Nakamura copper tamagoyaki pan image courtesy of Shokunin. Orig Posted: Feb 16, 21, Updated: Nov 13, 22
If you work BOH as a line cook/sushi chef or are an avid cook, I have compiled a list that does not limit you to just Amazon. I have done this because not every brand is on Amazon, and some of you may live in an area where you have easy access to a Walmart or a Target.
There are a number of “top 7-10 to best 15 tamagoyaki” lists, but the vast majority are solely intent on monetizing their website and cashing in on being an Amazon affiliate.
Most websites list only products that benefit their bottom line, but I have listed products on Japanese, American, and non-Amazon websites to give you every possible option on where to buy a tamagoyaki (tamago=egg, and yaki=grill) pan.
I do not intentionally stack the odds in my favor because legit content, is good content.
I would have no issue with that if the content was not solely driven by promoting only the products and vendors that benefit their or Amazon’s bottom line.
That sort of douchebaggery is why I do this blog, and I hope to provide you content that helps you understand the market at-large and the products beyond just Amazon or what is on Amazon.
Shokunin seems to be the smallest online seller listed, but they have a ton of great imagery and videos regarding Nakamura Douki copper products.
Due to all the deceptive and knock-off brands on Amazon/online
I have vetted these producers/manufacturers and sellers, so I will state the brands country of origin for those of you that care who you are supporting. Unfortunately, I will not be promoting Chinese brands that knock-off Japanese brands.
If you are an American, you will want the fastest and most affordable vendor which is why my focus will be American-centric vendors or vendors who cater to the U.S. market. Although, I have listed their location, so that you can choose a seller within your region for all international buyers.
Akazuki (Azk)
Fukuoka, Japan
Amazon (Amzn)
Seattle, WA, USA
Bento & Co (Bco)
Kyoto, Japan
Japan Taste (JT)
Amagasaki, Japan
Shokunin (Shk)
Kyoto, Japan
Target (Tgt)
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Walmart (Wmt)
Bentonville, AR, USA
The Tamagoyaki Pan Basics
Do not expect big pans.
The Most Common Shapes of a Tamagoyaki Pan
It’s a regional thing.
- Square
- Rectangular
Material Types and Treated Surface
This is the material range of tamagoyaki pans (typical range of materials):
- Iron
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum/stainless steel (induction)
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Carbon steel
Some Generalities
Everything you might be wondering about a tamagoyaki pan prior to buying one.
- The vast majority of the pans are made of iron although aluminum to stainless steel options are also available.
- Brands like Takumi say they come with a food-grade silicone coating, which protects the product from rusting during transport. It will come off, but according to several sources, it’s safe in regards to leaching/not being reactive (not sure about ingesting), from the FDA to Stasher, which has a line of products made of silicone, and lifewithoutplastic.com thorough deep-dive (both are commercial entities).
- Copper pans are known for their great thermal conductivity.
- A few companies offer non-stick coatings/treatments that are PFOA free.
- Some pans come with a wooden lid: used to aid in shaping the tamagoyaki.
- Pan handles range from bare metal, polymer (plastic), silicone wrapped, to wood.
- Cast-iron is great for and some stainless steel pans can be used for induction heating (it has to be magnetic, unlike 304 which is austenitic).
12 Standout Tamagoyaki Pans
Broken Down by:
1 Cast-iron, 2. Coated, and 3. Copper
CAST IRON
The one-time solution is cast-iron for durability and especially if you are anemic and want to boost your iron levels.
Iwachu
Iwachu (made in Japan) is a coveted brand globally, and if you ever heard of the French brand Le Creuset which was founded in 1925, the Japanese brand also started in the early 1900’s, 1902
I keep recommending this site, and if you want to learn more about Iwachu, head on over to BoonieHicks.com
The Iwachu tamagoyaki pan is heavily knocked off by Chinese brands (they look exactly like Iwachu) on Amazon, and I hope many of you will avoid those brands because they did not produce a product on their own merits.
Kotobuki
Even Walmart carries Kotobuki (made in Japan), so while you are picking out a new hunting outfit, you can also order a tamagoyaki pan.
Not available in woodland camo.
Sanjo
Compatible with gas, electric, vitroceramic and induction stoves because its iron. This product is made in the city of Sanjo, Niigata, Japan, well-known for metal handiwork.
I had no clue what vitro ceramic was till I Googled it: “A heat-resistant material created by crystallizing glass in controlled conditions.“
- Note: “The pan is coated in a ultrathin silicone coating to prevent rusting before use. As you cook with the pan, the silicone coating will naturally wear off. Please rest assured that the silicone is food-safe and is completely safe to consume” – Bento & Co. (read the above links that I provided “Under Some Generalities,” debating the safety of silicone).
Summit Kogyo
A Summit cast iron pans feature a 1.6mm thickness that allows this pan to heat up quickly, and they are sold through Japan Taste based out of Kyoto, Japan.
Limiting yourself only to Amazon, you are limiting your options.
A seasoned cast-iron pan is very resilient and robust if you can’t cook, and I highly suggest it over a teflon pan for noobs.
Takumi
Got to respect that TAKUMI (Nihon Yoshokki Co Ltd was founded in 1955) is one of the few Japanese companies to market a distinguishable feature of their product.
The Japanese are like Apple, they expect their product to sells itself.
COATED
Green Pan
Is it great that this pan costs as much as a super sized combo meal, or should their tagline be “who do I got to exploit to get a pan for $12 up in here?” Green Pan is a Belgian company with products made in China.
What aspect of the product reflects Belgians?
The silver finished pan with the TeChef’s CeraTerra coating which is PTFE and PFOA free. Hey, TeChef makes some legit products, so I can’t just list one.
TeChef
The only downside to Korean products is their douchey fascination with trying to associate their products with the French (check out the package of Korean instant noodles: English and French), like calling this color aubergine, versus eggplant 🍆 😉
Can anybody name a product where the French try to associate their products with Korea?
COPPER
In accordance to Japanese law, copper products are lined with tin.
Asahi
Asahi was founded in 1953 in Tsubame City in Niigata, Japan.
A region well known for metal works from copper, steel, to iron.
If you have Martha Stewart money, you go copper, and you go Nakamura. Except tell people you do it for coppers excellent thermal conductivity.
Snoop also has the money to go with a copper tamagoyaki pan just cuz he can.
Watch at how far you choke up on the pan handle, otherwise you will be frying up your palms.
“???”
Well, it’s Kansai-style pan from Tsubame-sanjo, Japan, and it’s sold by Bento & Co, and they are a solid trustworthy seller.
I have got to say and show my bias, that this would be the pan I would get, next to the Iwachu (this one will heat up quicker tho).
Nakamura Douki
Nakamura copperware is another several decades old company in Japan based in Tokyo, Japan.
If you can understand Japanese, you can peruse their website, NakamuraDouki.com
From Generic Producers, Multi-Generational Craftsmen, to Large Corporations
Everything can come down to price, but if care about the quality of the product, you will care if there is a brand backing the product or a producer with decades of specialized experience.
By Brand with an Online Presence:
- Cuisinart – is an American company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. The parent company is the Conair corporation, and with their mighty corporation powers, they offer up the number one most affordable “square” pans of the bunch at only $10.
- Green Pan – a Belgian brand with a PFOA and PFAS free coating called Thermolon. The ceramic coating is used throughout their product range, and they tout it as the “healthy cermaic non-stick.”
- TeChef – One of the few Asian based companies with a U.S. presence. The Korean based company has been around since 1982 and has a website with extensive product information (minus no search capability, and that you have to understand their product segment branding to find anything).
By Country of Manufacture:
- China – the vast majority of companies listed have no information beyond their name, and the only association for most, is that they all sell through Amazon, Sears, to Walmart (I did not list them all because there are so many, but here are a few Binpure, Duokon, Li-Gelisi, to Rong Tian X).
- Japan – since tamagoyaki is Japanese, it should not be a surprise that there is a large number of producers and manufacturers. They range from large to small family owned and run operations spanning 80+ years and four generations to well over a century.
- Korea – Only one company comes up as a Korean based and made product, but it looks to be a very competitive product amongst their dozen or more competitors.
Where to Buy a Tamagoyaki Pan Online or Offline
| SELLER/ LOCATION | SPECIALIZATION |
|---|---|
| Akazuki (Azk) Fukuoka, Japan | Tableware, kitchenware, tea & tea ware, textile & interior, alimentation. |
| Amazon (Amzn) Seattle, WA | Everything, but you knew that. just keep in mind, Amazon is a portal for China to go direct-to-consumer with Americans. Cutting out small businesses (you know strip malls, malls, mom and pops, etc). |
| Bento & Co (Bco) Kyoto, Japan | Saving the world one bento box at a time although they carry a number of other products such as kitchen tools to tableware. Also, #1 for ease of communication if you ever have a problem, question, or issue. |
| Japan Taste (JT) Amagasaki, Japan. | Aside from Amazon, it is still somewhat hard to find an extensive amount of Japanese products from food to cosmetics online if it were not for Japanese Taste. |
| Shokunin (Shk) Kyoto, Japan | I think the main dude is Shinya Sakurai (almost certain), and they excel at photography. So simple little shots are a joy to look at, and the reason I bring that up, I expect the same appreciation for the products he sells, the same way he shoots them. |
| Target (Tgt) Minneapolis, MN, USA | You know, not Wal-mart. Also your typical American big box department store chain headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
| Walmart (Wmt) Bentonville, AR, USA | You know, Murica superstore that pulls in upwards of 600 billion dollars in overall revenue. |
From Japan? Well, How Much is the Shipping Going to Cost?
I’m glad you asked because Akazuki in Fukuoka, Japan has one of the best e-commerce features that all e-commerce platforms should have which is a feature where you can check shipping costs and to some degree transit times prior to checking out. One example:
- Iwachu Tamagoyaki frying pan from Japan to Newport Beach, CA (92663) would set me back either
- $10.95 – AIRMAIL eco (insured and tracked).
- $15.95 – DHL Express, 4 working days (phone required).
- Copper cookware through Shokunin out of Kyoto, Japan:
- Shipping Fee: any quantity (no matter where you live), the shipping fee is 2,800 JPY (about $20 USD). Delivery would take about 5 days to arrive.
All 17 Tamagoyaki Pan Brand Comparisons
However you spell tamagoyaki/rolled omelette or call it, this is all of top brands that are not just sold on Amazon.
Shop by: Brand, Material, Dimensions, Country of Origin, Price, and Seller.
“Is there anything I can help you find? Let me know if you do” Remember the old days of brick-and-mortar retail?
| BRAND | DESCRIPTION/ MATERIAL | DIMENSIONS | MADE IN | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asahi | Copper with wooden Lid 18cm (smaller/15cm, no lid $44.59) | 9.92 x 7.56 x 2.44 inches | Japan | $79.99 Amzn |
| Asahi | Copper (Cne133) | 10cm x 15 cm | Japan | $44.59 Amzn |
| Aux Co., Ltd | Kansai style Copper Pan w leather handle cover. | 33.8 x 13.4 x 9cm (L x W x H) | Japan | $149 JT |
| Cuisinart | Mini 5.5″ non-stick square mini aluminum fry pan with silicone handle (5730M-14TQ) | 5.5″ | “Imported” | $9.99 Tgt |
| GreenPan | Thermolon healthy ceramic nonstick coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Aluminum, Ceramic with a silicone wrapped handle | 5″ | China | $12 Amzn |
| GreenPan | Thermolon healthy ceramic nonstick coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Aluminum, Ceramic with a silicone wrapped handle | 5″ | China | $11.95 Wmt |
| Iwachu | Iron with wooden handle | L7 × W5.7″ (L18 × W14.5 cm) | Japan | $74.95 Azk |
| Iwachu | Iron with wooden handle | 14.25 x 6 x 1.25 inches | Japan | $59.99 Amzn |
| Iwachu | Iron with a specially formed handle to not get too hot | 8-1/2 inch Diameter | Japan | $50+ Amzn |
| Kotobuki | Iron, Non-stick coating Traditional rectangular shape | 7.5 x 5.25 x 1.25 inches | Japan | $15.99 Amzn |
| Kotobuki | Iron, Non-stick coating Traditional rectangular shape | N/A | Japan | $35.49 Wmt |
| Nakamura | Rectangular copper pan with wooden handle. | 12 x 16 cm (13x18cm) | Japan | $79 JT |
| Nakamura Douki | Rectangular copper pan with wooden handle. | 5.9 in × 5.9 in 0.05 in. thick | Japan | $112.32 Amzn |
| Nakamura Douki | Rectangular copper pan with wooden handle. | 13.8 x 18.2x H3.3cm | Japan | 5,800 (JPY) Shk |
$32.99 | ||||
| Sanjo | Sanjo iron pan with silicone coating and natural wood handle. | 14 x 18 cm (1.6mm thickness) | Japan | $39.90 Bco |
| Summit | Long pan cast iron with wooden handle. | 374 x 104 x 70mm (L x W x H) | Japan | $24.99 JT |
| Summit | Cast iron square pan with wooden handle. | (W x L x H): 160 x 390 x 105 mm | Japan | $45.00 JT |
| Takumi | Small Iron (Magma Plate) with beech wood handle and die-cast aluminum clasp. | 13 x 4 x 2 inches | Japan | $39.99 Amzn |
| Takumi | Medium Iron (Magma Plate) with beech wood handle and die-cast aluminum clasp. | 14.3 x 5.8 x 2.5 inches | Japan | $59.99 Amzn |
| TeChef | Coated with New Safe Teflon Select / Non-Stick Coating PFOA Free / INDUCTION-CAPABLE extra-heavy gauge aluminum construction with stainless steel base | 7.5 x 1.2 x 5.5 inches | Korea | $22.29 Amzn |
| TeChef | Coated with New Safe Teflon Select / Non-Stick Coating PFOA Free / INDUCTION-CAPABLE extra-heavy gauge aluminum construction with stainless steel base | “Large” | Korea | $44.80 Wmt |
| TeChef | CeraTerra Ceramic Nonstick, heavy gauge aluminum with stainless steel base. | 8.5″ x 8.5″ Square Pan | Korea | $25.99 Amzn |
| Tikusan (Broker) | Copper, Including Specialty Wooden Lid | Pan; 7.1 × 7.1 × 1.4 inches 27.5 oz Lid; 7.1 × 7.1 × 1.4 inches | Japan | $71 Amzn |
| Tikusan (Broker) | Copper, Including Specialty Wooden Lid | an; 8.3 × 8.3 × 1.4 inches 43.4 oz Lid; 8.3× 8.3 ×1.4 inches | Japan | $89 Amzn |
The TeChef tamagoyaki pan is a standout from all the competition, technology wise because it is designed for induction stovetops and is treated with Teflon Select/CeraTerra, and they are the only Korean product/brand listed.
Not knock-off products, but they brought something to the table.
One of the leading producers of cast iron products in Japan is Iwachu which was founded in 1902, but none of us would know that if it were not for people and sites like Boonie Hicks (www.booniehicks.com), the cast-iron guru’s. They have a great post on Iwachu, and I highly suggest you check out their site because it is all about cast iron cookware/products – this is one of the best sites I have come across in a long time.
“A uniquely developed plate, finely indented on both surfaces. The indent makes the pan’s surface area larger and heat conduction better, so food can be heated to the core very fast, with its delicious taste kept in. Furthermore, the surface fabrication with the indent enables the cooking oil go in more easily. The longer used, the less sticky!”
– TAKUMI
My Conclusion After My Ridiculous Amount of Research on Tamagoyaki Pans
There are your Japanese tamagoyaki pans made of iron to the high-end copper pans from craftsmen with almost a century producing the products, to the endless amount of Chinese products that are sold through Amazon, Sears, to Walmart.
You can own a product with over a century of iron smithing history, or you can buy the latest and greatest in non-stick technology via the Korean, Belgian, and American brands.
There are the Mary-Ann over Ginger types, just like there are cast-iron vs. non-stick types (well, a seasoned iron pan is somewhat non-stick).
Although the standouts from the traditional centuries-old durability and “non-stick” usefulness of cast iron that the Chinese and Japanese products both offer, is TAKUMI with their Magma Plate. Magma Plate could be marketing hype, but you can not go wrong with a company such as Iwachu with well over a century of experience producing cast-iron.
Beyond the traditional materials are the Green Pan (Belgian) and TeChef (Korean) products. Both utilize aluminum/stainless steel, but Green Pan utilizes their proprietary ceramic coating,Thermolon where as TeChef employs not only Teflon Select, but they also offer up their ceramic “CeraTerra” coating that is PTFE and PFOA free.
Eggs icons created by Freepik – Flaticon
