From *okonomi*, meaning “how you like it” and *yaki*, meaning “cooked,” *okonomiyaki* is a highly customizable, beloved Japanese street food known for its signature stripes of pale-yellow mayonnaise.

Okonomiyaki Recipe: 5 Regional Okonomiyaki Variations

*Okonomiyaki* is best described as a savory Japanese pancake fried on a griddle until both sides are golden brown and finished with various sauces and garnishes. However, *okonomiyaki* is far more complex in flavor and texture than a pancake, stuffed with [umami](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking)-rich ingredients held together with a hearty, filling batter. While the recipe for *okonomiyaki* may vary by cook and location, the basic components include a batter made with [dashi stock](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained) and wheat flour, shredded cabbage, crispy bits of *tenkasu* (tempura scraps), beaten egg, and grated yam. From there, cooks can add additional ingredients, such as pork belly, seafood, and assorted veggies.

The finished pancake is drizzled with Japanese-style mayonnaise, *okonomiyaki* sauce (a sweeter version of [Worcestershire sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe)), and topped with a range of ingredients, from powdered *aonori* (dried <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"seaweed","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>seaweed</a>) and thinly [sliced scallions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-slice-scallions) to fried eggs and *katsuobushi* (dried bonito flakes). Though one of its main components is cabbage, *okonomiyaki* is not gluten-free; it’s part of what’s known as *konamon*, a group of dishes made with [wheat flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-wheat-flour).
In Japan, there are many regional styles of okonomiyaki, including but not limited to:

1. __Osaka-style *okonomiyaki*__. Osaka-style *okonomiyaki* is the most popular variation, in which all ingredients are mixed before cooking, much like a [frittata](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-frittata-easy-recipe-and-tips). 
2. __Hiroshima-style *okonomiyaki*__. In Hiroshima, *okonomiyaki* is built layer by layer, beginning with the batter, followed by the cabbage and additional ingredients for more of a “pizza” approach.
3. __*Modan-yaki*__. *Modan-yaki* is the “more is more” of the *okonomiyaki* world, served with fried *[yakisoba](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-yakisoba)* or udon noodles piled high on top of the pancake. 
4. __*Negiyaki*__. *Negiyaki*, similar to Chinese-style scallion pancakes, highlights green onions in its recipe and has a much thinner profile than regular *okonomiyaki*.
5. __*Monjayaki*__. In Tokyo, a popular form of *okonomiyaki* is *monjayaki* (also called *monja*), which increases the amount of dashi stock in the batter, giving it a much looser consistency. The result after panfrying is a texture similar to melted cheese.
From *okonomi*, meaning “how you like it” and *yaki*, meaning “cooked,” *okonomiyaki* is a highly customizable, beloved Japanese street food known for its signature stripes of pale-yellow mayonnaise.

Okonomiyaki is best described as a savory Japanese pancake fried on a griddle until both sides are golden brown and finished with various sauces and garnishes. However, okonomiyaki is far more complex in flavor and texture than a pancake, stuffed with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking","linkCopy":"umami","category":null}'>umami</a>-rich ingredients held together with a hearty, filling batter. While the recipe for okonomiyaki may vary by cook and location, the basic components include a batter made with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained","linkCopy":"dashi stock","category":null}'>dashi stock</a> and wheat flour, shredded cabbage, crispy bits of tenkasu (tempura scraps), beaten egg, and grated yam. From there, cooks can add additional ingredients, such as pork belly, seafood, and assorted veggies.The finished pancake is drizzled with Japanese-style mayonnaise, okonomiyaki sauce (a sweeter version of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"Worcestershire sauce","category":null}'>Worcestershire sauce</a>), and topped with a range of ingredients, from powdered aonori (dried <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"seaweed","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>seaweed</a>) and thinly <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-slice-scallions' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-slice-scallions","linkCopy":"sliced scallions","category":null}'>sliced scallions</a> to fried eggs and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes). Though one of its main components is cabbage, okonomiyaki is not gluten-free; it’s part of what’s known as konamon, a group of dishes made with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-wheat-flour' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-wheat-flour","linkCopy":"wheat flour","category":null}'>wheat flour</a>.

 What Is Okonomiyaki?

In Japan, there are many regional styles of okonomiyaki, including but not limited to:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Osaka-style okonomiyaki. Osaka-style okonomiyaki is the most popular variation, in which all ingredients are mixed before cooking, much like a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-frittata-easy-recipe-and-tips' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-frittata-easy-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"frittata","category":null}'>frittata</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. In Hiroshima, okonomiyaki is built layer by layer, beginning with the batter, followed by the cabbage and additional ingredients for more of a “pizza” approach. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Modan-yaki. Modan-yaki is the “more is more” of the okonomiyaki world, served with fried <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-yakisoba' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-yakisoba","linkCopy":"yakisoba","category":null}'>yakisoba</a> or udon noodles piled high on top of the pancake. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Negiyaki. Negiyaki, similar to Chinese-style scallion pancakes, highlights green onions in its recipe and has a much thinner profile than regular okonomiyaki. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Monjayaki. In Tokyo, a popular form of okonomiyaki is monjayaki (also called monja), which increases the amount of dashi stock in the batter, giving it a much looser consistency. The result after panfrying is a texture similar to melted cheese. </li></ol>

5 Regional Okonomiyaki Variations

Okonomiyaki Recipe

From okonomi, meaning “how you like it” and yaki, meaning “cooked,” okonomiyaki is a highly customizable, beloved Japanese street food known for its signature stripes of pale-yellow mayonnaise.

From okonomi, meaning “how you like it” and yaki, meaning “cooked,” okonomiyaki is a highly customizable, beloved Japanese street food known for its signature stripes of pale-yellow mayonnaise.
