Savory Break: My First Okonomiyaki near Fushimi’s Coworking Hub
Hi, I’m Shweta from India. I recently got to try Okonomiyaki for the first time, something I had been wanting to taste ever since seeing it in so many YouTube videos. Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made from a wheat flour batter mixed with cabbage and ingredients like meat or seafood. It is cooked on a hot griddle and topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and seaweed. The name literally means “how you like it,” which fits its flexible, customizable style. Although it is especially famous in Osaka, it’s enjoyed widely across Japan.
I tried mine at a restaurant called Momotaro, located in the lively Fushimi Otesuji Shopping Street in Fushimi Momoyama, Kyoto, just about five minutes from Nomad-Ma coworking space. The area has a friendly, local atmosphere, making it a nice spot for my first okonomiyaki experience. We ordered a pork okonomiyaki with the usual cabbage base, and the sweet-savory sauce on top immediately caught my eye. Watching the katsuobushi (bonito flakes) move with the steam was surprisingly fun, they really look like they are dancing. With the mayonnaise and seaweed sprinkled over it, every bite had a rich and balanced flavor. It was a warm, satisfying dish overall, and something I could definitely see myself eating again.
Along with the Okonomiyaki, I also tried Yakisoba. Yakisoba translates to “stir-fried noodles” and is made with wheat noodles cooked with wheat, veggies and slightly sweet, savory sauce similar to Worcestershire. The one we ordered had pork, cabbage and pickled ginger on top. It was yummy and comforting, though between the two dishes, I preferred okonomiyaki. The noodles had a nice texture and the ginger added a nice freshness that balanced the flavors well. It felt like a perfect side to pair with Okonomiyaki.
This meal was a small treat from my supervisor, who wanted me to try more Japanese food during my internship. I appreciated the gesture and it made the experience even nicer. It was a good chance to try something I had only seen online before actually coming to Japan. Sharing a meal like this made the experience more relaxed and enjoyable. Overall, it turned into a simple but memorable introduction to two popular Japanese dishes. Trying food directly from a local spot added a different kind of appreciation too. Instead of just seeing it on the screen, I got to experience the sounds, the smell of the griddle, and the atmosphere of the otesuji shopping street. It made the food feel more authentic and connected to the place. Now that I have finally had okonomiyaki and yakisoba, I am excited to keep exploring more Japanese food during my stay.
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