How much do you know about Japanese food? Are you interested in knowing more about Okonomiyaki in Japan? There are many types of Okonomiyaki, in fact, when the situation improves you can go to taste the food, the last period of time I was super want to eat food anyway.

Types of Okonomiyaki

When it comes to Okonomiyaki, there are a lot of regional variations. From the classic Kansai style and Hiroshima style to lesser-known local types, there are plenty of varieties to try.

Kansai-style okonomiyaki

Kansai-style okonomiyaki is also known as okonomiyaki, and it's common throughout Japan. In this type of Okonomiyaki, ingredients such as chopped cabbage and meat are mixed into a savory batter, poured onto an oiled plate called a teppan, and fried. There is also a Kansai-style version called Modern-yaki, in which noodles are added to the batter in addition to the cabbage and meat mentioned above. After the Okonomiyaki has been grilled, a Worcestershire sauce-based Okonomiyaki sauce is drizzled on top, giving it a sweet and rich flavor. It is also topped with Japanese yogurt, seaweed powder and bonito flakes.

Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki

Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki uses similar ingredients to Kansai style, but the cooking process is quite different. Instead of mixing all the ingredients together, the ingredients are added one by one, such as pancakes, cabbage, meat, seafood, poached eggs, and noodles such as soba or udon, from the bottom to the top. While the ingredients used and the order in which the layers are stacked may vary from chef to chef, the most distinctive feature of Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki is the use of ingredients with very different textures and flavors, such as fresh bean sprouts, salted pork, and yakisoba. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which uses yakisoba and udon noodles, is a bit more complicated to make than the standard Kanto style, so if you want to try several flavors, it's a good idea to talk with your fellow diners about ordering different ones and sharing them together.

Varieties of okonomiyaki vary by region

Monjayaki

Monjayaki is a savory pancake that is said to have originated in Tokyo's Tsukishima district, and has become popular throughout the Kanto region. Although monjayaki is similar to the Kansai-style okonomiyaki, the ingredients used are all chopped up and the batter is diluted to give it a tender and sticky texture. Personally, I was a bit put off by the appearance of the dish, and even my Japanese friends told me that the texture would be a challenge if you didn't grow up eating it. This type of pancake is eaten straight from the iron plate with a small spoon-like spatula. The trick to enjoying this dish is to spread the batter in a thin layer on the iron plate before eating, which caramelizes the bottom and creates a crisper texture.

__Okonomiyaki and donton-yaki

These two types of okonomiyaki, often served on chopsticks or other bamboo skewers for eating on the go, are very well known street foods in Japan, especially in Sendai and Yamagata prefectures. The names and ingredients of these street foods often change depending on the area, so it's worth keeping an eye out for local food from food trucks and mobile vendors.

Local Okonomiyaki

My personal favorite type of Okonomiyaki is the one that uses the best local ingredients. Shobara-yaki is an okonomiyaki originating from Shobara City, Hiroshima, where locally grown rice is used instead of noodles, and tangerine vinegar sauce (soy sauce flavored with citrus) is used instead of the thicker okonomiyaki sauce. The taste is fresher and more refreshing than the classic Okonomiyaki. Hatsukaichi Style Oyster Okonomiyaki is another twist on Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which also includes locally produced oysters that are heavily battered and deep-fried. Hatsukaichi is not only known as an oyster producer, but also for Miyajima Island, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you visit, don't forget to try this dish, which allows you to savor two cuisines at once!

How to order Okonomiyaki

There are many ways to make Okonomiyaki your own, but if this is your first time tasting Okonomiyaki in Japan, you'll be like me and think, "Just tell me what's the best! Just tell me what's best! If you're not sure what to choose, my advice is to go for the classic Kansai-style pork and egg okonomiyaki or the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki with pork, egg and soba noodles. After all, these two are considered the most standard flavors.

Of course, not everyone eats pork and egg, so if you don't like the flavor, you can easily try a Hakkasu or a different option. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that whatever your reason for not eating seafood, it's important to remember that most okonomiyaki batters are flavored with stock, which is essentially extracted from bonito. Some restaurants now offer vegetarian batters, so if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, it's best to check beforehand.

How to enjoy Okonomiyaki

"Okonomiyaki" not only means that you can use your favorite ingredients as you please, but also that you have a variety of choices when it comes to eating it. Here are a few common choices you'll need to make when eating Okonomiyaki in Japan, so don't stress out. After all, Okonomiyaki is a healing food, so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask the staff and relax.

Should I let the chef cook or do it myself?

When you visit an Okonomiyaki restaurant, one of the first important decisions you need to make is whether to make your own food or let the chef cook it for you. In Kansai-style restaurants, the cooking process is relatively simple, so you're usually given a bowl of batter and ingredients to make your own okonomiyaki on a griddle. Making your own Okonomiyaki is a fun experience, but if you've never had Okonomiyaki before, it's recommended that you ask the chef to make one for you first, so you'll get an idea of what it tastes and looks like. If the waiter brings the ingredients and batter to the table and you're not sure how to make it, ask the waiter to help you!

Should I sit at the teppan bar or the table?

Another decision you'll need to make is whether to sit at the bar or at a table. If you're going with a group of people, such as friends, or if you want to relax a little bit, it's best to choose a table. But if you can, I would highly recommend that you sit at the bar and watch the chef cook at one point during your stay in Japan. If you are traveling alone, a bar is a great option, and you can practice your Japanese in a fun and enjoyable way by chatting with the chef or other diners. However, the tables are usually accompanied by a special iron plate. Even if the chef cooks your meal on the main plate, you'll be able to use the plate to keep the Okonomiyaki hot and crispy until it's finished.

Should I use chopsticks or a spatula?

Even the Japanese have trouble deciding whether to eat okonomiyaki with chopsticks or with a spatula (a flat metal spatula that can be used to cut okonomiyaki). It is said that the practice of eating Okonomiyaki with a spatula originated when Okonomiyaki was sold as fast food on the streets, and restaurants started to use it because they could avoid having to provide extra plates and chopsticks. Nowadays, some people think that eating Okonomiyaki with a spatula is a more authentic way of eating, especially in Hiroshima-style restaurants. That said, most restaurants still provide chopsticks and plates.