Related words きつね 蕎麦そば Kitsune soba is topped with sweet fried tofu (aburaage), while tanuki soba is topped with tempura batter bits (tenkasu).
天てん かす Tenkasu are the crispy tempura batter bits used as a topping in tanuki soba.
Written forms 狸たぬき 蕎麦そば
Standard kanji spelling for this dish name.
たぬきそば Usage 100%
Kana spelling is common in menus and casual writing.
Etymology The name literally means 'raccoon dog soba.' The exact origin is uncertain, but it is often said to come from the idea that tanuki are tricksters, and the dish 'tricks' you by having no meat despite the name, or from the brown color of the batter bits resembling tanuki fur.
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