Easy Okonomiyaki Recipe- Japanese Savory Pancakes

Takoyaki and okonomiyaki have this magnetic pull on me when it comes to street food. They’re like the dynamic duo of Japanese street eats. Speaking of okonomiyaki, it’s a savory pancake that has its own unique charm compared to other pancakes I know like the British, French, or even Mexican counterparts.

Simple onomiyaki recipe
Healthy vegan onomiyaki

British pancakes like drop scones or the traditional ones are a sweet dish, often served with a sprinkle of sugar or honey. Okonomiyaki, on the other hand, is a savory dish with different fillings like shredded cabbage, and eggs, and topped with whatever strikes your fancy—often including mayo, or bonito flakes. It’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth.

What sets this savory Japanese pancake apart is the customization. The name itself translates to “cooked as you like it.” From the traditional okonomiyaki recipe, you can create any style and version you want. You can throw in bits of seafood (prawn, octopus, shrimp), meat (pork, chicken), tofu, noodles, or cheese to make various variations with different flavors.

Okonomiyaki on Japanese streets
These savory pancakes are called Japanese pizzas

As I took my first bite, I understood why okonomiyaki has become a beloved street food in Japan. The combination of textures, the medley of flavors, and the communal experience of grilling it together made me want to recreate this Japanese pancake at home. And I did. But instead of frying it with a pan, I baked it in the oven. And this is how to make okonomiyaki – a Japanese savory pancake.

Okonomiyaki – Japanese savoury pancakes

A Japanese flavor party in pancake form
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Asian, Japanese
Servings 4
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the pancake

  • 2 cups gluten-free flour almond flour
  • 1 ½ cups dashi stock or substitute with chicken or vegetable broth
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mirin
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup mixed seafood shrimp, squid, and/or scallops, chopped
  • 2 green onions finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup pickled red ginger beni shoga, chopped
  • 1/4 cup tenkasu tempura crumbs

For the toppings

  • Okonomiyaki sauce
  • Japanese mayonnaise
  • Bonito flakes
  • Aonori dried seaweed flakes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, dashi stock, eggs, soy sauce, mirin, and baking powder. Mix until the batter is smooth.
  • Add shredded cabbage, mixed seafood, green onions, pickled red ginger, and tenkasu to the batter. Gently fold in the ingredients until well combined.
  • Grease a baking dish with oil. Pour the okonomiyaki batter into the dish, spreading it evenly.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through. You can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
  • Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
  • Drizzle okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise over the top. Sprinkle bonito flakes and aonori for added flavor and presentation.
  • Slice the baked okonomiyaki into wedges and serve immediately.

Notes

– If you don’t have the oven, you can use a griddle or a large non-stick pan. Put it on the stove over medium heat. Lightly oil the surface and pour a portion of the batter onto the griddle. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. The other steps are similar.
– You can keep okonomiyaki in the fridge for 1 – 2 days or freeze it to make it last longer. You can reheat the dish in the oven at 180°C for approximately 10-15 minutes or on the stove with low heat.
Keyword baking, gluten free, japanese, street food
Johanna Cleveland
About the author
Kate

Hi, I'm Kate, the creator of Happy Baking Days. I'm a food lover, recipe creator, and kitchen explorer. I have amateur baking knowledge gained from years spent in the kitchen with my grandma and mum, where I graduated slowly from dusting work surfaces with flour and licking the spatula to the finer arts of pastry and meringue. Now in my own kitchen, I put all those years of training into practice, experimenting with recipes and ingredients from around the world. Join me as I share my culinary journey and favorite recipes that make cooking a delightful experience.

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