# okonomiyaki

/oʊˌkoʊnoʊmiˈjɑki/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/okonomiyaki
Updated: 2026-09-28

## Definition

a savory Japanese pancake made with flour, eggs, and shredded cabbage. You can add many different toppings like meat, seafood, or cheese, and it is usually finished with a special sauce and mayonnaise.

For teachers: a savory Japanese pancake containing a variety of ingredients in a wheat-flour-based batter. The name is derived from 'okonomi' (what you like) and 'yaki' (grilled), reflecting the customizable nature of the dish.

## Examples

- We ordered okonomiyaki with extra pork and ginger.
- The chef prepared the okonomiyaki on a large iron griddle right in front of the customers.
- While the Osaka style involves mixing all ingredients into the batter before cooking, the Hiroshima version of okonomiyaki is characterized by layering the components and adding yakisoba noodles.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the dish in general; countable when referring to individual pancakes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.