Chicken Okonomiyaki Japanese Pancake (Printable)
Savory Japanese pancake loaded with cabbage and marinated chicken, topped with tangy sauces and bonito flakes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 7 oz boneless, skinless chicken thigh or breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon sake (optional)
04 - 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
→ Pancake Batter
05 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/2 cup dashi stock or water
10 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
→ Vegetables
11 - 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
12 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
13 - 1 small carrot, grated
→ Toppings
14 - Okonomiyaki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
15 - Japanese mayonnaise
16 - Aonori (dried seaweed flakes), optional
17 - Katsuobushi (bonito flakes), optional
18 - Pickled ginger, optional
# How To Make:
01 - Combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, sake (if using), and grated ginger in a bowl. Let marinate for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
02 - Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until evenly combined.
03 - Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, then add the dashi stock (or water) and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing; small lumps are acceptable.
05 - Fold in the shredded cabbage, spring onions, and grated carrot until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly oil the surface.
07 - Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
08 - Shape about one-quarter of the batter mixture into a round pancake (approximately 3/4 inch thick) in the pan, pressing chicken pieces evenly into each pancake.
09 - Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining batter and chicken.
10 - Transfer to plates. Drizzle generously with okonomiyaki sauce and Japanese mayonnaise. Sprinkle with aonori and katsuobushi, and add pickled ginger if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combination of tender chicken and crisp cabbage creates the most satisfying texture contrast
- Everything cooks in one pan and the toppings make it feel like a restaurant meal
02 -
- The first pancake always turns out a bit ugly as you figure out the heat and timing, so consider it your tester pancake
- Pressing the spatula gently while cooking helps the cabbage steam and become tender while still keeping some crunch
03 -
- Shred the cabbage as finely as possible for the best texture and even cooking
- Let the pancakes rest for a minute after cooking so they set slightly before serving