Hiroshima Okonomiyaki: the Layered Japanese Pancake

Hiroshima Okonomiyaki: the Layered Japanese Pancake

Hiroshima okonomiyaki rivals Osaka's version: here the ingredients are not mixed but layered directly on the hot plate. The key distinction is yakisoba noodles as a compulsory layer.

History of the dish

After World War II, as Hiroshima rebuilt, okonomiyaki became accessible food: cheap, filling, made from simple ingredients. The Hiroshima style developed in the 1950s–60s in multi-storey 'okonomiyaki villages'.

Key ingredients

Thin liquid batter (flour and water), cabbage (plenty), bean sprouts, spring onion, thin pork slices, egg, yakisoba noodles (stir-fried separately), okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, aonori.

How to cook at home

Pour the batter first, then pile on the cabbage and toppings. Cover with a lid for 5 minutes. Flip — it should hold its shape. Place warmed yakisoba and an egg on top, then flip again.