Takoyaki Chopstick Rest — Ihoshiro Kiln, Mino Ware

This takoyaki chopstick rest is a piece of Mino ware made by Ihoshiro Kiln.

The sauce, mayonnaise, and green seaweed are all carefully recreated. The golden-brown color is surprisingly realistic, and sometimes it looks more like takoyaki than the real thing.

The design features two connected takoyaki, with a space between them to rest your chopsticks. There’s also a small hole at one end where you can insert a toothpick. It’s a playful design, but a practical one too. I often use it to hold bamboo skewers or toothpicks when making takoyaki.

It looks charming on its own, but it’s even more fun paired with a spatula-shaped chopstick rest. Lining up two or three sets creates a miniature festival-stall atmosphere that’s hard not to smile at.