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Savory Japanese Okonomiyaki

Savory Japanese Okonomiyaki – The Ultimate Japanese Pancake

Okonomiyaki is Japan’s famous savory pancake — a golden, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside dish packed with cabbage, green onions, and your favorite fillings, then drizzled with tangy okonomiyaki sauce and creamy Japanese mayo. The name literally means “grilled as you like it,” and that’s the beauty of this recipe — it’s endlessly customizable, utterly comforting, and irresistibly delicious!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 pancakes
Course: Main Dish, Street Food
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Batter:
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup dashi or water
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon soy sauce
  • 3 cups finely shredded cabbage
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • ½ cup cooked shrimp squid, or thinly sliced pork belly (optional)
For Topping:
  • Okonomiyaki sauce store-bought or homemade – see below
  • Japanese mayonnaise Kewpie recommended
  • Aonori seaweed flakes, for garnish
  • Bonito flakes katsuobushi, for garnish
  • Pickled ginger beni shoga, optional
Optional Homemade Okonomiyaki Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Mix together in a small bowl until smooth.

Equipment

  • Non-stick skillet or griddle
  • Mixing bowls
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Prepare Batter – In a large bowl, whisk flour, dashi, eggs, salt, and soy sauce until smooth.
  2. Add Vegetables – Fold in shredded cabbage and green onions. Add any proteins (shrimp, squid, or pork) and mix gently until evenly combined.
  3. Heat Pan – Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly oil the surface.
  4. Cook Pancake – Pour about 1 cup of batter into the pan and shape it into a thick circle (about 6 inches wide). Cook 3–4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp.
  5. Flip Carefully – Use two spatulas to flip the pancake. Cook another 3–4 minutes on the other side, pressing gently.
  6. Add Toppings – Once cooked through, brush the top with okonomiyaki sauce and drizzle Japanese mayo in zigzag lines. Sprinkle with aonori, bonito flakes, and pickled ginger.
  7. Serve Hot – Cut into slices (like pizza) and enjoy immediately!

Notes

Customizable Fillings: Try adding bacon, cheese, corn, or kimchi for extra flavor.
Make it Vegetarian: Omit seafood and pork; add more veggies like carrots or mushrooms.
Make-Ahead Tip: Chop all ingredients ahead of time and store separately; mix right before cooking.
Serving Idea: Pair with miso soup or a Japanese cucumber salad for a complete meal.