Okonomiyaki, often compared to pizza, is gaining popularity worldwide. However, it’s more like a savory pancake, grilled with various fillings, toppings, and condiments. Cooks typically combine chopped vegetables, meat, or seafood for the fillings. Pickled red ginger and dried bonito flakes often adorn the top. Mayonnaise and a brown Okonomiyaki sauce are the most common condiments. The name translates to “grilled as you like it,” reflecting its customizable nature.
Popular Variations: Kansai and Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Styles
Japan boasts several types, but two stand out: Kansai-style and Hiroshima-style.
Kansai-Style: A Mix of Flavors and Textures
To make Kansai-style Okonomiyaki, chefs mix batter (flour, broth made from dried bonito flakes and seaweed, eggs) with yams, cabbage, and other ingredients. They then grill it to perfection and top it with Okonomiyaki sauce, dried bonito flakes, and mayonnaise. Popular variations include Buta-tama (with pork) and Tako-tama (with octopus). Many Okonomiyaki restaurants offer unique names for their creations, depending on the ingredients. In Osaka, diners often enjoy it with rice or rice balls.
Hiroshima-Style: A Layered Creation
In contrast, Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki features a layered construction. The layers typically consist of batter, cabbage, pork, and optional items like squid, octopus, or cheese. Noodles (yakisoba or udon) also make an appearance, along with a fried egg and a generous amount of sauce. Notably, Hiroshima-style uses significantly more cabbage than the Osaka style. Chefs pile the cabbage high and press it down as it cooks. The order of the layers may vary slightly depending on the chef’s style and preference, as can the ingredients, depending on the customer’s taste. After assembling the toppings, they flip the entire Okonomiyaki over to steam it, flip it again, and serve it with sauce and a sprinkle of green laver. In Hiroshima, the sauce has a slightly sweeter taste than the Kansai version.
How much to buy Okonomiyaki?
Okonomiyaki restaurant menus often present a list of specialty combinations or a variety of ingredients for diners to create their own custom restaurants. Prices can start around 735 yen for a simple pork and vegetable one and go up to 1,000 yen or more for more elaborate choices. For those on a budget, making it at home is a cost-effective alternative.
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