Introduction Monjayaki vs Okonomiyaki
Monjayaki vs Okonomiyaki – two yummy Japanese pancakes that look alike but taste so different! Are you scrolling through TikTok at night (or Pinterest!) looking for a new dinner idea? These Japanese savory pancakes need to be on your list!
Picture this: It’s Wednesday night. You just picked up the kids from soccer. Now comes that daily question: “What’s for dinner?” Before you make pasta again, let me tell you about these amazing Japanese dishes that could be your new weeknight heroes.
As a mom trying to balance healthy meals with food your picky 7-year-old will actually eat, finding these Japanese pancakes will change your dinner game! They’re easy to change up, fun to make, and packed with veggies – the perfect trio for family meals!
Okonomiyaki Recipe
Okonomiyaki Recipe (Japanese Pancake)
If you love savory Japanese pancakes, this Okonomiyaki recipe is a must-try! Made with a simple batter of flour, egg, and dashi, it’s loaded with cabbage, shrimp, chicken, or crispy pork belly. Topped with rich Okonomiyaki sauce, Kewpie mayo, katsuobushi, and aonori.
What Are These Japanese Pancakes?
Monjayaki: Think of it as Tokyo’s comfort food – a gooey, savory pancake that you eat right off the grill with tiny spatulas.
Okonomiyaki: It’s Osaka’s pride – a fluffy, filling pancake loaded with cabbage and topped with a sweet-savory sauce that makes your taste buds dance.
How Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki are Different
Both dishes are Japanese pancakes, but they’re as different as Monday morning rush and Sunday brunch. Monjayaki is runny, fun to eat, and very Tokyo. Okonomiyaki is hearty, more solid, and famous in western Japan.
Make Them at Home!
The best part? You can make both at home without fancy tools. Your regular non-stick pan works just fine instead of a special grill! (Check out our Japanese Non-Stick Pan right here!)
For busy moms who want to add some fun to dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, these pancakes are perfect. Most things you need are likely in your kitchen already! Unlike that fancy recipe you saved but never made, how to make Monjayaki or how to make Okonomiyaki is pretty simple.
In this post, I’ll tell you all about these Japanese favorites – where they come from, what’s in them, how to cook them, and which one might be perfect for your next family dinner or movie night.
Easy Okonomiyaki Recipe
Okonomiyaki Recipe (Japanese Pancake)
If you love savory Japanese pancakes, this Okonomiyaki recipe is a must-try! Made with a simple batter of flour, egg, and dashi, it’s loaded with cabbage, shrimp, chicken, or crispy pork belly. Topped with rich Okonomiyaki sauce, Kewpie mayo, katsuobushi, and aonori.
Monjayaki
Let’s talk about Monjayaki – Tokyo’s deliciously messy answer to “What should we eat tonight?” If you’ve ever wondered what is Monjayaki exactly, think of it as the fun cousin in the Japanese pancake family.
Where Monjayaki Comes From
Monjayaki was born in downtown Tokyo, mainly in the Tsukishima area. It started as a simple snack for school kids and grew into the gooey treat we know today. While Okonomiyaki spread all over Japan, Monjayaki stayed Tokyo’s little secret – until now!
How to Make Monjayaki at Home
How to make Monjayaki starts with a thin, watery batter of flour, dashi (Japanese stock), and water. The fun part is mixing in finely chopped cabbage, seafood, meat, or whatever you like. Unlike most cooking where you wait for things to set, Monjayaki stays soft and gooey!
The Amazing Texture of Monjayaki
The texture is what makes Monjayaki special. Think of something between melted cheese and the crispy edges of a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s crispy on the edges but soft and almost stretchy in the middle.
When I first made this for my family, they called it “pancake fondue” – and they’re not wrong! The fun eating style makes dinner feel like an adventure rather than the usual “please eat your veggies” battle.
Budget-Friendly Cooking
Making Monjayaki at home is cheap! The basic stuff – flour, cabbage, and a few spices – won’t cost much. If you’re watching your grocery budget (and who isn’t these days?), you can easily use whatever protein or veggies you already have in your fridge.
The Unique Flavor
The taste is rich and savory thanks to the dashi stock, with a hint of sweetness from the way it cooks on the grill. It’s comfort food that doesn’t make you feel heavy – perfect for those nights when you want something yummy but don’t want to feel stuffed while scrolling through Instagram later.
Want to taste real Monjayaki without flying to Tokyo? The secret is in how you cook it – keep stirring until the edges start to crisp, then let those edges get golden while the center stays creamy. Trust me, once you get this right, you’ll feel like you’ve brought a little bit of Tokyo to your kitchen!
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki Recipe
Okonomiyaki Recipe (Japanese Pancake)
If you love savory Japanese pancakes, this Okonomiyaki recipe is a must-try! Made with a simple batter of flour, egg, and dashi, it’s loaded with cabbage, shrimp, chicken, or crispy pork belly. Topped with rich Okonomiyaki sauce, Kewpie mayo, katsuobushi, and aonori.
Now let’s dive into Okonomiyaki – the star of Japanese food that’s winning hearts around the world! If you’re wondering what is Okonomiyaki, think of it as the best savory pancake of Japan!
The Origins of This Tasty Dish
Okonomiyaki comes from Osaka (though Hiroshima has its own famous style). The name literally means “grill what you like” – which is why it’s perfect for those nights when everyone wants something different. This isn’t a strict recipe that will fail if you change it – it’s meant to be made your way!
Osaka-style Okonomiyaki has deeper roots than most restaurant foods, going back to the post-WWII era when rice was hard to find and people needed creative food options. From these humble beginnings came a dish now loved in special restaurants across Japan.
Simple Steps to Make It
How to make Okonomiyaki starts with a thick batter of flour, grated mountain yam (or just use more flour), dashi, and eggs, filled with shredded cabbage – and I mean FILLED. The amount of cabbage might shock you at first, but trust me, this is what gives it that perfect texture: crispy outside, soft inside.
Texture That Satisfies
This is where Okonomiyaki really stands out compared to Monjayaki. While Monjayaki stays gooey, Okonomiyaki cooks into a solid, slice-able pancake with a satisfying bite. It’s filling enough to be a complete meal, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to make side dishes.
The Magic Toppings
The real magic of Okonomiyaki comes from what goes on top – mainly Okonomiyaki sauce, which is like Japanese BBQ sauce but with more complex flavors. Drizzled in zig-zags over the pancake with Japanese mayo, sprinkled with seaweed flakes, and topped with bonito flakes that move from the heat (kids love this!).
Easy on Your Wallet
Okonomiyaki is super budget-friendly. Cabbage is one of the cheapest veggies all year round, and the rest of the stuff is basic pantry items that won’t break the bank. It shows how simple items can turn into something amazing.
Monjayaki vs Okonomiyaki: The Key Differences
Let’s settle the great Monjayaki vs Okonomiyaki debate once and for all! After trying both in my kitchen (and cleaning up the mess from my many attempts), I’ve got the inside scoop on what makes each of these Japanese pancakes unique.
Totally Different Textures
The texture is where you’ll notice the biggest difference. Monjayaki stays gooey and almost melty. It’s meant to be soft in the middle with crispy edges, kind of like how cookie dough is sometimes better than the actual cookies (we’ve all been there!).
Okonomiyaki cooks into a solid, fluffy pancake that you can cut into pieces and pick up with chopsticks without it falling apart.
Not the Same Cooking Style between Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki
The way you cook them creates another big contrast. For Monjayaki, you make a ring of solid items on the cooking surface, pour the liquid batter into the center, then mix it all together as it cooks – it’s like making a savory volcano on your stove!
With Okonomiyaki, everything gets mixed together from the start and cooks as one unified pancake, making it easier for home cooks.
Fun vs Practical Eating
Then there’s how you eat them. Monjayaki is typically eaten right off the cooking surface with small metal spatulas, making dinner a shared, fun time. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to slow down and actually talk to your family without everyone staring at their phones.
Okonomiyaki is served on plates and eaten with chopsticks or forks like a normal meal – great for those nights when the homework needs checking and the laundry is calling your name.
Regional Pride
Regional identity is huge too. Mention Monjayaki outside of Tokyo and you might get blank stares, while Okonomiyaki has spread all over Japan with local styles. The Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, for example, layers the ingredients instead of mixing them and includes noodles for extra heartiness.
Which Is Easier for Beginners? (Monjayaki or Okonomiyaki)
For busy moms trying to expand their dinner options, Okonomiyaki might be the easier place to start. It’s more forgiving, less technique-heavy, and the ingredients are easier to find in regular grocery stores.
That said, Monjayaki offers a unique dinner experience that could be the perfect answer to “Mom, I’m bored” on a rainy weekend.
Different Flavor Profiles
The flavors differ too. Monjayaki is more salty-savory with a strong dashi taste, while Okonomiyaki balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes thanks to its special sauce and mayo topping. If your family loves bold flavors, Okonomiyaki might win them over first.
So which one should be in your dinner rotation? Honestly, why choose? Both bring something special to the table!
Similar Japanese Dishes Your Family Will Love
If your family has fallen in love with Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki (and who wouldn’t?), there’s a whole world of Japanese foods waiting for you! These dishes have that perfect mix of being fancy enough for Pinterest while still being doable on a busy weeknight.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki tops my list of what to try next. These ball-shaped snacks filled with octopus pieces might sound scary, but they’re just savory pancake batter cooked in a special pan. Don’t have octopus? My kids actually like them better with chicken or even just corn and cheese! The same Okonomiyaki sauce works perfectly drizzled over these little balls of yumminess.
Dorayaki
For mornings when you want to level up from regular pancakes, try Dorayaki – sweet pancake sandwiches filled with red bean paste. I’ve found that using Nutella or peanut butter makes these an instant hit with kids who might not be ready for the traditional fillings. They’re great for lunchboxes too!
Our Dorayaki Recipe
Dorayaki Recipe (Japanese Pancakes)
Discover Dorayaki: a classic Japanese snack made with a smooth, chilled batter and filled with anko (sweet red bean paste). Perfect as a dessert or a sweet treat any time of day.
Yakisoba
If you’re looking for a one-pan dinner option like these Japanese pancakes, Yakisoba should be next on your list. It’s a stir-fried noodle dish often served with Okonomiyaki, but hearty enough to be a meal on its own. The sweet-savory sauce will appeal to the same taste buds that loved your Okonomiyaki, and the noodles cook quickly for those nights when everyone’s hungry and staring into the fridge.
Try our Yakisoba Recipe
Yakisoba Recipe (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles)
This classic Japanese Yakisoba recipe features stir-fried noodles, tender pork, crisp cabbage, and a rich, savory yakisoba sauce. A festival favorite you can now make at home!
Taiyaki
For something totally different but equally fun, Taiyaki are fish-shaped cakes that will definitely earn you cool mom points. Usually filled with sweet red bean paste, they can be made with chocolate, custard, or even cheese for a savory version. Yes, making fish-shaped treats needs a special pan, but isn’t that the perfect excuse for that Target run you were planning anyway?
Omurice (Japanese Omelette)
Omurice – a Japanese omelette filled with fried rice – has that same comforting, customizable quality as Okonomiyaki. It’s basically a way to turn leftover rice into something your family will actually be excited to eat again. The trick is to wrap the egg around the rice as thinly as possible, then top it with ketchup (fancy places use special sauce, but let’s be real about what we have time for).
Omurice Recipe
Omurice Recipe (Japanese Omelette Rice)
Omurice, short for “omelet rice,” is a classic Japanese dish featuring fried rice wrapped in a thin, golden omelet and topped with ketchup. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for lunch or dinner. This homemade version lets you recreate the magic of Japanese cafés right in your own kitchen.
Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
For busy weeknights, Onigiri (rice balls) offer the same make-ahead ease and custom options that make Okonomiyaki so family-friendly. Fill onigiri with leftovers, wrap them in seaweed, and suddenly yesterday’s salmon becomes today’s exciting Japanese lunch.
Related article: 6 Popular Onigiri Fillings from Japan
Tuna Mayo Onigiri Recipe
Tuna Mayo Onigiri
An easy-to-make Japanese rice ball filled with creamy tuna mayo and wrapped in crispy nori. Perfect for lunch, snacks, or meal prep!
The beauty of all these dishes is how flexible they are. Just like you can customize Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki to fit your family’s likes and what’s in your fridge, these dishes follow the same idea. Japanese home cooking is all about practical yumminess – something we can definitely get behind as busy moms trying to keep everyone fed, healthy, and happy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Monjayaki and Okonomiyaki
Monjayaki is a thinner, gooier pancake cooked and eaten directly on the grill, while Okonomiyaki is a thicker, fluffier pancake that holds its shape and is topped with sauces.
Classic toppings include okonomiyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, bonito flakes, and seaweed flakes. You can also add cheese, mochi, or even kimchi for extra flavor!
Yes! While it’s traditionally cooked on a teppan grill, you can make Monjayaki in a non-stick pan at home. Just make sure to use a small spatula for the best experience!
It depends on the ingredients, but Okonomiyaki can be a balanced meal with cabbage, protein (pork, seafood), and eggs. For a healthier version, use less sauce and add more veggies!
