Recipe: Okonomiyaki

Recipe: Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake), the word “Okonomi” means whatever-you-like. You can literary add anything that you wish in the batter. Cheese, kimchi, squid, shrimp, corn, etc…Have fun with it!

Serving size: 1 okonomiyaki

Preparation time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients for 3 servings:
  • Cabbage: 500g (or about ½ of small head)
  • Green onion: 100g
  • Flour: 1.5 cups
  • Japanese Fish Broth or water: 1.5 cup
  • Egg: 1
  • Cooking oil: 2 Tbsp
  • Tempura fried-batter (Tenkasu) – if available ½ cup
  • Pork belly thinly sliced (sliced bacon may be substituted)
Toppings:
  • Bonito flakes (Katsuobushi)
  • Okonomiyaki Sauce (or Soy sauce to brush on)
  • Mayonnaise – optional
  • Aonori (powdered nori seaweed, if available)
Preparation:
  1. Shred the cabbage, after removing the core.
  2. Thinly slice green onion into small rings, and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, egg, and fish broth (or water).
  4. Stir well until it becomes pancake batter consistency (+ more water if needed).
  5. Add cabbage and green onion (+Tenkasu if you have it) into the batter. Mix well until all the ingredients are nicely incorporated.
  6. Warm a pan under medium heat, then pour ½ Tbsp. oil per sheet of pancake.
  7. Scoop out ⅓ of the mixture onto the pan. Press down a bit with spoon or spatula to flatten the surface and make the even thickness (2-3 cm).
  8. Optional- lay 2-3 pork belly slices on top of the pancake
  9. Flip over when the bottom is browned.
  10. Press down as needed, and cover with the lid. Cook another 5 min.
  11. Flip over again and transfer to a plate.
  12. Spread the Okonomiyaki sauce (if not, brush soy sauce on top) +/- mayonnaise.
  13. Top with bonito flakes and Aonori if available.
Nutrition information for okonomiyaki:
  • Calories: 450kcal (+pork belly & mayonnaise added)
  • Carbohydrate: 53g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Fat: 21g
  • Sodium: 298mg
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
Author

Nuwanee Kirihennedige, Japanese recipe from the Osaka region

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Alice Sharples

Sydney


Alice is a performance nutritionist working in Australia. Originally from New Zealand, she developed an interest in sports nutrition through her own involvement in athletics and field hockey. This led her to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Nutrition at the University of Otago, followed by the International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sports Nutrition and a Master of Science with Distinction in Sport Nutrition from the University of Stirling.

Alice began her career working across women’s and men’s high-performance sport in New Zealand, supporting athletes in rugby, football and basketball. These roles gave her valuable experience translating sports nutrition science into practical strategies and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary performance teams.

Alice transitioned to Australia, where she has continued her career working with rugby league athletes and swimmers. Alongside her applied work she undertook a PhD through the University of Technology Sydney, investigating the factors associated with nutrition and sleep in rugby league athletes.

Alice is passionate about strengthening the sports nutrition profession through collaboration, connection and the exchange of knowledge. She values the opportunity to learn from practitioners with diverse experiences and perspectives and feels privileged to contribute to PINES and its global professional community.

PINES role

As administrator of the PINES Member Exchange, Alice helps connect sports nutrition professionals from around the world and creates opportunities for members to share knowledge, experiences and ideas. She supports member engagement and the continued development of the Exchange as an inclusive and valuable platform for the international sports nutrition community.