Finally , once cooked , put takoyaki sauce , katsubushi ( dried fish flakes ) , and aonori ( green laver ) on the takoyaki . Takoyaki ( literally fried or grilled octopus ) is a popular ball-shaped Japanese dumpling or more like a savory pancake made of batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan ( see below ) . It is typically filled with diced or whole baby octopus , tempura scraps ( tenkasu ) , pickled ginger , and green onion , brushed with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise , and topped with green laver ( aonori ) and katsuobushi ( shavings of dried bonito ) .