Okonomiyaki, also known as Japanese pancake or pizza, is a famous, traditional dish from Hiroshima or Kansai, depending on the style. Most restaurants in Japan that serve this savory treat allow you to cook it yourself, right at your dining table. But you don’t need to fly all the way to Japan to try it because we’re bringing the sensation to your kitchen with this simple and delicious Okonomiyaki Japanese pancake cabbage recipe.
Ingredients:
For the pancake batter:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup of water
- 1 egg
- ¼ of a large white cabbage, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
For the toppings:
- ¼ cup of Okonomiyaki sauce
- Mayonnaise to taste
- ½ cup of dried bonito flakes
- 1 tablespoon of pickled red ginger
- 1-2 tablespoons of seaweed flakes
You can find the okonomiyaki sauce, bonito flakes, pickled ginger, and seaweed at a local Asian market or order them online.
Procedure:
- To create the batter, combine the flour and water in a bowl until there are no lumps.
- Add the egg into the batter and mix it in. Then, fold in the chopped cabbage and onion to the mixture until they are coated in batter.
- Heat some oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Pour half of the cabbage batter into the pan and flatten it into a pancake shape using a spatula.
- Cook your okonomiyaki for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the bottom turns golden. Flip it over using a spatula (or two if needed) and press it down slightly. Cook for another 4 minutes.
- Flip the okonomiyaki again and cook it for an additional 3 minutes, then flip one more time for a final 3 minutes on the other side.
- Move your cooked okonomiyaki to a plate and while it’s still hot, brush the top with okonomiyaki sauce, drizzle with mayonnaise, and sprinkle bonito flakes, pickled ginger, and seaweed flakes over the top.
- Your Okonomiyaki is now ready to serve. Remember, this dish is best eaten while it’s still hot!
Okonomiyaki is a truly versatile dish. You can add extra ingredients based on your preference such as cooked shrimp, squid, corn, cheese, or even kimchi to make it your own style, as okonomiyaki means “grilled as you like it”. So, don’t be afraid to try different variants and create your version of this classic Japanese comfort-food recipe.
The best part? This dish doesn’t just offer a delightful and unique taste but it also brings a fun and interactive cooking experience into your home. Truly, Okonomiyaki is a feast not just for the palate but also for all the senses!
