Okonomiyaki Recipe <(^-^)>

Simple Recipe <(^-^)>

Okonomiyaki

I'm hungry right now and when I opened the fridge, I wanna eat something with cabbage in it. What should I make today? Let's cook some okonomiyaki. :)

What is Okonomiyaki?  It's a traditional Japanese food that is sometimes called "Japanese Pancake" or "Japanese Pizza".  It's a savory dish that is a bit more like an omelette or frittata than a pancake and it's made with okonomiyaki flour, eggs, cabbage, pork (bacon), shrimp or other seafood, and topped with a variety of condiments like sweet sauce (Okonomi Sauce), mayonnaise, dried seaweed and bonito flakes. Now... that may not sound very appetizing, but it's an INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS dish - crispy on the outside and soft inside. What could be better than Japanese food plus Bacon?  If you have a passion for food, you absolutely must try Okonomiyaki! 

Okonomiyak is easy to make!  Our favorite "best" Osaka Okonomiyaki recipe (also called Kansai style Okonomiyai) is immediately below:

INGREDIENTS (To Make 2)	Metric	Imperial
Okonomiyaki Flour	100g	1 cup
Water (or Chicken stock)	160ml	2/3 cup
Eggs (or Egg substitute)	2 (or 120ml)	2 (or 1/2 cup)
Cabbage, cut into 3cm x 2-3ml strips	300g	4 cups
Green Onions, thinly sliced diagonally	2 stalks	2 stalks
Tenkasu (Tempura bits)	30g	1/4 cup
Bacon, cut into 8cm (3") pieces	6 strips	6 strips
OPTIONAL
Raw shrimp cut into approx 1cm (1/2") chunks	100g	1/2 cup
Bonus: Chinese sausage, cut diagonally	1-2 links	1-2 links
Bonus: Beni Shoga (Pickled Ginger)	30g	1 oz
TOPPINGS
Kewpie Mayonnaise
Okonomi Sauce
Aonori (Seaweed Flakes)
Katsuobushi (Bonito Flakes)

 















PREPARATION:

1.	In a large bowl, whisk together Okonomiyaki Flour and Water until smooth
2.	Add Eggs, Cabbage, Onions, Tenkasu, Ginger, Shrimp and Sausage and mix, but don't over mix.
3.	Oil a griddle that has been heated to 200C (400F) and add Okonomiyaki mixture divided into two pancakes.
4.	Using a spatula flatten and form pancakes until around 1.5cm (3/4") thick - approximately 30cm (12") across.
5.	Add Bacon pieces to cover top of each pancake.
6.	After about 3 minutes, flip over pancake (bacon side down) and cook for 4 minutes.
7.	Flip pancake again (bacon side up) and cook for 3 minutes or until firm and well browned.
8.	Remove to plate and drizzle with Kewpie mayonnaise, okonomi sauce and sprinkle with Aonori and Katsuobushi.
9.	Eat quickly before someone near you takes your portion

Recipe Notes:
- If you do not have all of the ingredients above, don't worry, you can probably still make Okonomiyaki using a variety of substitute ingredients and by skipping some.  See Alternative Batter Receipes below and the Ingredients tab for more information. 
- Also, don't worry about exact measurements, the recipe is very forgiving!    
- Also, remember, Okonomi stands for "what you wish" so you are really open to modifying any of the added ingredients.  It's common to add a variety of vegetables, or to substitute or supplement the shrimp with cuttlefish, octopus, squid and other seafood. 
- Chinese sausage is completely non-traditional, but we think it really adds a great flavor and texture.


Using Traditional Nagaimo or Yamaimo
- For the Grated Yam, you must use Chinese or Japanese mountain yam (Nagaimo or Yamaimo) and use at least 1/4 Cup (60ml).
- The recipe using Nagaimo is the most authentic Okonomi-Yaki receipe, but it's faster and easier to use the packaged Okonomiyaki flours, which also usually have added flavors.

 
When grated, the mountain yam becomes a glutinous liquid that helps bind the batter. 

  The Healthier Okonomiyaki has the following differences:
- Egg Substitute instead of Whole Egg
- No Chinese Sausage
- Lower fat Center Cut bacon instead of Regular Bacon
- Less Cooking Oil for griddling
- 1 Tbsp of Mayonnaise instead of 2 Tbsp


Enjoy!
-Kaito