Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki

© ume-y · CC BY 2.0

The savory pancake you grill at your own table.

What it is

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.

What to order

  • Mixed (mix-yaki) or Hiroshima style
  • Seafood, pork or vegetable
  • Add extra bonito & seaweed
  • Pair with a cold beer

For special diets

Batter contains wheat and usually egg; the sauce and bonito flakes aren't vegan. Vegetable versions suit vegetarians.

FAQ

What is Okonomiyaki?
The savory pancake you grill at your own table.
Is Okonomiyaki vegetarian, vegan, halal or gluten-free?
Batter contains wheat and usually egg; the sauce and bonito flakes aren't vegan. Vegetable versions suit vegetarians.

Recipes and preparation vary by restaurant, so this is a general guide. If you're ever unsure, please confirm directly with the venue before you order — they'll appreciate the heads-up.

Where to try it — and book a table

Hand-picked spots for this dish, each with a working reservation link. Tap to book.

Iriya (Taito) · Okonomiyaki · ¥¥

Furyu Okonomiyaki Sometaro

Cook-it-yourself okonomiyaki

Since 1937, Tokyo's oldest okonomiyaki house lets you grill your own savory pancake at low tatami tables in a wonderfully creaky wooden shack.

  • Vegetarian
Last verified Jun 2026
  • Casual
  • Solo

Harajuku · DIY okonomiyaki & monjayaki · ¥¥

Sakura-tei

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.

  • Gluten-free
  • Vegetarian
Last verified Jun 2026
  • Casual
  • Solo

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