Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake)
Okonomiyaki is a popular savory pancake dish in Japan. It consists of a batter made of flour, eggs, cabbage and green onions and other ingredients of your choice. The name means "as you like it" or "what you want" in Japanese.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or yam flour if you can get it)
- 1 cup water (or stock)
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup finely sliced cabbage (about 2 inches long by ¼ inch wide)
- 2–3 green onions, chopped into ¼" rounds (use white part and freshest bit of green part)
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese (optional; other cheese may be substituted)
- 10 small slices of chicken, bacon or beef (your choice)
Toppings
- Okonomiyaki sauce (sold at Japanese markets)
- Dried bonito flakes
- Powdered nori (seaweed)
Method
- Mix flour, water and eggs until smooth (about 25–30 strokes with a spoon or whisk; do not overmix.)
- Gently fold in cabbage, green onions and cheese.
- Heat a griddle or non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon oil.
- Add ⅓ cup of batter and flatten slightly. Fry for 2–3 minutes.
- When pancake is golden brown on bottom, add toppings (chicken, bacon or beef, or other topping of your choice), and press into the batter slightly. Turn the pancake and fry for five minutes or until golden brown on other side.
- Turn once more and fry topping side up for another minute.
- To serve, place the okonomiyaki on a plate, top with bottled sauce, nori, and/or bonito flakes. Enjoy!