Easy Okonomiyaki Pancake Recipe | Cabbage Kansai-Style (2024)

Easy-to-make Japanese okonomiyaki pancakes are a delicious fusion of savory and sweet flavors. These easy cabbage cakes mixed with your favorite fillings make an awesome fusion meal for adventurous eaters.

By layering simple batter ingredients like flour, dashi stock, eggs, and shredded cabbage then crowning them with sweet and savory garnishes, you’ll have a Kansai-style culinary journey in one bite. Cook up these customizable, adaptable pancakes tonight with our simple preparation tips, recommended topper ideas, and pro cooking methods for beginner chefs.

What is Okonomiyaki?

Okonomiyaki, sometimes referred to as “Japanese pizza,” is a flavorful pancake dish hailing from Japan. Much like pizza toppings, you can customize okonomiyaki to your tastes. Ingredients like cabbage, seafood, pork, veggies, and cheese are commonly mixed directly into the batter or layered on top before cooking it up on a hot grill or griddle.

How to make Okonomiyaki Recipe (Cabbage Kansai-style)

Ingredients for Okonomiyaki Batter

1. Flour

All-purpose flour forms the base of the batter and provides thickness and structure so the okonomiyaki can hold its shape during cooking. About 1 cup is needed for a few small pancakes.

2. Eggs

Eggs bind the dry and wet ingredients together to create the batter. Usually 1-2 eggs per cup of flour.

3. Cabbage

Shredded green cabbage incorporates moisture and crunch into the batter. Around 1 cup is standard. Cabbage balances the softness of the other ingredients.

4. Scallions

Chopped scallions (green onions) stir flavor, color, and additional texture into the mix. A few thinly sliced scallions per batch add a fresh bite.

5. Dashi

The umami flavor of Japanese dashi stock can be used instead of water for enhanced taste. Add 1 cup dashi per cup of flour.

6. Yamaimo

This Japanese mountain yam can be grated into the batter to make it fluffier with a sticky texture. It helps the pancake stay together.

7. Tenkasu

Crunchy bits of tempura batter called tenkasu are often mixed in for a fun crispy element. Just sprinkling does the trick.

Other Ingredients

Creative add-ins like shrimp, pork, kimchee, cheese, or veggies make each okonomiyaki unique.

Ingredients for Okonomiyaki Sauce

Okonomiyaki sauce adds a sweet, savory, sticky glaze to the pancakes after cooking. There are just a few main components in this simple Japanese sauce.

• Soy Sauce – The salty, umami base provides deep flavor. Use about 1/2 cup per batch.

• Mirin – This sweet Japanese rice wine adds sweetness to balance the soy sauce. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup.

• Sugar – A touch of white sugar enhances the sauce’s sweetness. 1 to 2 tablespoons is enough.

• Starch – A small amount of cornstarch, potato starch, or flour thickens the sauce so it coats the pancake nicely.

• Water – Thins out the sauce to the right consistency. Start with 1/4 cup and add more as needed.

• extras – Options like honey, rice vinegar, or ketchup add extra flavor dimensions.

Simply whisk together the ingredients over medium heat until thickened and use immediately or refrigerate. Brush liberally over freshly cooked okonomiyaki for the complete experience!

How to Make Okonomiyaki Sauce

Making authentic okonomiyaki sauce at home is easy. Here’s how:

• Mix up this sweet and savory Japanese pancake sauce to take your okonomiyaki to the next level.

• Combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sugar or honey to craft the classic condiment.

• Play with the ketchup-to-Worcestershire sauce ratio to create sweet or savory flavors.

• Brush on or drizzle this quick homemade sauce over piping hot okonomiyaki pancakes.

• Pair with Japanese mayo, bonito flakes, green onions, and other favorite pancake toppers.

• Make extra sauce to use as a dip or dressing for okonomiyaki and beyond.

• Store leftover sauce in the fridge for up to a month to top future Japanese pancake creations.

Making your okonomiyaki sauce is simple and allows you to customize the flavors. Give it a try!

Toppings for Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki wouldn’t be complete without delicious toppings and garnishes! These are some popular ones:

1. Okonomiyaki Sauce

The sweet, savory sauce is brushed on after cooking to add sticky glaze and flavor.

2. Mayonnaise

Japanese mayo provides a cool, creamy contrast to the pancake.

3. Bonito Flakes

Dried, smoked tuna flakes add a kick of umami and salty crunch.

4. Pickled Ginger

Slivers of bright pink beni shoga pickled ginger cut the richness.

5. Green Onions

Thin slices of green onion on top give it freshness and color.

6. Aonori

Dark green dried seaweed flakes sprinkle on a sea-like aroma.

7. Tenkasu

Crunchy bits of fried tempura batter add a fun texture.

8. Shichimi Togarashi

A spicy Japanese chili pepper blend can be dusted on for heat.

Feel free to get creative and make an okonomiyaki of your own with personalized toppings!

Easy Okonomiyaki Recipe (Kansai-style)

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 3-4 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 pound protein
• Oil for cooking
• Okonomiyaki sauce
• Japanese mayo
• Bonito flakes

Cooking Directions

Follow these simple steps to make perfect okonomiyaki pancakes at home.

1. Make the Batter

First, stir together the dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the wet ingredients – eggs, dashi or water, grated yamaimo if using. Pour the wet into the dry and mix just until combined. Avoid over-mixing.

2. Cook the Cabbage

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a thin layer of oil and toss the shredded cabbage in it briefly, just until wilted. Remove the cabbage to a plate.

3. Cook the Pancakes

Wipe excess oil from the skillet. Pour batter onto the hot surface in circles, using about 1/3 to 1/2 cup per pancake. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden. Flip and cook the other side.

4. Add Toppings

Slide the finished pancakes onto a plate. Generously brush on okonomiyaki sauce using sweeping strokes. Add a swirl of Japanese mayo, dried bonito flakes, beni shoga, and green onion.

Have fun building flavorful okonomiyaki creations! Adjust the batter thickness and toppings to your taste.

Cooking Techniques for Okonomiyaki

• Prep your station before cooking with all needed ingredients and tools for easy flipping.

• Grease or brush the griddle and pour a thin layer of batter first to prep the pancake base.

• Mix in shredded cabbage and ingredients, smoothing the batter into a round pancake-shape.

• Cook over medium heat until the bottom is lightly browned before trying to flip.

• Carefully flip the pancake using a thin metal spatula to avoid breaking it open.

• Continue cooking the second side until the pancake is cooked through and nicely browned.

• Plate the finished pancake, then top with desired sauces, mayo and garnishes to finish.

• Learn the pancake dance by using metal spatulas to flip rhythmically for a fun presentation.

• Change up ingredients each time for customizable flavors in every tasty batch you make.

Serving and Garnishing Okonomiyaki

• Hot-off-the-griddle okonomiyaki begs to be crowned with sweet and savory drizzles before serving.

• Classic homemade sauce, Japanese mayo, bonito flakes, and green onion are essential finishes.

• Craft your own unmistakable okonomiyaki flavor profile with creative garnishes.

• Wake up taste buds with scattered shichimi spice, pickled ginger, or shredded nori seaweed.

• Invite eaters to customize regional fusion flavors at the table from topping bar options.

• Think outside the box with garnishes like toasted sesame, spicy mustard, or furikake rice seasoning.

• Let pancake layers and textures shine by serving okonomiyaki creations individually plated.

• Show off with rhythmic griddling techniques, unique spatula flips, and tossing garnishes.

• Snapshare these too-tasty-not-to ‘grams Japanese pancake stacks gone wild.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to mess up your first okonomiyaki! Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Overmixing the batter – Gently mix just until combined or the pancakes can get dense.

• Not cooking cabbage first – Sauteing it adds flavor so don’t skip this step.

• Batter too thick or thin – Adjust consistency to flow off the spatula but still hold shape.

• Flipping too early – Wait until the bottom browns before flipping or it will stick.

• Adding too many toppings – Okonomiyaki sauce and mayo are often enough.

With a few tries, you’ll be flipping delicious okonomiyaki like a pro!

Regional Okonomiyaki Styles

1. Osaka-Style (Kansai Style) Okonomiyaki

The most famous Japanese pancake topped with everything – a flavor-packed classic!

2. Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki

Layered ingredients and noodles – slim, savory pancakes made in layers.

3. Tokyo Style Okonomiyaki

A simple, thinly layered crepe often made right at your table.

4. Kyoto Style Okonomiyaki

Mixed with soba noodles and fried until nice and crispy.

5. Nagoya Style Okonomiyaki

Stuffed with thick udon noodles and juicy pork belly for a local twist.

Okonomiyaki Your Way

Customize your regional fusion pancake for a new tasty creation!

Okonomiyaki Health Benefits

While okonomiyaki is a tasty indulgence, it also offers some nutrition perks:

• Cabbage – Provides fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and beta-carotene.

• Eggs – Pack protein, vitamins, and minerals like selenium and lutein.

• Flour – Offers some protein, B vitamins, and iron.

• Green onions – Deliver vitamin K, vitamin C, folate and manganese.

Okonomiyaki is a more nutritious choice than pizza or pancakes!

Conclusion

Now that you’re an expert on whipping up delicious okonomiyaki sensations, it’s time to start grillin’ and flippin’! Have an okonomiyaki pancake party and get creative with ingredients and toppings.

Make this iconic Japanese street food at home for a tasty cultural experience. With this easy recipe, you can reinvent Osaka-style, Hiroshima-style, or invent your regional fusion flavors anytime. Grab your spatulas and get ready to dance to the okonomiyaki all night long!

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