How to eat okonomiyaki: the right way to enjoy this delicious Japanese dish!

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Do you love trying new foods, even the weird ones where you don’t know where to start with eating it?

If you’re looking for a delicious and unique Japanese dish, then you need to try okonomiyaki! This savory pancake is filled with vegetables and meat, and it can be eaten in many different ways.

Okonomiyaki is definitely a dish that you won’t want to miss out on just because you don’t know how to dig in…I’ll let you know exactly how to eat it.

How to eat okonomiyaki

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How do you eat okonomiyaki?

Just like any other dish, there is a right and wrong way to eat okonomiyaki. If you want to make sure you’re eating it the right way, then follow these simple steps:

  1. Use your chopsticks (or a fork) to break off a small piece of pancake. Using the specialty spatulas you might get at the restaurant is a plus, but you don’t always get those. At least not in the West.
  2. Every bite should have a little bit of the crunchy bottom and some of the somewhat more gooey middle, and a bit of the sauce, which is probably royally spread across the top. You also want to get as much of the different toppings together as possible.
  3. You shouldn’t fold them, or cut of a full slice like you would with pizza. These pancakes are enjoyed small pieces at a time. Pieces you can fit in your mouth in one bite.
  4. Share! The plate is there for everyone as a sidedish. Okonomiyaki isn’t a standalone dish, or maybe a snack. But not a full dinner. So everyone should order something else and eat the okonomiyaki as a side.

Can you eat leftover okonomiyaki?

Leftover okonomiyaki is great, and you can reheat it in a pan, skillet or even in the oven. You can keep them in the fridge overnight, but only if you don’t have all of the toppings on there yet, especially the sauce.

Can you reheat okonomiyaki?

You can reheat okonomiyaki by frying them in the pan for a few minutes on low heat, put them in the microwave or reheat them in the oven on 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

Can you eat okonomiyaki cold?

You can eat okonomiyaki cold, but it doesn’t mean you should. It really is meant to be eaten quite hot. If you’re eating it cold, like leftovers from yesterday, don’t add the sauce and toppings and it should still taste ok.

Also read: can you freeze okonomiyaki?

What do you serve okonomiyaki with?

Okonomiyaki is traditionally served with a side of pickled ginger, which you can eat in between bites of pancake. It’s also common to see okonomiyaki served with a side of rice. And lastly, a cold beer is the perfect drink to wash down this delicious dish!

When do you eat okonomiyaki?

Okonomiyaki is typically eaten for lunch or dinner, but it can also be enjoyed as a snack. It’s a popular dish to eat out at restaurants, but it’s also fun to make at home with your friends or family.

Conclusion

There you have it, this is how to eat okonomiyaki so you won’t look like an idiot when you order it at a restaurant :)

Also read: this is my favorite okonomiyaki recipe

Check out our new cookbook

Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.

Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:

Read for free

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.