Okonomiyaki – Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake
If you never tried Okonomiyaki or Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake, you are missing out. This popular Japanese street food is fluffy, crunchy, and my favorite way to enjoy cabbage! It’s one of my favorite things to order, even at Taiwanese night markets! Today, I am sharing my Bacon and Cabbage Okonomiyaki, but you can also enjoy it with seafood, shiitake mushroom, cheese, or even yakisoba noodles. You can customize it with your own choice of protein, toppings, and condiments. You have to try this at home!
Osaka Street Food Okonomiyaki
This savory cabbage pancake is fluffy, with crunchy and refreshing cabbage and tasty sauce on top that makes it super addicting. Growing up, whenever I visit night markets in Taiwan, there are always two stalls packed with people lining up, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. Two popular Japanese Street Food where you can smell the delicious batter from blocks away. I always love trying different toppings and condiments every time I visit.
This year, I finally got to try authentic Okonomiyaki for the first time in Osaka, during my day trip to the viral Daruma Temple! And, there’s just something about this pancake being made on the griddle in front of you that made me even more obsessed with this delicious cabbage pancake. Trust me, it’s my go-to snack now on girl’s night with an ice-cold beer!
Okonomiyaki Ingredients
- 200 g Cake Flour
- 2 Large Eggs
- 200 g COLD Water
- 100 g Japanese Yam grated
- ¼ Cabbage chopped
- 2 Green Onion chopped
- 4-7 slices Bacon or topping of your choice
Ratio 2:1 of Batter/Flour compare to Cabbage.
Secret To Extra Fluffy Batter
The secret to extra fluffy Okonomiyaki is Japanese Yam, a crucial ingredient that makes a world of difference. When you grate raw mountain yam, it turns into a slimy, frothy liquid. This traps air and holds on to moisture as the pancake cooks on the griddle, keeping it nice and airy.
You can find Japanese Yam (nagaimo) are most Asian grocery stores. Make sure to wear a glove if you have sensitive skin, because the skin of the yam contains irritating chemicals. So, it may become itchy when grating the yam with your bare hands.
Okonomiyaki Toppings
Let’s talk about my favorite part of Okonomiyaki, the toppings. The abslute must-haves are Japanese Mayo, Takoyaki Sauce, Bonito Flakes, and dried seaweed. You can find all of these condiments at your Asian Grocery Market, or also on Amazon (linked). They give okonomiyaki its classic flavors of umami, creamy, but a little tart. Then, comes the extras. Some popular toppings include mochi, fried egg, bacon, cheese, seafood, and tempura bits. You can really get creative here!
Japanese Mayo VS American Mayo
A common question I get asked often is the difference between Japanese Mayo and American Mayo. You can always substitute to American Mayo, but Kewpie Mayo is a STABLE item in my kitchen.
- Japanese Mayo is made with ONLY the yolk, which gives it richer flour and a more custard-like texture.
- Japanese Mayo is slightly sweeter as it is made with Rice Vinegar, giving it a sweeter tang versus American Mayo.
- No Salt and other seasoning are added except for MSG, which gives it its umami flavor!
Easy Steps For Japanese Cabbage Pancakes
- In a bowl, sift in the cake flour to prevent any lumps. Add in 2 eggs, ice-cold water, season with salt, and grated Japanese yam. Mix till a thick but fluffy batter.
- Add in the chopped cabbage, green onion, and fold to mix.
- Turn the heat to medium-, in a non-stick pan, add in oil. Once the pan is hot, add in the cabbage mixture. Spread, so it is even, topped with sliced bacon. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip, cover, and let it cook for another 4-6 minutes.
- Topped with your preferred condiments such as takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, seaweed, and bonito flakes.
Do you like Japanese Food? Here are some of my EASY recipes that are super delicious!
- Tonkatsu – Japanese Fried Pork Chops (CRISPY)
- Caramel Custard Pudding – Purin (5 Ingredients!)
- Potato Croquette – Korokke (Cheesy!)
- Beef Curry (EXTRA SAVOURY)
Okonomiyaki, Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake
By Tiffy Cooks
Ingredients
- 200 g Cake Flour
- 2 Large Eggs
- 200 g COLD Water
- 100 g Japanese Yam grated
- ¼ Cabbage chopped
- 2 Green Onion chopped
- 4-7 slices Bacon or topping of your choice
Instructions
- In a bowl, sift in the cake flour to prevent any lumps. Add in 2 eggs, ice-cold water, season with salt, and grated Japanese yam. Mix till a thick but fluffy batter.
- Add in the chopped cabbage, green onion, and fold to mix.
- Turn the heat to medium-, in a non-stick pan, add in oil. Once the pan is hot, add in the cabbage mixture. Spread, so it is even, topped with sliced bacon. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes.
- Flip, cover, and let it cook for another 4-6 minutes.
- Topped with your preferred condiments such as takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, seaweed, and bonito flakes.
