Okonomiyaki (Osaka-Style Savoury Pancake)
Photo: tifanitopan / Pixabay
A thick, fluffy cabbage pancake topped with crispy pork belly, then covered in sweet okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, bonito flakes and seaweed powder. Osaka's favourite comfort food.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Make the batter
Whisk the flour, , eggs and salt together until smooth with no lumps. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
- 100 g plain flour
- 120 ml stock
- 2 eggs
- 1 pinch salt
✅ Done when: batter is smooth, with no dry flour visible
Add the cabbage
Using a spoon, fold the cabbage, spring onions and pickled ginger into the rested batter, lifting gently to keep it airy. The batter should just coat the cabbage, not drown it.
- all batter from step 1
- 300 g cabbage
- 2 spring onions
- 1 tbsp
✅ Done when: cabbage is evenly coated and mixture holds together loosely
Start cooking
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Cook both sides
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Top and serve
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Make the batter
Whisk the flour, , eggs and salt together until smooth with no lumps. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
- 100 g plain flour
- 120 ml stock
- 2 eggs
- 1 pinch salt
✅ Done when: batter is smooth, with no dry flour visible
Add the cabbage
Using a spoon, fold the cabbage, spring onions and pickled ginger into the rested batter, lifting gently to keep it airy. The batter should just coat the cabbage, not drown it.
- all batter from step 1
- 300 g cabbage
- 2 spring onions
- 1 tbsp
✅ Done when: cabbage is evenly coated and mixture holds together loosely
Start cooking
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Cook both sides
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Top and serve
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
The Story Behind the Dish
Okonomiyaki grew from a simple flour snack sold to children before the Second World War. After the war, when rice was scarce, cabbage and flour pancakes became a filling, cheap meal, and Osaka and Hiroshima each developed their own style.
In Osaka everything is mixed into the batter; in Hiroshima the ingredients are layered, with noodles. Many restaurants let diners cook their own on a hot plate built into the table.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Crispy, fluffy, sweet, savoury and smoky, it's casual, sociable food at its best.
💡 Fun Fact
Okonomi means 'as you like it' and yaki means 'grilled': you can add whatever you fancy, from squid and prawns to cheese and kimchi.
Osaka and Hiroshima
34.69°N, 135.50°E
Related recipes
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!