Okonomiyaki (Japanese-style Pancakes)

Okonomiyaki

This recipe is for the simpler, easier to make type of okonomiyaki found in the Kanto (Eastern) area of Japan. However Hiroshima is the home of okonomiyaki in Kansai (western Japan) and I recommend visiting an okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima city if you get the chance.  It's a memorable experience full of local colour and flavour. You sit at a bar which is a huge teppan (BBQ) plate, and watch as the cook makes your pancake to your liking. "Okonomi" means "as you like it" and "yaki" means "cooked". Many different fillings are possible and the sauce is delicious. In Hiroshima a fried egg and udon or soba noodles are also added to one side of the pancake making it very filling.

To make this recipe as easily as possible use frozen seafood marinara mix and chop it finely while still half frozen.

1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour
¾ cup milk (water can be used instead)
3 eggs
120g (4 oz, about 1 cup) diced seafood; squid, octopus, prawns etc OR pork or chicken
500-600g cabbage finely chopped (5- 6 cups)
1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil

to serve:

1 cup “okonomi” sauce*

4 tablespoons whole egg mayonnaise

powdered nori (or nori snipped from a large sheet)

katsuobushi flakes

1.       Place flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and mix in the eggs and milk with a wooden spoon working from the centre until all the flour is incorporated.

2.       Stir the cabbage and seafood into the batter until well mixed.

3.       Heat a little of the oil on a hot BBQ plate, or in a large frypan. Pour ¼ of the mixture onto the hot surface and shape into a round “pancake” about 15cm (6in) across and flatten the top so that it is about 2cm (1/2 in) thick.

4.       Cook both sides for about 5 minutes each on medium-low heat until golden brown. Repeat until 4 pancakes are made.

5.       Place cooked pancake on serving plate. Spread with some mayonnaise and liberally pour over the okonomi sauce. Sprinkle with nori and katsuobushi.

Serves 4

Okonomi sauce

*okonomi sauce is available from Asian food stores. It tastes like a mixture of fruit relish, BBQ sauce and soy sauce, and has a very smooth and easy to pour texture.