Okonomiyaki
Translated literally from Japanese, "okonomiyaki" means "grilled how you like." An apt name; in Japan, there are establishments where you can grill up this savory cabbage pancake with all of your favorite toppings. If you're strapped for travel fare, though, worry not! You can make it at home!
Ingredients
The Main Dish
- 1 pound green cabbage finely shredded (about 5 cups)
- 4 teaspoons shichimi togarashi Japanese spice blend, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions divided
- 5 large eggs lightly beaten
- 4 center-cut bacon slices cooked and crumbled
- 2.9 ounces all-purpose flour about 2/3 cup
- 2 tablespoons canola oil divided
The Special Mayo
- 1/4 cup canola mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
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Start by preheating the oven to 200°F. Combine the cabbage, 1 tablespoon togarashi, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Let it stand for 15 minutes while stirring occasionally with salad tongs. Stir in 3 tablespoons green onions, eggs, and bacon, then fold everything in flour.
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Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add 1 cup of the cabbage mixture and flatten with a spatula into a pancake. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place the pancake on a baking sheet to keep it warm in the preheated oven. Repeat this step 3 times with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and the remaining cabbage mixture.
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Now for the special mayo. Combine the remaining 1 teaspoon togarashi spice, the canola mayonnaise, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon water in a bowl and mix it together. When it's good, drizzle over each pancake. Top the pancakes off with the remaining green onions. Mmm, crunchy.
Recipe Notes
Couple of things to note: First, shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice blend. Some upscale supermarkets will carry it, but you could probably also get some at your local Asian grocer. Second, if you're in a hurry, you can use plain old bottled mayo instead of making your own. Bear in mind, though, Japanese mayo has different ingredients and, by extension, a different taste from the American stuff, so it might be a little off. If you're lucky, though, you can get bottled Japanese mayo in the same place you get the togarashi!
