Costco Shoppers Should Leave This Frozen Seafood Item On The Shelf

Frozen seafood is a convenient way to enjoy well-preserved fish, and it's usually easy to prepare. When you combine those advantages with the great deals and large quantities at Costco, shopping its freezer aisle becomes even more attractive. Unfortunately, not every frozen seafood item there measures up to the chain's best-known offerings, like the cult-favorite rotisserie chickens and food court hot dogs. In our taste test of the best and worst of Costco's frozen seafood, takoyaki (which are spherical Japanese octopus fritters) fell short in nearly every aspect.

Takoyaki began as an early 20th-century Japanese street food and remains a popular part of that scene today. Vendors would mix and match fillings for their small, battered dumplings that were traditionally grilled, and takoyaki is thought to be a product of those experiments. It has also become a common appetizer at Japanese restaurants, often served with bonito flakes and drizzles of Kewpie mayonnaise (which is different from American mayo), and takoyaki sauce on top.

Costco's frozen takoyaki offering unfortunately didn't measure up to the qualities that made this dish so beloved in Japan. Our reviewer noted the crispy crust that develops from cooking it, but ended her praise there, writing, "This takoyaki has a gooey, lumpy interior similar to the texture of oatmeal," which was quite a departure from the fluffy chewiness typical of the treat. It's likely a result of the crispy shell sealing in moisture, adding a downside to the only potentially redeeming element.

Those hoping the flavor of this frozen takoyaki would make up for its unappealing texture will be disappointed. Our taste tester summed the product up as "severely lacking in any discernible fish flavor" and overpowered by a scallion taste instead. Unsurprisingly, the single piece of "chewy, tough" octopus the reviewer observed wasn't sufficient to be the star of the filling. To cap it off, the lack of an included dipping sauce — which might've been an easy way to make up for the underwhelming taste — was a small but significant downside. It's a telling omission, considering that takoyaki is known for being served with sauce and creamy Japanese mayo; it's even pictured that way on the packaging at Costco.

Our reviewer wasn't the only one disappointed by this takoyaki attempt. On Reddit, many shoppers shared similar complaints: very little octopus meat per ball, poor texture, and a lack of flavor, with descriptions ranging from "pretty mid" to "inedible." One commenter went as far as calling the balls "the only sample I've promptly spit back out in the paper cup."

Although this takoyaki might be best left on the shelf, the good news is that there are still plenty of high-quality frozen seafood options at Costco, likely just a few feet away. These include the flavorful, affordable Morey's wild Alaskan marinated salmon and the crunchy, versatile Kirkland Signature breaded panko shrimp.