Otherwise known as 'Japanese pancakes', Okonomiyaki are one of the most delicious, snack foods you can find while out and about, enjoying a day of shopping in Melbourne.
Depending on where you purchase them from, the pancakes vary in colour, flavour, texture or even size, which, rather than being an error of the different restaurants, is all part of the recipe.
The main ingredient of Okonomiyaki is cabbage. The egg batter is also standard but apart from that, it's up to each individual chef to decide on whichever additional ingredients they'd like to put in. Usually it's potato, spring onion, peas, corn or bean shoots, which are all blended together, rolled, pressed, then lightly fried.
My recommendation for Melbourne's most well made Okonomiyaki are the ones from Yoyogi in the Northland Shopping Centre food court. Northland Shopping Centre is located on Murray Road in Preston but Yoyogi also have stores at Eastland Shopping Centre and on Swanston Street in the city.
Here's another tip. When asked whether or not you would like the sauce, say 'Yes'. A definite 'Yes'. Then, you'll receive your pancake drizzled over with thick, black, sticky sauce and criss-crossed with creamy mayonnaise.
At the low price of $3.80 per pancake, it's quite affordable to have one, even two of these scrumptious edibles to refuel you during your daily adventures. There are other treats like gyoza, wontons and korokke to fill your plate with too. Or, even full meals like udon soup, and teriyaki don available from the kitchen menu.
The Northland Shopping Centre food court is always busy and the produce is sold at such a quick turnover, you can be assured of its freshness. Yoyogi's many staff, in their orange uniforms, will serve you politely and with typical Japanese efficiency, make the transaction as speedy as possible. Okonomiyaki are available to eat in store or to take home.
