Okonomiyaki is simple and delicious! The dish which is loved by all

In late years fast food restaurants have increased in Japan.
The appeal of fast food is that it is quick and easy to consume.
A more traditional fast food that has been loved for a long time in Japan is okonomiyaki.

Okonomiyaki is the dish which is the most popular in Japan.
This cooking is in particularly popular in Kansai.
The basic foundation of the okonomiyaki is a batter made from wheat flour dissolved in water.
Vegetables, meat, fish can be mixed into the batter and it is then baked on an iron plate.
Finally a brush is used to coat the surface with okonomiyaki sauce. Then mayonnaise and nori is sprinkled on top.
The grilling style and ingredients change by region and person making it.

The okonomiyaki has been loved for many years by general public.
Do you know how long okonomiyaki has been eaten?
The origin of the okonomiyaki is the Azuchi Momoyama era.
The Japanese ate okonomiyaki for 400 years.
Senno Rikyu, famous for having invented the tea ceremony, is said to have made grilled wheat flour (Funoyaki) to serve with tea, which is said to be the origin of okonomiyaki.

It’s surprising to learn that such a savory dish has its origins in a sweet tea cake!
The tea cake eventually became its present form in the Meiji era, 150 years ago.
The ingredients eventually changed from sweet bean paste to vegetables. Okonomiyaki transitioned from a dessert, to a main dish.

Okonomiyaki became popular among the masses after the war.
During this period when food shortages and starvation was common, the item that gathered focus was “Issen yoshoku” (One cent Western food) at kids’ snack shops.
Issen Yoshoku was a simple dish made with leeks on top of a baked flour batter.

Before the war, this snack was only eaten by children, but the cost-effectiveness and quick sustenance helped the dish to gain popularity among the masses. Since, the ingredients and cooking methods have been modified to suit the adult palate.

The name okonomiyaki is derived from okonomi which means preference, and yaki which means grilled. Thus there are many variations based on preference. Leek okonomiyaki contains lots of leeks. Other variations contain squid or shrimp, high-end products.
Try making one to your liking!