Okonomiyaki - My first Attempt

Okay this is a fun thing to try over the weekend. As the title states this is my first attempt at making okonomiyaki, a savory pancake, also known as Japanese pizza. In Japan they have many restaurants that serve this and there are many ingredients and toppings that you can choose from...of course depending on what you like. I made it the way I would like it, but it's not as pretty as I'm sure you would get it in Japan.

Batter:

1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/3 cup water or dashi(broth)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper

Whisk together ingredients to make the batter.



Filling:
1 1/2 cup cabbage - shredded
1 carrot - shredded
2 scallions - chopped
1 tsp ginger (grated) or 1 T pickled ginger
1/2 cup shrimp - small or chopped (I had frozen so I used that)
3/4 cup crab sticks - chopped


I didn't measure, I just dumped what looked like a good amount in the bowl.


Combine the filling and batter and lightly mix, not working it too much.



On a lightly oiled griddle over medium heat pour batter to about 1" thick. Cook about 5 minutes or until the edges crisp up a little. Now most recipes will call for a few slices of bacon to lay on top before you flip it, but I didn't have any on hand to do that...maybe next time. It looked nice and round...until I flipped it.



Gently flip it...probably best to use two flippers if you can. Cook the other side until center is stable and it becomes a nice golden brown on both sides. I slid it onto a plate like I would an omelet.

Top with:

tonkatsu sauce: which you can buy ready made in an Asian market or make your own...usually made with ketchup, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sometimes onion juice, and mustard (that's the one I used) some will add sugar or corn starch to thicken it.( Or you could use oyster sauce, or worcestershire sauce)

Japanese mayonnaise: Kewpie mayo - I didn't try this because it was described as a little sweet, and I didn't want to pay the $5.99 for it until I knew what it tasted like. So Hellman's it was!



green nori flakes: or seaweed, I used a little furikake, my nori was it sheets used for sushi.



bonito flakes:


You can top with scallions, caramelized shallots or onions...or ...I don't know go crazy! What would you come up with to fill it or top it with?


The bacon would of been good on it if it crisped up when you lay it on top and flip it. I think the texture was a little heavy, or different than I am used to, but tasty. I think next time I will make small ones, and it would be neater looking and easier to flip when cooking.


...it was very filling...I tried to make it look pretty, but I didn't have any squeesy things to squeeze the sauce and mayo on with.


...again, good for a snack or meal, lunch or brunch!


...or next time I'll try this mix for Korean seafood pancake! The veggies look good in there!