Authentic Hiroshima Okonomiyaki: Do You Know the Layering Steps?

The secret lies in the layering technique. Each ingredient—batter, cabbage, tenkasu, vegetables, pork belly, noodles, egg, and sauce—is stacked one by one.
This method allows each layer to cook individually while blending into a rich, flavorful final dish.
Ready to learn the authentic steps? Let’s begin.

1. Start With the Base Batter
   Spread a thin layer of okonomiyaki batter on a hot griddle, similar to making a crepe. For the best results at home, use Okonomiyaki Flour blended with kombu (kelp) broth, which brings the signature Hiroshima-style depth of flavor
2. Add a Generous Layer of Cabbage
   One of the hallmarks of Hiroshima okonomiyaki is a large mountain of shredded cabbage. As it cooks, the cabbage softens, creating natural sweetness and a light, fluffy texture inside the pancake.
3. Sprinkle Crispy Tenkasu (Tempura Bits)
   Add tenkasu to bring crunch, fragrance, and umami. These crispy tempura bits melt slightly into the cabbage and batter, adding richness to the dish. For home cooking, Otafuku Tenkasu is an easy, authentic choic
4. Layer Green Onions, Bean Sprouts & Pork Belly
   Next, add sliced green onions and fresh bean sprouts. Top with three slices of pork belly, the traditional Hiroshima-style amount. As the pork cooks, its juices seep downward, enhancing every layer with savory flavor.
5. The Hiroshima Difference: Add Noodles
   This is the step that sets Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki apart from all others. Stir-fry a portion of yakisoba noodles (or udon), season them with yakisoba sauce, and place the noodles under the main stack.
6. Bind Everything With an Egg Layer
   Crack an egg onto the griddle and spread it into a thin circle. Place the entire pancake on top so the egg adheres to the bottom as it cooks. This step gives Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki its smooth, golden finish and helps hold the layers together.
7. Finish With Okonomi Sauce
   Brush the top generously with Okonomi Sauce, a sweet and savory sauce made from vegetables, fruits, and spices. This sauce is essential to achieving the classic Hiroshima flavor. Top with aonori (seaweed flakes) and katsuobushi (bonito flakes) for the final aromatic touch.

Hiroshima okonomiyaki isn’t just food—it’s a culinary craft. Each layer plays an important role:
- Batter: crisp foundation
- Cabbage: natural sweetness & volume
- Tenkasu: crunch & richness
- Vegetables: freshness
- Pork belly: savory depth
- Noodles: hearty texture
- Egg: binding element
- Okonomi Sauce: the perfect finish

The result is a dish full of flavor, texture, and warmth.

You don’t need special tools—just a griddle or frying pan.

For the authentic Hiroshima experience, using the right ingredients makes a huge difference:
- Okonomiyaki Flour
- Tenkasu
- Okonomi Sauce

Bring the taste of Hiroshima’s food culture into your kitchen and discover how satisfying homemade okonomiyaki can be.