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cabbage pancakes ( top view )

Japanese Cabbage Pancakes (Okonomiyaki)


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  • Author: Olivia Harper
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 pancakes 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pancakes:

  • 45 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 carrot, grated or julienned
  • 3 green onions, sliced (plus more for topping)
  • 2 extra large eggs
  • 3/4 to 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp neutral oil for frying

For the Sriracha Mayo Topping:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp sriracha
  • 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables. Shred the cabbage as finely as you can, about 4 to 5 cups loosely packed. Grate the carrot and slice 3 green onions. Set everything aside together in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Make the batter. In a separate bowl, whisk the 2 eggs with the 1/2 cup water, 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil until well combined. Add 3/4 cup flour and whisk until smooth. If your batter feels too thin to hold the cabbage together, add the remaining 1/4 cup flour.
  3. Combine. Pour the batter over the cabbage mixture and fold together until everything is evenly coated. The batter should feel thick and full of vegetables rather than the other way around.
  4. Make the sriracha mayo. Stir together the 1/4 cup mayo and 2 Tbsp sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside until serving.
  5. Heat the pan. Add 1/2 Tbsp oil to a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Let it get hot before adding any batter.
  6. Cook the first side. Scoop about 3/4 cup of the mixture into the pan and press it down gently with a spatula to form a circle about 6 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Cover with a lid to trap steam, which helps soften the cabbage through. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the bottom is deep golden brown.
  7. Flip and finish. Carefully flip the pancake and cook uncovered for another 3 to 4 minutes until golden on the second side and the cabbage is fully tender. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more oil as needed.
  8. Top and serve. Drizzle the sriracha mayo generously over the finished pancakes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh green onions. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Shred the cabbage finely. Thick chunks won’t soften properly inside the pancake and can make it hard to flip without it falling apart.
  • Don’t skip the lid. Covering the pan for the first side traps steam and cooks the cabbage through from the inside while the bottom browns.
  • Make them ahead. Cooked pancakes keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer for a few minutes to get the edges crispy again.
  • Scaling up. This recipe makes about 4 medium pancakes. Double it easily by batch-cooking in the same pan. Keep finished ones warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet.
  • Pan choice matters. A non-stick pan is the easiest option. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet gives excellent browning but requires a bit more oil.
  • Drain the cabbage if it’s very wet. If your shredded cabbage seems especially moist, let it sit with a pinch of salt for a few minutes, then squeeze out any liquid before mixing into the batter.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Pan-frying
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pancake
  • Calories: 400 kcal
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg