It's been chilly these days and it's becoming more like autumn. On a day when you leave the front door and tremble, you will want to eat a sweet snack that warms your mind and body.

When I was thinking about that, I got information that there was a used record shop selling "Taiyaki" in a corner of Higashigotanda. Is it a record and Taiyaki? ... Zawazawa ... But one of the authors said. There must be treasures sleeping in such stores. For the time being, autumn is Taiyaki. That's why I went to the store to find out the truth.


■ Arrive at "Da Capo", an imported general store with the face of a Taiyaki restaurant


There was an imported general store "Da Capo" about 5 minutes walk from Gotanda station. The signboard of "Used CD / Record" and the characters of "Taiyaki" stand out in office buildings and condominiums. And many Elvis and others stuck on the glass door. When I stepped into the store, I noticed the welcome board "Click here to order Taiyaki".


Go to the counter while being guided by the board. I ordered 3 types of main menu, "Taiyaki", "Taiyaki", and "Sea Bream Udon Summer ver.".


■ Bake while being watched by the eternal idol, Elvis

I also took a picture of making Taiyaki! While Elvis is watching over, we are particular about making Taiyaki. Let's take a closer look.


First, pour the taiyaki dough into a mold. After stretching it firmly with a brush, put "red bean paste" in each.


"Taiyaki" contains plenty of 100% Tokachi red beans, which is the specialty of the restaurant. It's already plenty. And the process up to this point is the same as other Taiyaki restaurants ...


Suddenly, an unexpected item was gently placed in the "tail" area. It was so clever that I almost overlooked it. Make it Taiyaki ...? And so boldly ...! However, the ties on the right and left were aligned as they were, and he disappeared. It seems that this mosaic item is the secret to making Taiyaki even more delicious, fun, and never getting tired of it. Please check at the store for details.

Next is "Sea Bream". First, put the egg on the stretched dough. Season with salt and pepper, add mizuna and bacon, and combine the left and right dough. If you open the mold after heating it a little more, a beautiful taiyaki will appear! The lustrous scent of mayonnaise, which is a secret ingredient, is even more appetizing.


And finally, "Sea Bream Udon Summer ver.". It was basil that my mother sprinkled on the dough with a cool look. Basil is too fashionable for taiyaki ...! After baking a little, add curry-flavored minced meat. Then put plenty of cheese on it. At the end, I also put a secret item in the tail part.


■ Now, the Tasting! (Eat from your head)


Well, the long-awaited Tasting time. First of all, from the standard red beans.


Look, this tightly packed red bean. When you take a bite, the gentle and elegant sweetness spreads in your mouth ... Oh, I wonder if this was Kyoto Gion ...

It seems that the owner of this azuki bean was finally able to meet after eating azuki beans from all over Japan. As it is for Japanese sweets, it has a light taste and goes well with the chewy dough. Azuki bean vendors are also fans of Da Capo and often come to eat Taiyaki. You want to try the ultimate taste that captivates even professionals, right? And finally, I reached the one hidden in the tail. Oh, a new sensation. I want everyone to taste this feeling.

Next, challenge the sea bream ball. The moment I split it in two, the thick egg melted. Wait, wait, don't panic. I'll eat it now.


This is new! No, the combination of ingredients is rather like the familiar "ham and eggs", but the idea of putting this in Taiyaki is new! A double-triple combination technique in which a soft-boiled egg and pepper-flavored bacon are topped with crispy mizuna and wrapped in a chewy dough. In addition, mayonnaise boosts the aroma of sesame on the tail. Isn't it a genius? Mom ...!

By the way, the last challenge for the author, who is completely "visited" to azuki beans and sea bream balls, is curry-flavored sea bream udon. If you look only at the letters, you don't know what it is anymore.


Keema curry bean paste that overflows generously. In the meantime, you can see the cheese that pulls the thread. Don't you think it's an appetizing sight? When I tried to bite it as it was ... I was prepared to some extent because I was told in advance that it was "spicy" ... that? It's funny, sweat from my eyes ... To be honest. It's delicious. However, it's really spicy. I managed to reach the tail part, regretting not bringing water. Then, with the next bite ... Oh, that? The spiciness has been alleviated! The reason is, of course, I'm looking forward to eating it.

This "Tai Udon" is actually a collaboration product with Gotanda's hidden famous store "Curry Shop Udon". Which one! This is a soup curry shop that makes you want to dig in. I don't have udon. I don't have curry udon. It's a little confusing, so I'd like to report on this separately at a later date (probably).

■ Friendly mother shopkeeper

One of the charms of this shop is the mother of the signboard lady. He seems to be running a shop with his sister-in-law. I knew it a little, but he seems to be a big fan of Elvis. Although it is a popular shop that is often featured in the media, he was a very friendly person without breaking his humble attitude. On the other hand, a mother who sticks to her commitment, saying, "I don't do the same thing as other restaurants" and "We are not fast food." It's cool. It's like Elvis. Even if it takes some time, I want to let the customers eat the freshly made Moko by carefully baking each one in this way. Yes, I'll wait. Those who can't wait, don't eat.


■ If you look closely, not only Elvis, but the nostalgic records of the Showa era

Please remember everyone who has read this far. This is an import general store. Due to its popularity, it seems that the sales of Taiyaki inadvertently exceeded that of general merchandise, but originally the main one is the import general merchandise store. So, I would like to touch on the miscellaneous goods in the store.


Imported LP records, Showa Kayokyoku CDs, and old-fashioned rock star posters are packed on the walls and shelves. By the way, there are many gifts from customers among the Elvis miscellaneous goods displayed in the store. Mom is loved.




■ Bonus big news

During the interview, the orchestra CD of the game "Dragon Quest" was playing in the store from beginning to end. In fact, Koichi Sugiyama, who is famous as a composer of Dragon Quest, is also a big fan of Da Capo's Taiyaki. The friendship is as good as I was talking on the phone today. I've even held an autograph session at a store! He made a serious announcement with Sarari, but mom, that's amazing! !!


Da Capo with such a hidden charm. A little ingenuity and care will grab the hearts of the customers and keep them. Even during the interview, customers came in by turns. Those who want to eat Taiyaki, those who want to meet Elvis, those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, those who want to miss the time when they started running on a stolen motorcycle or broke the window glass, please visit the shop. Please try. The glittering memories of that day and the poster of Elvis will never fade.