Okonomiyaki

In Japan the street food and the restaurant food are often out of this world. When I was there, my favourite street food was Takoyaki, which is fried octopus. However, since those days, I have come to learn more about the octopus and what an amazing creature it is, and I don’t think I would have it if I go back. So, my choice from everything I had in Japan is Okonomiyaki. It’s like a filled pancake that contains fish, vegetables or meat, depending on your taste. The really great thing about Okonomiyaki restaurants is that in front of you is a heated metal plate on which you cook your own meal. It’s the perfect combination of restaurant and homemade for me, because you have a bowl with the batter and plates or bowls with the ingredients and you make your own meal to your own requirements.

Since leaving Japan, Okonomiyaki has made semi-regular appearances on our dinner table and it’s always very well received. Below is the recipe taken from a Japan Times book with my own measurements for 6 people on the left (when all four of the children were living at home) and 3 people on the left. I use an ordinary frying pan to do the cooking, although however often I make it, the first one never comes out in one piece! Each one takes about 5 minutes to cook so everyone eats at different times, but it is definitely worth the wait! Why not give it a go? Let me know how you get on!