Okonomi-what?
Whenever I tell people I spent a year in Japan, people ask, “Oh my gosh, did you lose so much weight?”
Actually, I gained 20 pounds.
I blamed my second chin on my host family who fed me a steady stream of fried food, but the start of the third could have been a result of Okonomiyaki.
Even just saying it is a mouthful.
What is it? A Japanese pancake made from cabbage and flour, smothered in “Okonomiyaki sauce,” mayo and fish flakes…and if you’re lucky, paired with noodles and a fried egg. It’s considered street food throughout Japan, but to me, it was a giant plate of wonderful.
After my return home, I was saddened to find that virtually NO ONE serves Okonomiyaki in the states. In L.A., I had to drive nearly an hour to Lomita to find a place that serves it. In New York, there is a tiny stand in the East Village that sells it. But I’m not in the East Village all that often.
My husband and I have tried making it, with some success, but still, it would be nice to be able to stop in somewhere and get the real thing.
Sigh.
Today, my husband told me about a Tweet from Hana:
Say it all together now…Okonomiyaki! You asked for it, get yours tonight at Hana Japanese Eatery.
Elastic pants…here I come!
