Translation guide
A Japanese sweet filled pastry, similar to a thick pancake, typically filled with red bean paste and cooked in a special mold.
Referring to the Japanese confection itself
The standard Japanese name for this sweet. It's a round, filled pastry made from batter similar to pancake or waffle, traditionally filled with sweet azuki bean paste, but also available with custard, chocolate, or other fillings.
One imagawayaki, please.
A common regional name for the same sweet, especially in Kansai and other areas. The name comes from its resemblance to a large oval gold coin (大判).
Another regional name, common in parts of Kyushu and elsewhere. Literally 'rotation-grilled', referring to the rotating mold used to cook them.
A brand name used by a specific shop in Hyogo, but sometimes used generically in that region. It's a very formal-sounding name meaning 'thank you for your visit'.
The same sweet is known by different names across Japan. 今川焼き (imagawayaki) is widely understood, but using the local name can make you sound more familiar with the area. Common alternatives include 大判焼き (ōban-yaki) in Kansai, 回転焼き (kaiten-yaki) in Kyushu, and 二重焼き (nijū-yaki) in Hiroshima.
Imagawayaki is often confused with taiyaki (たい焼き). The main difference is the shape: imagawayaki is round or oval, while taiyaki is fish-shaped. Both use similar batter and fillings, but taiyaki is more iconic and widely recognized internationally.
Red bean paste is the classic filling for imagawayaki.
In Osaka, imagawayaki is often called ōban-yaki.
In Fukuoka, kaiten-yaki is commonly sold.
In Himeji, it's affectionately known as gozasōrō.