Detailed Guide to Making Japanese Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese pancake famous for its delicious taste and ease of preparation. The name " okonomiyaki " means "grilled to your liking," allowing you to modify the ingredients to suit your tastes. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a traditional okonomiyaki . Quick summary What is Japanese Okonomiyaki pancake? Guide to making Japanese Okonomiyaki Decoration and tasting What is Japanese Okonomiyaki Pancake? Okonomiyaki is a famous Japanese pancake, often referred to as a "Japanese pancake." The name " Okonomiyaki " is composed of two words: "Okonomi," which means "according to taste," and "Yaki," which means "grilled." Therefore, Okonomiyaki is generally considered a pancake that can be customized with ingredients of your choice. Characteristics of Okonomiyaki Crepe batter: The crepe is made from flour mixed with water (or dashi broth) and eggs, forming a smooth, even batter. The main filling is thinly sliced cabbage, with other ingredients such as seafood (shrimp, squid), meat (sliced pork), or cheese. Cooking method: The batter and filling mixture is poured into a hot pan and cooked until golden brown. Then, the pancake is decorated with a special sauce (Okonomiyaki sauce), Japanese mayonnaise, dried seaweed (Aonori), and bonito flakes (Katsuobushi). Fillings and Toppings: As the name "Okonomi" suggests, you can add any ingredient you like to the filling, including cabbage, shrimp, meat, cheese, or even other vegetables. Popular Types of Okonomiyaki Osaka (Kansai) style Okonomiyaki : This is the most common, where all the ingredients (batter, cabbage, filling) are mixed and then cooked together. Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki: The ingredients are not mixed but layered, often with yakisoba noodles and a thin layer of fried egg on top. Flavor and consumption method Okonomiyaki typically has a rich flavor thanks to the sweet and savory Okonomiyaki sauce , the creamy mayonnaise, and the freshness of the ingredients. When eaten, the bonito flakes (Katsuobushi) often dance on the pancake due to the heat, creating a fun visual effect. Okonomiyaki Culture In Japan, okonomiyaki is often considered a popular family dish, served in specialty restaurants where customers can cook their own pancakes at the table. This dish is also popular at festivals or outdoor events. Okonomiyaki is not only delicious, but also flexible, easily adaptable to different variations depending on regions and personal tastes. Guide to making Japanese Okonomiyaki Main ingredients (for 2-3 people) Okonomiyaki flour: 100g Dashi broth: 100ml (or water if you don't have any) Egg: 3 Cabbage: 200g (about ¼ of a cabbage) Spring onions: 10g Sliced pork: 100g (or shrimp, squid according to your taste) Tenkasu (Japanese breadcrumbs): 20g (you can use shrimp chips instead) Red pickled ginger (beni shoga): 20g (optional) Ingredients for decoration Okonomiyaki Sauce - Okonomi Sauce OTAFUKU: 50g Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie): 50g Dried seaweed (Aonori): 10g Bonito flakes (Katsuobushi): 20g Detailed instructions Step 1: Preparing the ingredients Thinly slice the cabbage: Rinse and cut the cabbage into thin strips. Spring onions : Chop finely. Pork: Cut the pork into thin, long slices. Step 2: Preparing the dough In a large bowl, mix the flour with the dashi stock (or water) until you get a smooth paste. Add the egg to the dough and mix well. Add the cabbage, onions, tenkasu, and pickled ginger to the batter. Mix well to combine all the ingredients. Step 3: Cooking the crepe Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Pour the mixed batter into the pan and form a circle (about 2-3cm thick). Add the pork slices on top of the dough and press gently to adhere. Cook the crepe for about 4-5 minutes until the underside is golden brown, then flip the crepe and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Step 4: Decoration and tasting When the crepe is cooked, transfer it to a plate. Pour Okonomiyaki sauce over the pancake. Then, draw lines of mayonnaise on top (you can use a piping bag for a better presentation). Sprinkle dried seaweed and bonito flakes on top. Enjoy immediately while still hot! Advice You can add other ingredients like shrimp, cheese or corn according to your taste. If you don't have Okonomiyaki sauce, you can make it by mixing Worcestershire sauce with ketchup and a little sugar. Good luck making this delicious Okonomiyaki!