Beyond Osaka and Hiroshima: Regional Okonomiyaki Styles Across Japan
When most people think of Okonomiyaki, two major styles come to mind: Osaka-style and Hiroshima-style. However, throughout Japan, different regions have developed their own unique takes on this beloved dish—each one rooted in local traditions, ingredients, and flavors.
Let’s explore just a few of these fascinating regional varieties:
1. Usuyaki (Thin-style Okonomiyaki – Morioka, Iwate)
Originally enjoyed as a snack, usuyaki (literally “thin grill”) was once sold at the corner of neighborhood candy shops. True to its name, this Okonomiyaki is only 2–3mm thick and around 10cm in diameter—just the size of your palm.
The ingredients are simple: a sprinkling of dried shrimp or tempura bits (tenkasu) atop a thin, chewy flour-based pancake that highlights the flavor of the wheat itself. You can still find usuyaki in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture.
Photo credit: as_cooking
2. Kaki-oko (Oyster Okonomiyaki – Okayama)
Blessed with abundant rivers and coastline, Okayama is a major oyster-producing region. It’s said that kaki-oko (kaki = oyster) began when local fisher wives added small or slightly damaged oysters to Okonomiyaki for home-style meals.
The style is a hybrid between Osaka and Hiroshima: a soft, gooey batter base in the Osaka tradition is piled high with shredded cabbage and juicy oysters in the Hiroshima way, then cooked to perfection on a sizzling hot griddle. It's a local wintertime specialty best enjoyed when oysters are in season.
Photo credit: okayama-kanko.jp
3. Mame-ten (Sweet Bean Tempura Okonomiyaki – Tokushima)
In Tokushima, where sweet tooths are famously common, you’ll find a truly unique version of Okonomiyaki featuring Kintoki Mame (sweetened red kidney beans).
These sweet beans are mixed directly into the batter, giving the final dish a subtle sweetness reminiscent of pancakes. The tenkasu used here are also larger and crunchier than usual, adding an extra fun texture to every bite.
Photo credit: funfun-tokushima.jp
Across Japan and Into Your Kitchen: Okonomiyaki, Your Way
These are just a few examples of Japan’s diverse local Okonomiyaki styles. The truth is, Okonomiyaki has been lovingly adapted and reinvented across the country.
So why not create your own version of Okonomiyaki, too?
With endless possibilities, the spirit of Okonomiyaki is all about making it “your way.”
Check out our easy recipe here!
