Okonomiyaki is a traditional Japanese street food. It is extremely versatile since you can include fillings or toppings to suit your taste. The traditional recipe includes dashi or kelp powder that may not be readily available. This recipe uses a sheet of sushi nori, ground into a powder, in place of dashi or kelp powder. Bottled okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise may be purchased, or try the quick substitutes listed below.
8 cups
finely shredded Green Cabbage (about 1 small head)
(400 g)
¾ cup
sliced Green Onion, divided
(45 g)
4 tsp
Oil, divided
(20 mL)
Okonomiyaki Sauce
2 Tbsp
Ketchup
2 Tbsp
Worcestershire Sauce (use vegan Worcestershire for vegetarian version)
1 Tbsp
Soy Sauce
1 tsp
Sugar
Japanese Mayonnaise Substitute
½ cup
Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp
Rice Vinegar
2 tsp
Sugar
Other Toppings
sliced Green Onions
Nori Powder
Dried Bonito Flakes (omit for vegetarian version)
Instructions
Tear nori sheet into pieces and place in a small food processor or blender. Process until a powder forms. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, water and salt. Add cornstarch, pancake mix and 1 teaspoon of nori powder. Mix until just combined. Stir in cabbage, ½ cup green onion and any other fillings. Reserve remaining nori powder and green onion to top the pancakes.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil to the skillet and ¼ of the pancake mixture. Form into a roughly 6-inch pancake. Cook, with the lid on, for 90 seconds on the first side. Carefully flip the pancake and cook for 3 minutes*, covered, on the second side. Flip the pancake back to the first side and cook for 2 additional minutes, uncovered. Cooking the pancake covered helps the cabbage to cook through and the final, uncovered cooking helps to crisp the outside of the pancake. Repeat for the remaining three pancakes.
Mix together all ingredients for okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise in separate small bowls. Drizzle over pancakes and top with green onions, nori powder and bonito flakes, if desired.