taiyaki

Where does the word "taiyaki" come from? It comes from Japanese taiyaki, and was adopted directly into English (2010s).

Taiyaki’s story begins in Japanese: taiyaki meant “a fish-shaped cake filled with sweet paste.” Literally 'baked sea bream', a fish-shaped cake mimicking a prized fish's form. It reached English by 2010s as taiyaki. Borrowed as the street snack gained popularity through Japanese dessert shops abroad. Today, taiyaki means a fish-shaped Japanese cake, typically filled with sweet red bean paste or custard.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · early 1900s taiyaki "a fish-shaped cake filled with sweet paste", literally 'baked sea bream', a fish-shaped cake mimicking a prized fish's form.
2. Stage 2 · English · 2010s taiyaki "a fish-shaped Japanese pastry with a sweet filling", borrowed as the street snack gained popularity through Japanese dessert shops abroad.