This is the YBC Chip Star Takoyaki, a potato chip featuring octopus extract, bonito powder and aonori seasoning, formulated to recreate the flavour profile of takoyaki.
The crisps presented as uniformly stacked, shallow concave crisps with a light golden-brown hue and a fine, even coating of green and brown seasoning. The structure appeared dense and extruded. Aroma opened with aromatic savoury-sweet notes of takoyaki sauce and bonito.
Initial contact delivered immediate savoury, oceanic notes of bonito as the chips yielded with a crisp fracture. Through the mid-palate, the more unctuous, saline character of the octopus developed before giving way to a rich takoyaki sauce profile. The seasoning became increasingly juicy, balancing gentle sweetness with a mild spice reminiscent of Worcestershire sauce, producing a subtle tingling sensation that persisted between chips. As the crisps broke down, the aonori embedded throughout the dough gradually emerged, contributing an increasingly pronounced umami depth towards the finish.
Aftertaste carried a lingering sweet, oceanic savouriness that closely recalled the overall flavour of freshly dressed takoyaki.
Overall, a potato chip with a layered flavour progression and cohesive textural development, resulting in a convincing recreation of takoyaki in crisp form.
This YBC Chip Star Takoyaki contained 45 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2026.