When it comes to Japanese cuisine, Okonomiyaki is a beloved dish that many people can’t get enough of. This savory pancake, which is a hearty meal that can be customized to your liking, is a must-try dish for anyone who is looking for ultimate comfort food. Below, we take a closer look at this mouth-watering dish, exploring its history, ingredients, and how to make it yourself.
The Menu
No two Okonomiyaki dishes are the same. When it comes to preparing this dish, you can let your creativity soar. That’s because Okonomiyaki is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking.
If you love seafood, you can add shrimp or squid to your Okonomiyaki. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, you can skip the meat and add tofu or more vegetables. For a truly authentic experience, top it off with mayonnaise, Okonomiyaki sauce, and bonito flakes.
Okonomiyaki is not just a one-way dish. You can experiment with different ingredients and toppings to create your own favorites. You can try adding cheese, bacon, kimchi, and so much more. Make it your own and enjoy the delicious flavors that come with the perfect recipe for you.
Ingredients
Recipes measuring out ingredients can differ from recipe to recipe, but some common ingredients are cabbage, wheat flour, eggs, yam, green onions, okonomiyaki sauce and sometimes meat (depending on preference). For the seafood addicted, Okonomiyaki can also include shrimp, squid or any other seafood.
Using fresh ingredients makes all the difference in creating a tasty Okonomiyaki dish. You want your cabbage to be fresh and your eggs to be Grade A. Make sure you have a sharp knife to cut your veggies properly, as this can alter the texture of the pancake.
How to Make Okonomiyaki
Now that you’ve got the scoop on what you need to make a delectable Okonomiyaki dish, let’s dive into the recipe. This recipe is for 4 servings.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups of dashi stock
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 oz sliced pork belly
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 4 oz grated yam
- 2 cups of chopped cabbage
- 1 cup of shredded carrots
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, dashi stock, and eggs to make the batter.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pork and cook until browned, then remove from the heat.
- Add the green onions, grated yam, cabbage, and shredded carrots to the batter mixture.
- Mix well until all the ingredients are combined
- Lightly oil the skillet and pour a portion of the Okonomiyaki batter onto the skillet in a circular shape that is about 6 inches in diameter.
- Add a portion of the pork on top of the Okonomiyaki. Then carefully flip the pancake over so it cooks on the other side.
- When the pancake is fully cooked, slide it onto a plate and drizzle with Okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.
- Repeat steps 5 to 7 for the remaining batter and pork.
- Enjoy your delicious Okonomiyaki!
FAQs
What is Okonomiyaki?
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made with a combination of ingredients. The name of the dish can be translated to “grill what you like” as it is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking.
What are some common ingredients in Okonomiyaki?
Depending on the recipe you are following, some commonly used ingredients in Okonomiyaki include cabbage, wheat flour, eggs, green onions, yam, and meat.
Can Okonomiyaki be made vegetarian?
Yes, Okonomiyaki can be made vegetarian or vegan. Simply skip the meat and add more vegetables and tofu of your choice.
What sauce is typically used on Okonomiyaki?
The traditional sauce used on Okonomiyaki is the Okonomiyaki sauce, which is a thick and sweet brown sauce that has a mixture of soy and Worcestershire sauce. That sauce can flavor up the dish and make it truly delicious.