• 39 ideas
  • Checked October 2026

What to Eat with Okonomiyaki

Sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes on top, noodles from the same griddle, then soup, salads and small plates.

What to Eat with Okonomiyaki

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  1. Miso soupA small bowl on the side to sip between bites.
  2. Okonomiyaki sauceBrush it over the whole top while the pancake is still on the heat.
  3. Cucumber and seaweed in rice vinegarSharp and cold against the sweet sauce.
  4. Japanese mayonnaiseDraw thin lines across the sauce, then drag a chopstick through them.
  5. Fried noodles (yakisoba)Fry them next to the pancake, or press a layer into it.

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All 39 ideas

On top or in the batter 12

  • Bonito flakes (katsuobushi) Scatter them last so they curl and wave in the steam.
  • Chopped scallions A big handful over the top for a fresh, sharp bite.
  • Fried egg Slide it on top and let the yolk run into the sauce.
  • Japanese hot mustard (karashi) A dab on the rim of the plate. It is strong.
  • Japanese mayonnaise Draw thin lines across the sauce, then drag a chopstick through them.
  • Melted cheese Lay it on, cover the pan and wait until it goes soft.
  • Mochi pieces Press small cubes into the batter so they turn soft and stretchy.
  • Okonomiyaki sauce Brush it over the whole top while the pancake is still on the heat.
  • Red pickled ginger (beni shoga) A small pile in the middle, or mixed into the batter.
  • Seaweed flakes (aonori) A green dusting over the sauce and mayonnaise.
  • Seven-spice chili powder (shichimi) A pinch at the table for anyone who wants heat.
  • Tempura scraps (tenkasu) Fold them into the batter, or sprinkle them on for crunch.

Noodles and more from the griddle 10

  • Buttered corn Fry the kernels in butter until they catch a little color.
  • Fried noodles (yakisoba) Fry them next to the pancake, or press a layer into it.
  • Fried pork and egg omelette Cut it into strips and share it while the pancake cooks.
  • Fried rice with chopped noodles Fry the last of the noodles and some rice together with the sauce.
  • Fried udon noodles Thick and chewy, for a pancake built on noodles.
  • Grilled shiitake mushrooms Cook them cap down with a drop of soy sauce.
  • Grilled shrimp Cook them in their shells at the edge of the hot plate.
  • Grilled squid (ikayaki) Brush it with soy sauce and slice it into rings.
  • Scallops grilled with butter Sear them on the hot plate and eat them first.
  • Stir-fried bean sprouts Toss them fast on the hot plate so they stay crisp.

Small plates to share 5

  • Chilled tofu (hiyayakko) Top it with scallions and ginger for something cold and plain.
  • Edamame Salt the pods and set out an empty bowl for the shells.
  • Fried tofu in broth (agedashi dofu) A small bowl each, eaten before the pancake arrives.
  • Octopus balls (takoyaki) They wear a similar sauce and the same flakes, so serve only a few.
  • Pan-fried dumplings (gyoza) Serve them crisp side up with soy sauce and vinegar.

Soup, rice and vegetable sides 6

  • Braised burdock and carrot (kinpira) A sweet and salty spoonful from a small dish.
  • Cucumber and seaweed in rice vinegar Sharp and cold against the sweet sauce.
  • Lightly pickled cucumber Salted, crisp and cool. Good between rich mouthfuls.
  • Miso soup A small bowl on the side to sip between bites.
  • Pork and vegetable miso soup (tonjiru) Heartier than plain miso soup, for a cold evening.
  • Rice balls (onigiri) One each, for anyone who wants rice with the pancake.

Something sweet after 3

  • Fish-shaped cake with red bean (taiyaki) Warm it through and eat it by hand.
  • Green tea ice cream One scoop, slightly bitter, after all that sauce.
  • Shaved ice with syrup Light and cold after a meal from a hot griddle.

Drinks 3

  • Cold barley tea Toasty and unsweetened, by the jug.
  • Hot green tea Plain and a little bitter, to cut the sweet sauce.
  • Melon soda Bright green and very sweet, in a tall glass with ice.

How it works

What to eat with okonomiyaki? The savory Japanese pancake is topped once it is cooked, so the first question is what goes on it. These 39 ideas cover toppings, noodles, small plates, soup, salads, sweets and three drinks.

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What goes on top and inside

A cooked okonomiyaki is finished with okonomiyaki sauce, which is made with Worcestershire sauce, then Japanese mayonnaise, seaweed flakes (aonori), bonito flakes (katsuobushi) and red pickled ginger (beni shoga). The batter usually holds more than cabbage: scallions, thin pork belly, octopus, squid, shrimp, mochi or cheese.

Beside the pancake

The pancake is a meal on its own: batter, cabbage, meat and a sweet, salty sauce. Whatever goes beside it should be light or sharp, and one side is enough.

  • Put the sauce and mayonnaise on first and the flakes last. Dry toppings stick to wet ones.
  • Cut the pancake into squares with the spatula so it can be shared straight from the pan.

Questions and answers

What side dishes go with okonomiyaki?

Miso soup, edamame, chilled tofu with scallions, or cucumber and seaweed in rice vinegar. For a bigger table, add takoyaki or pan-fried gyoza and share everything.

What noodles go with okonomiyaki?

Yakisoba or udon. An okonomiyaki that has a fried-noodle layer is called modan-yaki. The Hiroshima style is built in layers, typically batter, cabbage, pork and yakisoba, and is topped with a fried egg and plenty of sauce.

What soup goes with okonomiyaki?

Miso soup is the simple choice. Tonjiru, a miso soup made with pork and vegetables, is more substantial, so serve a small bowl.

What do you drink with okonomiyaki?

Without alcohol: cold barley tea or hot green tea, both unsweetened, which suits the sweet sauce. Melon soda is the one for children.

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