IZUMISANO, Osaka — Japanese low-cost carrier Peach Aviation Ltd. is set to resume serving hot “takoyaki” octopus balls on its passenger flights on Dec. 1, offering the popular item for the first time in about five years.
The company cited calls from many passengers for the revival of the popular food, which was removed from in-flight menus to reduce food waste, among other reasons.
The airline originally started serving takoyaki in June 2014. Allured by the smell of its sauce, a number of passengers ordered the item, saying it was a treat to savor the dish in midair.
Because takoyaki has short shelf life, the company had to discard surplus meals when there were few orders. To cut back on food waste, the airline stopped serving warm in-flight meals including takoyaki about five years ago. Due in part to the ensuing coronavirus pandemic, takoyaki meals hadn’t made a comeback since then. Instead, the savory balls were offered as canned food as part of in-flight sales.
On Nov. 21, the company announced that it would once again serve warm in-flight meals including takoyaki. A set of five takoyaki balls will be offered for 900 yen (approx. $5.80) on some international flights, including those bound for Taipei or Bangkok from Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture. As “katsuo-bushi” dried bonito flakes, a typical topping on takoyaki, may scatter inside the cabin, they will not be used in the upcoming meal.
“It’s a menu item reminiscent of Osaka. We would especially like foreign customers to eat takoyaki to feel Japan and Osaka on our flights,” the company commented.
(Japanese original by Tadakazu Nakamura, Izumisano Resident Bureau)
