Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2013

Back in the Old Country people used electronic toasted-sandwich makers. But those clever folk at Takara Tomy Arts have transformed the concept into something quite different. Make a replica of the classic fish-shaped snack taiyaki in your own home with the Okashi na Pan Taiyaki Course. And out of mere bread, too! It imprints a scaly fish onto the soft dough and seals in your choice of innards to make for a cute sandwich. Minimum spillage is an advantage, as is the possibility of concealing ingredients from picky eaters. Two sizes are available for the same price: oya that creates an 11cm fish for adults, and ko for kids, which spawns a 7cm minnow. What happens to the excess crusts?

¥1,260; available from Amazon and major electronics retailers. http://meturl.com/diytaiyaki