When travelling, it’s important to try new foods and take a step outside of your comfort zone. While in Japan, I have the opportunity to try okonomiyaki, a cabbage pancake topped with a sweet-and-tangy sauce.
Although the dish is most common in Osaka, we found a small, cozy restaurant in Takayama. We were the only customers, the lights were dim, and the tiny television displayed the week’s top pop artists. With careful movements, the woman running the shop took our orders, placing petite water glasses in front of us. The table had a large griddle in the center, which she lit and began cooking the okonomiyaki in front of us. Okonomiyaki itself means “how you like it,” and is known for its customizable ingredients.
Shreds of cabbage tossed in a flour-based batter made a large, two-inch disk, which she cooked quickly. As the pancakes were getting crispy, she drizzled a copious amount of sauce on top before flipping them, doing the same to the other side. When finished, there was a crunchy outer layer of tangy sauce and fresh cabbage and spices in the center.
The dish itself is very rich and is known for its size. Among the three of us, we split two and almost didn’t finish your food. Additionally, since it’s often sold as street food, it is very cheap for the quality. Made with organic, fresh ingredients, okonomiyaki is an amazing choice for those who are adventurous and enjoy the customizable aspect of the food.
I would most definitely recommend the dish to anyone curious to try and make it, or when in Japan. It’s filling but not heavy, and not very well known, so tables in the restaurants are usually free. As someone who likes to try new food but is often disappointed, I would rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars.