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Gindaco, the Japanese takoyaki restaurant chain just opened its doors yesterday in Gardena. The company has over 500 locations worldwide that churn out Japanese snacks specially made in a molded pan. Gindaco’s first U.S. location is inside a Gardena food court directly inside the recently-renovated market, Tokyo Central.
For the uninitiated, takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack with a wheat flour-base that’s cooked in a special molded pan. The result is a creamy, crispy octopus ball topped with a sweet and tangy sauce, bonito flakes, or even cheese and cod roe, among others. The company made two takoyaki specifically for the U.S. market: spicy scallion or Sriracha.
Japanese grocery chain Marukai spent three months renovating its Gardena store and reopened as Tokyo Central in April this year. Inside the market is a refashioned food court, with Japanese eateries like Gindaco, Harajuku Crepe, and steamed bun eatery Nikuman-Ya. Hours run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.