Okonomiyaki - Japanese Pancake

The word Okonomiyaki is made up of two parts: Okonomi meaning “add whatever you like” and Yaki meaning “to fry”, so Okonomiyaki means “fry whatever you like”. Okonomiyaki is a type of Teppanyaki and is a popular snack in Kansai. It is normally circular in shape, hence it is also called “Japanese Pizza”.

It is said that Okonomiyaki was voted by the people of Kansai to be the second most popular food that represents the “taste of Osaka”. For most tourists in Osaka, a rewarding trip for them involves the sampling of the local Okonomiyaki. The preparation of Okonomiyaki is quite simple: add water and egg into wheat flour and stir to make a batter, then add vegetables to the batter before frying it on the iron plate. Even though it looks simple, but good preparation takes skills and experience, for example, the thickness of the batter (the best wheat flour to water ratio is 1.5:1) and the frying time need to be mastered.

Yuhoki’s Okonomiyaki is characterised by it long shape (instead of the normal circular shape) making it easier to eat. Yuhoki’s Okonomiyaki includes cabbage and calamari as well as the usual batter ingredients of water, egg and wheat flour. After frying, its outer layer becomes crispy while its unique flavour is retained on the inside. Its preparation is complete once a special sauce is added to it and it is now ready to be enjoyed. Worth noting is the special sauce which is made of eel sauce which made from soy sauce, mirin, sugar, cooking wine and eel bones. If you notice, the use of eel sauce is very common in Japanese cuisines. For those of you that like eel sauce, you can also enjoy Eel Don (Una don), Eel Teriyaki Bento and the popular Eel sushi.

There are two “sticks” in each portion of Yuhoki’s Okonomiyaki so that you can share it with your friend.

Want to give Okonomiyaki and other delicious Japanese food a try? Come to Yuhoki now!