Time for takoyaki

Spheerz founder Ahmed Abdulla Tahnoon talks about his love for Japanese cuisine

What is takoyaki?

It is a Japanese street food that is originally from Osaka. I tried it for the first time in 2014 during my first visit there. When I came back to Dubai I couldn’t find any authentic takoyaki so I decided to open the first takoyaki shop here.

What does it taste like?

The original recipe sees liquid dough get fried into a sphere shape and is filled with octopus inside. It is crispy from the outside and topped with a sweet and sour sauce and Japanese mayo. It is very savoury and juicy from the inside. You have to be careful trying it for the first time – it is very hot inside.

What do you love about Japanese food?

Around here people only think about sushi when they think of Japanese food but the cuisine is way more than that. They specialise in so many things including tempura frying, street food, hot pot dishes and okonomiyaki, a type of savoury pancake.

Was it hard finding the equipment to make this dish here in the UAE?

To cook the takoyaki, you need a special stove. I brought a small personal stove from Japan back with me to test the recipe and make it at home. Later on, however, I managed to find a supplier here in the UAE for the professional stove we use at our kiosk.