Gindaco: The most popular takoyaki chain

Gindaco (銀だこ) is a popular chain of stores specializing in takoyaki, the typical Osaka balls stuffed with octopus. The good thing is that it is spread all over Japan so it is perfect when you want to eat takoyaki and you're not in Osaka.

Today, Gindaco has about 400 stores throughout Japan —and even in other countries—, so it will be very easy for you to locate one during your trip to Japan.

The first Gindaco opened in Gunma Prefecture in 1997. This store did quite well, and a year later a second opened in Nakano, Tokyo, and soon after in Ginza (1999) and Tsukiji (2002).

And from there, the chain spread throughout Japan. Think that only in Tokyo there are 100 stores in places as touristy as Ameyoko, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Roppongi or Shinbashi, for example. Crazy!

Índice

• Plan your trip to Japan
• What are the Gindaco stores like?
• What to eat in Gindaco

Plan your trip to Japan

What are the Gindaco stores like?

All of the brand's establishments are easily located, not only because of their red sign, but above all because of their large windows, which always face the street. From them it is easy to see how the cooks prepare the takoyaki on the kitchen plates. Also, although the label is in Japanese, it also includes the name in Latin characters, which makes it easy to identify.

In some cities, you will find a somewhat different type of store. They are the "Gindaco Highball Sakaba", some local type izakaya. In them you can taste the takoyaki of Gindaco, as well as other Japanese tapas, such as skewers, pickles, sashimi either edamameFor example.

And all this accompanied by a rich highball, a Japanese blend of soda and whiskey. Or any other alcohol you want, of course (beer, sake, shochu…). They are ideal places to have a drink far beyond the takoyaki typical of the chain.

What to eat in Gindaco

If during your trip to Japan you cannot enjoy any matsuri (where there are always stalls selling takoyaki) or you don't go through Osaka (the capital of takoyaki), Don't worry. Surely you can find a Gindaco store near you where you can try the famous octopus-filled balls.

The takoyaki de Gindaco are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and the company pays a lot of attention not only to the quality of the octopus, but also to the quality of its sauces and toppings.

Gindaco's menu does not vary much: here the takoyaki are the kings The takoyaki from the house they carry aonori (alga nori powdered), katsuobushi (flakes of dried bonito) and the typical sweet sauce. But you can always choose what toppings you want and customize them to your liking.

In fact, if you want to experiment, there are very interesting options. Do you have, for example, takoyaki of cheese and mentaikowhich carry a mayonnaise of mentaiko (spicy haddock roe) and grated Parmesan cheese on top. or the so-called negidakowith negi (Japanese green spring onion) and a glaze sauce on top. Or the curry ones, with Japanese curry on top.

If you want to locate Gindaco stores near you, search for Gindaco or 銀だこ on Google Maps. Or check locations on the company official page.

Enjoy the takoyaki wherever you are in Japan with Gindaco!