Okonomiyaki (“Japanese pizza” or “pancakes”)

Some people call okonomiyaki “Japanese pizza” or “Japanese pancakes,” but to me, this traditional dish made using a thin egg and flour batter is similar to a frittata.

Made to order

I’m sure my version of okonomiyaki is a far cry from the traditional Japanese versions, but I really enjoyed it! Besides, okonomiyaki means “what you like” that is “grilled or cooked” – how accommodating, right? Okonomiyaki is great served as an appetizer or light meal.

My style

My recipe is loaded with veggies only (okonomiyaki usually includes cabbage as well as other vegetables, but many recipes include meat like pork, or even shrimp and squid, too), and I used Bob’s Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour to make it a gluten-free dish.

I also made a quick mayo-garlic chili spread to use as a topping (4 tablespoons of mayonnaise mixed with 2 tablespoons of prepared garlic chili sauce). In Japan, brown sauce is used to top the dish, along with a mayonnaise-type sauce drizzled over top in a crosshatch pattern. Seaweed flakes, pickled ginger and Bonito (a type of mackerel) flakes are also sprinkled over the finished dish.

A good source

My nephew, Andrew, lives in Japan so I had to ask him about okonomiyaki. He seems to know a LOT about it! Two common types include Kansai- or Osaka-style okonomiyaki, and Hiroshima-style. The Osaka-style is made by adding the ingredients in with the batter, and the Hiroshima-style is made layering the ingredients on top of the batter, using much more cabbage than the Osaka-style. Sometimes noodles and egg are included, too.

Flip out

The challenge to this dish? Flipping it after the first side is cooked. I know that sounds funny, but it’s harder than you think! Typically, okonomiyaki is cooked on a teppan, or type of griddle. After cooking one side for several minutes, two spatulas are used (for best results) to flip it. I used a large sauté pan to cook mine, and it took me a few flips before I got it right!

Andrew tells me that okonomiyaki restaurants are popular in Japan, and I can see why! You can grill your own okonomiyaki in some restaurants, or you can buy them from street vendors. Whatever you decide to add to your okonomiyaki, it’s the name of the game – “what you like!”

Recipe for okonomiyaki
Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 1-1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 3 green onions, chopped, green part of one reserved for garnish
• 1 cup green beans, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 small zucchini, shredded
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2/3 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten-free Garbanzo Bean Flour (if you're not sensitive to gluten, you can use 3/4 cup all purpose flour)
• 3/4 cup vegetable stock
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce (gluten free)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the vegetables to a large bowl and mix them together
2. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, stock, salt and pepper, soy sauce and flour. Whisk until smooth.
3. Combine the vegetables to the batter and mix everything together
4. Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to a large sauté pan over medium heat
5. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the batter into the pan into a rounded form, about six inches in diameter. Cover and cook on one side for about 4 minutes.
6. When the first side is cooked, use two spatulas to gently flip to the other side. Cover and cook for about 4 minutes. Continue until the batter is used up, adding more oil as needed.
7. Garnish with green onion and the sauce of your choice, and serve warm

Serves 4-6