ABOUT CHOPSTICKS NY
A Free Monthly Magazine CHOPSTICKS NY features articles on the current atmosphere in Japan and the latest trends within the Japanese culture in New York,
along with over 800 listings of restaurants, grocery & liquor stores, beauty spas,
healthcare providers, and cultural schools of Japanese influence. It is the first
publication of its kind in English targeting non-Japanese New Yorkers. For more
information, please visit www.chopsticksny.com.
WHAT’S NEW
[Vol. 083 Mar., 2014]
If takoyaki (a ball-shaped pancake stuffed with
octopus) is the king of Japanese street food, the
queen must be taiyaki (a fish-shaped pancake
The King and
stuffed with sweet red bean paste). Serving
Queen of
takoyaki, okonomiyaki (savory pancakes with
Japanese
assorted toppings) and yakisoba (stir-fried egg
Street Food in
noodles), Otafuku, in the East Village, has long
been a favorite destination of locals. At its new
One Place
location on the same block—just a few stores
down––the Japanese snack stand has changed its name to Otafuku x Medetai
and expanded its space and menu. The new menu includes the first authentic
taiyaki available in New York, lovingly named “Medetai”.
With a slightly sweet, waffle-like batter, taiyaki is cooked on a fish-shaped
iron mold. In Japan, red bean paste is the classic and most popular filling. Otafuku
x Medetai is planning to introduce a variety of creative flavors customized for
the New York palate, including hazelnut chocolate and banana that debuted
this Valentine’s Day. Though takoyaki and taiyaki are more snacks than meals,
okonomiyaki and yakisoba are big enough to fill you up. Affordable combination
options are also available for those wanting to enjoy mix-and-match flavors.
The restaurant’s capacity has now doubled, allowing customers to stay and
eat snacks fresh off the grill. Once the weather is warmer, benches will once
again be placed outside as well.
“Medetai” is crispy outside
and slightly chewy inside. The
Tai (sea bream) shape is too
cute to bite into, but you must
for the delicious flavor that
awaits you.
CAFE
Sauces (thick, savory sauces and mayonnaise)
and toppings (katsuobushi, bonito flakes and
aonori, seaweed flakes) are important additions to takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Customers
can season snacks to their taste at Otafuku x
Medetai.
The new space is
double that of the
old one, so customers can eat
indoors.
Otafuku x Medetai 220 E. 9th St., (bet. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), New York, NY 10003 | TEL: 646-998-3438 | www.otafukuny.com