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
James|March 29th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
You won’t regret it! Being in London you can drop by the Japan Centre for quality ingredients too
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Eug|April 3rd, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Hopefully be able to do this soon… Living off pasta at the moment :S
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