Items received (dish only): - Taiyaki 210 yen ◆Note: - The Michelin and 100 Best Shops rankings may contain information from past periods. - Prices include tax. ⭐️Rating Criteria: 3 or below: Satisfactory for one visit only 3.5: Good, somewhat recommended 4: Very delicious, highly recommended (to recommend to friends) 4.5: Exceptional/Will visit again/Definitely recommended (even to food enthusiasts) 5: Ultimate satisfaction/Will visit for a lifetime/Definitely, definitely recommended (to all citizens) （Self-intro） ◆ I visit around 700 restaurants nationwide each year, mainly in Aichi, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. I explore and discover restaurants that I would want to visit for a lifetime and revisit while young. I have visited over 5000 dining establishments in total. ◆ I review in the hope that my followers can enjoy delicious meals by visiting the restaurants I review. I prioritize satisfaction in relation to the amount paid. ◆ I value trustworthiness and objectivity in the content I provide, and I generally include meal prices. ◆ To the restaurant staff: Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to enjoy delicious food and memorable experiences during these challenging times with COVID and rising food prices.

The store has a nostalgic atmosphere, giving off an old-fashioned vibe. Today there were no rice cakes, but the taiyaki was delicious with a moderate sweetness. The price was also reasonable at 210 yen, giving a feeling of value. I would like to go back when passing by again.

I visited "Taiyaki Wakaba," which I had been wanting to visit. I went on a weekday afternoon. The atmosphere of the shop had an old-fashioned and simple charm, which I liked. There was a little line, but I was served a piping hot taiyaki. It was crispy and filled with delicious red bean paste. The red bean paste was especially tasty.

I was worried about reaching my destination because the rain was so heavy, but I managed to make it. I bought a taiyaki for 210 yen, and it was delicious. The sweet red bean paste filling was just right in sweetness. It looked tasty and I enjoyed the taste of the famous store. I'm very satisfied. Thank you for the meal.

When I returned home, I received a souvenir from my uncle. I like the chewy skin type, but I found the taiyaki filled with a generous amount of sweet red bean paste to be delicious. [Access] Excellent - located a short walk from Yotsuya Station on the west side. [Good points] The red bean paste filling was packed tightly like an SML Labs product.

One of the top 3 taiyaki in Tokyo, I had never tried Wakaba-san before, so on a whim, I decided to go buy it during the Obon festival, thinking that it might not be crowded in the city. It was just before noon, but there were only about 2 people in line, so I was able to purchase it smoothly. It was a hot day, so there were people eating shaved ice inside the store. The taste may vary depending on preference, but compared to Yanagisaya and Namikaya, I felt that Wakaba-san had less of a crispy texture and fragrance due to the lack of burnt edges. The red bean paste was generously spread on the taiyaki, so I could fully enjoy the flavor! It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.