Osaka Expo twists on octopus-filled takoyaki become hot commodity

Decades-old soul food marketed to international visitors in halal, roll and other forms

This chef at Aiduya, said to be the birthplace of takoyaki, has been working there for more than 20 years. (Photo by Karin Harada)

KARIN HARADA

May 29, 2025 00:34 JST

OSAKA -- One mid-May day at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, a mix of Japanese visitors and foreign tourists could be seen lined up at a stall selling "takoyaki rolls" -- an international twist on the classic Osaka soul food.

The octopus-filled dumplings are wrapped in a tortilla and topped with a chili sauce, rather than the traditional sweet, thick brown sauce and mayonnaise.