This vegan Japanese pan-fried pancake is made with cabbage and vegetables, drizzled with my 5-minute homemade Okonomiyaki sauce as well as vegan mayo!
Okonomiyaki is a popular street food, said to have originated in Japan and is now also found in many Japanese restaurants – however, I have yet to come across a vegan version of this tasty, gem of a pancake. It reminds me of takoyaki balls (pan fried balls stuffed with fillings), in terms of the texture and taste. This pancake is filled with many more vegetables, making it a healthy side dish.
There are various types of okonomiyaki but this version above are referring to Kansai-style, which involves the mixing of the ingredients together prior to pan frying them.
I love that this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, especially if you have your homemade sauce ready to go!
What You Need
- cabbage – green cabbage works best for this recipe and is also predominantly done for the traditional version. However, you could switch this up a little and even substitute with purple cabbage for a vibrant pancake!
- spring onions – I used leeks instead as they have a mild, sweet but different flavour profile. Either are fine infront
- mushrooms – I used king oyster mushrooms as we use them more than shitake but any mushrooms chopped up jullienne would be perfect
- flour – you can use regular self-raising flour or gluten free flour
- kombu dashi – for the umami flavour
- homemade okonomiyaki sauce – ketchup, vegan worchestershire sauce, soy sauce and a sweetener of your choice: that’s all it takes!
Vegan Okonomiyaki
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 stalk leek
- 1 cup sliced king oyster mushrooms
- 2/3 cup self-raising flour
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1 tbsp kombu dashi
- 1 tsp baking powder
- water (more if batter is too dry)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- olive oil for frying
Homemade Okonomiyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp vegan worchestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp sweetener
Garnish
- vegan mayo
- vegan pork floss (optional)
- spring onions
- toasted white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients required for the pancake until fully combined.
- Heat up a pan with generous amount of olive oil and add the pancake.
- Cook on one side for 5 minutes with the lid closed on a low-medium flame. Scrape the sides to see if the pancake is sticking to the pan. Flip the pancake with the momentum of your wrist.
- Cook the other side for 5 more minutes.
- Make the okonomiyaki sauce by combining all the ingredients fully.
- Transfer the pancake to a plate, drizzle with sauce and vegan mayo. Sprinkle with vegan floss, spring onions and toasted sesame seeds. Divide into 8 slices and devour!