11 Best Taiyaki Pans Of 2026
Taiyaki is one of the most fun ways to enjoy baking. Famous in Japan, this fish-shaped cake is a well-known and sought-after delicacy in many regions around the world, especially Asia.
If you haven’t had taiyaki cakes before then a quick google search will both interest and intrigue you. Based on the fish of the same name (tais), taiyakis are shaped like fish and come in many different varieties.
They have a usually custard-filled center, cake filling, red bean paste, and more!
Whether you long for this traditional street-food item or just want to surprise your loved ones with a different-looking cake, taiyakis are the perfect way to delight people of all ages.
If you’re daunted by the process of making them at home, then don’t worry – all you need is the right equipment.
What are the best taiyaki pans? Taiyakis can be made using any Tai-shaped mold. Tai is a fish and the cake imitates the shape of this beautiful sea creature. You can find many cast-iron, aluminum, and electric molds that can help in making taiyakis, with cast iron pans generally being the best.
Taiyakis do require special utensils but the good news is, making them is the easiest part. Just put in some cake batter in the taiyaki pan and you will be good to go! Of course, there is some pre-preparation required.
Taiyakis require special taiyaki pans and since 70% of the process of making these delicious fish-shaped cakes is related to the pans, knowing which ones to buy and which ones to use is super important.
This is where our special guide and our favorite picks for the best taiyaki pans come in.
Read on to find out more!
All About Taiyakis
You may be wondering why people have modeled a cake after a fish.
Taiyakis were introduced in the early 20th century and the origins of this cake can be traced to a local pastry shop in Japan. The Tai fish is known to bring and symbolize good luck and fortune in Japanese culture.
It is said that the creation of taiyakis came about when a baker known by the name of Seijirō Kobe.
Kobe thought about bringing an expensive fish to the masses, but in a different way.
To put it in his way, he wanted to “give a taste of expensive Tai to the ordinary people”.
Kobe started developing several molds until settling on one that he thought was just right for the cakes and the overall design that he had envisioned. Thus, taiyakis were born—but, of course, sales did not immediately skyrocket.
It took some time until taiyakis really took off and the shop saw a huge boom in new customers. Since then, the concept of taiyakis has crossed boundaries and can now be found all over the world.
Taiyakis have a cooked and firm texture on the outside but are made to be fluffy and moist on the inside.
They are usually filled with different types of custards, chocolates, berries, and more.
Buyer’s Guide For Taiyaki Pans
Nowadays, people can easily find several different types of taiyaki pans. Many manufacturers have also made electric taiyaki pans and taiyaki-makers that can produce several taiyakis with a minimum amount of effort.
If you want to try out this unique and delicious cake then the best place to start is with the pans. If you don’t have the right pan then chances are you might not be able to get the most out of taiyakis.
This is why we have created a thorough buyers guide for taiyakis that will help you buy the perfect pans for everyday use.
To make this guide, we will be dividing it into different sections. Each section will cover an important aspect that will add value to your purchase decision.
These are some of the most important aspects of a taiyaki pan:
Size
The size of the pan will be a huge factor in determining a lot of other factors on our list above. Generally speaking, a standard pan is anywhere from 12-16 inches in length and 8-10 inches in width.
This is mostly because of the fact that taiyaki pans have a “fold” design.
Basically, you’re not just buying one pan, but you are buying two separate pans that make up 1 taiyaki pan.
Both pans will be attached to each other with a hinge that will help open and close the two pans to seal the mold with the cake batter inside.
Both sides of the pans will have the same shape and will be one-half of the mold. This is why taiyaki pans can take up a lot of space when opened up fully and can make cleaning a hassle.
Thankfully, some modern taiyaki pans have a detachable hinge where you can separate the pan to make it easier to use.
Material
Taiyakis are best made using cast iron pans. While there are other materials that you can try the taiyaki on, the best way to thoroughly cook and bring about the right color on the exterior of the cakes is via a cast iron pan.
Cast iron can handle high heat and conduct heat evenly across the pan. You will not find “cold spots” on the pan and the taiyaki will always come out looking superb. Cast iron pans have a big caveat though: they are heavy.
A typical cast iron pan can weigh as much as 3-5 kgs and given that typical taiyaki pans have a folded design, you will need to account for the weight of two cast iron pans.
Aluminum pans have a huge advantage over cast iron pans where they weigh a lot less and conduct more or less the same level of heat. Aluminum pans also dissipate heat evenly and can also handle high temperatures easily.
Generally, you will find numerous aluminum pans in the market but we recommend going for the non-stick variety.
Make sure you find a pan that has a high-grade and food-safe non-stick coating. Additionally, you may also find a lot of cast iron pans with the same coating too.
Mold Shape
The molds should be deep enough, typically 1-3 inches, so that the batter can rest and expand within the mold without it leaking out or getting mixed with the other side of the pan when you close the lid.
The mold should also be textured. Traditionally, taiyaki have a beautifully textured exterior that matches that of the Tai fish. In fact, tai fish are known for their beautiful color and skin pattern.
So, if you aren’t getting the right texture then we suggest that you find a pan that gives you the traditional taiyaki look.
Ease Of Use
Using taiyaki pans needs to be easy since you will be dealing with not one but two pans. This is where the hinge design that we talked about earlier comes in. Some pans can have a flimsy hinge that does more harm than good.
When it comes to taiyaki pans, the best way to cook them is using a tight seal. When you put the two pans together, it should create a seal that is tight enough to lock the cake batter in place and cook it on both sides.
If the pans have some space in between, then the batter may leak out and cause the shape of the taiyaki to distort. When the pans are closed together tightly, they will expand and cook evenly and retain their shape within the mold.
Also, a poor hinge design will always make the pans difficult to use. You need a sturdy pan that is attached using a door hinge design. These pans have an elongated hinge that offers much more control and ease of use.
Ergonomics
The handle and shape of the pan will dictate how easy and long-term your taiyaki pan is. Most pans have a bakelite handle that can withstand heat and the wear and tear of everyday baking.
However, some manufactures may use other types of materials like composite plastics or other weaker alternatives.
This would not only make your pan harder to work with in the future but may also introduce harmful chemicals while cooking the taiyakis.
This is why we recommend that you go with a long handle design that accounts for the weight of the pan and the total length too.
Most taiyaki pans come with a textured grip handle that helps control the movement of the pan since you may have to flip the pan mid-way of baking the taiyakis to release them from the mold.
Moving a hot pan requires a lot of precaution so having a reliable and sturdy handle will prove to be extremely useful in the long term.
We also recommend going for a pan that has all of the above features and a handle that allows for the pans to be hung. This will make storage way easier as you can just simply hang the pan on your kitchen wall.
The 11 Best Taiyaki Pans
Now that you know what to look for in the right taiyaki pan, it’s time to make a purchase decision!
Our picks take into account everything that we have talked about and are the perfect way for you to make taiyakis at home.
We have tried to account for the many varieties of pans out there and we think our list perfectly sums up what taiyaki-making is all about.
Here are our best picks:
| Rank | Product | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | CookKing – Taiyaki Double Pan | Textured mold with a sturdy double-pan design. |
| 2. | Happy Sales Taiyaki Pan | 16-inch design with textured molds and a sturdy handle. |
| 3. | YaeGoo Taiyaki Fish-shaped Mold Pan | Aluminum pan with ergonomic design |
| 4. | MAOPINER Taiyaki Fish Shape Cake Pan | Lightweight and high-grade cake pan with textured molds. |
| 5. | Kuha Taiyaki Pan | Great mold size and lightweight design with an ergonomic handle and strong hinge. |
| 6. | Artilife Taiyaki | High-grade non-stick coating with an aluminum body. |
| 7. | Gerald Taiyaki Fish Cake Pan | Convenient design with high-quality aluminum. Perfect for making golden brown taiyakis. |
| 8. | Iwachu Cast Iron Taiyaki | Cast iron cake pan made to create the perfect pair of taiyakis. |
| 9. | Peanuts-Club D-STYLIST TAIYAKI Maker | Electric taiyaki maker built for convenience and ease of use. |
| 10. | MEOMOU Taiyaki Mold | Plain baking molds - perfect for people who prefer to use an oven. |
| 11. | Wooden Handle with Cast Iron Taiyaki Pan | Traditional taiyaki pan. Beautiful design with wooden handles. |
1. CookKing – Taiyaki Double Pan
If you are looking to make the perfect taiyakis then this pan is the best place to start.
Made of aluminum and coated with a high-quality food-grade non-stick coating, this is perhaps one of the best pans for making taiyakis.
The size of this pan is just right and the molds have the right texture on them too. The high-quality aluminum will guarantee that you get an even color on both sides of the cake.
The pan also has a slightly raised and indented design which will allow for a better and more textured exterior.
2. Happy Sales Taiyaki Pan
Here’s another great taiyaki pan that has everything that we have discussed in the buyer’s guide above.
This pan is made of high-grade aluminum that is guaranteed to dissipate heat evenly.
The pan comes in at 16 inches in total when opened and has the right width to support the taiyaki molds and the design of the cakes.
You may notice some pans to have a smaller width which indirectly affects the mold and the shape of the taiyaki too.
The molds within this pan have the right texture and you also get an ergonomic handle that will help control and flip the pan while cooking in high heat.
3. YaeGoo Taiyaki Fish-shaped Mold Pan
This taiyaki pan is perfect for everyday use.
This pan features a high-grade and non-toxic plastic handle that is attached to a steel bracket.
The distance between the handle and the pan is far enough to not heat the material or cause any harm to the user.
This pan also features a double-pan design and has a strong hinge that will keep both molds in place.
You will also have the option to hang the pan on your kitchen wall thanks to the hook-hole at the edge of the handle.
4. MAOPINER Taiyaki Fish Shape Cake Pan
What makes this cake pan great isn’t the list of features it has but the proportions of the molds.
If you want the best-looking taiyakis then we recommend that you buy this pan and keep it for the long run!
The pan comes with a textured design and has an ergonomic handle attached to it as well.
Made with high-grade aluminum and with high mechanical strength that will last a lifetime, this pan is the perfect way to get acquainted with the world of taiyakis.
You can make two taiyakis at a time but thanks to its great build and design, you can easily make a pair of taiyakis in no time!
5. Kuha Taiyaki Pan
One of the reasons why we love this pan is because of how compact yet appropriately proportionate this pan is.
The molds within this pan are one of the best that we have seen in terms of their depth and texture.
This pan is going to make 2 beautifully golden brown taiyakis with zero effort. Just load in your favorite cake batter and cook away!
The depth of the molds will also allow you to use your imagination by using different types of fillings. We recommend adding chocolate, custard, or a mix of different berries.
6. Artilife Taiyaki
While this isn’t the most compact design it certainly does the job with its textured molds.
The proportions of this pan are perfect and we can’t recommend it enough to people who are just starting their taiyaki journey.
Equipped with a sturdy hinge and a double-pan design, we think this taiyaki pan will suit most newcomers and will also help in making the perfect-looking taiyakis. The molds in this pan have a textured design that imitates the Tai fish.
It also features a comfortable and textured-grip handle that will guarantee safe use, even when it comes to novices.
7. Gerald Taiyaki Fish Cake Pan
Making golden brown taiyakis has never been this easy. This pan is made to create art, not just taiyakis.
It has a 2-mold design and features two pans that create the perfect seal when closed.
The lids close evenly and there is virtually no space between the two pans once closed which allows for better cooking times and great-looking taiyakis.
With a strong aluminum body, this pan does a lot but doesn’t weigh much at all.
If you are keen on ergonomic handles then this pan features two compact and easy-grip handles that will make moving the pan around very convenient.
8. Iwachu Cast Iron Taiyaki
There’s no better way to make taiyakis than with a traditional cast iron pan!
This cast iron pan comes straight from Japan and features 2 perfect little taiyaki molds that’ll leave you with incredible, crispy treats every time.
This pan isn’t too big either, with each fish mold measuring about 4.7 x 2.5 inches each.
This is great, as the smaller size will lead to less weight in the pan. So, you get to reap all the rewards of cooking with cast iron without any of the heaviness!
9. Peanuts-Club D-STYLIST TAIYAKI Maker
This taiyaki maker is perfect for people who don’t want to go through the hassle of manually baking these delicious cakes.
If you are looking for a convenient solution to making taiyakis then we highly recommend this option.
It’s an amazing electric taiyaki maker that will always make golden brown and Instagram-ready taiyakis at home.
10. MEOMOU Taiyaki Mold
Don’t like to bake cakes over the stove? Then these molds are going to be the answer to all your taiyaki problems.
Some purists will prefer to use traditional baking techniques to make taiyakis and this is where these molds will help them the most.
Made with high-grade silicone and built to withstand high temperatures without contouring, these molds will hold 2 taiyakis at a time.
11. Wooden Handle with Cast Iron Taiyaki Pan
You can’t get more traditional than this. This taiyaki pan is designed to please every die-hard taiyaki fan.
If you want a traditional-looking taiyaki then this pan is your one-stop solution.
Made with high-quality cast iron and designed to last a lifetime, this pan will not just be a simple purchase but an investment that will keep paying dividends in the future.
Check out the beautiful and border-line artisanal design of this pan and the wooden handles—if this doesn’t make for a great kitchen cake pan then we don’t know what will!
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