Okonomiyaki means "any way you like it" ＋ "grilled." It is basically a savory pancake made out of cabbage and other ingredients like pork, green onions, cheese, etc. What's great about it is that you can make it "any way you like it."
Although I love eating it at restaurants in Osaka (which is known for Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki), I can't find a place I love here in Okayama. I blame it on the location, being in-between Osaka and Hiroshima, which known for a different style of okonomiyaki. I learned how to make it at home and I love the new twist I've put on it!
My recipe calls for 1 1/2 Cup flour and water (you need equal parts flour and water, but can adjust the amount based on serving size), 3 eggs, and some dashi.
First you make a batter, kind of like making pancakes, with a whisk. When the consistency is good, you add in chopped cabbage, green onions (negi), tenkasu (tempura flakes), and whatever meat or veggies you want. I used kabocha (pumpkin squash) and cheese. I also added ground beef to half of the batter.
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| I didn't have a large enough bowl, so I used a pot! haha! This is the mixed batter, ready to go. |
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| Close up of the batter--probably doesn't look that great. Sorry. |
Then you pour it into a frying pan (well, ideally, you would have a hot plate) and cook it until it's golden brown.
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| The trick is to cover it with a lid to let it cook evenly. |
When it's ready, flip it over and wait for the other side to cook! It's that easy!
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| MMMmmmmmmmmmm |
This recipe will make about 4 or 5 pancakes, so you need to invite people over to help eat them. It's great to have leftovers, but it tastes best when it's fresh.
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| You can see all the cheese chunks I added. |
The kabocha adds sweetness, and the cheese tastes so good when it burns on the frying pan, adding extra crispiness and flavor! It's usually topped with sweet brown Okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise. I also like it plain or with soy sauce! I also recommend cooking it with sesame oil (goma abura) to add extra flavor!
