A few weeks ago I tried out this great recipe for a Japanese Stuffed Pancake, Okonomiyaki from a new cookbook called EAST. Since I was doing the Whole30, and I live a grain free lifestyle, I modified it, and switched it up a bit to make a delicious treat. These Japanese Stuffed pancakes were surprisingly delicious and easy to make for any meal. What’s great about them are their versatility and flavor profile. Give it a try next time you are bored of everything, and looking to excite your taste buds.
Okonomiyaki?
These Japanese Stuffed Pancakes are traditionally called Okonomiyaki. It has been around for a while, dating back to the Edo Period (1600-1870’s). Back then it as was a sweet crepe like pancake served as a special dessert at Buddhist ceremonies. It has been part of the Japanese cuisine throughout the years with different names and varied versions of it. Many years later in Osaka, around the 1930’s it came back as Okonomiyaki. It then grew in popularity during the time of Hiroshima, as a snack for children. They started making okonomiyaki as an alternative since rice was scarce. Over time people got creative and made many versions of this pancake with different ingredients which is popular still today.
What is Okonomiyaki
I hope my translation is correct here. So the word “Okonomi” in Japanese means “what you like” or “what you want”. The word “Yaki” means grilled or cooked. So basically, this is a grilled whatever you like in it pancake. So the skies the limits as to how to make it and what goes in it. You can be as creative as you like, or simply just empty out your fridge and whip one up.
Healthier Version
Of course my mission is to make things healthier so you can enjoy the flavors and foods you love without the guilt. So here I took a Japanese fast food and cleaned it up to get this delicious version of a grain free, dairy free, healthy Japanese Stuffed Pancake. Of course you can switch out the cabbage to other veggies, you can add meat, and you can use a different sauce. However this combination is a winner that I recommend you to try!
Be sure to try these other recipes from my blog to go with your Japanese Stuffed Pancake
Best Ever Grain Free Vegan Bread
Recipe: Japanese Stuffed Pancakes
Japanese Stuffed Pancakes
Crispy and delicious Japanese stuffed pancake, makes a great meal anytime of day. Vegetarian and grain free, and so easy to make.
Ingredients
- Pancake:
- 1 cup cassava flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp red boat fish sauce
- 4 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 4 scallion onions shopped
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- Spicy Mayo:
- 2 Tbsp hot sauce (Sriracha, tabasco, or Franks)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- To start mix up ingredients for spicy mayo in a bowl and set aside.
- Chop up napa cabbage, and scallions so you are ready.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, cassava flour, fish sauce and water until smooth with no lumps. It will look like a white batter.
- Add in cabbage and mix well, so that cabbage is coated in batter/egg mixture. Let rest for 5 min while you heat up pan.
- Using a large pan heat up 1 tbsp avocado oil
- Once oil is hot, pour 1/2 the mixture into pan and spread out, and flatten with spoon.
- Allow this to cook for 4-5 minutes, and carefully flip over. You can use a dinner plate and spatula to help you flip it and then place back into pan.
- Remove from heat and place on a large plate. Cut into slices like a pizza, drizzle spicy mayo and serve with avocado.
- Repeat steps 5-8 for second pancake.
Notes
you can use a small pan to make smaller individual size pancakes, or 2 big ones and slice up like a pizza.