Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake: A Delicious Recipe Awaits!

Name: Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake: A Delicious Recipe Awaits!
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups dashi stock (or water); 1 large egg; 4 cups finely shredded green cabbage; ½ cup chopped green onions; ½ cup grated carrots; ½ cup cooked and chopped bacon or pork (optional); 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking); Toppings: Mayonnaise (preferably Japanese mayo); Okonomiyaki sauce (or a mix of Worcestershire sauce and ketchup); Aonori (dried seaweed flakes); Katsuobushi (bonito flakes, optional)

Chef Hicham1 week ago

0 5 15 minutes read

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How to Make Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake

Now that you’re excited about the deliciousness of the Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of making this delightful dish. I promise, it’s easier than you might think! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, savory pancake that’s sure to impress your family. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cooking!

Step 1 – Prep Ingredients

First things first, let’s get our ingredients ready. Start by finely shredding your green cabbage. I like to use a sharp knife or a box grater for this—just be careful with those fingers! You want the cabbage to be thin enough to cook quickly but not so thin that it loses its crunch.

Next, chop your green onions and grate the carrots. If you’re feeling a bit lazy (and who isn’t sometimes?), you can even buy pre-shredded cabbage and pre-grated carrots from the store. It’s a little shortcut that saves time and effort, especially on those busy weeknights!

Step 2 – Begin Cooking

Once your ingredients are prepped, it’s time to mix the batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, dashi stock (or water), and the large egg. Whisk it all together until you have a smooth batter. It should be thick but pourable—think of it like pancake batter, but with a little more personality!

While you’re mixing, go ahead and preheat your skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a splash of vegetable oil to coat the surface. This will help your pancake get that lovely golden-brown crust we all crave.

Step 3 – Combine Ingredients

Now comes the fun part! Gently fold in the shredded cabbage, chopped green onions, grated carrots, and, if you’re using it, the cooked and chopped bacon or pork. Mix everything until the cabbage is well-coated with the batter. It’s like giving your veggies a cozy little blanket of goodness!

Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy; that’s part of the charm. Just make sure everything is evenly mixed. If you want to add a little extra flavor, a splash of soy sauce can do wonders here!

Step 4 – Finish and Serve

Now, it’s time to cook! Pour half of your batter into the preheated skillet, shaping it into a thick circle about an inch high. Let it cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes. This is where the magic happens—watch as the underside turns a beautiful golden brown.

Once it’s ready, gently flip the pancake over using a spatula. Cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes until it’s golden and fully cooked through. If you’re feeling a bit nervous about flipping, just remember: practice makes perfect! And if it doesn’t turn out perfectly round, who cares? It’s going to taste amazing!

Repeat the process with the remaining batter to create a second pancake. Once both pancakes are done, it’s time to serve them up hot and fresh. Drizzle with mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce, and sprinkle with aonori and katsuobushi if you’re feeling fancy. Trust me, your family will be begging for seconds!

Introduction to Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake

Welcome to the world of Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake, or as the locals call it, Okonomiyaki! This delightful dish is a savory pancake that hails from Japan, and it’s packed with flavor and texture. Imagine biting into a warm, crispy pancake filled with tender cabbage, fresh green onions, and maybe even a hint of bacon or pork. It’s like a hug for your taste buds!

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “I’m busy, and I don’t have time to whip up something fancy!” But here’s the good news: this recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly quick to prepare. In just about 25 minutes, you can have a hearty meal on the table that your family will love. It’s perfect for those hectic weeknights when you’re juggling work, family, and everything in between.

What I adore about the Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake is its versatility. You can customize it to suit your family’s tastes, whether they’re picky eaters or adventurous foodies. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in some veggies without anyone batting an eye! Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into this culinary adventure together. I promise you’ll be amazed at how easy and satisfying it is to create this Japanese classic right in your own home!

Why You’ll Love This Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake

Let me tell you, the Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake is a game-changer in my kitchen! If you’re like me, juggling a busy life while trying to whip up meals that everyone will enjoy can feel like a high-wire act. But this pancake? It’s like finding a safety net beneath you!

First off, let’s talk about the prep time. With just 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to scroll through social media! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a pinch, and this recipe has saved the day. It’s perfect for those evenings when you’re racing against the clock, and the kids are asking, “What’s for dinner?”

And cleanup? Oh, it’s a breeze! You only need a mixing bowl, a whisk, and a skillet. No complicated gadgets or endless dishes to wash. I’ve had nights where I’ve made a mess that looks like a tornado hit my kitchen, but with this pancake, I can keep it simple. Just a quick rinse, and I’m done! It’s like a mini-vacation for my kitchen.

Now, let’s not forget about the flavors. The Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s family-friendly to boot! The combination of tender cabbage, crunchy green onions, and the optional savory bacon or pork creates a symphony of tastes and textures. Even my picky eaters can’t resist it! I’ve seen my kids devour these pancakes like they’re the last slice of pizza at a party. It’s a win-win!

But what I love most is the versatility of this dish. You can serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Feeling adventurous? Add some shrimp or tofu for a protein boost. Want to keep it light? Load it up with extra veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers. The possibilities are endless! You can even customize the toppings to suit your family’s preferences. Drizzle on some mayonnaise, sprinkle on aonori, or add a dash of hot sauce for a kick. It’s like a blank canvas waiting for your culinary masterpiece!

So, whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun brunch option, or a dish that can please even the pickiest of eaters, the Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake has got you covered. Trust me, once you give it a try, you’ll be adding it to your regular rotation. Your family will thank you, and you might just find yourself with a little extra time to relax after dinner!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the cooking, let’s gather our ingredients for the Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake. This dish is all about simplicity and flavor, so you won’t need a long grocery list. Here’s what you’ll need:

All-purpose flour
Dashi stock (or water)
Large egg
Finely shredded green cabbage
Chopped green onions
Grated carrots
Cooked and chopped bacon or pork (optional)
Soy sauce
Vegetable oil (for cooking)
Toppings: Mayonnaise, Okonomiyaki sauce, Aonori, Katsuobushi (optional)

Now, let’s break down the role of each ingredient:

All-purpose flour: This is the base of our pancake, giving it structure and that delightful pancake texture. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can swap it out for rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
Dashi stock (or water): Dashi is a traditional Japanese stock that adds a rich umami flavor to the pancake. If you don’t have dashi on hand, water works just fine, though you might miss that depth of flavor.
Large egg: The egg helps bind everything together and adds moisture. If you’re vegan or allergic to eggs, you can use a flaxseed meal or a commercial egg replacer.
Finely shredded green cabbage: This is the star of the show! Cabbage adds crunch and nutrition. You can also use other greens like bok choy or even spinach if you want to mix things up.
Chopped green onions: These add a fresh, mild onion flavor that complements the cabbage beautifully. Feel free to substitute with chives or shallots if that’s what you have on hand.
Grated carrots: Carrots bring a touch of sweetness and color to the pancake. You can swap them for zucchini or bell peppers for a different flavor profile.
Cooked and chopped bacon or pork (optional): This adds a savory, meaty flavor that many love. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, simply skip this or use mushrooms for a hearty alternative.
Soy sauce: A splash of soy sauce enhances the overall flavor of the pancake. If you’re watching your sodium intake, low-sodium soy sauce is a great substitute.
Vegetable oil (for cooking): This is essential for frying the pancake to a golden brown. You can use any neutral oil, like canola or sunflower oil, or even sesame oil for a nutty flavor.
Toppings: The fun part! Drizzle on some mayonnaise (Japanese mayo is the best for this), add okonomiyaki sauce for sweetness and tang, and sprinkle with aonori (dried seaweed flakes) and katsuobushi (bonito flakes) for that authentic touch. If you’re not a fan of these toppings, feel free to get creative with your favorites!

And don’t worry about memorizing all this—printable measurements and a full ingredient list are provided at the end of the article. So, let’s get ready to make some delicious Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake!

How to Make Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake

Now that you’re excited about the deliciousness of the Japanese Savory Cabbage Pancake, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of making this delightful dish. I promise, it’s easier than you might think! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, savory pancake that’s sure to impress your family. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cooking!