Okonomiyaki Japanese Savoury Pancake

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake based on a batter containing a variety of ingredients and cooked on a hot plate. The name “okonomiyaki” is derived from the Japanese word “okonomi” meaning “what you like” or “what you want” and “yaki” meaning “grilled” or “cooked”. The history of okonomiyaki goes back about 500 years. It was originally made by spreading a thin layer of flour paste on a hot plate then adding miso for flavouring and rolling into a thin pancake. Later toppings such as chopped green onion and sliced dried fish were added and miso paste replaced by a special sauce. In modern okonomiyaki, a wide variety of ingredients are used such as shrimp, squid, octopus, pork, cabbage and vegetables. The finished pancake is served with a special sauce, mayonnaise and seasonings such as green powdered seaweed (aonori) and dried fish flakes (katsuobushi).


In Japan, it is popular to eat okonomiayki at restaurants that specialise in the dish. In an okonomiyaki restaurant you can sit around the hot iron griddle (teppan) while the food is cooked in front of you. Some restaurants have dining tables equipped with these hot plates and customers order the ingredients, mix and cook the okonomiyaki themselves. This is usually a lot of fun and many different types of okonomiyaki can be ordered and tried.

Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai and Hiroshima areas of Japan, but is popular all over the country with toppings and batters varying according to each region. In Osaka where okonomiyaki is believed to have originated from, it is often called “Osaka Soul Food”.

Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is a variety where the ingredients are sandwiched between the batter rather than mixed together. The batter is cooked like a thin pancake and the ingredients cooked separately before being placed on the pancake. The okonomiyaki is served on top of yakisoba noodles and sometimes served with a fried egg.

Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki

I highly recommend Okonomiyaki as a must try Japanese dish when in Japan.

Okonomiyaki is also a popular dish to make at home with the whole family. Here is a step by step guide to making Japanese Okonomiyaki

Osaka Japan

Image by jiquem

Osaka is one of the must see places in Japan on any trip. Osaka is famous for its relaxed down to earth people, sense of humour and great food. Osaka is a really attractive city with traditional buildings mixed in with modern architecture. Osaka really comes alive at night with flashing neon lights and street vendors.

Osaka is divided into two main areas Kita (North) and Minami (South). Kita is the city’s main business and administrative center and contains the JR Osaka Train Station. Minami is the city’s entertainment and shopping area. It contains entertainment and nightlife areas such as Namba and Shinsaibashi.


Osaka’s great location makes it a fantastic base to explore famous places like Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, which are all located close by.

The highlights of Osaka include:

Osaka-jo Castle – the city’s most popular tourist attraction and a recreation of a 17th century castle. It is easily located in the center of the city, and is one of the best places in Osaka to do hanami (cherry blossom viewing) during spring.

Osaka Aquarium - also known as Kaiyukan, it is one of the largest aquariums in the world. Its theme is the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Umeda Sky Building – the city’s most iconic building and a dramatic piece of modern architecture, it features a rooftop observatory (The Floating Garden Observatory).

Dontobori – the liveliest area of Osaka packed with restaurants and amazing night-life. Take a step into Blade Runner nightscapes and neon lights.

Shinsaibashi Shopping - Shinsaibashi Shopping Center is the largest shopping area in Osaka which extends up to 580 meters in a north-south direction and approximately 180 stores including old-established shops, department stores, and those selling major brand products.

Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine - one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dedicated to the Shinto deities associated with the sea and sea travel.

Shitennoji Temple - the first Buddhist temple constructed in Japan and founded in 593.

Universal Studio Japan – also known as USJ, is one of four Universal Studios theme parks in the world and modelled on the Universal Orlando resort. The park contains nine different themed areas.

Okonomiyaki & Takoyaki – two must try local delicacies in Osaka are Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) which is also known as "Osaka Soul Food" and Takoyaki (octopus balls) both are famous and popular street food originating in Osaka.

Osaka HDR night scene by chriscolumbres

Picture of the Week Halloween in Japan 2011

Halloween begins at the beginning of September in Japan with places putting up Halloween decorations in September through to October. The big theme parks go full out and offer fantastic Halloween events during this time.

Tokyo Disneyland has Disney’s Halloween from September 4th to October 31st featuring parades, Halloween decorations and during Halloween, you can visit Tokyo Disneyland dressed in Disney character costumes!


Universal Studios Japan kicks off the Halloween season with a Halloween parade. Universal Studios Japan will hold its annual Halloween events from September 6 to November 3 (National holiday) 2011.

Halloween at Tokyo Disneyland

I will be posting some of the cool Halloween and Autumn snacks available in Japan during the next few weeks.

Cat Time Café in Osaka

In Gifu, there is a famous chain restaurant called Cat’s Café that specialises in cheap affordable food and the restaurants are famous for their atmosphere that features a lot of cat decorations scattered all over the restaurant. The Cat Time Café in Osaka goes one better with real cats roaming the café which patrons pay to play with the feline friends.

The Cat Time café, which opened in 2009 has 21 cats residing at the café and specialises in “cat relaxation”. Customers pay at least 850 yen ($9.80) just to step In the door and enjoy the pleasure of sipping their coffee and admiring the assortment of cats that make their way around the café. Customers have one hour of so called “cat time” to enjoy. The café has various beverages available as well as cakes and a limited number of cat treats. Cat toys can be hired in 10 minute blocks from 210 yen.

These types of café have been on the rise in Japan due to the tiny apartments which are extremely commonplace in large cities and pets are often forbidden by landlords.

Osaka currently has 10 such cafes and the new phenomenon has already spread to Tokyo and Seoul.

How does it all work?

Upon arrival at Cat Time Café, guests must remove their shoes, pay their money and then have their hands sprayed with hand cleaner. They are then free to enjoy their coffee and cake and to interact with the cats. There are a few simple rules such as no shouting, do not disturb any sleeping cats, no outside toys are to be brought in and no smoking is allowed.

The typical customer at Cat Time Café usually only stays for an hour and spend their time moving between various cats, occasionally stopping to pat one of the cats or to take a photo with their mobile phone. Most customers come to the café to relax and enjoy the assortment of cats.

Cat Time Café
8-8 4 Chome
Kita-ku
Osaka Tenjinbashi

This is my submission to the November 2011 J-Festa Dining in Japan