Okonomiyaki: Japan’s Ultimate Savory Pancake Experience

Okonomiyaki is a special Japanese dish thanks to its simplicity and adaptability. For anyone new to Japanese street food, this pancake dish provides the ultimate gateway. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients and get it ready in less than an hour. Find out everything you need to know about this savory Japanese dish in the rest of this post.

What Is Okonomiyaki? Unveiling the Japanese Savory Pancake

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made by pan-frying flour batter mixed or topped with vegetables, proteins, and other ingredients. Although generally considered a street food, okonomiyaki is a popular dish in Japanese households. The term okonomiyaki is a combination of two Japanese terms: "okonomi" (meaning "as you like") and "yaki" (meaning "grilled"). Together, it can be translated to “grilled as you like,” referring to the versatility and customizable nature of the street food.

Cabbage is the most common ingredient mixed into the batter used to make okonomiyaki. Others are meat and seafood. They are often topped with condiments such as okonomiyaki sauce, bonito flakes, ginger, and Japanese mayonnaise. In Western regions, they often refer to it as the Japanese version of “pizza” or “frittata.” 

In Japan, okonomiyaki is a filling comfort food that people of all ages can afford to enjoy as lunch and dinner. It's also rich in protein and dietary fiber. When you combine all of those perks with its savory taste, you can see why it's a favorite among street food lovers in Japan.

A Brief History of Okonomiyaki: From Origins to Culinary Icon

Okonomiyaki is a well-known Osaka specialty dish, and for that reason, many believe it originated from the city. They are not wrong, but the roots of okonomiyaki run a little deeper. It’s actually an evolved version of a crepe-like pancake called funoyaki that originated in the 16th century and became popular in the Edo period (1603-1868). Funoyaki would evolve into a sweet confection known as monjayaki, cooked on an iron griddle (teppan) during the Meiji era (1868-1912).

After several more evolutions, a new pan-fried dish called okonomiyaki was invented in Osaka in the late 1930s. It became popular during World War II, due to the scarcity of rice in Japan. Okonomiyaki allowed people to use ingredients that were readily available in wartime, earning its place as a culinary icon in the country.

After the war, people had the luxury of adding more ingredients, such as cabbage and eggs. Today, even if there is no food shortage, Japanese people still love to enjoy okonomiyaki with a variety of delicious ingredients.

Key Ingredients in Okonomiyaki: Building the Perfect Pancake

Let’s help you build the perfect homemade version of traditional okonomiyaki. Before we provide you with the preparation process, check out the makeup of okonomiyaki and the essential ingredients used in each component.

• Batter: The batter is the base for okonomiyaki, and it’s made with wheat flour or plain flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, dashi (Japanese soup stock), and added ingredients. Grated nagaimo (Japanese long yam) is one of the most vital added ingredients because of how fluffy it makes the dish. If you don’t have it, you can mix beaten eggs in baking powder and use the mixture as a substitute. Tenkasu, or tempura scraps, is another important ingredient used to make the batter for okonomiyaki.

• Main ingredients: These are the key ingredients that are often chopped and then mixed or layered with the batter before frying over medium heat. They include cabbage, pork belly, eggs, yakisoba noodles, mochi, octopus, shrimp, mushrooms, and squid.

• Toppings: The toppings come last. They are sprinkled, drizzled, or scattered on top of the cooked okonomiyaki. Traditional okonomiyaki sauce, a mixture of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or oyster sauce, and ketchup, is a vital condiment to use as topping for the dish. Other toppings include Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and aonori seaweed.

Brief Guide to Making Okonomiyaki

Start by mixing the batter ingredients in a large bowl. Next, rest the batter for an hour or more while you prepare the main ingredients. Chop and slice cabbage, pork belly, or other ingredients before mixing them in the rested base batter. Pour neutral oil in a pan on medium heat and add the okonomiyaki batter. After frying the dish, top it with condiments and other seasonings.

Regional Varieties: Hiroshima vs. Osaka Okonomiyaki Styles

There are many regional takes on okonomiyaki in Japan. However, the two most prominent versions are Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki and Osaka-style okonomiyaki. Let’s explore their distinct properties.

Osaka-style okonomiyaki, also known as Kansai-style okonomiyaki, is the most common variation in Japan. The ingredients, such as cabbage and pork belly, are mixed together with the batter before pouring on a hot pan, just like with pancakes. In the Hiroshima-style variation, the ingredients are layered on top of each other, similar to those of cakes. Also, the Hiroshima version may contain fried noodles and fried eggs, which is a rare sight in the Osaka version.

There are other regional varieties of the dish. The Okinawan okonomiyaki is a thin, savory homemade dish containing flour, salt, green onions, eggs, and black pepper. It’s commonly known as hirayachi. In Kyoto, there is a special form of okonomiyaki made with multiple batter and ingredient layers. The locals call it betayaki.

Okonomiyaki vs. Monjayaki: Similarities and Differences

Okonomiyaki shares similar traits with monjayaki, another Japanese savory pancake. For some, monjayaki is the ancestor of okonomiyaki, as it first appeared in the 19th century before evolving into the first iterations of okonomiyaki. They both contain the same kind of ingredients and are made using a similar process. However, they have several differences.

The main difference between them is that okonomiyaki has its main ingredients mixed or layered with the batter before cooking, but monjayaki’s main ingredients are cooked first before pouring batter. Unlike okonomiyaki, monjayaki is typically enjoyed as a partially cooked dish.

How to Eat Okonomiyaki: From Hot Griddle to Plate

The traditional way to enjoy okonomiyaki is to make it yourself. It doesn’t matter if you are in a restaurant. Many eateries that serve the dish allow customers to make it themselves, staying true to the “grilled as you like” legacy.

After mixing the okonomiyaki batter, pour it on a hot iron plate using a circular motion. Use two small spatulas to shape the pancake and flip it over when one side turns brown. Brush the surface with sauce before adding the condiment toppings. Next, use a small spatula to divide the okonomiyaki into pizza-like sections and cut pieces directly on the griddle.

Okonomiyaki for All: Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Options

Modern okonomiyaki can be customized to cater to dietary restrictions and preferences. What matters most are the ingredients used in the batter and toppings. Check out the following okonomiyaki recipe adaptations:

• Vegetarian okonomiyaki: It does not contain any meat or seafood. However, it can have shredded cabbage, beaten eggs, green onion, and breadcrumbs. The okonomiyaki sauce should use vegan Worcestershire sauce and not oyster sauce. Other acceptable toppings are Kewpie mayonnaise, pickled ginger, nori, and sesame seeds.

• Vegan okonomiyaki: This version avoids meat, seafood, and their byproducts, including dairy and eggs. Kombu dashi is used to season the flour for the batter. It’s basically the same recipe as vegetarian okonomiyaki without eggs or milk-based products.

• Gluten-free okonomiyaki: Since wheat contains lots of gluten, the alternative, rice flour, is used to make the batter. In place of soy sauce, tamari is the gluten-free choice. 

The Role of Okonomiyaki in Japanese Festivals and Street Food Culture

Japanese festivals are famous for their street food stalls. These portable eateries line the streets during major festivals like Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri, and Aizen Festival. Takoyaki, yakisoba, taiyaki, and okonomiyaki are some of the most popular street foods sold at such stalls. If you see a group of people gathered around a stall during celebrations, there’s a high chance they are enjoying okonomiyaki.

Where to Try the Best Okonomiyaki in Japan

The following are some of the famous okonomiyaki restaurants and street food spots across Japan where travelers can enjoy authentic Japanese pancakes:

• Sometarō (Tokyo): This Asakusa establishment offers vegan and vegetarian options. You’re allowed to make the okonomiyaki yourself on a grill.

• Okonomiyaki Chitose (Osaka): This shop is famous for its balanced okonomiyaki flavors and excellent customer service. It also offers vegetarian options.

• Okonomiyaki Katsu (Kyoto): The building features top-notch facilities, great food, and excellent customer service. It’s an ideal spot for English speakers.

Conclusion: Why Okonomiyaki Is More Than Just Food

Served in restaurants, at home, and during festivals, okonomiyaki has the precious ability to bring people together over a shared meal. As an iconic wartime dish, it represents the resilience and creativity of Japanese people. Hence, eating okonomiyaki is sharing a piece of this cultural heritage.

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