Perhaps one of my deepest rabbit holes online is Japan. The obsession to fall into this playground of an adult jungle gym is all too familiar. Japan is another dimension, I am convinced. Nothing about Japan makes sense, and that must be why I am innately drawn to its confusing wonder and glimmer. It’s the aroma of cherry blossoms singing from the tops of tea tree houses, mixed with the flashing neon lights over the smoking street market.
What is Okonomiyaki?
Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese street pancake. The beautiful part of a okonomiyaki is that no two need to be made the same. Okonomi literally translates to “what you like” and yaki translates to “grilled”. So in essence, construct this street fritter what every way you wish. Fill this egg based pancake (no eggs for me!) with your favorite vegetables, seafood, and toppings, and it is always considered an Okonomiyaki. The greasy late night meal, then drowns itself in a worcestershire/ketchup esk sauce. Japanese alleys and streets are crawling with 2 am bar hoppers indulging in this right of passage. There is just something about this dish, that makes me feel as though I’m jumping into an episode of Parts Unknown.
How to Choose Your Ingredients
Luckily for you, this isn’t my okonomiyaki, this is YOUR okonomiyaki. This is how you like it, so the ingredients list that never ends… in fact never ends. Traditionally, these pancakes are stuffed with local seafood. Thats why I love to incorporate seaweed and other sea-like ingredients. Some of my favorites include:
- Savoy Cabbage
- Zucchini
- Green Onion
- Ginger
- Japanese Yam
- Potato
- Oyster Mushroom
- Corn
- Bean Sprouts
- Kimchi
- Potato Chips
- Noodles
What is a Flax Egg?
Vegan cooking has opened an entire new realm of new and enthralling ingredients. One of the most common concerns with a vegan or plant based life is missing out on your favorite foods. A year ago, I couldn’t fathom how I could cook or bake without things like eggs. Ah, and then I read about this life changing ingredient called flax meal.
When your goal is to bind things together, flax meal works as a gelatinous substitute. Okonomiyaki is traditionally made with eggs, however, in my version I used flax meal. When you read about recipes calling for a “flax egg” that means you are mixing 1 tablespoon of flax meal to 3 tablespoons of water. Typically, you let to egg sit and it becomes thick over a 15 minute period.
On top of being extremely useful, flax meal is great for your health as well. It is high in omega-3 fats, great for digestion, good source of protein, helps with weight loss, lowers cholesterol, and the list goes on and on.
“No matter how wonderful things used to be, we cannot live in the past. The joy and excitement we feel here and now are more important.” — Marie Kondo
