Let’s cook Okonomiyaki!

As part of my continuing Japanese language study I recently translated a recipe for Okonomiyaki(Japanese savoury pancakes) and seeing as I enjoy cooking(with drastically varied results) I decided to give it a go!

The name Okonomiyaki comes from the words Okonomi(meaning “What you like”) and Yaki(meaning “Grilled or cooked”). It’s popular throughout Japan, but is usually associated with the Kansai region(you’ll see numerous vendors on Osaka’s Dotonbori Street). I’ve included the recipe I used, but be sure to stay true to the name and add “what you like” 🙂

This recipe makes 4 James-sized pancakes, possibly more if you’re not me 🙂

Ingredients

• Flour – 4 cups
• Eggs – 3
• Half a cabbage, chopped
• Japanese Dashi Soup stock(or water) – 1.5 cups
• Your choice of pork/prawn/mushroom etc – 1 cup, chopped
• Spring onion, 1 chopped

Toppings

• Okonomiyaki Sauce
• Mayonnaise(light mayo if you feel like behaving)
• Katsuobushi – Small pieces of dried bonito (fish)
• Benishouga – Red Pickled Ginger
• Aonori – Seaweed Sprinkles

Note: despite trawling a few oriental supermarkets, I was unable to find any bonito. To remedy this I’ve used a bonito dashi to hopefully retain some of the flavour it would’ve added. I also didn’t bother with the red pickled ginger as it usually blows my head off.

Directions

Step 1: Place the flour in a bowl

Step 2: Add the soup stock and stir with chopsticks

Step 3: Add cabbage, Pork / Prawn / Mushroom, egg and spring onion

Step 4: Stir lightly

Step 5: Add a few large spoonfuls to a frying pan

Step 6: Cook for 5 – 10 minutes, turning occasionally

Step 7: Transfer to a plate, top with Okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, bonito, ginger and seaweed sprinkles

Step 8: Eat and enjoy!