This is the best takoyaki so far. They cook newly. The octopus is big, not like a lot of other places giving you very minimum. The dough texture is really creamy just like the way in Japan. The flavor is unique Amazing!!! Keep serving the good excellence and I will absolutely come back. And the staff are very friendly. Highly recommended.

The best takoyaki balls in New York are found at Karls Balls! The balls are crisp on the exterior and piping-hot, savory, and gooey on the inside. Every time I eat them, I have a mouth-watering sensation of dying and going to heaven. And, then I wake up and eat the next one. And, the cycle repeats itself until my stomach is about to blow up.

As I appreciate it, there's not actually a permanent location for Karl's - they pop up at various food markets around the city. I do wish there was a more permanent location, though, because these takoyaki are on-point. We ran into the stand when Astor Place was closed for a street market yesterday, and there was a bit of crowd that's enthralled by the concept of eating octopus, seeing how the takoyaki gets made, and the general confusion of several folks (I heard "I didn't know octopus had balls" more than a few times while waiting for my batch). The line could have been a bit more set, but it's really just Karl (an ex-chef in East Village Japanese restaurants) and his wife crushing tray after tray of takoyaki.

I'm not a huge octopus fan and these balls are definitely for huge octopus fans. It's essentially dough mixed with octopus lightly fried with these fried onion type topping and a bunch of sauces. My only grievance is that we got here right at 6 PM, they took our order and no food for about 30 minutes.

Karls Balls.... with a name like that, you know the owner is confident in his food. The taste of the takoyaki served here is reflective of that confidence. Each takoyaki is a wonderful ball of gooey palatability. In my 15+ visits here, I've heard Karl describe his takoyaki to the uninitiated as inside-out pizzas. Its a pretty accurate description. You bite in and there is an blast of savory creaminess.

I've seen the stand before at Maker Faire and some other places. I was paying attention by the humor of the name lol. I tried it at Queens Night Market, the guy serving was really nice and explained what everything was. I've never had takoyaki before so I found the constancy a bit odd, however I feel that it's probably an acquired taste. 4 stars because of service and presentation. I just didn't know how to wait for it to taste I guess.

The takoyaki's always super hot and super pleasing. I first went to Karl's stand at the Queens Night Market a couple of summers ago, and now my friends and I have pretty much made it our mission to line up every time we're there. It's been time after time good for the past couple years, and awesome to see Karl and company so focused on serving up all the takoyaki (a bit of a pastime while you're on the line). I was glad to see them at the recent Japan Festival in Astoria too; look out for wherever the stall pops up!

After reading some of these reviews I'm tempted to go back and try once more... There was a huge line for this vendor. The dough/sauces/flakes were tasty but out of the 8 we got maybe 1 edible piece of octopus (very overcooked) Is there a good time to go?

Got to try the takoyaki at the Japan Festival in the Upper West Side. There was a huge line for it so we determined to try it out since everyone was going for it. The wait was a little long but they had a lot of takoyaki that was in the making so it moved a long gradually. We decided to get one order for $8 which came with 6. It came topped with a lot of sauce and kewpie, along with dried bonito flakes. There was also a piece of octopus inside each takoyaki ball. The takoyaki was good, but I had to take one star away because it felt a bit too soft

I've known Karl since his days as head chef at Otafuku in NYC. HIs okonomiyaki and Takoyaki were always THE BEST!!...and now Karl's been on his own for the history few years with his very own name line of takoyaki...Karl's Balls!! What makes Karl's Balls so special? Why EVERYTHING of course!! Karl uses only the finest and freshest ingredient available and cuts each piece of octopus skillfully and lovingly by hand. The result? A tasty explosive ball of flavor fueled by Karl's signature takoyaki sauce, then topped and garnished with Kewpie Japanese mayo and dried, shaved bonito flakes. Now mind you...this ain't no pre-made frozen takoyaki that you may find at some Asian restaurants around the way...KARL'S BALLS IS FLAVOR TRUTH SON!!

They make it well. Would have liked it to be a small more crispier and cooked on the inside. Tasted mushy and rushed. And would have liked a lot of bonito flake. Octopus pieces are great!

The best takoyaki ever!!! Seriously, Karls Balls are so good, better than Otafuku. We went this past weekend to the Queens Night Market. The line wasn't as long as others mention, so that was a big plus. Freshly made, these balls were so hot! Was told to wait a few minutes before we could pop them in our mouths, but I really couldn't wait so my mouth paid the price... I was fine, no burns.. At first, L thought they weren't made correctly... they didn't turn them enough, therefore, it would be too raw inside. I wasn't watching them cook the takoyaki, but I had a feeling those balls were going to be ideal! I was right. The balls were soft, the octopus was so tender.

Karl has the best balls in all of NYC hands down! I just came back from a trip to Osaka and Karl and his balls would have fit right in among the best of the vendors. Fun fact, Karl uses copper pans to make his takoyaki rather then the more common iron pans. This means the takoyaki comes out more consistently browned on the outside and even creamier on the inside. Most American shops don't use copper pans since you can't find them in America, but Karl brought them back with him from Osaka.

This guy was so nice, he told me I was good-looking, at first I thought he was flirting with me but he was just being nice. And he is buff as hell what the hell, stay off the tren bruv. His octopus balls taste so good as well. genuine homemade flavor, yum!!!!!!

If you haven't tried Karls Balls yet...run. The flavor combination is scrumptious. The octopus (classic) was factually a creamy, zesty mouthful of palatability. Run to try these...

I've only had them once, but oh my freaking gosh they were tasty. I hope to catch them again one of these days.

These are the best takoyaki on the block. It freaking tasty! The first time I had Karl's takoyaki balls was at the queens night market 2 years ago and ever since then I was hooked. I honestly follow Karl's balls everywhere, from queens night market to any food festival they'll be at i will most likely be there. I love the ideal gooey consistency of his takoyaki balls and the big delicious chunk of octopus thats inside. Most of the takoyaki balls I had are really bland on their own but not Karl's balls, it's pretty delicious even without sauce.

I ate Karl's Balls at a Japanese street fair in Astoria Queens this past weekend (Japan Fes Ramen Contest). It's the best takoyaki that I have eaten. Otafuku makes great takoyaki but I like Karl's better. There's just something particular about his balls. BIG chunks of octopus make for a satisfying chew. The balls are just the right gooey consistency and are topped with the perfect amount of sauce and mayo. It's a very balanced takoyaki taste and tasty through and through.

I first knowledgeable takoyaki at Karls Balls stand at the Queens Night Market last year. I thought it was an interesting concept and tried it and was blown away. First of all they were hot and full of flavor and octopus. They were truly unforgettable. Now i have had takoyaki at other places mainly restaurants and they just dont compare - all breading and little octopus. Gotta say karls balls are the best - hot and full of octopus. #perfectballs

2 years ago I tried Karl's takoyaki and was instantly hooked. Fast forward to the weekend of April 29th 2018 and I had an chance to try Karl's takoyaki again. As usual, he didn't disappoint! I follow Karl on Instagram @karlsballs and I've watched him spend innumerable hours, honing his craft. He truly practices the art of kaizen. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to have more takoyaki!

I was a big fan of Otafuku when I was in high school but after I took off for college, the takoyaki didn't taste the same. I heard that Karl was one of the chefs there approximately that same time so I went to Asia Bites last week to check it out. The taste was very longing. The gooey batter. The chewy but tender octopus. It all came together like a symphony. I think they were in a rush so my takoyaki was falling apart, BUT that taste! I had to give this a 5/5. Looking forward to the next time.

Idk if Karl is out here infectious his own octopus but man that was theeeeee most tender and fresh octopus I've had in ages ! Karl if your reading this thanks for approval the world with your amazing balls !

absolutely got umami. The flavor is great but I'm not down with the texture. I wasn't expecting the ball to be gooey on the inside, kinda makes it feel like it's under cooked (it was scalding hot, so almost certainly cooked fine) and a bit doughy. Inside each ball is a small piece of octopus. It's worth a try once, but at $6 for 4 there are much better options at the market.

Buried upon layers of bonita flakes is them takoyaki balls. Delish with a big chunk of octopus drizzle with some Japanese mayo. with any luck next time we visit Japan again we can definitely get these gems. OSAKA wait for me! Until then...get them in NYC at the queens nightmarket this summer! Plus the owner Karl is funny n friendly!

It's that time of the year once again. Streets of New York city closed off for another season of the famous street fairs. in the middle of the many stands that come together to bring you the experience like no other, one stand always has the best line out of them all. It's for very good reason. It's the one and only Karlsballs. Don't let the name fool you, for this stand is all grave with its craft and service. Every year I look forward to find karlsballs from various street fairs such as Japan fair and queens night market.