Okonomiyaki

It's possible I've blogged about it before, but if you come to Japan the most important thing to do is eat Okonomiyaki. Unlike sushi, okonomiyaki is not commonly found in Japanese restaurants back home, although I hope it soon makes it's way around the world. I have heard you can find them in Vancuver, however.

Sometimes described as a Japanese-pizza, and other times as a savory pancake, okonomiyaki is a kind of hyprid of both. It is made with flour, eggs, cabbage, and a delcious sauce. Additional possible ingredients include: Noodles- ramen, udon, or yakisoba, squid and octopus, mochi and cheese, or pork and chicken, along with other possibilities and combinations. Typically okonomiyaki is topped with the special sauce, mayonaise, seaweed, and dried fish flakes. Usually anything after the sauce is your's to assemble.

Okonomiyaki is served at special resturants throughout Japan, but is especially famous in Osaka and Hiroshima. My favorite okonomiyaki was eaten in Hiroshima. My friend Tomomi led us to a giant building filled with okonomiyaki restuarants. One floor had about 8 resturants where chefs stood around counters with stools calling out to us to eat their okonomiyaki. We finally choose the busiest table because Tomomi recommended it, and we quickly realized she made an excellent choice. Hiroshimayaki (the special name for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki) has the special touch of being made in layers instead of everything being mixed together. A layer of pancake, topped with cabbage, topped with a fried egg with strips of pork before being finalized with any additional toppings and reconnected for a few flips on the hot iron griddle. Absolutely breathtaking. And in typical Japanese fashion, all of the vendors on the floor thanked us for coming, even though we had skipped over their restaurants.

Making your own okonomiyaki is actually not too difficult. Apparently the sauce can be found in Japanese grocery stores in big cities and everything else can be found at your local grocery store. Well, maybe not squid but the basic necessities. To make your own, check out this recipe. I've tried a few times and it's a satisfying meal despite my sad cooking skills.