Classic Okonomiyaki (Japanese Cabbage and Pork Pancakes)

By Kay Chun

Classic Okonomiyaki (Japanese Cabbage and Pork Pancakes)
Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Total Time
50 minutes
Rating
4(875)
Comments
Read comments

Crisp on the outside and custardy in the center, okonomiyaki are pan-fried Japanese pancakes that traditionally feature a filling of cabbage and pork belly. Here, bacon can be substituted for the pork belly, replaced with shrimp or omitted entirely. You can find the more unusual toppings like hondashi, Kewpie mayonnaise, okonomi sauce and dried bonito at any Japanese market. Similar to Worcestershire sauce but sweeter and less salty, the okonomi sauce is combined with Kewpie mayonnaise and umami-rich bonito flakes for a playful topping. This adaptable recipe is a great way to use up leftovers or other vegetables, such as shredded carrots, bean sprouts or chopped snap peas.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:Two 7-inch pancakes
  • 1teaspoon hondashi (bonito soup stock) or instant dashi
  • 2large eggs
  • ¾cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼teaspoon baking soda
  • 4cups finely shredded green cabbage (about ½ pound)
  • 1cup thinly sliced scallions (about 5 scallions)
  • 1tablespoon drained pickled red ginger (or finely chopped pickled sushi ginger)
  • ¼cup safflower or canola oil
  • 3ounces sliced pork belly or bacon, cut crosswise into 5-inch pieces
  • Okonomi sauce, Kewpie mayonnaise, dried shaved bonito and shredded nori, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

768 calories; 57 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 30 grams monounsaturated fat; 12 grams polyunsaturated fat; 47 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 18 grams protein; 790 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine hondashi with 1 cup water and whisk until dissolved. Whisk in eggs until well combined. Add flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda and whisk until smooth. Fold in cabbage, scallions and ginger until well incorporated.

  2. Step 2

    In an 8-inch nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add half the batter, spreading cabbage mixture into an even 6-inch round about 1-inch thick (resist the urge to push down on the mixture). Arrange half the pork belly over the cabbage, slightly overlapping. Cook over medium-low until pancake is set and golden brown underneath, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and carefully flip pancake by inverting onto a plate then slipping back into the skillet.

  3. Step 3

    Cook until golden brown on second side, pancake is cooked through in center and pork is lightly golden, about 8 minutes. Transfer pancake, pork side up, onto a large plate. Wipe out skillet and repeat with remaining oil, batter and pork belly.

  4. Step 4

    Drizzle pancakes with okonomi sauce and Kewpie mayonnaise, then top with a handful of shaved bonito and nori. Serve warm.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

4 out of 5
875 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

christine

Okonomi sauce 4 ketchup 3 Worcestershire sauce 2 oyster sauce 1 sugar

John Minagro

I’ve made them with gluten free flour for someone and honestly couldn’t tell the difference.

Dj

So easy to make your own delicious okonomiyaki sauce. Just look online

dolym

We make meatless okonomiyaki frequently. We always have cabbage in the fridge, and a variety of other veggies can be added- grated carrots, jicama, zucchini, radishes, cucumber, etc. As pescatarians, we typically add chopped cooked shrimp. Also some pankos. The recipe can be simplified by omitting the dashi, salt, baking powder and soda. Topped with homemade Okonomi sauce (always on hand), Kewpie mayo, and Furikake, it's super easy and we always have the ingredients.

Alyssa

1 cup of water definitely made my batter way too runny!!! Disappointing.

Doug

This is fire. I often can’t find pork belly so I just omit it on occasion and it still comes out really good. The okonomi sauce really makes this dish whole. You could remove any one of the toppings but it would def not be the same without the okonomi sauce. Super easy, surprisingly filling, feels pretty healthy too.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.