Okonomiyaki is a type of Japanese food that can also be found at night markets in Taiwan. It is a thick, flavorful pancake that consists of flour and various other ingredients. Sometimes, it is also compared to pizza. The name of the dish is a combination of the word okonomi, which means “what you like,” and yaki, which means “grilled.” Many versions of the dish contain eggs and shredded cabbage. Seafood and pork are also common ingredients. It is cooked on a teppan, or an iron griddle.
shredded cabbage [ ˈʃrɛdɪd ˌkæbɪdʒ ] n. 高麗菜絲 bonito flake [ bəˈnito ˌflek ] n. 柴魚片 nori powder [ ˈnori ˌpaʊdɚ ] n. 海苔粉 mayonnaise [ ˈmeəˌnez ] n. 美乃滋 spice [ spaɪs ] n.（烹飪用的）辛香料
When the pancake is cooked halfway through, it has to be flipped. The toppings are also very important. Typically, bonito flakes, nori powder, and mayonnaise are piled on top of the dish. There’s also a dark brown sauce specifically created for okonomiyaki. The sauce is made using fruit, vegetables, and spices.
If you have the tools, then the dish can be made at home and you can select the things you like. Or go to a specialty restaurant. There, you can have the experience of cooking okonomiyaki on a private teppan and then eating it “hot off the grill.”
