Okonomiyaki Osaka Style Recipe – the popular savory street-food pancake from Japan!
This Okonomiyaki Osaka Style recipe will give you a taste of Japan you can make at home. It’s a Japanese savory pancake that combines cabbage, ginger, green onions, and seasonings into the batter and then adds bacon and tasty Japanese toppings for an incredible mix of flavors. If you haven’t heard of this dish, you are probably asking yourself, what is okonomiyaki? Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savory pancake containing a variety of ingredients in a flour-based batter. And it’s just DELICIOUS!
Ingredients (makes 2 pancakes)
- Okonomiyaki flour 100g (1 cup) BUY NOW>>
- 100 ml of water (1/2 cup)
- 1 egg
- Shredded cabbage 200g (8 oz)
- Pork, bacon is best or thin pork belly
- Shrimp
- Okonomiyaki sauce (recipe below)
- Scallions
- Optional Toppings
- Optional Toppings
- Japanese Mayonaise (yolk based, optional)
- Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes)
- Pickled ginger
- Fried Panko bread crumbs
Okonomiyaki Sauce (If you want that homemade taste)
- 4 Tbsp ketchup (Some ketchup is sweeter than others, so please adjust the amount of sugar)
- 3 ½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (Japanese brand “Bulldog” Worcestershire sauce (Usuta-so-su, ウスターソース) is milder and less sour than Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce)
- 2 Tbsp oyster sauce (If you’re allergic to shellfish, use LEE KUM KEE Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce)
- 1 ½ Tbsp sugar (Add more sugar, if needed)
How to Prepare
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Put okonomiyaki powder and water in a bowl and mix well until there are no lumps.
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Add cabbage and your favorite ingredients and mix well.
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Then add the eggs and mix thoroughly.
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Spread oil to a preheated hot plate (med-hi heat) or a frying pan and pour the dough.
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Lay in the pork belly, and when the backside of the cake turns golden brown, turn it over and cook it until pork belly is cooked thoroughly (we would suggest making the pork ahead of time to speed cooking time)
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Turn pancake over
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Apply sauce to your liking and squeeze out some mayonnaise
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Top with sprinkles of dried bonito flakes, green chive, pickled ginger, fried panko bread crumbs (for crunch). We add some dried nori flakes too!
How do I eat Okonomiyaki?
Traditionally a mini spatula called a “hera” is used to break out portions of the savory cake. The best way to eat Okonomiyaki with a hera is to grid out 1″ squares and chop down to break out portions to eat. If you cut it like a pizza or pie, the pieces will be too big! Okonomiyaki is best served hot on a heated griddle or hot plate to keep every bite warm and yummy. The best spot to sit at any Okonomiyaki restaurant is at the counter as the whole surface is a cooktop. It’s the best place to sit and watch the show!
PRO TIP – Use a waffle maker. Remember, it’s Oknomi!
If you have a waffle maker- mix up all the ingredients [except the pork] and use that to make quick Okonomiyaki Waffles! Reduce the water a little as the cabbage will steam the inside. The cavities in the waffle hold the sauce or toppings nicely and are easy to eat, plus its kid-friendly! Use cooked bacon or whatever protein you desire and your favorite toppings.
