Layered Hiroshima-style savory pancake with cabbage, noodles, and a rich, sweet okonomiyaki sauce.
Hiroshima okonomiyaki is fundamentally different from Osaka's version — it's built in layers rather than mixed, and includes noodles (udon or soba), making it a more substantial meal. Cabbage, mushrooms, and tempura bits are arranged in layers with a savory egg and flour base, topped with noodles, sauce, mayo, bonito flakes, and aonori (seaweed powder). Each bite delivers multiple textures: crispy crust, tender cabbage, chewy noodles, and the interplay of sweet and savory sauces.
Serves 1
Mix flour with water and a pinch of salt into a thin batter. Let rest for 5 minutes.
On a hot oiled griddle, pour half the batter. Layer cabbage, then noodles, then remaining batter. Lay a piece of pork belly on top (if using).
Cook undisturbed for 8 minutes until the bottom is crispy and golden. Slide onto a plate, oil the griddle again, and slide okonomiyaki back on (cooked side up).
Cook the other side for 5 minutes until crispy. Push it to one side, crack an egg onto the griddle, break the yolk, and place the okonomiyaki on top to cook the egg.
Transfer to a plate. Drizzle with okonomiyaki sauce and mayo in crisscross lines. Sprinkle with bonito flakes and aonori. Serve hot with a spatula and wooden picks.
The griddle must be hot and well-oiled for a crispy crust.
Don't mix the batter too much — a few lumps are okay.
High heat creates the signature crispy exterior.
Add pork belly or shrimp for extra protein
Use soba noodles instead of udon for a different texture
Make a vegetarian version by omitting pork
Best eaten immediately. Okonomiyaki doesn't reheat well.
Hiroshima okonomiyaki developed as a post-war street food in Hiroshima, evolving into a more complex dish than Osaka's version. The addition of noodles made it a complete, affordable meal for workers.
Hiroshima's is layered with noodles and an egg on top; Osaka's has everything mixed together in the batter. Hiroshima is larger and more substantial.
A large non-stick skillet works, though griddle cooking is traditional. The process is the same, just slightly trickier to flip.
Per serving · 1 servings total
Ask our AI cooking assistant anything about this recipe — substitutions, techniques, scaling.
Chat with AI Chef →Join the conversation
Sign in to leave a comment and save your favourite recipes