Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki: A Detailed Recipe
Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki: Savor the Vibrant Flavors of Fresh Ingredients
Experience the authentic taste of Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki right in your own kitchen! This popular savory pancake is celebrated for its ability to highlight the natural flavors of fresh ingredients, making it a satisfying meal with relatively simple components. We’ll guide you through layering crisp vegetables, succulent seafood, savory meats, and chewy noodles between thin, delicate crepes of batter. Let’s get cooking!
Batter Ingredients- 1 cup Okonomiyaki mix or all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 140ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the Okonomiyaki batter. In a bowl, combine the Okonomiyaki mix or all-purpose flour. Crack in one large egg and pour in 140ml of water. Mix everything together until you achieve a slightly thick batter consistency; it shouldn’t be too runny. Ensure there are no lumps.
Step 2
Next, prepare the abundant ingredients that will go into your Okonomiyaki. Thinly slice the cabbage into shreds. Rinse the bean sprouts (or soybean sprouts) thoroughly and drain them well. Chop the green onion. (Tip: Using a generous amount of cabbage adds wonderful texture!)
Step 3
Cut the fresh seafood and pork belly into bite-sized pieces. For the shrimp, peel them and remove the digestive tract. Clean and slice the squid into manageable pieces. Cut the pork belly slices into lengths of about 5-6 cm for easy cooking.
Step 4
While traditionally soba noodles are used, we’re using ramen noodles for convenience at home! Boil the ramen noodles in water, cooking them slightly less than the package instructions suggest to ensure they are perfectly al dente. (Tip: Udon noodles are also a delicious alternative!)
Step 5
Let’s make the sauce for stir-frying the Okonomiyaki. The sauce packet often included with Okonomiyaki mix might not be enough, especially since we’ll be using it for the noodles too. It’s best to prepare a separate sauce. Mix 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce with 2 tablespoons of Tonkatsu sauce. You can adjust the sauce quantities to your liking.
Step 6
Now, heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium-low heat. Ladle a portion of the prepared batter onto the hot pan and spread it thinly and widely into a circle, much like making a crepe. Spreading it as thinly as possible will help it cook through evenly and achieve a nice crispiness.
Step 7
Layer the prepared ingredients on top of the batter. Start by piling on a generous amount of shredded cabbage, followed by the bean sprouts (or soybean sprouts), and then the chopped green onions. Don’t be shy with the ingredients; pile them high for a truly abundant Okonomiyaki!
Step 8
Arrange the shrimp, squid, and pork belly pieces on top. Finally, pour a little more batter over the toppings and crack an egg onto it. This egg will help bind the ingredients together. (Tip: The egg acts as a great binder, making it easier to flip the Okonomiyaki!)
Step 9
Here comes the crucial step: flip it over with confidence! Hesitation can cause the ingredients to scatter. It’s best to use two spatulas or a large spatula to support the entire Okonomiyaki from the bottom and flip it in one swift motion. Tuck in any ingredients that might have slightly slipped out with your spatula.
Step 10
Time to stir-fry the noodles. Gently push the Okonomiyaki to one side of the pan, or use a separate pan, to create space for the noodles. Add the cooked ramen noodles to the prepared sauce and stir-fry until well-coated. Adding katsuobushi towards the end will enhance the flavor. In the same pan (or on the side), cook the egg like a fried egg, and then place the sauced noodles on top of it.
Step 11
We’re almost there! Carefully place the Okonomiyaki you were cooking onto the bed of stir-fried noodles. Do not flip it again at this stage; simply transfer it so that the cooked side of the Okonomiyaki is facing upwards. Cover with a lid and cook over low heat until the cabbage is completely tender. (Tip: Covering with a lid ensures even cooking throughout.) Once the inside is cooked, flip it one more time to lightly brown the other side, and your delicious Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki is ready!
Step 12
Finally, generously drizzle Okonomiyaki sauce (or Tonkatsu sauce) over the finished Okonomiyaki. If you like, sprinkle some aonori seaweed flakes for an extra layer of savory flavor. Add mayonnaise as desired for a creamy finish. Enjoy your homemade Okonomiyaki!
