Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese cabbage pancake “grilled as you like it“ with your choice of protein and tasty condiments and toppings. My recipe for this popular Osaka street food includes the 3 key ingredients that give it a truly authentic taste.
Among all the Osaka specialties, Takoyaki (たこ焼き) and Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) are the most well-known. Today I’m sharing my favorite Okonomiyaki recipe with you so you can make this popular street food at home!
Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) is a savory Japanese cabbage pancake. Ive seen okonomiyaki referred to as a “Japanese pizza” or “Japanese frittata” in the U.S.
The batter is made with flour, tempura scraps (tenkasu), grated yam (nagaimo or yamaimo), and eggs. Its then mixed with shredded cabbage and sometimes additional ingredients like shrimp and squid. A classic topping is pork belly slices, placed on top of the savory pancake while grilling. Once cooked, okonomiyaki is topped with a variety of condiments such as okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, dried seaweed, and dried bonito flakes.
This dish is highly adaptable even if you don’t eat pork or prefer another protein choice. The possibility for the filling and topping choices are endless, which is why this dish in Japanese translates to “grilled as you like it” – Okonomi (as you like it) Yaki (grill).
Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake)
Can We Use Okonomiyaki Flour (Mix)?
You can find a bag of Okonomiyaki Flour (Mix) at Japanese/Asian grocery stores. Just like pancake mix, all you need to do is add the egg(s) and water to the flour. After making the okonomiyaki batter, add shredded cabbage and other ingredients, if you like. Its easy and quick, but I still like to recommend making your own okonomiyaki batter from scratch at home!
Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き o-konomi-yaki) is the ultra popular Japanese style savoury pancake, aka Japanese Pizza! Okonomi translates to “as you like” and yaki to “grilled” giving you “grilled as you like” and as the name indicates, you can make these with your favourite filling ad toppings! At their base okonomiyaki consist of flour, water, egg, and shredded cabbage which is mixed into a batter and cooked similar to a pancakes on a grill until both sides are golden brown, crispy and good! They are so easy to make! The pancakes are traditionally topped with okonomiyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce but thicker), mayonnaise, beni shoga (red pickled ginger), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), and aonori (seaweed flakes). Authentic okonomiyaki includes grated nagaimo (similar to a yam) that adds a creamy texture to the batter and if you can’t find it, feel free to omit it! You can add whatever you like to the batter with common additions being pork belly, shrimp, octopus, calamari, oysters, soba noodles, udon noodles, veggies, cheese, smoked salmon, etc “as you like”! My two favourite ingredients are bacon (rather than pork belly) and shrimp! I also like to add seasonal grated vegetables to the batter such as zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, apples, etc. Given that these pizzas are “as you like” there are many different versions with the two primary ones being these Kansai/Osaka-style okonomiyaki and the more layered Hiroshima-okonomi which differ in that they are made in layers and typically include yakisoba noodles. No matter “how you like them” these Japanese style pancakes or pizzas are sure to please, and disappear quickly! It’s good that they only take 30 minutes to make, so you can make them often!
Japanese “as you like” pancakes are savoury cabbage pancakes topped with bacon and grilled until golden brown before being topped with a tasty sauce and mayonnaise. aka Japanese Pancakes, aka Japanese Pizza!
Perfect Homemade Pancakes (Japanese Soufflé Vs. American Style)
FAQ
What are fluffy pancakes called in Japan?
What is okonomiyaki made out of?
What does okonomiyaki taste like?
What are the two types of okonomiyaki?
What is a Japanese pancake?
Japanese pancake or hotcake is a type of fluffy and thick pancake typically served as a breakfast or dessert item. They are similar to American pancakes but are generally fluffier and lighter in texture. Locals made Japanese pancakes with a batter that includes ingredients such as eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, or baking soda.
What are Japanese pancakes made of?
Locals made Japanese pancakes with a batter that includes ingredients such as eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, or baking soda. Some recipes may also call for milk, yogurt, or other ingredients to make the hotcakes even more fluffy. Hotcakes in Japan are usually served with sweet toppings such as whipped cream, fruit, syrup, or ice cream.
Are Japanese pancakes the same as American pancakes?
They are similar to American pancakes but are generally fluffier and lighter in texture. Locals made Japanese pancakes with a batter that includes ingredients such as eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, or baking soda. Some recipes may also call for milk, yogurt, or other ingredients to make the hotcakes even more fluffy.
What is okonomiyaki pancake?
Okonomiyaki, a dish that originated in Osaka in the western Kansai region, is probably the most famous of Japan’s savory pancakes. With a name that roughly translates to “anything you like, cooked together”, okonomiyaki features various savory ingredients mixed in a fluffy batter and cooked on a traditional teppan cooktop.