Dondon Yaki are fritters made in Japan.
To make them, batter is spread out on a griddle to a 6 inch (15 cm) circle. It is sprinkled with chopped green onion, flakes of kombu seaweed, and powdered bonito, then more batter is poured on top. It is cooked a bit like this, then flipped over to cook the other side.
Sauce is spread on top, then it is rolled around a stick, and wrapped in newspaper to be taken away for eating.
History Notes
Dondon Yaki started being made in the Meiji era (1868-1912.) They became very popular in the early 1930s.
Language Notes
The shops that made them used to beat a drum in between serving customers to attract more trade. In Japanese, the sound that a drum makes is called “don don”.