Okonomiyaki, often described as a Japanese savory pancake, is a delightful and customizable dish. The name literally means "grilled as you like it," allowing for a variety of ingredients based on your preferences. Here's a basic recipe for making Okonomiyaki:
Ingredients
Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup water
- 1 egg
- ¼ head of cabbage, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt, to taste
Common Add-ins (choose as per your liking):
- Thinly sliced pork belly (bacon can be a substitute)
- Seafood (shrimp, squid, octopus)
- Vegetables (mushrooms, bean sprouts)
- Cheese
- Pickled ginger
Toppings:
- Okonomiyaki sauce (or a mix of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce as a substitute)
- Mayonnaise
- Aonori (dried seaweed flakes)
- Katsuobushi (bonito flakes)
- Beni shoga (pickled red ginger)
Instructions
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Prepare the Batter: In a large bowl, mix the flour, water, and egg to create a smooth batter. Add salt to taste.
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Add the Cabbage and Green Onions: Fold in the finely chopped cabbage and green onions into the batter. Ensure the cabbage is well coated.
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Incorporate Additional Ingredients: If you're using additional ingredients like pork belly, seafood, or other vegetables, add them to the batter and mix gently.
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Heat the Pan: Heat a non-stick frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Lightly oil the surface.
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Cook the Okonomiyaki: Pour the batter into the pan, shaping it into a round pancake about ½ inch thick. If using pork belly slices, lay them on top of the batter now. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
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Flip the Okonomiyaki: Carefully flip the pancake to cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes.
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Add Toppings: Once cooked, transfer the Okonomiyaki to a plate. Brush the top with Okonomiyaki sauce, then drizzle mayonnaise in a criss-cross pattern. Sprinkle aonori and katsuobushi over the top, and add a few pieces of beni shoga.
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Serve Hot: Serve your Okonomiyaki immediately while it's still warm and the katsuobushi is dancing from the heat!
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and toppings to find your favorite combination. Enjoy your homemade Okonomiyaki!
