Based on real taiyaki and the Korean alternative sold in their respective countries, I would say both are equally good. The Japanese frozen alternative that you have pictured looks similar to the real thing, but the Korean one is deceiving since when you actually buy those from vendors, they are more like the picture on the right in terms of outside texture and color (not shape). The inner texture is different, according to what suits each culture’s tastes, as is the thickness of the outside crust.

And not to be rude, cuz I don’t think it was intentional, but you shouldn’t necessarily call things “cheap imitations”. Taiyaki was something introduced during the Japanese occupation, which was as violent and cruel as any other occupation of any other country. Kinda harsh to call something a “cheap imitation” when you haven’t ever had the real things, and it is something introduced during harsh times. If you’re calling the frozen treats “cheap imitations” overall, that seems reasonable since anything frozen won’t compare to the real thing.

Also if you get the chance you should try each nations’ different versions of taiyaki, since it’s common now to find different types of fillings. But I’d say nothing beats the original azuki beans….except maybe nutella. lol Ones with new fillings are still fun to try.

wontaek> Taiyaki without fillings sounds awesome like you could add your own stuff to it. I was thinking of experimenting but I’d need to find a place where I can get a mold!