Just about every culinary culture has pancakes. You know that chain pancake place over by the highway? They claim to be 'International', but they only offer us French Toast and Belgian Waffles. What other international delights are they keeping from us?


Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki

Photo: ume-y - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ume-y/8070788366/

Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake, made with drizzled batter and mixed in with all kinds of savory ingredients.

It's cooked on a flat metal griddle. It usually has grated cabbage and wheat in the batter, to which is added sauce, bonito flakes, and combined with ingredients of choice. The name means something like 'grilled how you like'.

It's sometimes served with fried noodles!

Okonomiyaki Recipe (Japanese Savory Pancake)

Ingredients (Makes 4 Pancakes)

For the Batter:

  • All-purpose flour – 1 cup
  • Dashi stock – ¾ cup (or water with a dash of soy sauce)
  • Egg – 1 large
  • Shredded cabbage – 2 cups
  • Green onions – 2 tablespoons (sliced)
  • Salt – A pinch
  • Vegetable oil – For frying

Optional Fillings/Toppings:

  • Pork belly slices or bacon
  • Seafood (shrimp, squid, or octopus)
  • Okonomiyaki sauce
  • Kewpie mayonnaise
  • Bonito flakes
  • Aonori (seaweed powder)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, dashi stock, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
  2. Add the egg, shredded cabbage, and green onions, and mix well. If adding seafood or other fillings, fold them into the batter.

Step 2: Cook the Okonomiyaki

  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little vegetable oil.
  2. Scoop about ¼ of the batter onto the skillet, spreading it into a circle about 6-8 inches in diameter.
  3. If using pork belly slices or bacon, lay them on top of the pancake.
  4. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip the pancake and cook for another 3-4 minutes until fully cooked through.

Step 3: Add Toppings

  1. Once cooked, transfer the Okonomiyaki to a plate.
  2. Drizzle with Okonomiyaki sauce and Kewpie mayonnaise in a zigzag pattern.
  3. Sprinkle with bonito flakes, aonori, and additional sliced green onions, if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Okonomiyaki is a filling dish that can be served as a main course or shared as an appetizer. Pair it with:

  • Steamed rice
  • Miso soup
  • Pickled vegetables
Name_ Okonomiyaki
Origin_ 🇯🇵 Japan
Morphology_ ⟁ Crepe
Flavor_ savory
Filling_ various
Topping_ various
Recipe_ Okonomiyaki Recipe
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