Description
Authentic Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made with a crispy batter filled with shredded cabbage, green onions, and slices of pork belly. It’s pan-fried to golden perfection and topped with a rich, tangy okonomiyaki sauce, creamy Japanese mayonnaise, and optional bonito and seaweed flakes for an umami-packed finish. This dish is a comforting and customizable Japanese street food staple perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup dashi (or water)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 100 g sliced pork belly or bacon
- 1 tablespoon oil
Toppings
- Okonomiyaki sauce
- Japanese mayonnaise
- Bonito flakes (optional)
- Seaweed flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, eggs, and dashi (or water). Whisk these ingredients together until a smooth batter forms with no lumps.
- Add vegetables: Fold in the finely shredded cabbage and chopped green onions evenly through the batter. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a light texture.
- Heat the pan: Place a non-stick skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add the tablespoon of oil, allowing it to warm up.
- Cook the pancake: Pour the batter mixture into the pan, shaping it into a round pancake roughly 6-8 inches in diameter. Evenly arrange the sliced pork belly on top of the batter.
- Fry until golden: Cook until the bottom of the pancake turns golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Carefully flip the pancake over to cook the pork and pancake through, another 4-5 minutes.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the cooked okonomiyaki onto a serving plate. Drizzle a generous amount of okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise over the top.
- Add toppings and serve hot: Sprinkle optional bonito flakes and seaweed flakes to finish. Serve the okonomiyaki immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the okonomiyaki light and fluffy.
- Feel free to customize the fillings according to your preference such as adding shrimp, cheese, or other vegetables.
- Using dashi enhances the umami flavor, but water can be substituted for a more neutral taste.
- Cook on medium heat to ensure the pancake cooks through without burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
