Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake of batter and shredded cabbage, mixed with your choice of fillings, griddled on a hot teppan and finished with sweet okonomi sauce, mayo, dried seaweed and dancing bonito flakes. The name means "grill what you like."
What it means
A soul food of Osaka and Hiroshima that's beloved nationwide — casual, communal, often cooked by you at a table griddle. It turns a meal into an activity.
Why it's wonderful
It's fun and deeply savory: crisp edges, fluffy cabbage-laden middle, the umami hit of sauce and bonito. Order it as a vegetable version, or load it with seafood and pork.
★ Cook-your-own okonomiyaki with a gluten-free rice-flour batter option
A large, tourist-friendly DIY okonomiyaki spot in Harajuku that offers a gluten-free rice-flour batter on request, with an English menu and vegan/vegetarian options. You cook on a shared griddle where wheat batter is also used, so ask staff about cross-contamination if you are highly sensitive.
