Two kinds of shop
When you sit down, look at the table. A hotplate in front of every seat suggests customers can cook, but staff may still do it. A counter facing a large hotplate usually means staff cook for you.
If you are unsure, ask straight away. Staff would much rather explain than rescue a burnt pancake later.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 自分で焼くんですか。 | Jibun de yaku n desu ka. | Do we cook it ourselves? |
| 焼いてもらえますか。 | Yaite moraemasu ka. | Could you cook it for us? |
| 鉄板 | teppan | The iron hotplate |
| ヘラ | hera | The metal spatula, also called kote in some areas |
Ordering fillings and toppings
Menus list okonomiyaki by main filling, with names built from the ingredient plus tama, short for egg. Extra toppings such as cheese or mochi are usually listed separately.
Portions can be large, so asking about size before ordering one each is sensible.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 豚玉 | butatama | Pork okonomiyaki |
| イカ玉 | ikatama | Squid okonomiyaki |
| モダン焼き | modanyaki | Okonomiyaki with noodles |
| 豚玉を一つとモダン焼きを一つお願いします。 | Butatama o hitotsu to modanyaki o hitotsu onegaishimasu. | One pork okonomiyaki and one modanyaki, please. |
| チーズを追加できますか。 | Chīzu o tsuika dekimasu ka. | Can I add cheese? |
| 大きさはどのくらいですか。 | Ōkisa wa dono kurai desu ka. | How big is it? |
Asking how to cook it
If you decide to cook it yourself, ask for a quick explanation before you start. The most useful questions are about timing, because the flip is where things go wrong.
Staff often come back to check, and they will usually help with the first flip if you look hesitant.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 焼き方を教えてもらえますか。 | Yakikata o oshiete moraemasu ka. | Could you show us how to cook it? |
| いつひっくり返せばいいですか。 | Itsu hikkurikaeseba ii desu ka. | When should we flip it? |
| 何分ぐらい焼きますか。 | Nanpun gurai yakimasu ka. | About how many minutes do we cook it? |
| もう焼けていますか。 | Mō yakete imasu ka. | Is it cooked now? |
Instructions you will hear
Staff instructions are short and practical. The verbs to listen for are mix, spread, wait and flip, and there is almost always a warning that the hotplate is hot.
Repeating the step back is a natural way to confirm you understood.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| よく混ぜてから、鉄板に広げてください。 | Yoku mazete kara, teppan ni hirogete kudasai. | Mix it well, then spread it on the hotplate. |
| 鉄板が熱いので、気をつけてください。 | Teppan ga atsui node, ki o tsukete kudasai. | The hotplate is hot, so please be careful. |
| 五分ほどしたら、ひっくり返してください。 | Gofun hodo shitara, hikkurikaeshite kudasai. | After about five minutes, flip it over. |
| ソースとマヨネーズはお好みでどうぞ。 | Sōsu to mayonēzu wa o-konomi de dōzo. | Add sauce and mayonnaise as you like. |
| 五分ですね。わかりました。 | Gofun desu ne. Wakarimashita. | Five minutes, right. Got it. |
Regional styles in brief
Two broad styles are widely known. In the Kansai or Osaka style, cabbage and other ingredients are mixed into the batter before cooking. In the Hiroshima style, batter, cabbage, noodles and other layers are built up on the hotplate.
In Hiroshima itself, people often simply call their version okonomiyaki, so using the plain word there is the safe choice. Tokyo is also known for monjayaki, a runnier dish eaten straight from the hotplate.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 関西風 | Kansai-fū | Kansai or Osaka style |
| 広島風 | Hiroshima-fū | Hiroshima style |
| そば入り | soba-iri | With yakisoba noodles |
| もんじゃ焼き | monjayaki | A runny Tokyo hotplate dish |
Eating from the hotplate
Many people cut pieces with the small spatula and eat straight from the hotplate, which keeps it warm. Asking for a small plate is perfectly normal if you prefer.
Toppings such as aonori and bonito flakes contain seaweed and fish, and the batter usually contains egg and wheat, so mention allergies before ordering.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 取り皿をもらえますか。 | Torizara o moraemasu ka. | Could we have small plates? |
| マヨネーズなしでお願いします。 | Mayonēzu nashi de onegaishimasu. | Without mayonnaise, please. |
| 卵のアレルギーがあります。 | Tamago no arerugī ga arimasu. | I have an egg allergy. |
| 青のりとかつお節 | aonori to katsuobushi | Seaweed flakes and bonito flakes |
Ordering, asking for help and confirming instructions are the same moves as in Unihongo's Order at a Café mission, just with a hotplate in the middle.