Japan food series

Japan food series – Okonomiyaki [savory pancakes]

Posted by bestregardsfromfar on

Article updated on January 22, 2024
Text & photos: Claire Lessiau

Literally, okonomi means “how you like it” and yaki, “fried”, otherwise known as the Japanese savory pancake: a delicious and cheap food served with no frills, around a hot griddle with toppings ranging from meat to vegetables or seafood.

If you like… hearty & savory pancakes,

…you will love okonomiyakis!

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Japan food series, okonomiyaki, savory pancake, where to find them in Japan.

If okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) can be found all over Japan, it is one of Hiroshima’s specialties. So once there, around lunch time, walk to Okonomi-mura, one of the most popular food courts in the country. You will not find anything fancy there, but dozens of counters set up around a hot griddle occupying the three levels of the building. Patrons sit around the teppan, or hot iron table, and order.

Japanese chef cooking Okonomiyaki, the savory pancakes, at Okonomi-mura, Hiroshima, Japan
Japanese chef cooking Okonomiyaki, the savory pancakes on a hot griddle, at Okonomi-mura, Hiroshima, Japan
Japanese chef cooking Okonomiyaki, the savory pancakes, at Okonomi-mura, Hiroshima, Japan

A typical experience

The cook displays meticulous, fast, and sure gestures witnessing years of experience. He starts by shaping a thin disc on the griddle with the wheat-flour-based batter. He tops it with green cabbage, soy, spring onions, herbs, and pork meat – based on the toppings ordered such as vegetables, octopus, squid, or shrimp. After preparing another bowl of batter, another cook grills udon noodles on the side before adding them on top of the pancake. An egg is fried and suddenly, the pancake is skillfully flipped over to land on top of the egg, before being flipped over again with the help of two metal spatulas: the egg is now the top cover. A delicious sweet sauce is spread on top for the finishing touch, before the okonomiyaki is sliced with the spatulas, and pushed away from the griddle to be served. Delicious!

An Okonomiyaki, or Japanese savory pancake, cooked at Okonomi-mura food court, Hiroshima, Japan
An Okonomiyaki, or Japanese savory pancake, cooked at Okonomi-mura food court, Hiroshima, Japan

If you do not make it to Hiroshima, the okonomiyaki ordered elsewhere will most likely be Osaka-style, the other savory pancake hot spot! The main difference is that in the Hiroshima-style, toppings are layered while they are mixed with the batter in the Osaka-style okonomiyaki.

Where to have okonomiyaki in Japan: As described in this article, Okonomi-mura in Hiroshima is THE place for okonomiyaki. Once there, browse the stalls: a crowded shop is always a good sign!

Travel tips:

  • Check out this interactive map for the specific details to help you plan your trip and more articles (zoom out) about the area!

For everything about Japan, click here!

For more delicious Japanese food, click on the images below:

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  • Japanese food series: ramen noodles. Steamy bowls of freshly prepared ramen ready to eat.
  • Japan food series: tonkatsu. Fried pork cutlets in curry sauce with green vegetables.
  • Japan food series soba noodles displayed with their dippings.
  • Japan food series, yakitori skewers.
  • Yatai, Japan food series, food cart, ramen noodles in Fukuoka.!
  • Pin this article of our Japan food series about Tempura for later!
  • Japan food series. People buying bento lunch boxes.
  • White text Japen food series about sushi with close-up of sushi.

 

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4 Comments Add yours

  1. estelea says:
    August 12, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    Perfection! we are planning a trip to Japan this fall, will definitely read more of your very interesting posts 🙂

    Reply
    1. bestregardsfromfar says:
      August 12, 2015 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks! Japan in the fall must be great!! It is an amazing country which has so much to offer, good luck preparing your trip and feel free to comment when you have questions about a specific post! 😄

      Reply
      1. estelea says:
        August 12, 2015 at 10:36 pm

        Will do, thanks a lot 🙂

  2. Pingback: Japan food series – Yatai | Best regards from far,

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