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+ servings

Japanese Okonomiyaki

Golden, crispy okonomiyaki packed with shredded cabbage and pork belly, finished with tangy homemade sauce and classic Japanese toppings in just 40 minutes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Batter:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup dashi stock or water with 1 tsp soy sauce as a substitute
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp baking powder

For the Filling:

  • 3 cups green cabbage finely shredded
  • 4 green onions thinly sliced
  • ½ cup tempura scraps tenkasu — optional but traditional
  • 8 slices thin-cut pork belly or bacon

For the Okonomiyaki Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar

For the Toppings:

  • Japanese mayonnaise Kewpie-style
  • Bonito flakes katsuobushi
  • Aonori dried green seaweed flakes
  • Pickled red ginger beni shoga

Instructions

  • Whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl. Set aside. This takes about 2 minutes and makes enough for all four pancakes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, dashi stock, eggs, salt, sugar, and baking powder until just combined. Don't overmix — a few lumps are totally fine and will keep the texture light.
  • Fold the shredded cabbage, green onions, and tenkasu (if using) into the batter. The mixture will look like a lot of cabbage, and that's exactly right. The cabbage is the star here, not the batter.
  • Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil. Pour about one quarter of the batter mixture into the pan and press it gently into a round shape, roughly ¾ inch thick. Lay 2 slices of pork belly across the top.
  • Cook for 5–6 minutes until the bottom is golden and set. Carefully flip the pancake — the pork belly will now be on the bottom — and cook for another 5–6 minutes. Press down gently with a spatula to help it cook evenly.
  • Transfer to a plate, pork-side up. Brush generously with the okonomiyaki sauce, drizzle with Japanese mayo in a zigzag pattern, and sprinkle on the bonito flakes, aonori, and pickled red ginger.
Servings: 4