Karls Balls food stand offers an average tasting experience with their takoyaki balls. The demand seems to affect quality as they aim for faster turnover, resulting in less crispy balls. On a positive note, the variety of toppings provides ample customization options for those seeking a unique flavor.
Michael Boter
Want Takoyaki? Karl's Balls got you covered. Have it hot and freshly made. Always present in most events I go to in NYC.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ksenia K
The best takoyaki in NYC!?☄️☄️☄️
Don Park
Karl has brought Japanese street food that takes a ton of time, care, and skill to do right straight to New York. All the places I've tried Takoyaki from in the city are either microwaved from frozen packets or just aren't that level of quality. Karl sells something that tastes just like what you'd find in the streets of Osaka and brings it to life an ocean away. Noone else can beat it. When I get that itch for good takoyaki there's only one game in town and that's KARLSBALLS.10/10 would ball again.Edit: Takoyaki should be runny and gooey inside. That contrast in texture is another element you get to enjoy. That's how I had it when I was in Osaka. It's something that isn't very common here in the US so give it a shot! I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven DeLaurentis
Had it at the Forest Hills street fair and it was delicious. Had the original flavor and hopefully I’ll run into them again so I can try the different flavors. Best part was my wife said “eww octopus “ so I was able to enjoy all six pieces. Owner/ chef was very friendly, he really adds to the great experience
Gina Lipere
Karlsballs is the BEST takoyaki I've ever had. I've tried a lot of takoyaki in multiple Japanese restaurants, grocery stores, etc. and my friends and I always say "It's good, but not as good as Karsballs." You can't beat it. I've only been to the Karlsballs locations at conventions, such as NY Comic Con and AnimeNYC, and it's worth the wait every time. It is THE convention meal for me. Super flavorful. Octopus melts in your mouth. You can tell its made with fresh ingredients. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Takoyaki
Greg Yang
This is some of the most authentic and best-executed Osaka-style takoyaki in NYC (& possibly in all of the US), and it's not even close. The contrast of the crisp exterior, the creamy interior, and the pleasant chew of the octopus are all a work of art. In terms of menu offerings, it's hard to go wrong with the OG... but if you're feeling adventurous & it's on the menu for the day, the Mentaiko takoyaki - which I tried on a recent visit, at Karl's behest - is nothing short of a work of art.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mili
Ate at JapanFes. Some were uncooked(batter can tell), and the flavor was odd, not authentic. I didn't want to waste food, but I had to throw them away(we bought 3 bowls, that's $45). Don't tell me it's impossible/I don't know about Takoyaki. I had eaten Takoyaki several times in Japan. And it was overpriced, normally it's $8~10 in the restaurant, I don't know why it's $15. Unbelievable, total waste of money.
Awesome authentic takoyaki. Had a payment issue and karl himself resolved it very quickly and was very apologetic. great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cutie C
Line is long, a bit wait, but totally worth it. Yum yum
Skinny Chic
Some of the best authentic Takoyaki in the USA! The octopus is very fresh octopus with big size along with a flavorful juicy and creamy well prepared batter to make the takoyaki fresh off the grill.if I could give 10 stars I would!!!???The staffs and the owners are friendly kind and goofy! It was amazing hospitality! めっちゃ美味かったです。
Jin Ju
Looked good. Wasn't cooked. Chewy octopusRE: Owner response ---- it was not cooked inside. Idc that u know takoyaki -- I'm sure you do.This serving sucked. We threw away our dish. 1 star.
Jay R.
I routinely travel from DC to NYC for Karl's Takoyaki and it is always worth it so when I found out Karl and his crew would be attending Sakura Matsuri 2023 I instantly bought 2 day tickets. Day 1 I got 2 OG Takoyaki orders and 1 spicy. All 3 orders were 100% delicious, piping hot and creamy on the inside exactly how Osaka style Takoyaki should be. The spicy order had a great kick of heat but not overpowering in its heat level, still had all the delicious flavor I was looking forward to. Day 2 me and my gf went nuts and started with 2 more orders of the OG and it somehow was better than Day 1. Later in the day we got 2 more OG and 1 more spicy. Safe to say we were taking advantage of Karl's Balls being in our city. I cannot rave about their Takoyaki enough. I have had Takoyaki all over the world and I would 100% put Karl's up against anyone else's in the world. When you want the best Osaka style Takoyaki, you want Karl's Balls.
Karls Balls food stand offers an average tasting experience with their takoyaki balls. The demand seems to affect quality as they aim for faster turnover, resulting in less crispy balls. On a positive note, the variety of toppings provides ample customization options for those seeking a unique flavor.
Want Takoyaki? Karl's Balls got you covered. Have it hot and freshly made. Always present in most events I go to in NYC.
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best takoyaki in NYC!?☄️☄️☄️
Karl has brought Japanese street food that takes a ton of time, care, and skill to do right straight to New York. All the places I've tried Takoyaki from in the city are either microwaved from frozen packets or just aren't that level of quality. Karl sells something that tastes just like what you'd find in the streets of Osaka and brings it to life an ocean away. Noone else can beat it. When I get that itch for good takoyaki there's only one game in town and that's KARLSBALLS.10/10 would ball again.Edit: Takoyaki should be runny and gooey inside. That contrast in texture is another element you get to enjoy. That's how I had it when I was in Osaka. It's something that isn't very common here in the US so give it a shot! I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had it at the Forest Hills street fair and it was delicious. Had the original flavor and hopefully I’ll run into them again so I can try the different flavors. Best part was my wife said “eww octopus “ so I was able to enjoy all six pieces. Owner/ chef was very friendly, he really adds to the great experience
Karlsballs is the BEST takoyaki I've ever had. I've tried a lot of takoyaki in multiple Japanese restaurants, grocery stores, etc. and my friends and I always say "It's good, but not as good as Karsballs." You can't beat it. I've only been to the Karlsballs locations at conventions, such as NY Comic Con and AnimeNYC, and it's worth the wait every time. It is THE convention meal for me. Super flavorful. Octopus melts in your mouth. You can tell its made with fresh ingredients. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Takoyaki
This is some of the most authentic and best-executed Osaka-style takoyaki in NYC (& possibly in all of the US), and it's not even close. The contrast of the crisp exterior, the creamy interior, and the pleasant chew of the octopus are all a work of art. In terms of menu offerings, it's hard to go wrong with the OG... but if you're feeling adventurous & it's on the menu for the day, the Mentaiko takoyaki - which I tried on a recent visit, at Karl's behest - is nothing short of a work of art.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ate at JapanFes. Some were uncooked(batter can tell), and the flavor was odd, not authentic. I didn't want to waste food, but I had to throw them away(we bought 3 bowls, that's $45). Don't tell me it's impossible/I don't know about Takoyaki. I had eaten Takoyaki several times in Japan. And it was overpriced, normally it's $8~10 in the restaurant, I don't know why it's $15. Unbelievable, total waste of money.
Nice ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible.
Restaurantji Recommends
Awesome authentic takoyaki. Had a payment issue and karl himself resolved it very quickly and was very apologetic. great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Line is long, a bit wait, but totally worth it. Yum yum
Some of the best authentic Takoyaki in the USA! The octopus is very fresh octopus with big size along with a flavorful juicy and creamy well prepared batter to make the takoyaki fresh off the grill.if I could give 10 stars I would!!!???The staffs and the owners are friendly kind and goofy! It was amazing hospitality! めっちゃ美味かったです。
Looked good. Wasn't cooked. Chewy octopusRE: Owner response ---- it was not cooked inside. Idc that u know takoyaki -- I'm sure you do.This serving sucked. We threw away our dish. 1 star.
I routinely travel from DC to NYC for Karl's Takoyaki and it is always worth it so when I found out Karl and his crew would be attending Sakura Matsuri 2023 I instantly bought 2 day tickets. Day 1 I got 2 OG Takoyaki orders and 1 spicy. All 3 orders were 100% delicious, piping hot and creamy on the inside exactly how Osaka style Takoyaki should be. The spicy order had a great kick of heat but not overpowering in its heat level, still had all the delicious flavor I was looking forward to. Day 2 me and my gf went nuts and started with 2 more orders of the OG and it somehow was better than Day 1. Later in the day we got 2 more OG and 1 more spicy. Safe to say we were taking advantage of Karl's Balls being in our city. I cannot rave about their Takoyaki enough. I have had Takoyaki all over the world and I would 100% put Karl's up against anyone else's in the world. When you want the best Osaka style Takoyaki, you want Karl's Balls.