Okonomiyaki (“As You Like It”) Pancakes With Bonito Flakes

The Japanese version of a savory pancake is called okonomiyaki. It is made with fresh eggs, flour, and water and seasoned with soy sauce and tonkatsu sauce. Shredded cabbage is also part of the equation; it gives the pancake its soft texture and subtly sweet flavor. Protein toppings include combinations of meat, shrimp, and vegetables. When the pancake is cooked, it is topped with mayonnaise and tonkatsu sauce and garnished with bonito flakes and aonori (dried green seaweed flakes) or crumbled nori. Aonori is available at Japanese markets. I prefer the “naked” flavor of the okonomiyaki, so I usually skip the mayo and go easy on the tonkatsu sauce or eat it with soy sauce.