Comments on: Suzhou Octoballs

By: Paul Golin

Paul Golin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:51:36 +0000

Hi Ben,

I work with Levi Fishman who recommended I read your blog because my wife and I are about to take a quick trip (4 nights) to Shanghai. I’m really enjoying your writing, not just about China, so thank you. My wife is Japanese and like the previous commentors, I’ve long enjoyed takoyaki, although it seems like the sauce you got might have been different because in Japan it’s more of a brown sauce (which may be okonomiyaki sauce). But perhaps like you, or not, the very first time I was offered octopus balls I literally said, aloud, “I didn’t know octopus have balls.” And I meant it! Sad, really.

Paul

By: Brenda Yuen

Brenda Yuen — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:49:36 +0000

I’ve had them in Hawaii, at a Japanese department store. They are interesting, but not my favorite way to eat octopus.

By: Teya

Teya — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:16:33 +0000

Those look like takoyaki. I have seen them in several places in Shanghai. Oustide my university and near Zhongshan Park are two places that come to mind.

By: GAC

GAC — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:32:53 +0000

Hmm, while on Guanqianjie, or anywhere else in China, did you ever come accross some sort of fleshy thing (possibly meat, possibly organ, definitely not striated muscles) on a stick that was cut open and splayed out like a flower.

A Chinese girl in Suzhou once asked me to share that with her, but she couldn’t tell me what it was (maybe she didn’t know the English word?). I’m actually not sure I want to know.

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:23:15 +0000

Ah, the China blogger connection (Re: Ben and Ryan). I need to start a blog so I can have a free place to stay in Suzhou too

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:20:03 +0000

“octopus balls,” aka たこ焼き (takoyaki) are actually a hugely popular Japanese booth-snack, especially at festivals, and are the local specialty of Osaka

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:04:02 +0000

2.5 years in Suzhou now and I’ve never tried these octoballs. Definitely look great though – wish I’d stayed downtown with ya a bit longer yesterday!

This very well could be the first time I’ve ever posted a comment on a blog who’s blogger was in my living room. Bizarre. Absolute blast having you over though.