You may hear of Okonomi-yaki which is known as Japanese style of pancake, but it doesn’t taste sweet.
Okonomi in Japanese means “whatever you like”, while yaki means “cook”.
That’s why whatever floats your boat as the ingredients for Okonomi-yaki.
Typical ingredients are cabbage, chicken egg, meats, seafoods, noodles and so on.
In addition, cooking styles are various depending on the area and household.
Osaka and Hiroshima are two big famous cities for Okonomi-yaki.
A big difference between them is cooking procedure.
In Osaka style, mix the ingredients first in a bowl, then cook it on the iron plate.
On the other hand, layer the ingredients on the iron plate and then cook it for Hiroshima style.
Furthermore, have you heard of Monja-yaki, a bit liquid counterpart of Okonomi-yaki?
Tsukishima inn Tokyo is famous because it has a Monja street.
There are around 100 restaurants of Monja-yaki along the street.
Let’s see how to cook Okonomi-yaki at home.
The ingredients of batter for two people
- 1 chicken egg
- 1 cup soft wheat flour (100-120 g)
- half cup water (100 ml)
The standard ingredients
- sliced cabbage
Suggested toppings
- Sliced pork
- Shrimp
- Squid
- Yakisoba noodle
Sauce
- Worcestershire sauce (Otafuku sauce is superb if available)
- Mayonnaise
- Bonito flakes (opitional)
- Aonori or dried green seaweed (opitional)
We’ll share the Osaka cooking style of Okonomi-yaki because it’s easier to follow.
- Pour a little oil over the iron plate, then spread with spatula.
- Cook Yakisoba noodle on the iron plate until it becomes crunchy.
This crispy yakisoba okonomi-yaki really hits the spot for me(it’s called “modern-yaki”).
If you prefer soft noodle, you could cook it together with other ingredients.
Of course, you can skip adding noodle. - Mix the ingredients with a spoon.
- Put the mixture on the plate, then spread it with the thickness of two centimeters.
- Wait for roughly 8 minutes so that it will be cooked.
- Flip over the one with crispy yakisoba-noodle(optional), then wait for another 7 minutes.
- Flip it over again.
- Put sauce on it.
- Sprinkle Aonori or dried green seaweed on it.
- Sprinkle Bonito flakes on it.
- Cut it into smaller pieces.
Let’s dig in!
Next, let’s see how to cook Monja-yaki at home.
The ingredients of batter for two people
- half cup soft wheat flour (50-60 g)
- one tablespoon soy sauce
- three tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- two and a half cup water (500 ml)
The standard ingredients
- sliced cabbage
Suggested toppings
- Spicy cod roe
- Sticky rice cakes
- Seafood
- Shredded cheese
Monja-yaki (spicy cod roe, cubed sticky rice cakes and cheese)
- Pour a little oil over the iron plate, then spread with spatula.
- Put aside spicy cod roe and cubed sticky rice cakes.
- Scoop the cabbage from the bowl and put them on the plate, then heat them.
- Make a circle with the cabbage.
- Pour batter in the circle, then heat it.
- Mix other ingredients together with the batter.
- Heat it completely while mixing them.
- Put cheese on it.
Enjoy it!
Let’s eat it with a smaller spatula!
If you prefer crunchy type of Monja-yaki, let the liquid part dry and eat it.
Which do you prefer, Okonomi-yaki or Monja-yaki?
Given a chance, how about cooking both at home with your favorite ingredients?
If you did, would you leave your experiences in the comments section below?
If you found any great toppings, why don’t you share them to us?
We’d love to hear it.
【Translation for language learners of either English or Japanese】/英語・日本語学習者向け翻訳
甘くはありませんが日本のパンケーキとして知られているお好み焼きを聞いたことがあるかもしれません。
日本語のお好みは、「お好きなもの何でも」という意味があり、焼きは、文字通り「焼く」という意味です。
ですから、お好み焼きの材料は、お好みでどうぞ。
典型的な材料は、キャベツと卵、肉、海産物、そばなどです。
加えて、料理方法が地域やご家庭によって様々です。
大阪と広島がお好み焼きの二大都市として有名です。
二都市のお好み焼きの大きな違いといえば、その焼き方です。
大阪の場合、最初にボウルの中で材料を混ぜてから、鉄板で焼くのに対して、広島の場合は、材料を鉄板の上で層のように重ねてから焼きます。
更に、お好み焼きの対の様なやや液体ぽいもんじゃ焼きを聞いたことがありますか。
東京の月島は、もんじゃ焼き通りで有名です。
通り沿いには百店舗ほどのもんじゃ焼き専門店があります。
おうちで作るお好み焼きの作り方を見てみましょう。
二人分の生地の材料
- 鶏卵1個
- 薄力粉1カップ(100-120 g)
- 水0.5 カップ (100 ml)
必須材料
- 細切りキャベツ
おすすめ具材
- 薄切り豚肉
- 海老
- 烏賊
- 焼きそば
ソース
- ウスターソース(もしあれば、おたふくソースが最高です)
- マヨネーズ
- 鰹節(任意)
- 青海苔(任意)
簡単なので、大阪風お好み焼きの作り方を紹介しましょう。
さあ、召し上がれ!
次に、おうちで作るもんじゃ焼きの作り方です。
二人分の生地の材料
- 薄力粉0.5カップ (50-60 g)
- 醤油 小さじ1
- ウスターソース 大さじ1
- 水 500cc
必須材料
- 細切りキャベツ
おすすめ具材
- 明太子
- 餅
- 海産物
- チーズ
もんじゃ焼き(明太子・餅・チーズ)
さあ、召し上がれ。小さいヘラで掬って食べましょう。
もし、カリカリのもんじゃ焼きがお好きでしたら、水分を蒸発させてから食べます。
お好み焼きともんじゃ焼きのどちらがお好きですか。
もし機会があれば、ご自宅でお好みの材料を入れて両方作ってみてはいかがでしょうか。
もし作られたら、コメント欄にシェアしてみませんか。
とっておきのトッピングを見つけたなら、是非とも教えて下さいね。
Comment You may leave a comment or image below.
We can find okonomiyaki in some Japanese stores but not monjayaki. We also have the Dohtonbori Restaurant where we had our first okonomiyaki, but no restaurant that serves monjayaki as far as I know…
Thank you for sharing your situation, Teacher Stella san (*^^*)
I’m happy for you that you could enjoy eating Okonomiyaki.
Do you like it?
Here in Japan, Monjayaki is not available everywhere.
I hope you may enjoy it someday near future!