How to Make Delicious Japanese Pancakes at Home – Happy Muncher (2024)

I’ve included some videos below for those who prefer to watch rather than read.

If you’ve ever wanted to make a delicious and authentic Japanese dish at home, Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake packed with cabbage, scallions, and your choice of proteins and toppings. It’s a popular street food in Japan and can be customized based on your taste.

To get started, you’ll need basic ingredients like flour, eggs, and dashi or water. Mix in shredded cabbage, green onions, and your favorite add-ins like pork, shrimp, or even cheese. Cooking it is as easy as pouring the batter into a hot skillet and flipping it once it’s golden brown.

Top your Okonomiyaki with sauces like vegan Worcestershire, mayo, and nori for an extra kick. This dish is not just tasty, it’s also fun to make and perfect for any meal.

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

Ingredients:

• Okonomiyaki Flour: If you don’t have this, you can use all-purpose flour mixed with a bit of dashi powder.
• Dashi: Use water if you don’t have dashi.
• Eggs: One large egg, no substitutes needed.
• Cabbage: Freshly chopped.
• Green Onions: Sliced thinly.
• Baking Powder: A pinch to help the pancake rise.
• Sugar: Just a small amount.
• Salt: To taste.
• Tenkasu (Tempura bits): If unavailable, you can skip this.
• Beni Shoga (pickled ginger): Optional, but adds flavor.
• Bacon or Pork Belly Slices: Can be replaced with sausage or seafood if preferred.
• Neutral Oil: For frying, such as vegetable oil or grapeseed oil.

Possible Substitutes:

• Flour: Use all-purpose flour if you don’t have okonomiyaki flour.
• Dashi: Water or chicken broth are good alternatives.
• Tenkasu: Use crunchy fried onions as a substitute.
• Beni Shoga: Use pickled radish or leave it out if you can’t find it.
• Bacon: Ham, sausage, or even shrimp and squid can be used.

Batter Ingredients:

• 1 cup Flour
• 1 cup Dashi or Water
• 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cups Chopped Cabbage
• 2 Green Onions, sliced
• ¼ cup Tenkasu (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Beni Shoga (optional)
• 4 slices Bacon

Mix these to create a rich, flavorful batter. If you’re missing any ingredient, try the possible substitutes listed above.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Batter:

   • In a bowl, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup dashi (Japanese soup stock), and 2 eggs.
   • Stir until smooth.
   • Add 4 cups of finely chopped cabbage and mix well.

2. Heat the Griddle:

   • Heat a griddle or a large frying pan over medium heat.
   • Add a little oil and spread it around.

3. Cook the Okonomiyaki:

   • Pour a portion of the batter onto the griddle to form a circle about 6 inches (15 cm) wide.
   • Lay a few slices of pork belly or bacon on top.
   • Cook for 5-7 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.

4. Flip and Cook:

   • Carefully flip the pancake using a spatula.
   • Press gently and cook for another 5 minutes.
   • Reduce heat to medium-low and cover with a lid if needed to cook through.

5. Add Toppings:

   • Spread okonomiyaki sauce over the top.
   • Add a drizzle of mayonnaise.
   • Sprinkle with bonito flakes, aonori (seaweed flakes), and sliced green onions.

6. Serve:

   • Slide the okonomiyaki onto a serving plate.
   • Cut it into slices like a pizza.
   • Serve hot, enjoy!

Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions

Okonomiyaki is a versatile dish, and you can customize it in many ways to suit your taste.

Variations

1. Hiroshima Style: This version includes layers of noodles (yakisoba or udon) and often uses more cabbage. Ingredients are piled up rather than mixed.

   
   

2. Osaka Style: Known as Kansai-style, this is the most common version. All ingredients are mixed together before cooking. Popular add-ins are shrimp, squid, and bacon.

   
   

3. Mochiyaki: Add mochi (Japanese rice cake) for a chewy texture. It gives the pancake a unique, satisfying bite.

   
   

4. Seafood Okonomiyaki: Load it with a mix of prawns, octopus, and scallops for a seafood feast.

   
   

5. Vegetarian: Skip the meat and seafood. Add more vegetables like onions, bean sprouts, and bell peppers for a crunchy bite.

   
   

Serving Suggestions

• Toppings: Classic toppings include mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, bonito flakes, and seaweed strips. Try adding shredded cheese or a sunny-side-up egg for extra flavor.

  
  

• Side Dishes: Serve with pickled ginger or a fresh, simple salad. Miso soup is also a great pairing, providing a comforting side to your meal.

  
  

• Beverages: Enjoy with green tea, sake, or even a refreshing beer. The flavors of okonomiyaki blend well with these drinks.

  
  

Mix and match different styles and toppings to find your perfect combination. Enjoy experimenting!