Trader Joe's frozen section is always full of surprises, and these Japanese Mini Taiyaki caught my eye right away. Taiyaki is something I usually associate with Japanese street food-freshly made, still warm, and filled with sweet red bean paste or custard. I've had the real thing before, so I was curious how Trader Joe's version would measure up. The bag comes with small, fish-shaped waffles filled with custard. They're frozen and ready to heat, which makes them an easy little treat when you want something sweet without a lot of effort.
Taste and texture
I made mine in the air fryer, and that was definitely the right choice. The outside crisped up nicely and had that golden waffle texture that makes them feel fresh. The custard inside is smooth and sweet, with a hint of vanilla. It isn't too rich, but it's creamy enough to feel indulgent.
My kids loved them right away. They thought they were fun to eat, and the size makes them easy for little hands to grab. For me, the sweetness level worked, but I could see some people finding the filling a little too sweet compared to a traditional custard. I did try microwaving one just to see, and it didn't hold up well-it came out soft and soggy. If you buy these, I'd recommend either the air fryer or oven to get that crispy shell.
Portion Size
This is the one part that left me wishing for more. The bag doesn't have many pieces-just enough for a small snack, especially if you're sharing. Between me and the kids, the bag was empty in no time. If you're planning to serve these for dessert or a family treat, it's worth picking up two bags.
Pros and Cons
What I love about these is how cute they are, how quickly they crisp up in the air fryer, and how smooth and creamy the filling tastes. They're easy to prepare and feel like a fun little treat without much work.
The downside is the bag is small, so they disappear quickly, and the custard might taste a little too sweet if you're expecting something more traditional. They also don't compare to freshly made taiyaki if you're chasing that authentic experience, but for a frozen version, they're impressive.
Similar Products
If you enjoyed these, you might also want to try:
- Trader Joe's Raspberry Mousse Cakes
- Trader Joe's Vanilla Meringues
- Trader Joe's Glazed Sweet Lemon Scones
- Trader Joe's New York Deli Style Cheesecake
Final Verdict
Overall, I really enjoyed Trader Joe's Japanese Mini Taiyaki. They're not meant to be exactly like the fresh ones you'd get from a street vendor, but they capture the spirit of taiyaki in a convenient, freezer-friendly way. The crispy waffle exterior and creamy custard filling make them a nice little snack or dessert to keep on hand. For me, they're worth picking up again, but next time I'll grab two bags so we don't run out so quickly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (⅘ stars)
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