Japanese Street Food
Okonomiyaki is a type of Japanese Street Food. It’s made of a pancake-like batter with meat and veggies. It’s also available at Ichi Kaku on their secret menu.
In this post you can read about:
How Okonomiyaki is Made
What is the History of Okonomiyaki?
Where can I get Okonomiyaki in North Carolina?
This dish comes from Osaka Japan. Osaka is a prefecture in Western Japan.
Osaka is also known for Takoyaki which is also listed as an appetizer on the menu at Ichi Kaku, Japanese Street food here in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
How is Okonomiyaki Made?
Okonomiyaki Ingredients:
1/2 medium green cabbage (about 1 pound) chopped coarse or in fine strips
½ cup thinly cut sauteed pork (optional)
½ cup shrimp cut into small chunks (optional)
4 medium scallions or green onions
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon of hondashi
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Ingredients are mixed together. I suggest mixing the batter first and folding in the vegetables.
At Ichi Kaku we serve a version that includes bits of shrimp and pork. The meat total can be 1 cup of any meat of choice.
The idea is to give the pancake-like batter enough body so that the veggies stand out.
This is not meant to be a smooth pancake but a bit rough looking and jagged after cooked. It will be soft but it will not be smooth.
Once mixed the ingredients are poured onto a teppan griddle and cooked on both sides until golden brown.
After cooking it is topped with mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce, scallion, bonito flakes and pickled ginger.
It's a great quick meal to have for lunch or a heavy snack. Here's Chef Yohei digging in right before he starts dinner service this weekend!
What is the History of Okonomiyaki?
The term Okonomiyaki is pronounced, Oh-Koh-No-Mi-Ya-Ki
It comes from the expression, “However you like it”. You can think of it as the Burger King catchphrase of Japan.
This dish goes back to the time of the Samurai. During the Edo period it was called Funoyaki and was served in Buddhist ceremonies.
After the war it became more common to eat as food was scarce. Okonomiyaki is a very filling food capable of serving many very easily.
Today Okonomiyaki has spread all over Japan and many parts of the world as a popular Japanese street food just like Ramen or Takoyaki.
Although Okonomiyaki was born in Osaka there are different versions throughout Japan. In Hiroshima it’s most common to see it topped with Yakisoba.
The technique is also different. It’s created with a thinner crepe-like batter. Fried ingredients are added in layers rather than mixing everything together in a bowl then pouring onto the teppan griddle.
Chef Yohei is currently serving Okonomiyaki
at
Ichi Kaku Japanese Street Food
in
Fayetteville, North Carolina
along with other popular Japanese Street Food dishes.
Come visit him at 350 N Eastern Blvd,(the ex Yoshi Express)
Ichi Kaku is open 7 days!
Orders can be placed to dine in, To Go, or called in with credit card for pick up.
Hope to see you soon!
#ramen #japanesestreetfood #okonomiyaki #japanesefoodinfayetteville #japanesefood #rameninfayetteville #ichikaku #inarisushi #japanesefoodinnorthcarolina #chefyohei
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