What’s Okonomiyaki

A Tale of Two Okonomiyaki

Find out about the ingredients and differences between the Hiroshima-style layered Okonomiyaki and Kansai’s mixed Okonomiyaki.

Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Basic ingredients:
Batter, dried fish powders, cabbage, tempura crisps, green onions, bean sprouts, pork, noodles, eggs, Okonomi sauce, and dried seaweed.
This version of Okonomiyaki layers the ingredients on top of each other rather than mixing them together. Plenty of noodles and the subtle sweetness of cabbage ensures this is a dish that is sure to satisfy.

Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Dried Seaweed

This type of seaweed, referred to as aonori, is highly nutritious and especially rich in magnesium, vitamin B12, and iodine. Domestically sourced and it has an appetizing rich aroma and vibrant color.

Okonomi Sauce

Up to 1/4 of Otafuku’s oil-free Okonomi sauce is made up of vegetables and fruits. It is also blended with 20 spices, such as vinegar and salt.

Eggs

With a good balance of amino acids and essential nutrients for the human body, eggs are truly marvelous. The protein also serves as a perfect addition for Okonomiyaki due to its high absorption of flavoring when heated.

Noodles

Nutrients in the form of carbohydrates, gives you the energy you need for both physical and mental activities. Although carbohydrates are said to raise blood sugar levels after a meal, cabbage has the ability to diminish this effect.

Pork

This meat isn’t just a simple protein, but it also contains essential amino acids, such as lysine, that promotes certain human body functions. It is said that it’s important to have at least two sources of amino acids that cannot be produced in the human body. A single dish of Okonomiyaki contains two of those essential amino acids, from both pork and eggs.

Bean Sprouts

Bean sprouts are healthy and are rich in nutrients such as calcium, potassium, folic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and aspartic acid.

Green Onions

An aromatic ingredient that contains allicin and promotes the absorption of vitamin B1. With the vitamin B1 already in pork, adding green onions further promotes the intake of other sources of vitamin B1 which helps alleviate fatigue.

Tempura Crisps

Adding the tempura crisps brings out the umami in the Okonomiyaki. Otafuku’s Tenkasu Tenka(Tempura Crisps) isn’t just wheat flour, it is blended with powdered squid (100% cuttlefish).

Cabbage

Cabbage, a standard for the Japanese dinner table, is an essential ingredient when making Okonomiyaki. It contains vitamin C, calcium, and other nutrients; it also brings an overall delicious sweetness and texture to the dish. It also contains vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine), a nutrient that is expected to protect the gastric mucosa and promotes digestion and absorption.

Dried Fish Powders

Another source of protein, Dried Fish Powders can bring umami to the entirety of the batter. Otafuku’s powdered bonito uses a traditional smoking technique to create its unique, aromatic flavor.

Batter

Serving as the base for Okonomiyaki, flour is a carbohydrate that provides the necessary energy for our body needs throughout the day. The Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Ingredient Set contains Okonomiyaki flour mix that spreads easily and will help you create the ideal Hiroshima Okonomiyaki.

Kansai Okonomiyaki

Main ingredients:
Batter (eggs, flour, cabbage, green onions, Tempura Crisps, pickled red ginger), pork, Okonomi sauce, mayonnaise, dried seaweed, and dried bonito flakes.
This is the predominant version of Okonomiyaki that makes use of a mixed batter. Although it is a simple process of mixing and cooking the ingredients, using proper technique will help you create a nice and plump finish.

Kansai Okonomiyaki

Dried Bonito Flakes

Bonito contains the necessary protein, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin D that our body cannot produce on its own.

Dried Seaweed

This type of seaweed, referred to as aonori, is highly nutritious and especially rich in magnesium, vitamin B12, and iodine. Domestically sourced and it has an appetizing rich aroma and vibrant color.

Mayonnaise

The main ingredients in mayonnaise are eggs, vegetable oil, vinegar, and salt. Eggs contain vitamins A and D, minerals, and fats; while vinegar is said to be good for the body as well. When applied moderately, it makes Okonomiyaki even more delicious.

Okonomi Sauce

Up to 1/4 of Otafuku’s oil-free Okonomi sauce is made up of vegetables and fruits. It is also blended with 20 spices, such as vinegar and salt.

Pork

This meat isn’t just a simple protein, but it also contains essential amino acids, such as lysine, that promotes certain human body functions. It is said that it’s important to have at least two sources of amino acids that cannot be produced in the human body. A single dish of Okonomiyaki contains two of those essential amino acids, from both pork and eggs.

The Mix of Ingredients

  • Eggs

    With a good balance of amino acids and essential nutrients for the human body, eggs are truly marvelous. The protein also serves as a perfect addition for Okonomiyaki due to its high absorption of flavoring when heated.

  • Flour

    Combining both flour and pork in Okonomiyaki is an efficient method of producing energy for the body. Flour is known to contain sugars, but the vitamin B1 found in pork promotes the metabolism of the sugars and converts them into energy.

  • Cabbage

    Cabbage, a standard for the Japanese dinner table, is an essential ingredient when making Okonomiyaki. It contains vitamin C, calcium, and other nutrients; it also brings an overall delicious sweetness and texture to the dish. It also contains vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine), a nutrient that is expected to protect the gastric mucosa and promotes digestion and absorption.

  • Green Onions

    An aromatic ingredient that contains allicin and promotes the absorption of vitamin B1. With the vitamin B1 already in pork, adding green onions further promotes the intake of other sources of vitamin B1 which helps alleviate fatigue.

  • Tempura Crisps

    Adding the tempura crisps brings out the umami in the Okonomiyaki. Otafuku’s Tenkasu Tenka(Tempura Crisps) isn’t just wheat flour, it is blended with powdered squid (100% cuttlefish).

  • Pickled Red Ginger

    Ginger, known for its pungency, is a healthy ingredient full of beneficial compounds. Zingerone for example, promotes blood circulation in the body, while another compound, shogaol, strengthens the body’s immune system. To finish it off, the fragrant cineole compound is shown to increase appetite.

Reference:“Zukai de wakaru! Karada ni ii shokuji to eiyou no kyoukasho (図解でわかる!からだにいい食事と栄養の教科書)” (Nagaoka Shoten), “Saishin ketteiban shokuzai jiten (最新決定版 食材事典)” (Gakken Plus)