A new takoyaki stand just quietly opened up in the City Square food court, and it is bringing some flavours you probably have not tried on a takoyaki ball before.
Takogun soft opened in March in the food court at City Square Shopping Centre.
One of our community members (0370van) spotted it first, and we went to give it a try anonymously.
The concept here is pretty focused.
Takogun specializes in takoyaki, the classic Japanese street snack, but with a twist.
While they do have the traditional bonito flake classic, they also offer options like Mayo Mentaiko, Crunchy Tobiko, and Tamago Egg Salad.
The good news is you can mix and match two flavours in one boat for an extra $1.50 if you are the kind of person who cannot commit to just one.
We got their two top sellers that were recommended to us by the owner: the Green Onion Ponzu and the Tamago Egg Salad.
These are made to order and they come piping hot.
Burning your tongue is definitely part of the entry fee here.
The Green Onion Ponzu comes loaded with fresh green onions and a citrusy ponzu drizzle that gives it a nice brightness.
But our favourite was the Tamago Egg Salad.
It is topped with a generous amount of creamy egg salad, a little bit of shichimi spice, and sesame.
Each takoyaki ball has a decent amount of octopus filling inside too, so these are not hollow by any means.
And they are definitely more filling than they look.
The owner told us this is his first food business venture, and you can tell he is passionate about it.
He was patient in walking us through the different flavours and options, and genuinely seemed to care about what people thought.
Prices range from $10 for 6 pieces of the classic to $15 for 8 pieces of the premium flavours like the Mayo Mentaiko.
They also have a $14 combo set that comes with a main, a side (salad or miso soup), and an add-on option.
Most people in Vancouver have probably had the standard bonito and mayo takoyaki before, but Takogun brings a different approach with some genuinely unique toppings that make it worth a visit if you are in the area.
Takogun joins a growing list of new spots that have recently opened in Vancouver, including Trees Coffee at King Edward Village, Nando’s in Kerrisdale, and Plain Jane.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: City Square Shopping Centre, Vancouver, BC