Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savoury Pancake)
Okonomiyaki — "what you like, grilled" — is the savoury Osaka pancake: a flour-and-dashi batter packed with shredded cabbage and bound with egg, topped with thin slices of pork, then seared in the pan. It’s finished with okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, dancing bonito flakes (katsuobushi) and green seaweed (aonori). Convivial and filling, it’s a Japanese street-food institution.
Original recipe : Just One Cookbook + RecipeTin Japan
Ingredients
- 100 g flour
- 120 ml dashi (cold)
- 2 eggs
- 300 g green cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 3 tbsp tenkasu (tempura bits, optional)
- 6 thin slices pork belly
- Oil, for the pan
- Okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayonnaise, katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and aonori (seaweed), to serve
Method
- 1Whisk the flour and cold dashi into a smooth batter, then beat in the eggs.
- 2Add the shredded cabbage, scallion and tenkasu, and fold gently to coat the cabbage without crushing it.
- 3Heat a little oil in a pan over medium. Pour in the batter and shape into a thick pancake about 2 cm high.
- 4Lay the pork slices on top and cook 5–6 minutes until the underside is golden.
- 5Flip the pancake firmly and cook 5–6 minutes on the other side, covered, until cooked through.
- 6Flip once more, pork-side up.
- 7Coat with okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise, scatter with katsuobushi and aonori, and serve at once.
Tips & tricks
- The dashi in the batter brings all the umami: it’s what makes a true okonomiyaki.
- Don’t pack the batter too tightly: an airy pancake stays soft in the middle.
- Flip in one confident move so it doesn’t break.
Variations
- Hiroshima style: layered with yakisoba noodles. Seafood version: prawns and squid instead of pork.
Storage
Best freshly cooked; reheat in a pan.
Ingredient substitutions
- Eggs : apple sauce (50 g per egg) or 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water.
- Wheat flour : a gluten-free flour blend (rice + buckwheat) or ground almonds.
What to serve it with
- A dressed green salad
- Fresh bread or a starchy side
- Roasted seasonal vegetables
- A wine matched to the dish (to taste)
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make "Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savoury Pancake)"?
Allow about 20 min of prep and 15 min of cooking, i.e. 35 min in total for 2 servings.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Its difficulty is "Medium". Following the steps in order and our tips, it stays accessible.
Can I make "Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savoury Pancake)" ahead and store it?
Best freshly cooked; reheat in a pan.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The quantities are for 2 servings. To adjust, simply multiply or divide the ingredients by the number of guests.
